Over the past year, I have really tried to cut back on things that are not good for me, and tried to involve myself in the activities and habits that are. One of the main items I have cut back on tremendously is soda. In the past six months I can count on my hands how many times I have drank a soda. I didn't just cut back on drinking it for the heck of it, I had a few reasons:
1. The Side-Effects
Pretty much every time I drink a Coke, I feel gross afterwards. Besides when I was sick and needed the caffeine, I have never felt great after drinking a coke. This was the main reason I cut back. I always feel sluggish and tired. I hate feeling like that! After drinking water, I feel so much better, or I just feel refreshed.
Disney
2. The Sodium, Sugar, and Carbs
The amount of sodium in one can of Coke is honestly crazy! In one can of Coca-Cola, there is 45mg of sodium, 39g of sugar, and 39g of total carbs. I love Coca-Cola, but not enough to but that much sodium, sugar, and carbs in just a small 12 fl oz can.
The CW
3. Food + Soda
From personal experience, eating food and drinking soda together, is the worst combination. Of course I LOVE food, but I'd rather enjoy tasting my food, than it being masked by the soda. Drinking soda while eating makes me feel like I've gained 1,000 pounds! Not to mention, I feel awful afterwards, which is why I'd rather drink water.
Of course this was really hard to do at first. I hated not drinking soda. The first time I tried to cut it completely, I failed and drank soda the next day. I was pretty disappointed in myself. After sulking a bit, I decided to give it another try. The second time I tried cutting soda completely, I didn't drink it for eight weeks. I was so happy that I quick drinking it, but I still had a craving for it at times. After the eighth week rolled around, Christmas time had rolled around and I had decided I could let myself drink some soda. During Christmas break, (a month), I drank a lot of soda. It was toward the end of the break I decided when I got back to school I had to start over.
This time I had a lot more self control and in the past six months, I've had soda probably only eight times. I've decided that drinking a Sprite or Coke every now and then it's too terrible. I am really proud of my small accomplishment and hope to continue to improve my eating/drinking habits. Now, I have to try and tackle my next small addiction: sweets! I know this one is going to be just as hard, but I know it will be better for me in the long run.
NBC
