Diet Coke and Weight Loss

For years, I have been a proud, unapologetic Diet Coke Addict.  I began drinking it at the ripe old age of 6, and, with the exception of a two week period about six years ago when I was struck with mononucleosis, have had at least 2 cans of diet coke a day ever since.  In fact, I would say that once I became a teenager, I increased my intake every year.  Now, at the age of 27, I have decided to "quit." 

I was skinny as a six year old, very slightly overweight from ages 13-17, slightly more overweight from 18-22, and finally hit the severely overweight mark at 23.  Even though I have gained and lost weight multiple times over the years, sometimes very close to my goal weight, I always gained it back.  And the one factor that remained constant?  You guessed it!  Diet Coke.

So...Last week, when I made the decision to try to kick my (diet) coke habit, (with the exception of an occasional can maybe at a family get-together or when I just need something more than water or iced tea), it was really more of a test to see if it truly affected my diet and my weight.  Since "quitting," my appetite is at an all-time low, and my weight loss in one week was double what it normally is...Usually, I lose about 3-5 pounds in my first week of a diet, but this time, it was closer to 10 (without adding exercise yet)!

Trust me when I tell you, no matter HOW addicted you may be to Diet Coke, you CAN beat the addiction!  I used plain, unsweetened iced tea as my caffeine support in order to avoid headaches.  Find a non-soda substitute, and try this.  I am curious to see how many other people have such great results.  In the meantime, don't quit cold turkey if you can't handle it...just try to take it down to 1-2 cans a day at first. 

i read a study (sorry i dont remember which one it was to cite) but it stated that those who ingested artificial sweetener were around 30% more likely to gain/become overweight

maybe someone else knows which one it was...

I have heard about a million studies saying both it makes you fat and it doesn't make you fat. The one I believe the most was something about the artificial sweetener making you more hungry

I, too, am a hopeless Diet Coke addict. I have been trying to quit, but it's so hard. I get blinding headaches, that's how bad my addiction is. I didn't have one for two days and I finally crawled into the kitchen and poured two liters of it on myself until I sprung back to life

I can relate to your story, however I was a regular coke addict until 16-17 when my dad and I stopped drinking regular and we switched to diet coke, it got to the point where I could drink alone one 2litre bottle a day I'm 22 now.  However on March 30th when I started my diet. I completely stopped drinking it with no replacement either just water.  It's been 23 days since I started, and I got to tell you it's been rough but yea it is doable.  

i've always noticed that diet sodas make me SUPER hungry and because of that i manage to avoid them most of the time. i do enjoy a diet dr pepper when i'm craving something sweet but i have to make sure i have some healthy snacks to follow it up to keep my stomach from growling.

I have heard about Diet Coke making you hungrier...It's interesting, because I always thought it was just my own problem, being hungry all the time.  But, I definitely notice a difference in my appetite now.  It's amazing how well I can get through the day now on 5-6 small meals. 

Wow, jfontananet...I can't IMAGINE quitting caffeine cold turkey.  It gives me a headache just thinking about it....

I was drinking upwards of 6-10 cans a day for several months, slightly less then that for years prior.  It didn't make me gain weight, but it certainly affected my teeth...  I brush two-three times a day and pride myself in having a decent set of chompers...  But after a recent dental cleaning, my dentist asked me how much sugar I was getting?!?  I said next to none, that I don't really eat or drink anything with sugar.  But somehow my teeth were slightly yellowing. 

Anyway she used her Sherlock Holmes method of deduction and determined that the artificial sweetener in extremely large doses over an extended period of time has a similar affect on the teeth as sugar... 

I quit, immediately but now I drink maybe a couple of cans a week, for the caffeine, I need it as a diuretic...

I was not successful at entirly quiting, but was able to cut back from almost a 12pack a day to a few a week...

I kicked the diet soda too, for me it was diet pepsi, it is definetly doable. It is funny I didnt start drinking diet soda and really disliked the flavor of it until I started dieting after my second child! lol

 About 6 months ago I decided it was time. I didnt go cold turkey I just started making myself wait before I had one, and gradually this worked. I still drink soda but it isnt diet, I drink 1 7-up every other day now. I am fiercly proud of this. The soda was the one splurge I always allowed myself lol, how sad.

