As I mentioned last week, I have been working on finding natural ways to deal with my anxiety. One thing I keep reading about (which isn’t rocket science) is to eat a healthy diet. Diet is important for maintaining your physical and mental health. As much as I know that, sometimes I wish there was a magic pill to cure it all. Don’t you?

I am really bad at breaking toxic habits unless I can see instant positive changes. This is obviously a terrible way to approach challenges in my life. So I am trying to slowly integrate healthy changes, and not do anything drastic so as not to scare myself away from any hint of a self-improvement streak.

First diet change: SODA.

I used to drink about one can a day of Diet Coke, Sprite, or similar. I had slowly become a soda junkie over the past number of years, and I wasn’t really aware of my issue until I started examining my diet more closely.

Why was I drinking so much soda?

I say that I wasn’t fully aware of my soda drinking because it became such a staple in our household. Weekly trips to the grocery store automatically involved buying one or two twelve packs (i.e. Those packs that fit perfectly into the bottom shelf of your fridge. How convenient!) Then meals at home were usually accompanied by soda. Why reach for water when you can have a frosty Diet Coke? Come on, it’s a no brainer.

So the first change I made was to stop buying the crack (soda) completely. Cold turkey. We drank all of our remaining supply, and did not replenish it. The first couple of weeks were painful. L and I were complaining constantly, and dreaming of ice cold cans of cola while nodding off to sleep. That is when I realized that we were addicted. Who dreams about soda? Yikes.

BUT…

I didn’t deprive myself completely, and neither did L. We have an understanding that we will allow ourselves a small soda when we eat out. This has prevented us from going crazy, and sneaking off to 7-11 in the middle of the night and downing a 64-ounce jug of Dr. Pepper.

I am proud to report that we have not had soda in our house for over a month. ONE MONTH!! Can you believe that?! And guess what?

I don’t feel one bit different. Hahahaha!

I haven’t lost a pound. My skin and hair look no different. I’m the same.

HOWEVER,

These are some of the negative side effects of drinking diet soda. Also, all of the literature I have read about anxiety leads me to believe that caffeine is not such a good idea for me, either.

So, I have to believe that I am moving in the right direction.

Baby steps. I am hoping my teeth, kidneys, and bones will thank me one day.

Anyone else out there have a soda addiction? Don’t keep a supply of it at home! I swear, it helps.

thelessthandomesticgoddess

9 Comments

  1. -J.Darling

    September 30, 2010

    Way to go Carly! You have exactly the right mentality! It's about small changes one at a time.

    Another thing I've heard can help w/ emotional stability -avoiding complex carbs (like refined sugars or refined sugar substitues) and/or MSG. You may avoid MSG anyway, but you'd be surprised all the names it has to sneak into foods! These 2 things stimulate that part of the brain that control emotional flare ups (depression/anger/anxiety).

    Catch up w/ my health blog at http://roastedbearmeat.blogspot.com/
    The post yesterday is all about triggers – understanding those reasons we reach for the junk in the first place. Would love to see what you discover your "triggers" are.

  2. ruthy ann

    September 30, 2010

    Until i met my husband, I was really good about eating habits….no fast food and no soda…now I eat and drink both and I hate that I do…it's a hard habit ot break!

  3. Ali @ His Birdie's Nest

    September 30, 2010

    I used to drink a lot of soda in college. One year I gave it up, cold turkey, for Lent and I really haven't craved it since. Everyone once in awhile I have a diet coke and it tastes SO GOOD! But then I'm good and I don't drink it again for a few months.
    It must be hard to give up something you're used to having so often. But, it must be nice to have L doing it with you 🙂 Good job!

  4. Chic 'n Cheap Living

    October 1, 2010

    I don't drink soda and we don't keep it at home but my husband loves diet soda and drinks it at work. Sigh, how do I break him out of it?

  5. Chanel

    October 1, 2010

    I have been battling this same darn addiction for a while. I was so proud of myself for not buying one single soda when I went grocery shopping last week. 🙂 YAY. Now the only time I will drink one is if I am having a rum and coke at the bar or with an occasional dining out! I hope it sticks for us both!!

    Next up: my coffee addiction. oh, nevermind. that's not going anywhere anytime soon!!!! 🙂

  6. MayLove

    October 1, 2010

    I've never been a big soda drinker to begin with, but once I gave it up, I craved it WAY more. Not drinking any soda (however small the amount I drank before) definitely helped lose weight though. I find water more appealing if its crammed with ice. Try that, maybe it will feel less blah. Works for me!

  7. violarulz/ducksandbooks

    October 2, 2010

    I was an orange soda addict, but tried quitting cold turkey and had a tough time. Now, I drink 1/2 soda water and 1/2 apple juice. It's the same fizzy refreshing feeling, but with healthy juice instead of stupid soda. The fizz is so quenching!

  8. Mo

    October 3, 2010

    Hooray!!! Good for you. 🙂
    I'm not a huge soda drinker, but I admit that an ice cold Coke (I can't stand diet!) really hits the spot sometimes.
    To mimic soda, I buy seltzer and juice and mix the two.

  9. thelessthandomesticgoddess

    October 3, 2010

    @violarulz and @Mo: I love the concept of seltzer and juice! We are going to have to try that. Thank you!

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