Tuesday 02/28/2017.
Today is the start of day 15 of not drinking my most favorite beverage.
I know I said I would write something every day, however, reality is, it gets boring to read the same thing over and over. You know day 1 made it, day 2 still not drinking, day 3…..and the story goes on.
So I figured it was okay now to catch you up.
As I mentioned earlier, I have not had a pop since February 15th. I had many emotions that have come through my thought process since starting this. I experienced real withdrawal. I didn’t really suffer any headaches; I believe that was because in the beginning I did drink my coffee. I also have had tea. Both which can offer you that caffeine boost. I did crave the fuzzy carbonization.
I believe I experienced some crankiness brought on by the fact that I’m being told I cannot have something, even if it’s me saying it. I have lost some weight, but I started an exercise program mid-December and started watching my food intake. So I contribute the loss to all those things combined with not drinking the pop/soda.
I do not see “Coke” as an evil drink, or something I should never have. I think it’s okay as a treat, like any other treat. Think about it, if you eat cake, cookies and ice cream every day, you will have a weight issue. If you eat chips and dip, fried foods and greasy burgers, you will have a weight issue. It’s not rocket science. Anything in moderation is okay, it’s learning what moderation means.
I believe our country has an obesity problem, brought on by consumerism and laziness. I know I can hear you saying, you’re not lazy. I didn’t think I was either. Heck look at how busy our schedule is right? Well guess what, you may be busy with errands, and taking kids to practices and working 8 or more hours a day, but you’re not busy in your movement.
In the early days, you had to farm your own fields, grow your own crops, raise your own meat, and until modern technology came in, you had to wash your clothes on a rock in the stream. People got up at sunrise, went down at sun down.
Today we get very little sleep, sit and watch TV, make a quick trip to the store sometimes, but more often than not we grab something from the fast food joint. We don’t “work” for our food. We aren’t clearing the fields, feeding the stock, cleaning the barn or shucking the hay. We drive to every location, sit at a desk; sit on the easy chair at home, and again on the bleachers at our kids competitions etc. You see where I’m going with this. We lack movement!
Now, we also have learned to genetically modify foods to produce more, that I’m sure isn’t helpful either. As well as adding preservatives to make things last longer, who know’ s what effect all the chemicals do. However I’m sure that’s why we have all the medical conditions we have too such as, cancer, diabetes, heart issues, the list is endless. We are helping people live longer than the early days, but I’m not so sure it’s “healthy” living.
I’m not here to preach to you on being healthy, Lord know’s I need help in that area too. I am here to tell you, you are strong enough to kick your unhealthy habits. The key is surrounding yourself with support and loving people who stand by what you’re doing! Surround yourself with those who will encourage you on the hard days, and even not so hard days. You also have to be able to forgive yourself. What??? Forgive myself??? Yes, forgive yourself. We are not perfect. We are flawed and designed to fail. It’s up to us to determine how to use those failures to move forward. I also put my trust in GOD and pray through the hard times. It may not make them easier, and they still happen, but when I look back, it gives me encouragement to keep moving forward.
Philippians 4:6: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (NIV Translation)