I too drank a lot of diet soda.. I stopped the beginning of this year.. and I feel it has helped with my weightloss. I think also the carbonation plays a big role.. I drink a can now and I get all burby and makes my tummy hurt. It makes me feel bloated.. My european husband was so shocked by the amount of soda i would drink in the beginning of our relationship.. he swore that carbonated soda makes your tummy stretch out..making you eat more.. making your tummy look bigger.. I refused to beleive him.. :) (loved the soda too much) But after I stopped drinking.. I felt like my tummy wasn´t as bloated..

I think anything every once in a while won´t have serious negative affects on your diet/ lifestyle change.. but I don´t even crave it anymore.

Original Post by cami430:

I too drank a lot of diet soda.. I stopped the beginning of this year.. and I feel it has helped with my weightloss. I think also the carbonation plays a big role.. I drink a can now and I get all burby and makes my tummy hurt. It makes me feel bloated.. My european husband was so shocked by the amount of soda i would drink in the beginning of our relationship.. he swore that carbonated soda makes your tummy stretch out..making you eat more.. making your tummy look bigger.. I refused to beleive him.. :) (loved the soda too much) But after I stopped drinking.. I felt like my tummy wasn´t as bloated..

I think anything every once in a while won´t have serious negative affects on your diet/ lifestyle change.. but I don´t even crave it anymore.

 I heard that it was the opposite.  The carbonation makes you feel fuller, the artificial sweetener might make you want to eat more, but the carbonation in the beverage of choice is said to filll your stomach.  Thats why at places like Chinese buffets, they always offer soda before they offer water when they ask you if you want a drink ;)

Hmm. I lost far too much weight last summer and during that time I drank diet pepsi like a fish. It doesn't make anyone gain or maintain a weight.

I, too, though now gaining weight, just cant give up my diet pepsi. I can drink it a LOT. Anywhere from 0,5 to 3 liters a day. Luckily, 3 liters has happened only...once or twice? Anyway, Im HOOKED.

Very interesting, I just recently kicked the "diet coke crack" habit as well and my appetite has really decreased and my skin hasn't looked this good since I was 10!! I have more energy just chugging plain old water. I was a serious addict and foolishly thought that was keeping me awake and away from food. I never thought I would see the day where I didn't have a case in my fridge, my kids are in shock and denial, but I know in the long run it will be good for them as well.

Personally, I have always thought diet tastes like ass, but I have had a servere addiction to classic coca cola.  In Feb I cut back on the soda (only on occasional saturdays) and I coudn't go #2 for almost a month! LOL.

Today, I still have cola occassionally, because now I see it as more cals to add to the daily limit...I guess it's different with diet, but it also made me feel sluggish, even with the caffine.  Now I pretty much drink it with RUM or at resturaunts.

I used to LOVE LOVE LOVE drinking it straight out of a can, and now that tastes awful. 
I have learned to enjoy a cup of coffee with a teaspoon of sugar a few days a week.  Helps the digestive track and the headaches without dependency. 

I am a recovering coke addict and I know that if you want to cut it out completly or just limit it to specail occassions (like a treat), I know you can do it!

Original Post by wineshopgirl75:

Very interesting, I just recently kicked the "diet coke crack" habit as well and my appetite has really decreased and my skin hasn't looked this good since I was 10!!

 I have too noticed that my skin looks way better!

My husband had a disgusting coke habit, and I mean the Coca Cola version.  He used to drink the regular stuff and was drinking around 1 litre a day.

When he stopped he felt so ill that we was tempted to restart.  He worked in McDonald's for a number of years and that made it easy and accessible and started him on it.

His teeth are shocking and the enamel is really damaged and I blame all the years of coke drinking as he has never smoked and doesn't eat sweets.

Since he came off it his teeth are a lot better and he can't stand the taste of the stuff now.   I always feel concerned when I see parents giving it to their kids but you can't tell people as they always think they know better.

Good to hear all those who have kicked the habit.  The stuff is vile.  Although I will have a bottle maybe once a month but I tend to use it instead of coffee as a pick me up if I am really tired rather than as an enjoyable drink.