I have always been a big Coca Cola fan. We grew up drinking a soda with dinner most nights. A few years ago we visited the World of Coca Cola in Atlanta during family vacations two years in a row.
I’m sure I’m not the first person to say that drinking soda is bad for you. It would give me stomach aches, and is loaded with way more sugar than I (or anyone) should be consuming.
I just finished two whole months of no soda! (I originally planned to share after one month but that didn’t feel long enough to prove this is a life long change). One of my 30 before 30 goals and the first small step on my long journey of getting healthier. And these are three ways that I was able to go the whole month of August and quit soda for good.
1. Drink more water.
Most of the time that I would crave a coke was because I was SO thirsty. Even though this probably meant my body needed me to drink more water, I would always think this feeling meant I should drink a coke. When I drink enough water throughout the day, I never feel so thirsty that I need a soda. (And yes, it definitely felt like a need).
2. Keep the fridge stocked with La Croix.
I’ve never been a seltzer drinker. And I don’t really like sparking water. I’ve started drinking La Croix only when I’m craving a soda. There are certain foods that just go with a coke – pizza, burgers, tacos. You know, all the foods I probably shouldn’t be eating anyways (but baby steps here people). La Croix or any flavored sparkling water fills the soda void. It feels like soda, even if it doesn’t really taste like soda. Usually I really only need a couple sips of a cold sparkling water and I’m satisfied.
3. Don’t buy / order soda.
Just don’t do it. I know this sounds obvious. But its true – you can’t drink soda if you don’t have any. I completely stopped buying it to have at my house or at work. And stopped ordering it at restaurants. Plus, water is free! Think of all the money you could save by always saying ‘just water.’
Maybe next I’ll check 30 days of no alcohol off my list – it seems much easier than 30 days of no shopping.
Are there any bad habits that you’ve broken? What worked for you?
