Well, nothing to be embarrassed about! The soda industry does their best to get us hooked on their products and it's not like you started using something illegal! I love carbonated anything, from sparkling water to champagne, and it seems more "special" than drinking tap water. I love unsweetened sparkling water with fruit flavoring added. I like this brand, but there are many others. You just have to be diligent to read labels and make sure they are not sneaking in sweeteners. I'd try switching to something like this until you get used to not drinking the soda, then branch out to other beverages that are even better for you, like plain water and maybe herbal tea drinks

Lacroix

You could start by using only half the amount of diet pop in a glass and fill the rest of the way with carbonated water. I like regular pop every so often and since my glucose test was a little elevated, the doctor made that suggestion and I find it works for me and I don't miss that extra pop. I bet you won't either. If that works for you, then keep cutting back on the pop amount. It can be hard but well worth it.

Let me ask you this... if you were to go into a small country grocery store, where you won't find much other than everyday items, what would you be looking for to drink?

It would be a couple of weeks before I could get to a larger supermarket or health store.

I've been drinking a LOT of water the last few days but I always go back to the diet sodas. And you're right Alisande... trying to cut back isn't helping. I need to go cold turkey.

Also, I've been getting headaches since trying to cut out the diet sodas. I'm not sure if this is from caffeine or artificial sweetener withdrawals.

A simple tip is to stop buying soda. If it's not in the house, you can't drink it. You also won't have to struggle with the temptation of instant gratification.

To answer your question, if I went into a small country grocery store (which I do often), and I were thirsty, I would buy a bottle of spring water (which I do often). If I weren't thirsty and just wanted to put something in my mouth, I wouldn't get a drink.

I gave up regular sodas a lot of years ago. I was addicted Cokes throughout my teens and early twenties, even drinking it for breakfast. But a few years after I was married, my husband urged me to give it up soda. Not long after that he gave up smoking--and then it was my turn to quit cigarettes too. :-)

I've known people who got terrible headaches while withdrawing from coffee. Your headaches could be related to caffeine, but I wouldn't be surprised if the sweetener is a factor too. Which one is it? Aspartame gave me instant joint pain when I tried it years ago. I never got into sucralose.

Here's another idea: Google your artificial sweetener and learn all the nasty things about it. There's a ton of information on them out there. It can help you build up an aversion.

Moonie, how long have you been without the diet drinks? Every day should get easier and easier. But you must drink plenty of water.....that's really your only option, and you have to replace the liquid with something.

I honestly don't know of any better substitute, even from a bigger grocery. Bottled water might taste better, and keep it in the fridge.

No diet drinks or caffeine of any kind, as you know. Cold turkey means your misery will be over sooner rather than prolonging the misery.

I think it's aspartame that is in diet coke. Googling that info will be a good way to pass the evening tonight since I'm going to be home alone.

Right now I'm getting ready to head out to the grocery store. While I'm there, I'll look at the options but really, I need to drink water. Maybe I'll get a bag of crushed ice. Can you buy crushed ice? The sound of the ice maker crushing is greatly irritating. lol

Thanks! I will let you all know how it goes.

Change your psychology? Think of liquid as something your body needs rather than something you want. Drink water to quench thirst and to give your body the nutrients and all the good stuff water does. Soon you'll not only be wondering why you felt you had to have tasty, sweet drinks, but diet soda will taste really awful to you.

rhizo - I have not gone a full day without drinking them. An afternoon headache is excuse enough to pour a glass! not funny, I know. lol

But I agree, it needs to be cold turkey!

The headaches could also be caused by dehydration. I get them if I don't drink enough water. Try increasing your water. You will have to force it first but eventually you will grow to like it and everything else will taste too sweet! And you will feel so much better. Proper hydration makes such a difference.

Yeah, cold turkey is best. You'll have about 7-10 days where you'll feel it but just resist. I had a similar issue when I decided to cut out my sugar consumption. I was drinking a lot of sugar so I cut out the soda and replaced it with water. Plain old water. It's hard at first but you will get used to it. The one thing I will recommend is that you MONITOR your water intake and keep it at around eight 8 ounce glasses per day. Any more than that may cause other problems. Don't do a 1 for 1 replacement because you may be drinking more diet soda than you realize. Too much water is not good and it's tough to balance when you're eliminating soda.

Sparkling water is a good substitute because you still get the bubbles, which might help you transition. I would recommend alternating between regular water and sparkling just to help you get used to the flatness. Poland Springs makes a flavored sparkling water that is not sweetened (I don't have a bottle handy to confirm but I've had it in the past) with flavors like lime, orange, raspberry and lemon. Lightly flavored so it's not over powering.

