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For the longest time I would never ingest an artificial sugar and then something happened. I gave in to the temptation and picked up some bad habits from my friends. I started drinking diet Coke and it became part of my life. It was "the best way to start the day", "an afternoon pick me up", "a stress go-to" but in all reality, was it really what I wanted and/or needed? No, not really.
I easily stopped this nasty habit when I found out I was pregnant about 5 years ago but fell back into it once I was not nursing anymore. Why? I can't remember. But I did.
However, I am back into the mindset that I don't want to put artificial sugars into my body. I want to set a good example for darling daughter. I want her to cherish her body and fuel herself well. I want her to know it is okay to indulge but to indulge smartly....not with fake sugars....chemicals.
It took me quite a bit of effort to end this bad habit of mine again, for good. You see, I was surrounded by temptation. Co-workers popping tops and the sound made me want one. Friends saying if diet Coke was the worst thing I was doing than I was doing pretty good. Maybe, but why not strive to be better? Honestly, I could say if I was running a 2:10 half marathon that is pretty good. But wouldn't most of us try to do better? I did, I wanted to break 2 hours and I did. So why not break the diet Coke?
I finally found the thing I needed. The "person by my side supporting me" in my efforts. I jumped onboard the Hint 21 Day Challenge to cut sugary drinks out of my life. Now I felt like I had a team of supporters who felt I was making a good choice. I was ready to go....and I had 21 days. I think that second part was what made it work for me. Going cold turkey without an additional concern (like a baby growing inside of me) wasn't working for me.
Therefore, I broke the 21 days into 3 stages for me.
- Stage 1: Only drink a diet Coke first thing in the morning....the time of day I craved it the most.
- Stage 2: Try to not drink those AM diet Cokes but if I did, it was okay, drink less.
- Stage 3: No more diet Cokes lady. You are done.
I wasn't sure if I would make it through stage 3 with no sips but was ready to accept a sip with the primary goal being no more after day 21. But I did it. No sips in stage 3, which ended over a week for me.
So there it is. I have gone over 14 days without a diet Coke. Sure, the "idea" of one still sounds good at times but I know I don't need it and if I took a sip, I really wouldn't like it or feel good about myself. So why do it?
What am I drinking? Primarily water. Sometimes I add nuun, sometimes lemon juice, sometimes just a lot of ice, and sometimes some protein powder (which I make sure has no fake sugars). I drink unsweetened ice tea for a work treat now. I drink a morning cup of coffee with no cream, no sugar. I had a small glass a juice a few days ago when I felt I may have had a touch of a cold and wanted some vitamin C. But in all reality, I drink juice perhaps 6 times a year. I'm not a juice drinker. And occasionally, a cup of almond or soy milk. And if I want a really special treat, I buy a bottle of Hint Water and sip it with pure delight.
How do I feel? Better about myself. I would love to say my complexion rocks but to me it is the same. Dear hubby has been giving me more complements on my skin so perhaps he sees something I don't. I feel and want to be healthier. About halfway into the challenge I craved more healthy eating. I am buying more fresh fruits and veggies. I jumped on the bandwagon and started a monthly subscription to Healthy Suprise. I feel more in control of my life. I have diverted some the money I would have been spending on diet Cokes to saving for my future (sorry, can't say retirement because that seems so foreign to me and it isn't much....but every penny counts, right?).
Daily Gratitude: I am thankful for companies out there that try to inspire us to do good.
Daily Affirmation: I am stronger than a can of diet Coke.