Andy Capwell’s Struggle To Quit Diet Soda

It's been almost two weeks since I had my last drink of diet soda. Let me backtrack a little on why I am trying to stop drinking diet soda, actually soda all together. About a year ago, my weight loss had got to its low point. I had dropped over 70 pounds and was feeling good. I was walking and running for 2.5 miles in 30 minutes on the treadmill, lifting weights and I had energy. Over the past few months or so, I really noticed a drop in my energy, a gain in my weight and an overall just not feeling like I had a year ago.

The million dollar question is why was this happening? Most people would have gone to a doctor. I am stubborn, poor and have no insurance, so I have not gone to a doctor. I am trying to work though this.

Friends of mine have advised me to buckle down on the diet and to give up soda. I have drank diet soda since I was in high school, I figured it had zero calories, caffeine and I just didn't want to believe it was something I should cut back on or quit.

The past month or so, I have really watched the diet and the weight was still slowly going up or at best staying the same. I have had a few good days at the gym, but for the most part, I was still struggling at the gym. So, I decided that I was going to give up diet soda. I researched effects of drinking diet soda. Here's what I found.

The diet sweeteners, in university studies, show that it may cause kidney problems.

A 2008 University of Minnesota study showed it may cause metabolism issues.

Studies show that drinking diet soda may cause obesity.

Studies show that mold inhibitors, like sodium benzoate or potassium benzoate, can cause cell damage.

Diet soda is very acidic, it has a ph of 3.2 and it will dissolve the enamel of teeth.

So, it's been about two weeks without diet soda. I am still drinking iced coffee and diet green iced tea. I still really haven't felt a difference with my energy and performance at the gym. However, my work schedule the past two weeks has been very busy.

I can tell you, that I still crave that iced cold bottle of diet soda after a meal. Have you quit drinking soda? Do you have any advice for me? I could use the encouragement and advice!