Slap in the face

[Syn D]

I just gave myself a slap in the face..

I for years have loved my Mt.Dew, but due to cost, last year I went to the generic version of it.. Well, I decided recently I need to cut back on it, and started last Monday..

I was drinking at least 3 cans an hour, more in the summer at approx 15 hours a day.. A couple nights ago I was talking to my best friend about it and I decided to do some calculations..

By my calculations (which were double and triple checked) on a daily bases for the last year (going my the calories on a can of the generic) I have been drinking at least 8550 calories a day in just soda.. That is on top of anything I ate that day.. Prior to going the generic route, I was doing over 10,000 calories a day just in soda..

Well, starting last Monday I changed my drinking habits and in doing that, I cut out -8170 calories daily and am now only doing 380 cal a day in soda .. At this time I still have 2 cans a day, one with lunch and one with dinner, but that will stop as soon as this 12pk I have is gone..

Going from at least 8550 calories a day in drink to minus -8170 a day, I think that is a good start... I'm not dieting at all as my eating habits aren't bad and I don't believe in dieting..

I knew my drinking all the soda had something to do with my weight, but I didn't realize till the other night how much calories it actually was.. Years back I was given a 2400 calories a day limit, oooops.....

Just a little vent/wow post!!!

[savvy_sniper]

HOLY CRAP! (pardon me) You might go into caffeine withdrawal. So be careful. Plus that had to be REALLY hard on your kidneys. I hope you are drinking water instead?

[madhen]

Yow, I don't think I could even handle drinking that much soda per day, much less want to do so! Maybe you can "cut" your 2 cans with some seltzer water or something else to stretch them out.

Fantastic that you put a stop to it. That can't have been anywhere close to healthy for your body OR your budget!!

[MomToTwoBoys]

Holy cow! I used to drink a lot of Mountain Dew, but that was when I was in the military and on my feet from 5am to midnight five days a week. I found the only way that I could cut back was if I went cold turkey. The only time I get it now is if my inlaws go to the US and well, that hasn't been in a while. You notice that once you cut back or give it up all together that it just doesn't taste the same anymore.

[mommy2krj]

I hear ya. It's a horrible habit that I have been trying to break myself of as well. It's hard to do it though. The caffeine withdrawls are terrible....but cutting down slowly doesn't work because it is right there still.

I know how much I could save and how much better I would feel but those headaches are evil.

I wonder if there is less of something in the generic that makes it easier to cut down but you're still getting some, ya know?

Hugs. This is one of my goals this year as well. This and cigarettes. They just have to go. It's hard work but I am working on it.

Wondering if I should just go cold turkey from both and just suffer the wrath for the month or so it takes to get it all out of my system. Or if there is an easier way that isn't going to make me so unpleasant to be around. Hmmmm....

[Sassyclass]

Slap me while you're slaphappy will ya? I've gained 6 pounds in the last month and DH told me he noticed I was drinking at least 2 Pepsi's a day!! This is from someone who use to only drink that a week maybe. I started cutting back on Friday and have already lost a pound. It doesn't help that I'm laid off and doing a lot of sitting around doing nothing while DH is sleeping. So today I was a good girl and had some grape juice. Good for you for taking the time to do the numbers crunching, and good luck.

Cat

[photogal06]

Former Mt Dew addict here, too. When I quit it, I lost about 30 pounds right off the bat. I had terrible withdrawal symptoms from the loss of caffeine, but I couldn't just cut back...it was either all or nothing with Mt Dew and me! Now, you couldn't pay me to drink the stuff....I can't believe I ever thought it tasted good!

[Palooka]

Holy smoke! Good luck to you and I bet you will drop some weight fast. I try not to drink too much of my calories. I drink one Diet Coke a day and if I don't have it, I won't cry. I used to be a heavy pop drinker years ago.

[Imarachne]

You just don't realize the calories in soda--congratulations on cutting back !

[LuLuBleen]

At this time I still have 2 cans a day, one with lunch and one with dinner, but that will stop as soon as this 12pk I have is gone.

Are you going to quit consuming caffeine altogether? Those caffeine withdrawal headaches are terrible. Maybe you already know if you've cut down to two cans a day from forty-five.

Perhaps you could have a glass of unsweetened iced tea at lunch and dinner and plenty of water throughout the day? You'll be consuming so much less sugar, the weight will just melt off of you.

Good luck!

[Syn D]

Thank you all for your posts!!!!

Sadly my calculations is not an exaggeration, it is at the minimal end, it was for sure at least 3 cans a hour, but at sometimes more, like all summer... Surprisingly, other than my weight, I am healthy..

I did completely cut out for one day and had a major headache.. I am not a cold turkey person, when I do that, I always fall back.. I am a limit it type and then I can cut off and stay off.. Today I will just be having one, missed lunch, so today just with dinner..

I can't drink straight water, after 2 bottles my stomach gets upset, but for some reason, when I flavor it, I'm ok.. So, I have been flavoring my bottles of water with packets of no calorie flavorings.. I am on my second week and no problems.. When weather gets better, I will be drinking sun tea with lemon..

Hubby wasn't surprised at all with the calculations, but is happy I finally realized it...

[cab54]

Wow, I can't imagine drinking that much regular sugared pop (soda) on a daily basis. I have drank diet pop since the early 1970's. I NEVER drink sugared pop and I'm STILL over weight! LOL. I probably have 3 diet pops a week.

I can't imagine that much caffeine either. I have 2, maybe 3 coffees a day, and I have more jitters and anxiety than I can handle. How did you sleep?

[Palooka]

Just think of the money you will be saving too!

[Syn D]

How did you sleep?

I've always had odd sleeping habits, even before the soda.. My nightly average sleep is ~ to bed at 3 to 4am and up at around 11:30am... Some days I'll be up at 8 to 10am, but bed time usually always averages 3 to 4am

[shoiji]

Hang in there. I hope you realize all the benefits from cutting down/quitting the soda habit!