Wednesday, July 26, 2006

Beating My Coke Problem

Last week, July 16th to be exact was the first anniversary of the last caffeniated soda that I have ever had. For those of you who have known me for a long time, you know that I have always been a big Coke fan. Growing up, I nearly always had a Coca-Cola in my hand. Not a Pepsi, but a Coke. From time to time I'd have a Mountain Dew, Jolt, or Dr. Pepper, but 99 times out of 100 it was a Coke.

As I got a little older (a few years out of college) that switched to Diet Coke. The switch saved me at least 600 calories a day. On a lot of days, it was probably closer to 1,000 calories. The taste wasn't the same, but I needed the caffeine. Really, I did. If I was somehow able to get through the morning without a soda, I'd have headaches and/or feel ill by about noon.

But last year around this time, with Carolina's urging, I stopped cold turkey. I thought it would be hard, but it wasn't. I started drinking copious amounts of water. That made it much easier. Eventually I mixed in green tea. That has helped considerably.

Now I'll be honest and admit that from time to time I have a cup of coffee, or a Frappuccino, or even a caffeine free soda. But it's not the same. I can have one of those once in awhile and leave it at that. Back in the day, one soda led to another and another. I couldn't have a meal -- even breakfast -- without a soda. Now I can. It's much better this way.

2 comments:

Mike said...

Speaking of your stomach and teeth -- put a rusty nail or a dirty paintbrush in a glass of coke and leave it over night.

I've seen that a few times, but it didn't break me of soda initially. Last year it did.

Everything in moderation is ok, I think. Especially stuff like tea/coffee for you since it helps your voice.

Mike said...

Now Wiggins, I don't believe you've ever met Fishfan in person, but he's MANY Cokes a day away from becoming a heifer.

But, Fishfan, future MD, should really try the rusty nail/paint brush in a glass of coke/diet coke. It will scare you straight.

That Coke zero is good stuff. That was the last thing I was hooked on before I quit. My dad likes to mix real coke and diet coke, when you can do that at a fountain at McD's/BK -- that's good. Sometimes he asks for that at a restaurant, but it only confuses people.