Sad....really pathetic- addiction to soda pop manipulate the band

[kossde 6]

I drank soda every day since I was old enough to hold a can without dropping it until I was 19 years old. Then, one day, I quit cold turkey. I have a suggestion- one that worked and continues to work for me every day.

Drink ~WATER~. I know you are thinking 'duh.' But, hear me out. I don't mean replace soda with Water (although that's the ultimate goal) but rather, tell yourself, "Ok, I can still have soda - one or two cans a day for now - but I must drink 64 oz of Water daily along side the soda." This means you will need to drink 64 oz of water + whatever soda you want.

Why does this work? Because your body craves soda whenever it's thirsty; it has learned to drink soda in order to quench the desire for liquids. If you can keep from being thirsty, you can go a very long way in overcoming the desire to drink soda. It's a much easier process than trying to simply give up soda, because you aren't depriving yourself of something you want but rather giving yourself something you need.

Eventually soda should become so unimportant to you that you can just give it up cold turkey without really missing it at all.

I feel like a Madoff victim by the first post..... those were very intelligent, world wise, wealthy people who got scammed..... so as humans, we always don't do what is best...nobody is perfect.

TSB- I think you are on to something. Most often when someone is changing a lifestyle, they do it one thing at a time...or 2 things at a time. But those who just say that today is the day that I'm gonna ________....usually don't make it to their goal.

Sugar and caffiene....hmmm... I think I'm gonna work on the _________. Should I tackle the sugar or the caffiene first? That focus stuff sounds great, ParrotHeadCathy..... but I've not seen it yet in my area.

Maybe if I - BINGO...lightbulb moment. Let me work on the caffiene first. I can switch to Sprite or Gingerale. My mom used to give us that when we were sick as children....maybe I can lose the caffiene first then tackle the sugar next.

Anyone ever did this?

Ok, so onto the caffiene addiction. I empathize. That's a difficult one. I neglected to note above that when I first went off of soda, without realizing it, I replaced the caffiene in Soda with caffiene pills - No Doze. Eventually (2 years ago) I overcame that addiction as well. To ovecome that particular addiction, I had to do it very slowly. I began cutting the dosages of No-Doze that I took every day until eventually I no longer needed caffiene at all. It took a solid month to get to that point, but it was worth it. I can't stand the idea of living life each day on a rollercoaster of caffiene ups and downs.

I actually suggest kicking the soda habit before the caffiene habit. Soda is easy to overcome, caffiene is a real drug and will take time to overcome. In the mean time, try drinking black ice tea or coffee on occasion to keep the withdrawal symptoms from rearing their ugly heads (and they are ugly- I know because I've been there). Once you no longer crave soda, you can begin working on the caffiene addiction if you feel you need to.

Edited June 1, 2009 by kossde

[mom2twinboys 0]

Lapbandtalker.....I too have an addiction to soda pop. Although mine is for Coca-cola. It is like my crack!!! I was banded 7 months ago & have only lost 51lbs to date & I know my weight would be coming off faster if I would have stopped drinking a liter of coke a day. But, like you said....it's an addiction!!! I finally came to the conclusion about 2 months ago that I HAVE to stop this or the weight will not come off!!! I went to my doctor & told him my issues.....he suggested that since Im drinking so much Coke....start drinking diet rootbeer or diet dr.pepper because they taste just like the regular drinks. As these only have 1 calorie per can and are alot better for me than regular coke. So for the past month I have only been drinking diet dr.pepper everyday....all day. Now, im progressing from having 6 cans of diet dr.pepper a day to only 1 a day for supper & drinking either Water or crystal lite instead. It was tough, but Im getting there & I know that my weight will start coming off alot faster now that I have kicked my bad CRACK habit. Im so happy that I came across your thread, as I thought I was the only one with this problem. I really hope you can kick the habit...but I KNOW EXACTLY what your going through!!!!! ITS HARD! Good luck!!! And Im always here if ya wanna talk!

[lapbandtalker 0]

Today is my 4th day w/o sodapop.

I've gained 10 pounds in 2 weeks.

Getting an adjustment next week.

I purchased an electric juicer-

3-4x a day I slice a lemon or orange and juice it w/ ice cold bottled Water and splenda. So far it's working.

[emjay 8]

Good for you on getting off the soda! It can be really difficult kicking the caffeine habit and giving up something you've been drinking forever. You will feel better.

Don't worry too much about the weight gain at this point. I know it can be very discouraging. But you are improving your overall health by getting off the Dew. Your teeth and bones will thank you in later years!

Also, congratulations on your weight loss so far! You are a true inspiration! :wub: