GeorgeBMac

LOL...
... When I was a kid that was called "A coke"!
...... Actually, I think the bottles were only 6 ounces, not 8!

I guess, that's part of the problem. We went from 6 ounces being a treat to 44 ounces as regular part of the diet.

RideMyWheel

You're right, they were 6 or 6.5, I can't remember. I do remember having to grab the bottle by the neck and pull it out of the machine. Less than a quarter each, too. And I remember drinking one too fast and the carbonation spewing through my nose.

And you're also right that everything is super-sized now, cheeseburgers, cokes, candy, chips, fries, and I guess they have to super-size the coffins now, too!

curlyque

Actually, MM does not vary.... MM is a carbon copy of yours... including our ages

Of course an 85 pound weight loss (3 years and holding) helped too

The absence of joint pain is really a huge bonus at this point in time.

MikeRides

Good for you, OP!

I gave up soda 2 years ago when I decided I wanted to lose some weight and I don't miss it one bit. In place of an average of 2-3 (12oz) cans of Pepsi/Coke, I drink two 6oz cups of black coffee every morning and nothing but water (sometimes flavored with lemon or cherry) throughout the day. After the first 30 days of being soda-free, I saw a 20 pound loss and found myself generally feeling better at the end of the day. I still consume beer and scotch on occasion, but in extreme moderation.

ziggydcat

I gave up pop 5 years ago. With a regular exercise and a better grasp on my nutrition I was able to loose over 100 lbs. that first year. I fell off the wagon alittle over a year ago. The only thing that changed in my diet was a daily pop. Then two, three, sometimes four... Ok, so 10 months after my wedding I was up 30 lbs. WTF? Stopped drinking the pop and as of this morning I am back to where I was when I started. No more pop for this guy!

himespau 

Ah, a fellow michigander. We're the only ones who still call it pop. I miss that now in the South.

Machka 

Western Canadians call it pop. I know it as pop. But here in Australia no one knows what I'm talking about when I ask for a pop.

headloss 

I quit the soda about three months ago now.. biggest difference for me is energy levels. I can ride longer without the bonk. I feel more energetic throughout the day. No difference in my tummy.

ps plenty of people around here still call it pop, although I don't.

headloss 

There is a LOT of bs in this post. Sorry mate, but try to find the actual peer-reviewed papers that support these claims... most of it is just urban-legend from sites like naturalnews and mercola.

Glad you are feeling better though, it's amazing what a few small changes can do for overall health. I'm not debating your personal anecdote, just the underlying reason for your improvement.

pursuance

Nothing to be sorry about, as I closed YMMV. I don't have to be right to be happy.
20 minutes home after a 35 minute rapid pace. BP 111/67, pulse 71.
My best resting pulse is 56 so far, looking to be 190# with RP in the 40s.
I follow Dr. Merritt's advice, peer review or not.
BTW, most MDs are pill pushers, Merritt is not.

ToastedBread

Good for you OP! I've been trying to cut coke/carbonated drinks out for a while now, but when the summers get so hot here, it's hard.

WalksOn2Wheels

Digging this one back up because I'm just now making the jump.

I grew up with the stuff, drinking it every day and now I'm 32 and might have anywhere from 2-5 cans a DAY. And yeah, yeah I know this was originally about giving up diet soda, Machka, but I don't see any reason people can't share their reasons for ditching soda in general. I've tried it before, but my reasons have always been selfish or at least superficial.

The kicker for me was on Sunday when my wife wanted me to read an "article" on what coke does to your body. It was super sensationalized and no sources were provided, so yeah. But then on Monday morning, I decided to check out one thing that caught my eye: the effect of HFCS on your liver.

Last February, I lost my father to liver cancer. Prior to that, he was diagnosed with non-alcoholic cirrhosis, which was obviously preceded by fatty liver due to diet and perhaps a bit of acetaminophen abuse (he hit the nyquil a little hard when allergies hit).

My sister smokes and my mother used to smoke and relapsed when my father became ill, putting her under stress. I look at them like they're crazy because my grandfather died at 73 from lung failure after being a lifetime smoker.

