If you’ve been reading the last couple of months then you know that I’m currently on a summer challenge of 100 Days of No Soda. Well, I’m past the halfway point!!!
People have told me that once I’m done, I’ll probably not want to drink soda any more…..yeah……no.
I know it’s sad, but I still crave it. Like, a lot. I’m fairly certain that I won’t drink it as much as I used to–6 to 8 cans a day–but I think if I managed to keep it under 3 that would be enough for me to be content. A breakfast, lunch, and dinner soda. 🙂
I’m pretty proud though that I’ve gone this far without cheating. Not even once. And I’ve really wanted to.
People have asked me why or what my purpose in doing this is. What I wanted to see is how much, if anything, my body changed with marathon training and a healthier diet. And it has! Pre-challenge I had 5 pesky pounds keeping me from my pre-pregnancy weight. Well, 53 days into the challenge, they’re gone. I also feel less heavy in general, like the bad food I was eating was weighing me down.
I knew that by eliminating soda, I would be helping to improve my diet. A lot of what I ate (and okay, still sometimes eat) is fast food, meals that come with a soft drink. Since I’m not drinking soda, I feel less compelled to order a # whatever from a drive thru. Instead, I make something at home and eat it drinking water.
I haven’t replaced soda with anything either. I’m not a tea drinker nor do I like many juices. I’ll have a recovery drink after workouts–I’m currently loving Rockin’ Refuel chocolate milk (I don’t care that some people say it’s not good for you. Chocolate milk is amazing.) and I’ll put Tailwind in my water during runs, but besides that, I’m really just drinking plain ‘ol H2O. I don’t even like lemon wedges or cucumbers in my water. I like just water. I’m seriously a plain Jane when it comes to food.
The challenge will get harder once I get back to work in August. I’m not exaggerating when I say I drank a lot of soda. In my classroom, I have a mini fridge under my desk that I would stock with Coke. No joke.
I’ll tackle that battle when it comes…..
Any habits you have that are/would be tough to break?
What’s your favorite drink to quench your thirst?
Congrats! I know that it is so hard. It took me a long time to wean myself from Diet Coke. This did make me think of my mother-in-law. She is a Diet Coke drinker and brings her lunch to work. She is a teacher and works in the library during her lunch hour. One day she opened her lunch in the library, popped open her Coke and took a swig. She suddenly stopped because her Coke tasted funny and then she realized it was a Coors Light. Can you imagine?! We laugh so hard when she tells this story.
ajajajaja!!!! that is SO funny!! Did she finish drinking it?? I definitely think a lot of teachers really do want to crack open a cold one sometimes lol!
Ha! She said she was so embarrassed she quick dumped it out. She doesn’t even drink Coors. It was probably our fault. I’m sure we left it in their fridge 🙂
What an awesome story!! LOL
This is freaking hilarious lol thank you so much for sharing!
Indulge me for just a moment to completely gross you out and hopefully get you off the soda train permanently. This is what happens when you indulge on the carbonated poison of the demons…..http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=sodas+effects+on+teeth&FORM=HDRSC2#a
Still up for that can of Coke??? i consider this a public service. You’re welcome. 🙂
Ewwww!!! But alas, I’ve seen all the videos and pictures and read all the books, I still wanna drink the soda 😦
Honestly though, this challenge has done the best to curb the desire. I really think I won’t drink it as much when it’s over.
congrats to you! I can’t iamgine how difficult this was for you. I gave up soda years ago, though I wasn’t a big soda drinker to begin with. I’m with you, I’m all about plain old water and only use “extras” for recovery/hydration after a big run. Good luck on the rest of the challenge.
Thanks Mar!!
Good for you! Giving up anything you like for that long is a huge accomplishment. I once went 7 days with no chocolate (while working in a chocolate store!), and it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.
Now THAT is an accomplishment!!
I AM SO PROUD OF YOU! You are doing so great with this. 🙂 Giving up coffee would be pretty impossible for me. I don’t even want to try it.
LOL, Salt needs her Starbucks!!!
The way you feel about soda is how I feel about baked Cheetos. I buy the bag that says Natural on it to make myself feel better lol
Just saw your comment on my blog, happy 1st bday to your son!!! How exciting for you! I hope you guys have a great day 😀
Thank you!!! He’s a little sick–think he caught a bit of what sister had 😦 but he’s in pretty good spirits regardless 🙂
You hang in there sista. YOU GOT THIS! Ya know, I cant think of something that I couldn’t give up, if I absolutely HAD TO. But, I may be the exception to the rule. I truly believe the cliche that “Nothing is impossible” 🙂 Autumn
So true!!
You are totally rocking this and you made me laugh at loud that you had a mini fridge under your desk at school! Even if you drop to 3 sodas a day post challenge, that is a huge improvement!
I know, it’s so bad jaja! But yeah, I think if I could keep it at 3 I’d be good.
i don’t drink a ton of soda but i used to. i still crave it as well. i don’t buy cans or liters anymore (well, very rarely) but i consider a coke zero a treat!
I tried Coke zero but I like the real bad stuff lol!
Congrats, that is really impressive. I drink soda and wish I could just give it up. I still drink the appropriate amount of water so that is justification to keep the soda lol.
Oh, I would find many ways to justify it lol! Even though I drank a lot, I still drank quite a lot of water too. I just drink way more now…what’s your soda of choice?
My freshman year of college I stopped drinking anything but water and coffee. (Alcohol is a different story lol.) It was the best thing I ever did. All the sugars and additives in soda made me so bloated! I actually lost the freshman 15 lol.
That’s totally the biggest difference–I don’t have that constant bloated feeling..
That’s awesome! Congrats! I keep telling myself to quit but I really am addicted to diet soda. Hmm, I want on right now. Love the mini fridge idea too.
lol! I’m jealous!
Ah, giving up soda can be so hard! I miss the sweetness and carbonation sometimes. I’ve replaced it with soda water. You’re doing great and that’s so awesome that you not only lost that final 5 lbs AND you’re saving money by skipping soda (seriously, count the $$).
You’re absolutely right! I should def count the money saved as a major plus!
Not even a lemon or cucumber in your water?! Wow, I am amazed you don’t drink tea or anything else either! Impressive!!
I know, I’m weird lol! I only drink bottled water too
That’s awesome! I haven’t gone soda free, but I’ve definitely cut back. Maybe I have a few a week? I’ve started drinking hot tea at night and my days are filled mostly with coffee, water, and the occasional iced tea.
It’s definitely hard. So I bow down in your greatness!
Jaja! Thank you!
Keep up the good work, Helly! My favorite beverage is lemon-lime seltzer (or, as my grandma used to call it, “sparkling water”). It’s refreshing and bubbly without any sugars or add-ins. 🙂
Thank you!
I can’t remember if I’ve asked this before, but…do you like the soda for the caffeine or the carbonation? If for the carbonation have you looked into a Sodastream?
Both and the flavor 🙂
I do t think I could manage 100 days without soda. I don’t drink a ton like I used to, but I usually have at least one diet root beer a day.
I’ve only heard from nutritionists that chocolate milk is great for a recovery drink. So drink on!
I’ve only heard good things too but several bloggers have had comments about it–bah humbug to them! lol!
Yay you’re halfway there!!!! It’s awesome you were able to get to this point! I have total faith you will make it to the end if you haven’t cheated yet 🙂
Way to go! Keep it up! Other catch phrase!
Seriously, I know it’s hard, but keep at it!
What are you drinking instead? I just started a blog called SodaRehab because I think that should really exist. I am addicted heavily on soda and I am trying to not drink it at.
Mostly just water. I don’t like teas and try and stay away from other high sugar drinks.