How to successfully stop drinking pop?

[compulsivedancer]

Soda, for those not from the Midwest.

 

I can give it up short term but not so well long term. Thoughts?

[gaius]

If you figure it out compulsive let me know. Root Beer is my weakness.

[compulsivedancer]

If you figure it out compulsive let me know. Root Beer is my weakness.

 

Dr. Pepper. I've managed to lower my intake some by drinking coffee in the morning and not having it at home, but I still probably average 300 calories a day in pop. That's the difference between gaining weight at my desk job or losing it!

 

I've thought about buying a case for work and limiting myself to one can at lunch (that would save me money, too!) but I'm worried it would backfire and I'd end up cheating and drinking more instead.

 

Btw, most people on here call me CD. Less awkward than Compulsive.

[xxoo]

Replace it with sparkling water. Treat yourself to fresh limes to squeeze in it.

[Dontfindme]

I just substitute with water whenever I want to drink soda.

It has been a matter of just controlling myself really.

[rester]

Can you limit yourself to one or two on weekends only? I rarely drink soda, but when I have one I notice that I crave them more often. Using it as a special treat on weekends only may help you wean yourself off it.

 

Replacing the habit with something else can help, too. Next craving you get, chug a bunch of water. Keep that up and you'll eventually lose the cravings.

[compulsivedancer]

Can you limit yourself to one or two on weekends only? I rarely drink soda, but when I have one I notice that I crave them more often. Using it as a special treat on weekends only may help you wean yourself off it.

 

Replacing the habit with something else can help, too. Next craving you get, chug a bunch of water. Keep that up and you'll eventually lose the cravings.

 

I have pretty good luck not drinking it at home, so I usually don't have it on the weekends unless I go out. I tend not to have it too much in the evening, either, since it keeps me up late. So lunch is the biggest killer, or an afternoon snack kinda thing.

 

I think I have cut back somewhat, but I'd like to cut back further. Cold turkey doesn't work for me - I am just not motivated enough for this one.

[xxoo]

If it's about motivation, read about all the crap in dr pepper.

 

Think of what the sugar and acid alone are doing to your teeth over time.

[melodicintention]

Don't buy it, don't put it on your home, car, office. Do not open a bottle of it. You are choosing to drink it, so three's nothing anyone can tell you to do to stop other than just stop. Its about that simple. Either you want to quit, or you think it's ideal to quit but don't really want to down in your bones. Find substitutes. I used to drink the snot out of soda, but once I decided I wanted to stop I just did. Cold turkey. Then I found I was drinking more green tea and fruit juices because water is bland. Don't get me wrong, I now have a soda maybe 1 every 2-3 months, but after about 12 ounces it's soo sweet and syrupy it's grosses me out and I want a water to wash it down.

 

You can make a mistake only once. Once you have awareness, if you repeat the same actions, it is now a choice. So choose not to drink soda if you don't want to.

[d0nnivain]

Not buying it so it's not in the house helps me. Find something else you enjoy drinking & have a ready supply of that.

 

Don't feel like it has to be forever. It's OK to have 1 once in a while.

[Phoe]

I just sorta stopped drinking it and never consciously realized it. Fruity sparkling water is a good substitute for that bubbly feeling.

 

After a while, you don't desire it anymore, and don't care. It's been so long since I drank coke that the idea of drinking it actually isn't pleasant to me. If I open a fridge and there's nothing but soda I'm like "crap. Really? No water or juice?"

 

I used to drink root beer a lot. I just say once you are used to not having it you get used to it and don't want it anymore

[Mr Scorpio]

What Soda Does to Your Body Medical Course - YouTube

[pink_sugar]

Start by limiting your intake. If you have one a day, start aiming for 3-4 times a week and gradually reduce from there. Instead, start drinking tea with a small spoon of sugar....Plenty of flavor and minimal calories. You can also opt for sparkling water and add your own natural flavorings.

[pink_sugar]

 

I used to drink root beer a lot. I just say once you are used to not having it you get used to it and don't want it anymore

 

I agree. It's like quitting fast food. You stop craving it once you stop eating it on a regular basis.

[NJ123]

I drink Diet Coke, but I limit myself to it to about 3x a week. But 90% of the time I'm drinking water. I couldn't drink soda everyday, especially regular soda with infinite amounts of sugar.

[pink_sugar]

I drink Diet Coke, but I limit myself to it to about 3x a week. But 90% of the time I'm drinking water. I couldn't drink soda everyday, especially regular soda with infinite amounts of sugar.

 

Diet soda can be just as bad if not worse due to all the chemicals in it. I would also try and limit diet sodas to once a week.

[NJ123]

Diet soda can be just as bad if not worse due to all the chemicals in it. I would also try and limit diet sodas to once a week.

 

I hear those rumors, but there's no exact scientific proof that aspartame is that bad. You have to consume literally gallons of soda a day to get any harmful effects from those chemicals. But of course I agree having no soda is better than having some soda. I just prefer diet since regular soda is so bad for the teeth. And lately I haven't been drinking much soda. I seem to go in cycles with it, one week I'll have it about 3x in a week, another week I'll have it once or not at all. When I was younger I would literally drink like 4 cans of regular coke a day. Looking back I have no idea how I could do that. Now a majority of the time I stick with water, and have OJ occasionally or a diet snapple.

[compulsivedancer]

Either you want to quit, or you think it's ideal to quit but don't really want to down in your bones.

 

This is the reality of it, and why I find it so hard to go cold turkey. I get a craving for it, or find myself ordering it out of habit, and then end up drinking it anyway.

[pink_sugar]

Check out this article about what diet soda does to your body: How Soda Destroys Your Body (INFOGRAPHIC) | Rodale News

[NJ123]

Check out this article about what diet soda does to your body: How Soda Destroys Your Body (INFOGRAPHIC) | Rodale News

 

Everything in moderation. Of course having soda every single day would be bad for you, especially if your having multiple cans per day. That's when it becomes harmful. But if your only having it 1 to 3 times per week, I highly doubt that would be harmful.

[Loveblissed]

Start juicing , it's the best way ever to quit those sodas and cokes

[whichwayisup]

Soda, for those not from the Midwest.

 

I can give it up short term but not so well long term. Thoughts?

 

You may hate this at first but once you get used to it, you'll love it. Squeeze half a lemon in warm or hot water, add a bit of sugar if need be and drink it.

 

It's so good for your over all health (google it!).

[compulsivedancer]

You may hate this at first but once you get used to it, you'll love it. Squeeze half a lemon in warm or hot water, add a bit of sugar if need be and drink it.

 

It's so good for your over all health (google it!).

 

Sounds odd, but I imagine it'd be almost like drinking thin lemonade.

[Noproblem]

Well, you can easily give up by changing it with a more healthy drink

 

I drink

 

Simply lemonade instead.

[goldengirl11]

I'm so glad to have seen this thread. It's not that unusual after all i.e to be addicted to fizzy drinks! Think partly why I like them, is that they tend to wake me up a bit if I'm feeling tired, when I don't want to be. Interesting points.