So now I'm realizing how my bad habit, and perhaps the added dangers of HFCS, is really ramping up my shot at contracting liver disease and it's just not worth it. I haven't touched a can of coke since Monday. And as opposed to having to curb the craving, I just feel awful when I consider picking up a can again.

I think it's going to stick this time.

CliffordK

I've given up coffee a few times, only to resume for long road trips (it is amazing how much of a boost it can give one when one hasn't had a coffee for quite some time).

I'm now a few years since I've had more than the very rare cup of tea.

Anyway, so it is pretty much all no-caf. So, no coffee, no tea, no caffeine soda, etc.

Maybe once a month or so I'll have a soda, mainly when visiting someone. But, without the caffeine it isn't addictive.

I never thought of it as bloating, but perhaps there is the belching part to soda.

Igualmente

There are many "foods" I will give up, but Club Soda with Lime ain't gonna be one of them. Unless of course someone points out how it is killing me.

sprince

Gave up refined sugar many years ago, but still have a 3-4 a day diet coke habit. It's not the soda, caffeine or coloring's, sugar is the bad guy.

CliffordK

I consider sugar as an important part of my dieting when I'm trying to loose weight

Dave Cutter

I had almost forgot I started this thread.

Quitting soft drinks was pretty easy! I've had a handful of sodas. One at a wedding reception, another at a restaurant.... that sort of thing. I'd guess there may be some slight saving when buying groceries. But in four months of "not using" I haven't experienced any real changes.

Before I retired..... for DECADES... I drank coffee by the pot-full's. Now I have two mugs every morning.... period. No desire to change this arrangement ether.

LoriRose

I gave up pop about 5 years ago along with all refined sugars, fruit juice and simple carbs due to blood sugar problems. It was surprisingly easy. The only hard part was grocery shopping. I also gave up coffee for the same reason. That was not as easy. I was already slim so I didn't lose weight and to be honest I didn't really feel any healthier or better. Today I still don't drink pop. I drink water, decaf coffee, milk, gin, wine and beer - the last few not always in moderation . When I'm feeling for something bubbly I'll have sparkling water with a splash of OJ and cran juice- maybe once a month (I now indulge in small portions of sweets from time to time). I also quit smoking a year and a half ago, though I switched to the e-cigarette. I think it's funny that I drink decaf and smoke a fake cigarette. To me though it says I'm trying! My last vice is the ecig. I've decided I'm done when my current bottle of juice runs out. It's cappuccino flavoured. Also a little ironic! Ha! Anyways, I'm glad I kicked pop (and sugar) when I did. It can be really difficult for some so I say good for all of you who have done so!

Btwright1987

Wow, this thread has provided inspiration for me to finally give up all carbonated drinks (sodas for my American friends)

Weight is not an issue for me, I'm 5ft 10 and weight about 160 pounds.
I drink zero sugar fizzy drinks but they include a lot of artificial sweeteners, I drink so much of the stuff at least 1 litre a day.
I do have moderate bowl problems, I suspect it's mostly due to stress but also think the sweeteners have some effect.

Has anyone who has given up sodas noticed bowl problems improving?

practical

Glad you could do it. I wish I could do the same for craft beer.

texbiker

According to Dr. Mirkin's email newsletter some new studies show artificial sweeteners change the bacteria in the intestines which can cause problems. You can read more at his website Dr. Gabe Mirkin on Health, Fitness and Nutrition.

Leebo

No more coke for me. Save for the occasional splash in the bourbon. I like the lemon lime seltzer from Adirondack. Ice tea or coffee work when I need a jolt.

10 Wheels

Type 2 Diabetic here.

I carry a 8 OZ cola for the times when my blood sugar drops.

nayr497

I drink water, some tea, a bit of milk, and a decent amount of beer/spirits. But mainly water and spirits.

I do enjoy soda, but I probably drink around two cans a month. The best creation for me was the 8 oz. cans, just enough. I like it with certain foods.

Everything in moderation is the rule I follow.

hig4s

6 years, the only carbonated drink I have had is beer, and I don't drink much of that. Average maybe one a week. Carbonated water weight gain, is also bad for blood pressure.

Also cutting back on beef helps with that bloated feeling. Beef is hard for you body to process and generally takes longer than chicken or pork to digest. Although the fat content also makes a difference so lean beef vs fatty pork, the pork may take longer to digest.