I’m Breaking Up with Diet Dr. Pepper

My love affair with Diet Dr. Pepper (DDP) is about to come to an end.  Over the past few months, I’ve realized that it doesn’t like me as much as I like it. 

My days always started with a DDP and Granola bar for breakfast on the way to work.  Now I couldn’t just grab a soda out of the cabinet and go. NOOOO that would not work.  It had to be either an ICE cold can or a fountain drink from the gas station on my way to work (because they have crushed ice that is glorious). 

I usually had another for lunch at 11:30 with a turkey sandwich and chips and then another on my way home from work with another granola bar.  I know that’s a lot of soda.  The worst part is that by the end of the day my stomach felt like the size of a basketball.  I felt just very bloated and gas bubbles seemed to build up. 

The bigger problem was that my workouts were suffering because of it.  Add to that, the wonderful effects that Diet Soda has on your body.  Here’s just a few of the fun facts about how diet soda and all it’s ingredients effect us (source):

• diet soda has been linked to 30% greater chance of weight gain around the belly
• diet soda has Aspartame, commonly known as NutraSweet, is a chemical that stimulates the brain to think the food is sweet.  Aspartame has been linked to obesity  by stimulating the brain causes more cravings for sweets and leads to carbohydrate loading.
• diet soda also has carbonation which contains phosphoric acid, which can severely deplete the blood calcium levels; calcium is a key component of the bone matrix. This means that drinking sodas and carbonated water increases your risk of osteoporosis.
• In some extreme cases, come cases of bladder cancer has been linked to diet soda drinking behaviors.
• diet soda can also lead to dulling the color of those pearly whites and can result in bad breath 

I thought about it a little more and realized I only feel like I need it at work so I’m assuming it’s a stress related addiction (sort of like comfort food).  On the weekends, I’m perfectly content with water, tea and wine (and maybe a little more wine).  🙂

So yesterday I tried to go one day without soda at work.  The morning rush was a little shaky.  I didn’t know what to do but once I got to work, I got my tea and water and got busy.  The next big hurdle was lunch, that too was hard.  I yearned for the sound of the can opening and taking that first drink but by 3:00 when I was usually starting to feel uncomfortable, I felt pretty good.  I was still focused on work, and getting very excited about my run in the evening. 

I went straight home (no soda on the way) and ran 6 miles.  Usually the first few miles are VERY uncomfortable while my stomach tries to deal with running and the already built up gas.  But yesterday was awesome!  My intention was to run 6 at a 10:00 pace.  But the energy I had and the strong stomach pushed me to finish in about a 9:40/mile pace.  Amazing for me!  And that’s when I knew, I needed to get rid of the soda. 

Sure I may have one now and then and possibly on days when I don’t run but for the most part, it’s gone!  I was just amazed at how much better I felt.  I still had caffeine that can’t go yet.  I am WAYY to dependent on that but I think I can finally say so long to the soda.  Cross your fingers, we’ll see.

Are you a diet soda drinker?  Have you tried to give up anything and succeed?  What are your tips?

Did you like this tale of my diet soda woe’s?  If so, would you head over to Fitness Magazine and vote for my blog as a “Best Healthy Living” nominee? 
http://blog-awards.fitnessmagazine.com/blog-awards/fitness_blog/406-moms-little-running-buddy