April 1 was the start of a 3 month no fast food junk challenge for our family. To be completely honest we did have pizza out once since beginning our challenge on a hectic night. Yikes, it is so hard to break the habit, but fortunately we are back on track!
When I wrote about the challenge I failed to mention one very significant part- soda. My kids are young and don’t drink soda, but my husband and I do. We decided as part of the challenge we would also take a 3 month hiatus from drinking any soda. The crazy part about it is even though we are 27 days in and have been successful in not having one drop of soda so far, just writing the word makes me really want one. That is how I know the strength of the addiction in my brain!
For years I have wanted to give up drinking soda. There are reasons upon reasons to give it up, and it doesn’t matter if you are talking about regular soda or diet. Either way you lose. Sugar versus unhealthy chemicals, not to mention the sodium in both.
A few weeks ago I saw the damage that too much sodium causes to your arteries on the Dr. Oz show. I took it as a sign that kicking the soda habit is a significant move in the right direction for me. After a quick search I found out last year Dr. Oz did a 28 day Soda challenge on his show. It was a reminder to me that it is never too late to turn things around, and the motivation I needed to keep pushing forward.
Removing soda cold turkey from our diet has been by far the hardest part of the challenge, much harder than removing fast food! Even before starting the challenge we had already stopped buying soda regularly, but the fact is soda is so readily available you can pick some up virtually anywhere you go. In general, I would say my motto is moderation, but for whatever reason soda doesn’t fit into the moderation box with me. Having even one sip makes me crave more! Even if I don’t give into the craving I know it is an unhealthy addiction and I don’t want to spend my life fighting soda cravings. This is when it became apparent to me that cold turkey may be the only way for me to go.
At the end of 3 months I am going to have to think long and hard about whether or not I want soda to be a part of my life at all. There are certain things I miss. Our favorite cocktail is a Jack and Coke, but if having a little bit of soda in an occasional mixed drink means reliving this addictive battle over and over again I don’t know that it is worth it.
The first week of no soda was by far the hardest. The second week was better but still difficult. Now in the midst of the third week it is still a challenge but slowly improving. Every time I go to the store and see a bottle of soda I really want one. Even watching American Idol with those Coke cups makes me crave one badly. That proves soda is an unhealthy addiction for me.
I’ll keep you posted on our progress, good or bad, but I am focusing on good! 🙂
Are any of you addicted to soda, even in moderation like I am? Have you kicked the soda habit? What helps you to successfully change a habit?
