It’s been three weeks now since I’ve given up soda (Coke, pop, soft drinks, whatever you call it).  And today is the first time I’ve had the headache… probably because I’m out of sparkling water.

In the past when I’ve given up soda, I’ve immediately been hit with the withdrawl headaches, which I can deal with as long as I’m not tired or trying to focus, but inevitably, I’ve headed back to my trusty Coke when I’m working or overtired.

Knowing that this was going to be a problem and really motivated to give soda up this time around, I decided to replace the soda with flavored sparkling water. And that’s been working! 

I found a brand that I liked that had no sweeteners (amazing how many have some sort of artificial sweetener in it).  But today I ran out of sparkling water. And here’s the headache again.

Instead I’ve been drinking mint tea and it has helped, but not eliminated it. But there must be something about the carbonated water that makes a difference in this.  I’ll have to research it more.

In the meantime I do feel better overall, having cut back so much on the “liquid sugar” and caffiene I was getting from the soda. The keys so far have been:

• Having a replacement drink for the stress times and the convenience times (I’m using bottled water in the car and cans/bottles of unsweetened, lemon-flavored sparkling water in the house and on outings)

 

• Eliminating the soda from the house – if someone else in the house wants soda, they have to buy it with their own money and keep it away from me.

 

• Knowing why I’m giving soda up and remembering it when I’m posed with the choice.

 

• Choosing an alternative drink when posed with the choice. (I’m using water, fruit juice, smoothies, etc.)

If you can, please say a prayer for me to continue to have the resolve to make these choices so that I can fully eliminate soda from my diet.

Do you have any more tips or experiences to share that will make this easier? 

If so, …please…please…share them in the comments! (I need all the help I can get )