I’ve decided that it’s time to implement my plan to kick my soda habit.
Oh, I’ve given up pop (as we Minnesotans call it) a few times over the years, and even had some success in a 30 Day No Soda Challenge about six years ago. But I fell off the wagon. I used Diet Coke as a crutch to get through stressful situations and survive my Weight Watchers diet. I rarely spend money on things other than the necessities, so it was easy to justify this “one little habit.”
All that rationalizing lead to drinking 4-5 cans of diet pop every day and spending more than $40 a month on this habit. And it made me feel lousy. I simply cannot continue to spend 10 percent of my monthly grocery budget on a product with no nutritional value.
How I Plan To Kick My Soda Habit For Good
I’ve been a regular soda drinker since I was a young kid, and became a full-blown pop fiend in college when I would scrounge up spare change to feed a Mountain Dew addiction. I know that I’ll need a plan if I’m going to kick this soda habit. So here’s what I’m going to do.
First, I’m going to slowly wean myself off soda.
I don’t drink any caffeine other than soda, so I know that if I’m going to be able to handle the caffeine withdrawals, I’m going to have to slowly taper off the amount of soda I drink.
I’ll start off by dropping from 4 to 5 cans of pop a day to 3. I’ll do that for a couple of days and drop to 2 cans a day. Then after a few days, I’ll drop to one, and then I can drop to zero.
I will find reasonable soda substitutions.
During the transition, I’ll need to replace my soda with other beverages. I want to make sure that those beverages are better for me than soda and also cost considerable less. I will try some flavored carbonated water to help me with my cravings for fizzy drinks. I’ll use my infuser water bottle
I’ll try to prepare for situations that tempt me to drink soda.
I’ll bring my own reusable water bottles with me when I travel so that I’m not tempted to pick up a soda at the convenience store. If I know I’m going out to eat, I’ll try to sneak a peek at the menu so I know what non-soda beverage choices are available to me.
I will find activities to keep my mind busy.
I’ve broken up with pop before and the hardest part is pushing through the mental addiction to the beverage. I plan to keep myself busy during the first few weeks of no soda. I’ll make sure I go for walks, work on crafts, read, and color. I’ll be sure to do some cooking and baking and writing.
I’ll remind myself of the health benefits.
I know that there are many reasons why diet soda is not good for you. Even without the formal studies, I know there are bad side effects from drinking too much of it. When I drink a lot of soda, I find myself craving more sugary and fatty foods. I feel bloated, and I get body aches. My health is a priority for me this year, and I know that I will feel better when I kick my soda habit.
I will surround myself with supporters.
I have friends and family who have given up the soda, and I will be sure to lean on them for support. And I am sure that some of my dear readers will either join me in giving up soda or already have given it up and can offer me tips. (Hint, hint). I’ll make sure my immediate family holds me accountable for my beverage choices, too.
I will remind myself that I’m human.
My focus – at least in the beginning is progress, not perfection. I know I will have setbacks, or days where I really struggle. I’ll be sure to remind myself that getting through the tough times will be worth it all in the end.
I will reward myself for good behavior.
I plan to take a portion of the money I save from not buying soda and use it for mini-rewards. Mini-rewards could be things like workout gear, new music or books, or new kitchen tools. The idea is to use those mini rewards to improve my health.
My plan to kick my soda habit for good won’t be easy, but I know that for my physical and financial health, it’s a smart move worth the sacrifice.
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Here in Michigan we call soda “pop” as well. I’m puling for you. I know you can do it.
Thanks, JoAnn! So far, I’m doing okay! Baby steps!
Good luck. Except when I have a mixed drink, I rarely ever drink it anymore.
Ditto. I hardly ever have any (and practically never when it’s caffeinated), and when I do, it tastes disgustingly sweet, and my body knows it’s worthless. Everything is relative.
All the best in kicking your habit! Here in NJ we call soda – soda! :)
Good luck! I’m with you. I’ve tried to quit Dr. Pepper a few times but fell off the wagon when I lost my job last summer! I have a few cans left and then I’m not buying anymore. I think it will help me curb my snacking habit too since salty snacks make me want pop.
Thanks! I think it will help with snacking – I always want to eat junk when I drink pop. I’m already noticing a difference in cravings just since cutting back. Good luck to you, too!
Good luck Christina! My wife was basically addicted to soda and quit cold turkey about 6 years ago. I guess right about the same time that you did. Your plan to get off and stay off looks good. It’s a good thing you’re not beating yourself up. It really is pretty addicting stuff. Just concentrate on all the money you’ll be saving :-)/
Thanks for the encouragement! I admire that your wife was able to go cold turkey! That’s impressive!
Have you tried Green Tea instead….
I’m not really a tea drinker, but I could probably give green tea a try.
I did that two years ago and it felt great. I weaned myself by finding a replacement beverage at first, it was iced tea and it wasn’t that great for me… but it was better than the chemistry experiment that is Diet Coke. Eventually I ran out of the tea and its hold on me wasn’t that strong so I quit that pretty easily. I think you have a good game plan, good luck!
Thanks for the encouragement, Jim!
Those are great tips. I have reduced my soda drinking habit to minimum also. Last spring I had problems with kidneys and my doctor told me that I must reduced it on minimum or I am going to surgery. Now I am better I didn’t went to surgery, my kidneys are better and it will need few more years to recover in full. Occasionally I drink one glass of soda, but no more than one glass per week.
Congratulations on giving it up, and I am glad your kidneys are on the mend.
All the best! I’m along. I’ve tried to stop Dr. Spice up several times but doped off of the wagon after i lost my employment previous summertime! I’ve a number of cups remaining then I’m not necessarily purchasing ever again. I think it will help myself curtail my snacking pattern also since salty goodies produce myself need take.
I have a friend who went through a twelve step program for alcohol. Long story short, their advice to addicts is to “just make it til tomorrow” without relapsing, without having another drink, without succumbing to the urge. Then of course when “tomorrow” comes, you tell yourself “just hold on and make it til tomorrow” again. Aaaand do it like that for the rest of your life. Every 24 hour period is a new, manageable challenge.
I’m an on again, off again soda addict too :( The twelve step advice does work if you’re ready to make the change. I only relapse when I’m down on myself and want to wallow in defeat.
Very good advice. I’ve definitely been taking it one day at a time. I know I’ll get there.