When you get that headache feeling, try walking around for 15 minutes. The movement will increase your blood flow. You may not be drinking enough water during the day and being dehydrated can start a headache.

Life can go on without daily consumption of regular or diet sodas. I rarely drink either. Most don't taste good to me, they're either too sweet or too suggestive of a chemical taste (the diet ones).

Good luck - all bad habits can be broken. Don't look for excuses to break your resolve. They're not good for you, your health will improve when you stop your habit.

A couple of years ago I bought a new fridge with water and ice in the door. I then gave up keeping diet soda in the house. I love water with crushed ice in it. At first I would still have diet soda when I ate out and then I switched to ice tea. Now I usually order water. If my son is with me, he will order a craft beer and I have several sips of that, along with my water. I feel good about myself giving up diet soda. Our town has one of the best tasting water in the country.

You might want to try some of the flavored waters. You could try Mio, which comes in a tiny bottle and you put a few drops in your water. I like it.

Mio is artificially sweetened. Moonie is going to have to work very hard to avoid those products! Reading labels will become important......many flavored waters and 'vitamin' waters contain sweeteners.

This afternoon when I went to the grocery store I have to admit that I'm a bit proud of myself for walking out with no diet drinks in my cart! lol I have one 2 liter bottle in the frig and will drink that until I go do regular grocery shopping sunday and find something else.

Apparently, you can't buy bags of crushed ice. For me, crushed ice is so much better. Today I used a hammer and crushed some. The sound of the ice maker crushing grates on my nerves so bad and the dogs hate it, too.

Sunday I am going to get some kind of carbonated water and look at some smaller bottles of juice to mix in. Since I am a calorie counter, at first I wanted to stay away from adding any more sugar into my diet. But, in this instance, I think a little more sugar will help me get off the artificial sweeteners.

Too bad about the Mio. I was googling it and found out the same as what Rhizo said. Darn it.

Thanks everyone.

Oh, I meant to add that I am drinking regular tap water as well. Not just the diet soda that I already had here in the house. :)

Moonie, it sounds like you are heading in the right direction & good for you! It may help to talk to a dietitian also as they can give you a lot of good pointers as they did for me with my sugar and carb. Intake. Not everyone can stop cold turkey and sometimes it is better to just keep cutting back. Best of luck to you!

Mix tonic water and cranberry juice half-and-half.

Tonic water is sweetened, BTW--either with sugar or artificially, depending on which kind you get. At least that's been my experience when shopping for it.

I've found I can sometimes quit coffee, soft drinks or various foods better when I try a new schedule. For instance, if I'm on vacation or out shopping or volunteering, I don't have as much access to my weakness. I may still get a bit of a craving, but I can override it because I have a distraction and can focus on something else.

Not sure if this applies to you. I've noticed some people never go anywhere without a glass of something in their hand. They all have a quick place to pull in through a drive through at a fast food place or Starbucks or something similar. Start carrying a bottle of water around with you to keep hydrated. Bottled water costs more money than tap, but it isn't the issue here. Carry a bottle of water in your purse so you can grab a sip and stay hydrated. Then you don't have an excuse to stop somewhere and grab a drink.

I previously wasn't a tea drinker either. I started because sometimes I need something besides water at restaurants and soft drinks sometimes make me feel bad. I can't handle caffeine at night so I only drink it during the day. I don't bother with fake sweeteners. I use sugar in the raw or the other brown cane sugar that I can't remember the name of right now. I only use it for tea so it is 'special'. I don't always add sweetener, but if I do I limit my consumption to one or two glasses of tea. It helps as having something different to drink and I don't crave it.

vicsgirl, tonic water has lots of sugar! Diet tonic water has artificial sweeteners. That's not what moonie is looking for.

Seltzer or club soda or any sparkling water like Perrier are what you need, moonie. By all means, try the flavored brands, but they taste awful to my tastebuds. I'm better off using a little splash of real fruit juice in my carbonated water, or slices of real fruit.

Moonie, it's too bad you don't like lemon in your water. What about limes? Or herbs? Lemon balm is one of my all time favorite herbs.

How about unsweetened tea with just a dash of juice in it? I do that with lemonade, Orange juice, or grapefruit. You only need a very small amount.

I was a Dr. Pepper drinker for 50 years, regular, not diet and quit last Sept. My DD got me started on a new eating healthy plan and I've cut out sugar, flour, and several other things and have lost 30 lbs. Have more to go but taking it slow and easy, just the way it came on. :). Don't know if you have heard about the Trim Healthy Mama way of eating but it is a wonderful plan and you aren't hungry. I use to drink lots of sweet tea, and still do only I sweeten it with liquid stevia. I find that the liquid doesn't leave a bitter after taste like some of the powders do. DD's DH lost over 35 lbs by changing his eating and he even eats fast food daily at his job, only he has them omit the bun on his burgers and eats other healthy things and has resolved many of his health problems.

