I cannot believe it has been 30 days since I had my favorite beverage, Coca-Cola. Think about that for just a moment, 30 days. A 24 case of pop, runs in my area around $8.99 plus tax. Sometimes you get the sale price. Paying full price weekly means, I have saved $35.96, give or take a little depending on sales etc. That’s also 96 cans of pop in a given month. Each can has 140 calories in it, which comes out to 13,440 calories consumed in a month. That is of course if my math is right. 13,440 calories in 30 days.
With that being said, you would think I would weigh less then I do. I have lost 11 pounds, put back on 6. Lost 4 pounds and put back on 2. Due to many excuses, I’m back up a total of 6 pounds. I did stop working out, or didn’t work out as much as I had been. My calories have been decreased greatly, but I’m not moving. So that means I got to get my butt moving again.
As I reflect over the last 30 days, I cannot help but wonder how real addicts do this? I felt like I was “deprived”, missing something, feelings of unfair treatment, and trying to convince myself that I really “needed” that pop/soda. Yikes, how must a real addict feel?
I have to be honest and say, I don’t sleep any differently, I’m still always tired and I still miss drinking it. I will also be honest and say, I no longer get heart burn, or acid re-flux in the middle of the night. Sometimes the acid would burn my throat so bad, it made me cough and want to throw up. Happily those nights are mostly gone.
I fell like, I can make better choices when it comes to picking a beverage through out the day and with meals. Most of the time it’s water. I still drink coffee in the morning, sometimes tea, and always at least one glass of milk. However, I drink more water now than I ever have. I have started allowing myself to have “fizzy” water. I purchase Dasani flavored water, zero calories no artificial sweeteners. A eight pack of that is way more expense than a 24 pack of coke, but healthier option. I’m really liking the berry flavor and pineapple flavor. When we were treated to dinner out, I did order unsweetened ice tea, big step since I always order coke. Another time I opted for a sprarkle lemonade, yes that had sugars in it, I know.
My new goal is this. If I can make it to my birthday that will be 60 days of being free of the pop/soda. I’m thinking of allowing myself, just one, as a treat. Yes, I said allowing myself. I’m not looking for people to tell me how bad it is for me, and I should stop drinking it all together. This is my treat! Now, if this treat, turns into a problem, then I will quit drinking it again.
After this experience I give with my whole heart and soul credit to anyone who has broken a more serious addiction and has changed their life! You need to know you are a strong person and we can all learn from you. Addictions of any kind are heard to break, no matter if it’s sugar, smoking, abuse, drugs, or alcohol or any other addiction you can imagine. It is not easy and a daily fight, “for just one”.
What addiction do you think you should break? We all have them. Be honest with yourself and make the change. You will be happy you did.
1 Corinthians 6:12-1312 I can hear some of you saying, “For me, all things are permitted.” But face the facts: all things are not beneficial. So you say, “For me, all things are permitted.” Here’s my response: I will not allow anything to control me. 13 Another chimes in: “Food is for the stomach, and the stomach is for food.” I suppose so, but a day will come when God will dispense with both food and the stomach. (The Voice Translation)