Thursday, July 30, 2009

Breaking a Habit

I know exactly when my Dr Pepper habit started. It was the summer of 2002, and I was at my younger son's soccer practice, camped out in a canvas folding chair with a good book. And I was really thirsty. So thirsty it drove me to the lone vending machine at the park. Where the water option was sold out.

Fate, right?

I looked over the choices and none seemed all that appealing. I'd never been a big soda fan, so options like Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, and Mountain Dew just didn't sound all that good. But then, then my gaze fell on the Dr Pepper button. It had been years since I had a Dr Pepper, since childhood, and I remembered liking it. I fed my dollar into the machine and... Well, let's just say that I became a fan. A big fan.

I've had a Dr Pepper almost every day since that summer. Okay, there have been fits and spurts where I've tried to give it up, knowing it's not good for me. They never lasted long.

Until now.

It's been 17 days since I've had a DP. 17. 1-7. That's a long time. And it hasn't been easy. My body has gotten used to all that sugar and wanted a replacement. I fought it for a while but finally broke down and bought a bag of candy corn (see yesterday's post). Thankfully, I really don't have that much of a sweet tooth and the candy corn isn't tasting so good anymore.

Will I last with no DP? I'm not sure. But I do think I'm over the hardest part--the cravings. Or maybe the hardest part is yet to come-that day when I think I can just treat myself to one bottle...

Has anyone else ever tried to give up soda? Did you stick to it? I need some reassurances!

10 comments:

  1. You can absolutely give up your Dr. Pepper!!! I've given up Diet Pepsi for the second time, and looking back, I think it was more of a habit in the end, than anything else.
    But, beware, do not even take a sip. Before this last time, I'd been off the stuff for over 2 years and fell off the wagon whilst watching a movie. My friend didn't realize and bought me one. Not wanting to hurt her feelings, I thought, what the hell....it's just one...it's been
    2 years....no prob.
    Crap! That was not the case. It was like I'd never stopped.
    YOU ARE OVER THE HARD PART!!
    YOU CAN DO THIS.
    Just remember, you were happy before you started that one summer and you're gonna be even happier as you make more progress.
    Not to mention, look at the example you're giving your kids.
    You can do anything if you put your mind to it!!!
    GO HEATHER.....GO HEATHER.....GO HEATHER!!!

    YOU GO GIRL!!!!
    :0)
    Gayle

    :0)

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  2. I gave up cola through nearly 10 years of pregnancy and nursing of 4 kids and now I seem to be making up lost time. I'm going to make you my hero. If you can give up DP, then I can give up Diet Coke, right? I'll be checking in to see how you do :)

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  3. I went cold turkey on soda about 3 years ago...they say it takes 21 days to break a habit so hang in there. Can't say I even enjoy soda now, it actually tastes too sweet.
    I've become quite the tea drinker (just the hot kind, not the cold).
    Use to be a gulp-it-down coffee addict but realized you can't do that with tea..it forces me to slow down and enjoy drinking it...if only for the 10-15 minutes it takes for a nice cuppa.

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  4. You all give me hope! And, Wendy, if I can do it, you can do it. We can cheerlead each other. Rah, rah! B, I was never a big coffee drinker, but now I do crave a cup (caffeine?). And Gayle, I can so see one sip pushing me over... I'll can stay strong (er, I hope!).

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  5. will somebody reach over and thump Theo? lol

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  6. I read somewhere that giving up soda, all soda even diet, will allow you to lose up to 10 pounds in a year. Diet? 10 pounds? Heck, I could do that. And I stopped, just like that. I was a diet coke gal, then a diet dr. pepper cherry vanilla gal. I have one now and again but the dire cravings are no longer the case. Coffee, on the other hand, I'd give up hubby's first born before I'd give up the coffee (notice the qualifier in that sentence hubby's).

    Good luck, you can do it!

    Cheers, Kiy

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  7. I gave up soda and don't miss it at all.

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  8. Thanks, Kiy! LOL on hubby's kid. And Dru, that gives me hope!

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