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.