Monday, August 11, 2008

Breaking the Habit

I guess I have been lucky. I have never been addicted to anything that is too bad for me.

I am not innocent, I have tried cigarettes. I have tried a couple of different drugs. I even started drinking at parties at the age of 15.

Lucky for me, though, I didn't enjoy smoking cigarettes. Drugs just never worked for me, in fact they were pretty much worthless. And I pretty much got drinking out of my system by the time I turned 21.

There has always been one addiction I have had that, although not terrible, is difficult for me to give up.

My name is Keith, and I am a sodaholic.

I don't enjoy drinking water, and making iced tea is always such a hassle. So, I drink soda. And I love drinking soda.

However, I have noticed a rotund object growing around my body. Oh wait, that is my body. Yes, I have gained a little more weight than I would have liked to.

So, in an effort to drop a few extra pounds I have decided to give up my precious soda. I gave myself an out as to not give it up cold turkey: I can drink soda during football on Sunday, and on that day only. But, if I am doing well I may try to steer clear of falling off the wagon even on that day.

After my trip to Outer Banks finished, I swore of the golden nectar and have been clean for a week and a day so far.

It's pretty difficult to do when you think about it. I go out to lunch every day for work - and usually have a Pepsi with my meal, but I have been searching for alternate methods of thirst quenching. I have even surprised myself and been drinking a lot more water than I am used to - and so far it isn't so bad.

I know this is by far not as bad as battling cigarette, alcohol or drug addiction - and my prayers are with those people trying to kick those habits - but for me this is a difficult process, one that I hope I am able to conquer. At least until I feel a little better about my weight.


NOTES: Just wanted to say how saddened I was about the loss of Bernie Mac. I never really got into his show, The Bernie Mac Show, but I really enjoyed his character Frank Catton in the Ocean's Trilogy as well as his bit part in Transformers. Another talented actor lost way before his time. R.I.P.

3 comments:

  1. I could stand to do this, too. On the one hand, I'm lucky because I like drinking water, and drink a ton of it. On the other, I don't like iced tea, so if I were to get a combo meal anywhere, I'll feel cheated if I get water. That's pretty minor, though.

    A buddy of mine is doing the same as you right now, so I get to hassle him and tempt him with Pepsi/Coke. Good times. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yay Keith, I'm so happy that you're trying this out. I don't think I've ever drank much soda at all, just out to dinner, but now I don't have any at all. Well except with pizza which is maybe once a month or less. I think once you break the cycle of habit you'll be fine. Just buy some Nalgenes and transport water everywhere you go. We occasionally mix it up with lemonade and iced tea.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Good luck with kicking your habit. I gave up Diet Pepsi when I was pregnant and that was horrible. I, like you, haven't had much interest in other addicting things than soda. Mark enjoys different flavor ice teas in those handy little travel packs that you can pour into a 20oz bottle.

    Oh...and we are free on Saturday, hopefully you guys can get together...sans soda of course =)

    ReplyDelete