The Day I Stopped Drinking Diet Coke

Sharing is caring!

For as long as I can remember I’ve had an addiction to Diet Coke.  Yes, addiction.  I’m not being dramatic, or funny.  When it was in my home, that’s all I wanted to drink.  When I was out at a restaurant, one was never enough.  I was addicted, and I knew it… for a really long time.

Cup of diet coke

The funny thing is, I wasn’t even really thinking about giving up Diet Coke.  I’ve given it up a million times.  I’ve given it up for lent or for a cleanse or detox back when I thought that was the way to lasting weight loss… but I have always ended up drinking it again.  Every single time.

Two weeks ago I stopped drinking it and it’s been different this time.  I didn’t give it up for any reason in particular but it was very clear to me that I was supposed to do it.

I rarely keep Diet Coke in my house because when I do, it’s literally all I will drink.  I’d go an entire day without drinking water if I have it here… so years ago I stopped buying it on a regular basis to have at home.  Sometimes I’m weak at the store though and end up with a 12 pack in my fridge only to soon ask myself, “Why in the heck did you bring that in the damn house!”

I HATE the control it has over me.

On the day I stopped drinking Diet Coke I reached in my fridge to grab one first thing in the morning.  We’d been on vacation and I’d bought some to have and we didn’t drink them all.  As I was reaching in my fridge I remember thinking, “What are you doing?  It’s not even 9am and you are reaching for a Diet Coke… you haven’t even had a glass of water.”

I didn’t feel shame, but I was a little frustrated that since they were in the house that’s what I was reaching for.  I put the Diet Coke back and walked out the door with a water in hand.  I didn’t think too much of it as I dropped my son off to school and began my day, but within the next hour something kinda crazy happened.

I was stopped at a stoplight and audibly heard God say to me,

“Amy, you need to give up Diet Coke.”

Bottle of Coca-Cola on a white backgroundIt was the weirdest moment.  I literally looked out my car window and towards heaven giving God this look like, “I’m sorry… I think I heard you wrong… I think you just told me to give up Diet Coke.”  I started telling myself I didn’t actually hear him and I was going to go get one when He said to me, “You don’t need your ‘last’ one… you’ve had more Diet Cokes over the years than you could ever count.  Don’t drink another one.”

I know.  This sounds completely crazy.  You can roll your eyes or call me a weirdo that God spoke to me this way (about Diet Coke of all things) but He TOTALLY showed up like this.  Want to know the craziest part?  This happened on Thursday, March 22nd and I haven’t had a Diet Coke since the day before on March 21st… and I haven’t craved it yet.

It’s been 2 weeks and I haven’t had a single headache or withdrawal symptom.

Diet Coke has been such a struggle for me for the longest time.  And God showed up and said to me, “You can’t do this without me… let me help you.”  And He did.  He took away my desire for it.  Just like that.  He answered a prayer I didn’t even realize needed answered.

Why did I know I needed to give up Diet Coke?

  • It’s a trigger for me- Everytime I drink it, I want more of it and then I want to eat more.  When I drink it I want chocolate or chips or peanut butter by the spoonful.  Every time I had it at home I would find myself reaching for it when I wanted to snack, and that snack turned into something more like a meal because it triggered me to eat more food than my body actually needed, or wanted to be honest.Donuts sign and diet coke sign
  • Aspartame- I know it’s in Diet Coke and I know it’s not good for me.  I’m not going to go into all the research, you can if you’d like.  This isn’t my main reason for giving it up, but I am trying to be a bit more conscious of this and cutting out Diet Coke is a small step in this direction.
  • I don’t drink enough water- Since I’m being honest I may as well admit that water is a struggle for me.  I always have a water bottle with me, but I wasn’t drinking nearly enough of it.  We all know water is important, and it’s the best thing we can drink… so why wasn’t I drinking more of it?  I was replacing it with a Diet Coke or other caffeinated beverages.  This left me feeling dehydrated and inflamed and overall, not my best.Water splashing in bowl with lemon
  • It’s expensive- This doesn’t need an explanation.  Water is cheaper and more affordable (obviously) than pop.  At some restaurants it’s over $3 for a glass.  And since I wasn’t buying it for home that meant that when I was drinking it I was paying that much per serving.  That’s just silly and a waste of money on something that I know my body would function better without.

Plain water can get a little boring for me so I have replaced my daily Diet Coke with some flavored beverages.  And though I have stopped drinking Diet Coke, I’m not giving up on caffeine because #momlife 😉

What am I drinking?

  • A lot more water-  FINALLY!  This is coming so much easier to me now and I feel much more hydrated!
  • Spindrift- I recently discovered this company and I’m obsessed.  Bonus?  They sell a multi-pack at Costco so I just scored a great deal on a 30 pack!  I’m trying to limit to 1 can a day.  You can buy this on Amazon, or at Target or Trader Joe’s.
  • Advocare Spark- I still need caffeine and this just makes me energized and focused without the jitters.  I drink this every morning and after I’m done with my serving of Spark with Collagen Peptides I switch to water.  Occasionally, if I hit a mid-afternoon slump I’ll drink another in the afternoon but I’m trying really hard to limit it to once a day simply to cut back on expenses.
  • Hot tea- I love to drink hot tea at night after my kids are in bed and I’m winding down or working.

I’ve worked hard to let go of all or nothing thinking so I’m not writing this post and telling you I will never drink Diet Coke again.  I’m also not writing this post and telling you I will drink it again.  I have no idea if you want me to be honest.  I know that right now in this season of my life though, I’m surviving without it, and my body is happy, too.

I also want to say, if you drink pop this isn’t a post to convince you not to.

This is MY journey, MY experience and it’s what’s best for me RIGHT NOW.

That doesn’t mean it’s right for you, and this isn’t meant to make anyone feel guilty for drinking pop.  I’m simply sharing MY story… and if it inspires you to quit drinking it, AWESOME.

If not, order it with a lime… it’ll rock your world 😉

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

Diet Coke has been an addiction for many years. It triggers me to snack or binge and leaves me feeling inflamed and dehydrated. I am making a conscious effort to fuel my body with healthier options. #dietcoke #pophabit #healthyhabits #quittingdietcoke #givinguppop #nomorepop #pop

SaveSave

SaveSave

Similar Posts

6 Comments

  1. Dearest Amy,
    I stopped drinking zero coke eighht weeks ago, and it’s probably one of the best things I did for myself!!
    Well done dear, I adore you!!

  2. I love the Holy Spirit! I love how God leads us and then gives us the power to do it. I am cheering you on Amy! You are inspiring to me.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *