Monday, March 24, 2008

I need prayer....



What you are looking at, my dear friends, is very near and dear to my heart.

My beloved Diet Coke.

This is actually a picture of my very last Diet Coke in the house.

Sigh.

I love Diet Coke. No, seriously, I LOVE LOVE LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE this stuff!!! I am too ashamed to tell you how many cans of this that I drink a day. I started drinking Diet Coke when it first came out and have been in love with it ever since.

There is something about Diet Coke that seems like it is addicting. The people that I know that love Diet Coke are die-hard fans like I am. Why is that? There has got to be something in it that makes you crave the stuff.

Anyway, after reading a bazillion things about the dangers of Aspartame (just google it and read for yourself), I have decided that it is time to bid farewell to my love.

Yes, this will be HARD, which is why I am asking y'all to pray for me. It may seem silly, but my flesh is weak and I don't want to return to my old ways. I want to be healthy and live long and I don't like all the strange things I've read about the ingredients in Diet Coke.

So, please, pray if you think about it.

Also, I would LOVE to hear from anyone else that has stopped drinking Diet Coke or any diet drink. It's nice to know you're not alone. :)

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

I, too, was a diet coke addict and you're right, it seems like there is some ingredient in it that just makes you crave it. I stopped drinking it about 8 years ago and while it was no easy task, I am really glad I did. I just started drinking lots and lots of water and before I knew it, water is what I craved instead of diet coke. Believe it or not, the taste of diet coke is really yucky to me now. I will pray for you because I know from experience that this is a really difficult thing to do. Good luck! ps. I really enjoy reading your blog!

Cyndi Lewis said...

Well, I've never drank diet sodas. But I have given up regular coke. I only take a few small sips of my DH's if we eat out somewhere. I decided I didn't need the sugar and caffiene since I have terrible sleep issues. It wasn't too terrible- no headaches or other withdrawals- but I do love the stuff. Best Wishes to you.

Dianna said...

You know that the caffeine in Diet Coke is addictive, right? That's probably why you crave it. Good luck stopping. I know you can do it, and I'll be thinking of you!

Brenda@CoffeeTeaBooks said...

Yes, I have heard that any of the cola drinks are addictive. I just told my son this morning that he must cut down on his Pepsi drinking... and no switching to diet cola.

I developed Juvenile (insulin dependent) diabetes in my 40s so I have a sugar free Sierra Mist once in awhile but not every day.

It's funny but today is the first day I'm trying to cut way back on "bad carbs" even if it means absolutely no sugar for awhile.

Jen said...

I have the same love affair! I've given it up several times and enjoyed the freedom of not needing my diet coke fix each day. Somehow, though, it always creeps back in. I've tried drinking the caffeine free version etc but it's not good for you either.
When I have given it up entirely, the first 3-4 days are really tough and then it gets so much better. You could try drinking tea if you think you can't stand the withdrawal. That seemed to help me. Or, maybe try some lemon water or flavored bottled water. I'll be praying for you! I know it's tough but it will be worth it. Just leaving this comment has renewed my enthusiasm to break my own habit once and for all!

Unknown said...

I just prayed for you. Through Christ it is more than possible! It is not silly, it is very serious and I know that you can overcome this. Praise the Lord!
:-D

Wendi said...

I was a diet coke addict for years. When I was working my co workers would make fun of me because the first thing I did once I arrived at my desk was pop that can open. Then it was diet coke after diet coke until bedtime. (I dislike admitting that!)

I gradually starting cutting back. I would have one in the morning then with lunch and dinner. I got to the point where I was only drinking one at dinner. After a few weeks of that I didn't buy anymore.

The only time I drink a diet coke is when I go out for dinner and the restaurant doesn't serve sweet tea. (I know, a crime that the midwestern people that surround me don't get how wonderful sweet tea is!)

I understand how hard it is and will be praying for you!

The Editor said...

I, too, love Diet Coke, but was able to give it up without much pain at all! Like klutzymama, I now drink lots of water - just as they recommend in Weight Watchers. I also make home-made ice tea with orange peko tea bags twisted around a handful of mint sprigs from my yard. It's frugal (a favorite thing for you), delicious, and refreshing! I still drink an occasional diet coke, but hardly ever.

Anonymous said...

I'm WAY PROUD of you friend. DC is such a bonding experience, isn't it? Even if we aren't drinking the stuff, we definitely have our good memories drinking DC at the park! You CAN do it my friend. I've been DC free for 3 months now and I feel great! I do drink unsweetened tea- still like a smidge of caffeine. :) Think of all the money you'll save! I figured I drank about $20 worth a month (maybe more) so that is $240 yearly savings! Yeah. Maybe you can stick that DC money in a jar and see what you'll have at the end of the year! Love ya! Gretchen

Tori Leslie said...

I hate diet coke or really any diet drink, but I can relate because I LOVE Dr. Pepper. Luckily for me I had to quit it when we came for Croatia.

I'm pulling for ya, you can do it!!

Mrs. Pear said...

Sigh. It was not diet drinks, it was my beloved coffee. With this pregnancy I had to give it up, and it is STILL hard! And it was two months ago.

But, I am confident that you can do it!

Tammy said...

Good for you! I've never heard anything good about diet sodas. I drink mainly water, so I don't have any tips for you on quitting the soda. I hope you don't have too hard of a time!

Praying!

Tami @ This Mom's Delight said...

I love Diet Pepsi. I drink 60-80 ounces every day. I made a commitment to give it up last week. I read an article that suggested reducing it by 10-30% every 3-4 days. I am down to 30-something ounces each day. That is great progress for me. I've known for a long time that I needed to give it up, but only recently have began doing something about it! You can do it!

Barb J. said...

I am a die-hard Diet Pepsi fan. I recently gave it up when I realized I was drinking a 2-liter bottle in less than 24 hours. It's rough, but I exchanged it for something good for me - water. I do, however, drink it whenever I go to a restuarant. I have found myself once or twice in the past month going out to eat not just because I didn't want to cook, but because I wanted a soda!

Jthemilker said...

They should make "the patch" for diet coke withdrawal! They'd make a killing on it!

~~Deby said...

~~ME....my husband and I would drink it by the case, literally.
REALLY.....and SPLENDA, sucralose is just as horrible if you want I would be happy to send you a link on that.
Right now I am slowly...going off of caffeine so I know ADDICTION, but God is faithful.
I will pray.
Deby

Anonymous said...

I quit drinking Diet Coke in December 2006. Conservatively, I was drinking a six pack of soda a day, or more. A month or two later my husband quit too. I switched to filtered water, making sure I got a minimum of eight 8 oz glasses per day. When I cleaned out my baking cupboard I found a bunch of flavorings I wanted to use up, so occasionally I add a few drops of flavoring like anise (my favorite) or mint, but mostly I just drink it plain. I never thought I liked water, but I found out I really do. I'm kind of fond of the money I'm saving too! If I can do it, you can too.

April said...

What a hard thing. I hate soda period, but I have another vise...COFFEE! I think I will do a post about it too. My husband had a brain tumor several years ago (and by all accounts should have died, Praise the Lord he is still alive) and they don't know much about the type of tumor but possibly it grew at such a fast rate due to aspartame.

This was taken from an article that was published in 2007 "Risk Factors
. . . Head trauma, exposure to petrochemicals (chemicals produced from petroleum) and consumption of aspartame have been cited as possible risk factors to Colloid Cyst."

I will be praying that getting off the juice will be easy and that you will live a healthier life without it.

Anonymous said...

Ive stopped and have found that green tea works just as well. Since I was so addicted to it though, I drink quite alot of tea!! I also have a full water bottle on hand at all times. Although sometimes if I do really really really want one... I buy a Sprite for my co-worker and give my self a 1/8 cup "shot" of it. Works like a charm for me because it satisfys that sweet craving.

Mrs. K's Lemonade Stand said...

Ugg, you have my best wishes. Giving up soda is tough, not to mention the caffiene! I would wean it down myself, I think. You could give yourself one horrible caffiene headache otherwise!

Paula said...

You can do it! :)

Blessings,
Mrs. C

Anonymous said...

Good for You, for making this decision. I am praying for you!!!
I loved Diet Dr. Pepper. I went off of it for good this past summer. I lost 8 pounds after 2 months, just from this. I replaced it with Wal-Marts brand of crystal Lite in Peach Tea and Raspberry Ice. I don't drink soda now. And find the taste of my once beloved Diet Dr. Pepper yucky now! So, good luck sister, i was once there. My prayers are with you
Blessings
Tiara

Lisa in Texas = ) said...

I have never commented here before but when I read this - I just had to comment. I used to LOVE diet coke also. Then my husband had a friend give him a paper of the dangers of aspertame and he showed it to me and said that he felt it was best that I gave it up. I did -I went to Coke and actually grew to love it. And drank it for the last 8 years. There were many times that I tried to give it up - I just knew that it was not good for me but just never seemed to be able to do so. This past Feb I ended up getting the flu for a couple of days and did not drink any Coke - just sprite. And once I got well I decided since I had already made it past the withdrawal headaches that I would just let it go. I have not had any ever since and I am doing my best to stick with caffinee free Root beer and sprite/7up. I feel so much better. My mind seems more clear. Oh I forgot to add that I used to have headaches a lot when I drank the diet coke and when I gave them up - I no longer got the headaches all the time. I get one ever so often but not every day.
I will be praying that you are able to do this. As you drink more water - you will get to where you enjoy it more and more. Good luck,
Lisa in Texas = )

Marie said...

"daughter of the king", I would sure like to see the link on splenda, because I use that on my cereal each morning, thinking I am safer with that than other sweeteners. Thanks!

NHizName said...

Hi! I also am addicted to Diet Coke! I mean, really addicted! I need to do just what you are doing! I have been drinking them since the early 80's. Before that it was regular Coke. I have been addicted to Coke of one type or another since the 60's. Wow! That sounds terrible, doesn't it?
Well, I wish you much success. Keep us posted. I am going to go to the decaf DC first and from there try the reducing until I can give it up altogether!

Tami @ This Mom's Delight said...

How is this going, Mrs. U? I was down to 30-something ounces per day, and then allowed a week's worth of increase to take place! I've got to get my focus back.

Unknown said...

Oh, bless your heart. I'm trying, unsuccessfully, I might add, to "quench" my DC addiction. Maybe we need a support group!

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