You might want to try iced tea, maybe an herbal one, with Stevia in it. It is a natural no calorie sweetener that does not impact blood sugar levels. Or a tea with fresh mint in it for flavor and a sweet taste.

One thing I have found to be very refreshing is unfiltered (cloudy) apple cider vinegar (1 to 2 tsp.) with water, stevia (the liquid version, just a few drops) and ice. Sounds weird, but I like it. And the ACV is good for you too.

I was also a diet soda drinker and about 3 year ago I decided to give it up for health reasons. I am a water drinker. Lots of ice and it has to be very cold. When I am out for a meal I will drink unsweet ice tea. My son has also given up diet drinks and he usually flavors his water with a powdery substance. Sorry don't know the name. It seems it was grape flavored.

I used to drink diet soda and quit 5 years ago. I don't miss it all. I did then. I just stopped because I knew it wasn't good for me. When I weigh the risks (?right word) vs benefits (none) it was easy. I only drink water, teas and sometimes coffee. A while back I was drinking lemon, cucumber water and it was very good. I am off of citrus for a couple months so I'm not drinking it right now. I think ginger root would be a nice addition also. Do you eat a lot of vegetables? This is also a great way to add water to your body. I actually don't enjoy drinking water butI do try and force down a few cups a day.

At home, water is easy. I buy the best tasting spring water offered locally, and get it delivered in the refillable half gallon bottles. Sometimes I indulge in a soda, especially if I have a sore throat of a certain kind, for which it's soothing (I know--it's weird). The hard part is when one is out and the only water available tastes disgusting. I've learned to drink soda water then. Most soda fountains have a bypass button whereby you can get the soda without the syrup, and if there's a bar, there's a soda (water) gun. Fountain soda water isn't as salty tasting as bottled club soda. It is a bit acidic, which is refreshing with a meal. It's not sweet, though, so if it's the flavor you want, rather than the bubbles, it's not as good an option.

Just want to throw in my support to you moonie. It's not easy. I feel like I have kicked the soda habit. I was like so many others I drank it all day, morning to night. My absolute favorite, Diet Dr. Pepper. I absolutely adore Dr. Pepper. I still drink one once in awhile. I mostly drink water, coffee, Bengal spice tea and grape flavored stuff like crystal light but it's the walmart brand. I don't drink near enough water, need to work on that.

I also quit smoking 6 years ago. Now THAT was hard. I distinctly remember crying in week 2! lol Cold turkey all the way. Only way I even stood a chance. Soda was nothing compared to the cigs. Anyway, best of luck. You got this. Just keep plugging away.

I"m kind of in a rush to get out of here but I want you all to know that I'm still dedicated to kicking the habit! Today I went back to the grocery store, got a lemon and a lime, and just decided I like plain ole water better than trying to add favor.

Weird, the only carbonated type water I found either had sugar or artificial. But I'm going to The Big City sunday and might look. Today I did well with plain ole water. :)

Oh, I quit smoking, too, katlan. almost 3 years now!

Which, btw, was when I began to gain weight! lol

Me too! Which I haven't lost yet. Ugh, hang in there moonie, you're not alone in this.

If you like bubbles/fizz, try plain or flavored seltzer water with a splash of lemon, lime, or even Crystal Lite (just a tad). You can even do half n half water/seltzer.

I'm going to look for plain seltzer water tomorrow. Thank you.

I'm just going to be bossy and say this: You need to just drink water...period, end of story! A soda should just be a treat, something to have on occasion, it should not be what you consume every day to get the proper hydration. Our bodies need water to function properly!

I found I crave the carbonation as much as anything. Perhaps one of those machines that makes soda and some natural juice would do it for you?

Real cranberry juice with water. Make sure not to buy cranberry cocktail juice with is mostly sugar water.

I am guessing your big bottle of soda from your fridge is now gone. Yeah! :) I don't have soda in the house, cept some gingerale for when I have an upset stomach.

For me, best is not to have certain things in the house, which is easy, since it is only me that brings stuff in, for only me. ;)

Try the water with as well as without ice. Personally I have a brita filter container full of water in the fridge. I much prefer cold water, and will drink plenty throughout the day, if I have it. Thus, refilling is vital.

Also, what works for me is filling a sports bottle. That way, it is handy.

Good luck on your journey.

Moni

I stopped it three years ago and would never ever have one again, it played havoc with me. I drink water and make my own smoothies. I treat myself once a day with V8 Splash, it comes in many flavors. I like the lemon pomegranate. It has 80 calories but it's my treat so I'm good with that.

