Day 12

I'm sorry for not getting this weekend's posts up, but I have been extremely busy. As far as coke temptation, I was able to put down the urges fairly easily and only stick to Green Tea instead of Sweet.

However, I do have a confession to make. Saturday morning out of the kindness of her heart, my wife purchased and Ale-8-1 for me. For those who aren't from KY, or even Northern, KY, Ale-8 is the locally brewed "gingerish" soda that is packed with flavor and caffeine. I could not turn this down because it just slipped her mind that I had stopped drinking soda. Although the flavor was great, I did notice an irritation from the carbonation. After a week of being without the harsh acid from Soda, my body must have healed, causing the pain from drinking the Ale-8.

Although, I faltered a bit, the pain from the soda that I did have only reiterates the reason I am doing this.

Another event that reiterated my reasons for quitting the consumption of cola was watching Mythbusters on Discovery Channel. They were trying to bust Cola myths. Talk about shocking. Did you know that Cola can clean chrome better than regular chrome cleaner? It can also dissolve tooth enamel, as well as ruin a steak. Just the effects of the acid in cola on the human body should be enough to quit drinking.

I would love to hear from you if you have been in the same boat I am, or have thought about quitting, but just can't get the will power to do it. Please comment if you have anything to say.

Have a great day!

Day 8

Needless to say, this week has felt like a month, but the hard part is not over.

Although I have stopped drinking carbonated beverages, I have not yet addressed the problem of my sugar addiction.

If you're not from the southern United States (e.g. Kentucky and below) you probably don't have a problem with sweet tea, or may not even know that it exists. For those who have had it, you will understand my issue. I LOVE IT!

For the past 3 years I have used sweet tea as an alternative to soda thinking it is healthier. Actually, sweet tea has the same amount of sugar and calories as most sodas do. The only advantage is the presence of antioxidants, which get rid of free radicals in the body. Something most multi vitamins can take care of anyway.

So, here it is. My next step for "Healthierdom" (Yes, I just invented a word) is to quit drinking sweet tea. This does not include green tea just yet, but that will be on the list shortly.

I live in an area, where the most common blood type is Sweet tea positive so this will be a challenge (please don't take that seriously).

Wish me luck.

Day 7

I NEED CAFFEINE!

With a long night Tuesday night due to my son straying from his normal sleeping pattern, exhaustion has been my shadow for the past 2 days. I am literally craving a Mountain Dew. I'm not sure whether it's because it tastes so darn good, or if it's because I associate the drink with a caffeine jolt.

Now that my body is finally recovering from the caffeine withdrawals (this is true), I know that a drink of a Mountain Dew would do the trick. However, the whole goal of this project is to lose the dependence on energy from anything but natural fuels like complex carbs.

Anyway I've made it this far and things seem to be looking up. The problem is, is that when I look up I see the Coke machine. UGGHHH!!! Anyway, wish me luck and energy.

Regards.

Day 5

So today is a big day. The Telecommunications company that I work at is broadcasting a show, live, over our cable network. Guess who's in charge.

Anyway, the point I'm making is that for years I have associated stress relief with the consumption of a coke. From a deep, subconscious feeling, cokes have always been a reward for me, so it is only natural to want a soda during this stressful time.

The other variable that makes this situation more susceptible to me drowning myself in an ice cold soda is related to the picture I have attached.

Our company is preparing for its annual meeting, which results in 500 + sodas being loaded into the media room where I spend most of my time. Is this some kind of sick irony? Maybe, but I've got to be strong.

Overall, it's been a good day. I feel 10 times better already now that I've stopped drinking soda. I can't wait to see how I feel a month from now.

Day 4

Sorry I missed my post yesterday, but it was a challenging one.

When you give something up, you enter a crash course in self control. Yesterday's eating habits involved lunch at my mother in-law's restaurant, and a graduation cookout for my wife's best friend. As you can imagine, some sort of soda usually accompanied my meals so temptation was at its peak.

The worst part of the day was eating at the cookout. Watching the other attendees sipping their sodas, watching the condensation sweat from the cans and drip down the side was torture. I could hear the crackle of the ice as hands gripped the cold cans and released them from their watery prison.

I thought about giving in, but then I remembered you all. I've not only made a promise to myself, but having something in writing gives me an accountability to readers as well as my health. I can't give up now.

So begins day 4.

Day 2

Things have gone well so far. I was able to eat at a restaurant last night without ordering a soda, but made up for those calories with a rich, seafood dish.

I decided to do some research on the effects of soda, and am not surprised at what I found. Not only does the consumption of soda contribute to weight gain, especially visceral fat around the abdomen, but also causes cirrhosis of the liver, similar to that of alcoholics.

Talk about motivation to stop.

Well, my son is waking up from a nap. I'll keep you posted on today's battle with temptation.

Day 1 - Soda Free

For those who don't know me, I am a 23 year old, videographer, photographer, and Marketing Associate who over the past year has developed a keen taste for unhealthy foods. Being a former soccer player, my current state of drinking over 60 fluid ounces of soda a day has become appalling to myself.

Today is the start of being soda free. I figured that if I wrote about my addiction (yes, it is an addiction) that I would be more in control of my urges. The office where I mainly work is approximately 50 feet from the nearest coke machine. The continuous clunk of bottles against the green, plastic, bottle shaped exit of the machine taunts me everyday, usually leading to my defeat.

The clank of the quarters, the clunk of the bottles, and the pssst of the fizz form a symphony of the most torturous sounds you can imagine to a soda lover. The power to resist weakens with every note played by the carbonated beverage.

It's only 10 Am, but hopefully I can stifle the desire for the rest of the day.