52 Weeks to a New “Me” ~~ Week 1 Challange: Giving up Soda of all sorts ~~ Care to join me?
2014 is going to bring many changes for me. I turned 41 a few months ago and reality has started to sink in. I have told myself things like “It can’t happen to me” or “My family lived to be 80 and did it, so I can too”. But the harsh reality is, everyone’s body is different AND things in today’s society are quite different than when my parents and aunts/uncles were young.
I think fast food was becoming a HUGE deal when I was a teenager. Heck, my first job was at Hardee’s in Indianapolis, IN. I don’t remember being aloud to drink much soda when I was a kid. Soda was more of a “Treat” for me to have when we would eat out at a restaurant on the rare occasion we could afford it. It was only after I started working in a fast food restaurant that I started drinking soda regularly. I am now 41 and would consider myself a full-blown caffeine and soda addict. I am not talking about the diet stuff either, I drink the full-calorie stuff and have at least 3 a day.
Watching my weight steadily incline over the last 7 years and will probably continue to do so if I don’t do something about it has really got me thinking about what things I need to do to change my habits. The first thing is, I want to live to see my grandchildren, possibly even great-grandchildren. The second is, I want to live…Period! I am tired of empty calories and heavy weight making me feel like a prisoner in my own body.
Now I realize that I may never be as svelte and thin as I was when I was in my teens and twenties, but I can be thinner and healthier than I am now and that is my goal, not just for 2014, but for the rest of my life.
I know this journey is going to be hard, stressful and sometimes lonely, but I know that I am smart and strong enough to surpass some of the habits in my life that hold me back and drag me down.
Starting with week 1, I vow to give up soda of all sorts from here on out. It isn’t worth my life, it isn’t worth decaying my teeth and it isn’t worth the money on empty calories.
Will you watch me as a journey into a new “Me”? I hope so. This is me today. Let’s see how I look in 30, 60, 90 & 365 days. Wish me luck!!! 🙂 I would love comments below on your thoughts about soda or my journey or how you have overcome an addiction to something.
Ok this sounds like something I could do, so cheers (with a glass Of water) to all!
OMG! I know exactly what you’re going through. I just turned 56 & had to face the fact I will never be that tiny size 3 from years gone by. I decided to stop drinking beer & all of a sudden I started craving all kinds of sugar. Grape soda was my downfall! I was drinking one in the morning almost as soon as I got up. There just no better feeling than that coldness going down my throat & oh! the flavor of Grape Crush! Anyways it just stated wreaking havoc on my gut…the gas, bloating, etc. So I stopped cold turkey last week. Alas, I replaced that with ice cream (Magnum, Vanilla Caramel Drumsticks, Snickers all have a majority stock in my freezer). Who knows what’ll come after that but I notice I’m not all ‘puffy’ anymore. Good Luck Hon! I’m with you!
I would drink diet soda from morning until night, when my dentist suggested I pick a day and just stop, because of the acid in it. I thought to myself “That is never going to happen”, but then on August 21, 2013, I decided to try it. Long story short – I haven’t had one since. Water and tea may be boring, but I like the idea of not consuming NutriSweet every day. Good luck – you can do it if I can. I was totally addicted to it.
How is it going so far? Are you still sticking to it?
Cutting down on soda is so hard. I only drink diet but I know it is still so bad for you. http://exploringdomesticity.com
I wish you luck, and I will follow you on your Journey. Losing weight is hard. The older you get it is harder to lose So doing it right now is a good time for you. I am 67 and am overweight. I keep saying I am going to exercise and count my calories..I have bad knees and legs. Hard to walk a lot of times..Almost impossible to stand in one spot for long my back starts hurting Bad..Maybe you can give me some incentive as I follow your progress. Thankyou for Posting. Have a Wonderful New Year..
I wish you luck on your adventure! I don’t know that I could give up my soda again. I gave up soft drinks for about a year — but, soda is once again my lady lol
You can do it!!