Not having been a consumer of sodas, I don't have suggestions as to ways to kick the habit, moonie.

But I offer you my congratulations for having studied the situation some and found the detrimental effects, to add to your resolution in keeping up the fight and winning the battle ... then having started the fight.

Good wishes as you continue ... and persist, despite temptations and cravings. You are stronger, tougher than you thought: you'll find new resources to persist, that you didn't realize that you had.

Many here are pulling for you, trusting that you can find those inner resources to succeed!

Keep up the good work!

ole joyfuelled ... who wishes some joy for you, as you proceed

I'm not suggesting you do this, just merely telling you what I did. I quit drinking diet soda, after drinking it for at least 40 years. I started when I had a stressful time in my life and I lost a lot of weight. Then I decided I would be just "perfect" if I lost just a little more weight. (I weighed 103 and was on the verge of anorexia.) The more I dieted....the more weight I gained. I went on every diet you have ever heard of and a whole lot I bet you've never heard of and even a couple that I made up myself. I don't remember now why I quit, but if I want a soda now, I drink a regular one. The thing is, since I quit drinking diet soda, and I also quit dieting, I have lost a total of 42 pounds. I did it by eating anything I want, but eating slow and not as much. I couldn't believe it could be so easy! Good luck to you.

I agree with everything Marilyn said. I saw a doctor show where they talked about the dangers of diet soda. Even though it is non-caloric, non-nutritive, it tastes sweet like sugar. Your brain senses the false "sugar taste" in diet soda, and responds like you have consumed sugar. It looks for energy to store and thus makes you actually gain not lose weight. I've lost ten pounds recently by giving up all soda. I find I actually like the taste of plain, cold filtered water. Plus I drink a lot of coffee. Yeah, I know the milk or cream and sugar add up quickly, but that's another story...

I gave up drinking diet drinks by substituting it with lemon water, I use fresh lemons. Don't miss the diet drinks at all now.

I've given up diet coke for several months at a time in the past but have always gone back. I'm not a coffee drinker so it was my morning caffeine hit, especially when I was working, didn't sleep well, but had to get up early and work all day.

You've all convinced me to try to give it up again, especially now that I'm retired and don't really need that morning jolt anymore.

Marilyn_C.....I like your approach of eating what you want but smaller portions and eating slowly. I know I eat too fast. I don't recall losing weight in the past when I gave up soda, but I will keep tabs on it this time. Congrats on your 42 lb loss....how long has it taken?

Many years ago I lived with a doctor ... who'd eat a meal in 3 - 5 min. ...

... and he needed his bite of bread so quickly that he'd move his mouth toward the slice in his hand as it moved it toward the mouth.

o j

I think it is not just quitting cold turkey, which can be agonizing. It is planning for and redirecting the behavior to something else. You have to replace the behavior with something positive and get away from the things that cue it. I am struggling with quitting cigarettes and spent the first week away from work and home, which surely helped in the initial phase of withdrawal. Now that I am back home and at work again the impulse is still present, though controllable. Good luck to you!

Not aimed at Moonie but in general: be careful with the other substitutes (Crystal Light, flavorings, etc.) They often have artificial sweeteners as well so you're just trading one for the other. There are some with stevia but there are still a lot of additives.

and caffeine withdrawal WILL give you a headache! Personally I like green tea...

I lost the first 15 or so pounds on a crazy diet about 10 years ago. But, I kept it off, for the most part. I gave up diet soda a few years ago, and told my doctor I was going to lose 10 lb. in the next month...so I dieted and I gained a pound. I quit thinking about it and over the next year, I lost 30lb. It came off so easily that I thought maybe I had some kind of chronic illness, but the only difference in my life...which was a big one....I had a total knee replacement, and though I always had to walk quite a bit taking care of my animals, etc., being totally pain free has made a big difference in that I can get outside and do more and I don't have to sit around inside all the time....because, when I do, I eat more.

The "crazy diet" was the Shangrila Diet, where you drink oil before every meal. (I told you it was crazy and I have been on every diet you can think of and some you can't.)

Some things I don't eat on a regular basis...like bread. I almost never eat it, although I like it okay. I also don't eat dairy...or very little, except for butter. I keep ice cream in the freezer...several kinds but I eat very little of it. I live a long way from town, so if I don't have something, I don't go get it....so I don't keep snacks in the house usually.

The main difference in my life is I don't think about food all the time. Sometimes I actually forget to eat. That is so odd for me because when I used to try to diet all the time, I became obsessed with food...especially the carbs I tried to cut back on. (Went on the Carbohydrate Lover's Diet too.)

I still love to cook, and I go to Pinterest and save recipes I want to try and I usually will make a new recipe once or twice a week, but I just don't eat so much at one time.