Kicking The Soft Drink Habit

[Husker_OS]

Currently on hour 45 of zero soft drinks. A friend of mine told me he lost 8 lbs in the last 2 weeks by just stopping drinking cokes. Zero exercise. Zero change in diet where food is concerned. Just zero soft drinks. So I figured I'd give it a shot. I've limited myself to 3 types of drinks: Water, 100% Cranberry and Pomegranate juice(which is delicious by the way), and that green tea that AubAlum recommended.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: Kicking The Soft Drink Habit

Just to let you know, juices are chock full of sugar too.

[Husker_OS]

Re: Kicking The Soft Drink Habit

The thing about juice is the vitamins and the absence of caffeine.

[SlimKibbles]

Re: Kicking The Soft Drink Habit

I've never had weight issues but I stopped drinking at least caffeine soft drinks 7 years ago and have felt great. I rarely have a decaf soft drink anymore since then. It really is amazing how much weight one loses just by cutting those out. Have friends that have done it who needed it. I just drink water, Crystal Lite, Gatorade Rain, or...beer.

[Macar91]

Re: Kicking The Soft Drink Habit

Yup, you're better off not drinking all of those calories. I go strictly with water, milk, and orange/apple juice.

[Brian Gee]

Re: Kicking The Soft Drink Habit

I still drink Fresca and Diet soda by the gallon and have been able to get back into peak physical shape. If I wanted to pick up that truck over there, I could.

Hell yeah...

[elicoleman]

Re: Kicking The Soft Drink Habit

I made a thread about this close to three years ago and what I was doing.

I did the exact same thing as your friend. I lost 10 pounds fairly quickly just by cutting out soft drinks. I was still eating fast food daily, yet the pounds came off.

The worst part about this, especially cold turkey, is the first two weeks. You'll likely end up with some headaches because of it, but once that passes it won't even phase you. I went about 2 1/2 years before I finally cracked and had a Coke. Of course, I'm back full time. Today alone, I've had 7 soft drinks.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: Kicking The Soft Drink Habit

Of course, I'm back full time. Today alone, I've had 7 soft drinks.

Damn.

[BunnyHardaway]

Re: Kicking The Soft Drink Habit

Usually I average 5-8 sodas a day, I have the same problem. I can't stop drinking it, because when I go more than 8-10 hours, I get massive headaches. It's not worth quitting if my head is going to explode non-stop.

[TheGamingChef]

Re: Kicking The Soft Drink Habit

You need to cut down gradually if you're addicted. It's similar to a nicotine addiction with tobacco - those who are seriously addicted can rarely, if ever, quit cold turkey. One day, limit yourself to no more than 6 sodas, and follow that plan for about 4 days. After 4 days or so, move down to five per day. 4 days later, cut it to four sodas a day, and etc. etc. It won't be easy, but it will be easier than quitting cold turkey.

Of course that's all assuming you want to quit (or at least cut down).

[Beantown]

Re: Kicking The Soft Drink Habit

I just drink Brisk Iced Tea, with the occasional root beer or orange soda.

I could never cut Brisk out of my life, though.

[Victor99]

Re: Kicking The Soft Drink Habit

Soda is one of the absolute worst things for your body, so much sugar and carbs. Here are some great substitutes though...

Water(Obviously the very best choice)
Propel Fitness Water
Crystal Light
Powerade Option
Lipton Diet Green Citrus Tea

[cubsfan203]

Re: Kicking The Soft Drink Habit

I was in the same boat for a while, trying to stop drinking them. It really does work well, I dropped the 20 pounds that I wanted to lose in a little over two months by not drinking soda and playing basketball 3 times a week.

I usually just had water but other than that I just drank Powerade or Gatorade, Orange Juice, or Hawaiian Punch maybe once a day.

[Brandwin]

Re: Kicking The Soft Drink Habit

Did this opening NFL weekend last year and never looked back, it wasn't hard at all, now fast food is another story...

[joshuar9476]

Re: Kicking The Soft Drink Habit

anytime i go out i order iced tea ... still has caffeine but doesn't have all that other crap. still drink a cherry soda every other day or so though.