This is a food-adjacent post, so please skip if it’s not your thing!
When I decided to do better with my diet this year I knew the only way that would work for me was a “everything in moderation” mindset. Cutting things completely out of my diet does NOT work for me*. It makes me obsess over them, and want them even more. I’d rather have a small amount of that indulgent thing and really savor it.
However.
There is one thing I had to completely cut, cold turkey, and that is SODA!
I was so addicted to soda in 2022! I was drinking Dr Pepper almost every day. I was keeping it in the house! I would drive to a gas station just to get a fountain Dr Pepper! I would be upset when certain fountain Dr Peppers weren’t set up right and didn’t taste as good.
Soda (well, specifically Dr Pepper) was way too addictive for me!
I went years without drinking soda, except for the occasional Jarritos, so I knew cutting it out would not be impossible. I am not even quite sure how I picked the habit back up last year!
And I haven’t had a Dr Pepper yet this year! However…
When Val and I were in Tucson headed to the airport we talked about how good Dr Pepper is, then when I got on the plane I thought one sounded like a wonderful treat. I had told her how I cut them out, so I texted her and said I was thinking about getting one. She was like, “you’re on vacation! Go for it!” And I was! And I was excited to have one!
Then they only had Coke. Ha! It’s like the universe was saying, “not yet, Kim.” I got water instead.
Last weekend, when we went axe-throwing, we all got Sprites, and that was my first soda of the year! It didn’t taste that great to me and I didn’t finish it, so that is saying something.
(We DID finish that pretzel plate, nom nom nom. I took this photo to show my dad we were at the axe-throwing place – we had taken him there several years ago and he and I were both frustrated we could not get the hatchets to stick.)
*Counting calories does not work for me either – it makes me way too obsessive. I wish it did. I think I might have a more linear weigh-loss journey if I did but it would NOT be worth the headspace it would put me in.
I’m with you, I can’t cut anything out completely. I’ve done it in the past and lost a ton of weight quickly by doing that, but it’s not sustainable so for me it’s just not worth it. I think it’s much better to treat yourself to that thing you want every now and then and you’ll really enjoy it!
I rarely drink pop but I do love a good, ice cold Dr. Pepper every now and then. I usually buy one when I’m driving a long distance, and that’s the only time I ever really have it.
Right! It makes me miserable and life is too short to feel that way about food! And yes – I enjoy treats so much more when I am not having them all the time!
That is a great time to have it! The caffeine probably helps, too!
I’m not a soda fan in general but if I was going to have one, it would be a Dr. Pepper!
I’m totally with you on Team Moderation. If cutting certain foods out works for other people, then that’s the right choice for them. My experience is that when I cut things out I end up obsessing over them, compensating with something else, or just not feeling great overall = it’s not productive.
I think that is where I am to! Something about it… is just so satisfying. LOL.
That has been my experience as well! And good reminder – it may work great for someone else!!! (and good for them!)
I am absolutely a “moderator”, not an abstainer, but I am lucky to say that I do not like Dr. Pepper (didn’t grow up with it and think it tastes gross – haha) and soda is a nice treat every once in a while, but I was never hooked on it. I know people struggle with cutting it out though, so kudos for staying on track!
It sounds like I am in good company with this mindset!!! And thanks! Luckily it was my only soda and I love drinking water! I know many struggle to drink water because they love soda so much (no judgement at all – it’s addictive and tasty!).
Also on Team Moderation! It works so much better for me.
I neeeeeed to kick the Dr. Pepper addiction. I only buy the small 7.5-oz cans so that’s the most I’ll have a day, but it would be nice to not have to rely on them at all. But it also brings me joy! Argh.
If it brings you joy and doesn’t feel out of control I don’t see anything wrong with that!!!