Would like some advice!

I have been feeling pretty down lately about my weight and I really want to do something about it.  I have a really bad addiction though and I am not sure how to kick it.  I am addicted to coke.  (coca cola that is).  I was diagnosed with diabetes and I still can't seem to kick the habit.

I read about so many people who have the willpower to stop certain addictions but this one is so hard.  I quit for a few days and I find myself at the vending machine before I even know what I am doing.

I'm not sure how to quit and I know that is one of my biggest downfalls when it comes to losing weight.

Please help.....any advice out there?

I prefer Pepsi - and switched to Diet Pepsi years ago and now drink only caffiene free diet pepsi or caffiene free Diet Dr Pepper.  I tried the Pepsi One or what ever it is called that is made with  Splenda - I didn't care for it but I have heard the Coke alternative is very good - so maybe try that one if you can't switch to the diet coke. 

I have tried to drink diet coke and the after taste makes me feel ill.  I tried the one with splenda when I was in the US and I didn't like that either.  I don't know what is wrong with me.

I was seriously thinking about going to some sort of a re-hab for a few weeks but my life is just too busy to stop everything and go.

I know this sounds crazy and I really appreciate you replying and making that suggestion.

I drink at least 4 to 6 litres a day.  It is the only liquid I consume...pretty sick but still drinking it!

Hi brooksie, I wish I could help you, but I have no idea how you would quit. You do KNOW how much sugar is in a coke, right? Maybe you could dilute it with water? Somehow - at least cut down. Maybe mix with crushed ice, the ice will dilute it as the ice melts. Is it the caffiene in the soda that you are addicted to? If so, switch to iced coffee. Let us know what you come up with. It's really hard to overcome an addiction, but with diabetes - it has to be done. Good luck!!!

Wow that is a serious situation.  Even though you can't go to a rehab - I would suggest trying AA or NA or any other Anoymous type group for now.  They all are on the same principals and foundation as AA and even rehab facilities are the same but more intense I imagine.

I guess if you can't fix this problem - you may very well end up in a hospital where it will be fixed for you.  Don't want to scare you but sounds to me like you are heading to some major health issues and very easily could die before too long if you don't fix it now.  And if you don't go into a diabetic emergency the damage the disease does to vital organs over time is frightening.  My husband is a diabetic and didn't take care of his for years and now that he has kidney problems and eye problems he is finally getting it under control. 

brooksie,
       &nb sp;        I had the same addiction. Mine was with Dr. Pepper and Grape soda. I have been soda free for five months now. That is really big for me. If I can do it, you can too!

I can not drink diet of any kind. I have an allergy to all fake sweettner. I get very sick.

This is how I did it. I cut back a little at a time. I know it sounds like it won't work, but it can. You say you have 4 to 6 litres a day? Day one: cut back by glass, more if can. Day two: cut back a little more. Soon you wont miss that one, two, or three glasses so you cut back a little more untill you are done.  Don't get me wrong it is hard.  It took me over a year. I stayed at one soda a day for a long time. I stopped smoking the same way.  In Feb. of this year it will four years since my last smoke.  You can do it! You will feel much better if you do.
If you need to talk I'm here :)   Amy

could be you need some supplements to help you like a b-complex

Hi, brooksie. I am taking a course in college on Behavior Management. One thing they've taught me that every behavior that is dropped has to be replaced by something else, or it will come back.

My suggestion is to first simply focus on drinking more water. Try Crystal Light too. As you eventually get hydrated, you will lose your cravings for soda.

Wow, thank you so much everyone.  I woke up this morning and realized that I posted this because I was looking for an easy way out for something that in the end can kill me..........It's the weight factor and the sugar factor!

I haven't had any this morning (usually on my second can of coke by now) and I have asked my co-worker to help me.  I will not go to the vending machine today!  I will take one day at a time.

Amy, I'm glad to hear that you kicked the "cola" habit.  It is not easy!!!!  I will join you in a few months celebrating my "five months" free of coke!

I will also look into the B-Complex.  Maybe I am lacking something!

I am taking the water advice too....I am on my third bottle this morning.  Can you drink too much water?

Sorry to hear about your husband db....I hear so many horror stories with diabetes.  I have a 9 year old and I want to see him graduate, get married and grow old!  I'm glad your husband is getting it under control!

I am glad that I posted this and thank you so much to everyone for your advice!

It's really tough to kick any sugary drink habit when you hate artificial sweeteners as I do.  But I did it, and I know you can do it too.  I tapered off over the course of 3 months, gradually replacing soda with water and reducing the sugar I put in coffee and on cereal.  Now I almost never add sugar or have a sweetened drink.

Good Luck!  And congratulations for getting someone to help you at work!!!

If you want to beat it you can.
Stop making excuses and make it happen.

Another idea for kicking the soda habit is to drink lemon-lime seltzer ... there's no cals and no artificial sweeteners - but you will get the bubbles, which is what I really like about soda.  I've found that once you've cut it out that you really don't crave it.  The big plus about seltzer for me is that I'm not having something sweet because even diet soda would trigger my desire for other sweets.  But be careful to read the labels and make sure that you don't pick up one of those "flavored waters"... much too sweet. 

All I can say is drink Diet Coke.  What harm can it do? None. Or even the caffine free diet coke.  There's nothing wrong with that at all.

Whole foods sells a "grownup soda", which is all natural and has less sugar, a lot less.

Cold Turkey might be the best way to go - keep bottled water around at all times.

If the diet drinks don't work, I ditto what dbackerfan said.  My brother, nephew, and brother in law are recovered AA and DA members.  Their strength and this site help me stay motivated with my issues with food.  You have to do something to get off the stuff. You can do it with help from others and organizations!

And why is there no soda drinks annonymous out there.  cos it doesn't bloody kill you to drink it.

hello tobethinner! Did you READ brooksie's post? 

"I was diagnosed with diabetes and I still can't seem to kick the habit. "  

Ummm yeah, I think Coke could shorten a life....

My suggestion would be to switch to diet (if you don't like it you won't drink as much) and then work to drink less each day. That way you won't feel as deprived, can stay in control and not be as likely to go on a bender.

Don't take any money to work with you and you can't go to the vending machines.  Vending machines are evil (I am surrounded by them at work, so I can relate). 

And gonna_do_it did you read mine.  I said drink diet coke or caffine free.  There's no sugar. OK

I was recently reading in Prevention Magazine that the American Diabetes Association just released a study that said artificial sweeteners esepcially in Diet Sodas are really bad for people w/ diabetes.   I personally am having a heck of a time kicking the diet coke habit but I am down to 3 cans a day from about 12.  I replaced it with lightly sugared iced tea and plain water.  My first trick, drink water with all foods & drink the coke as a treat or in between meals.  It helped.  Good Luck!

Wow....

Thank you for all the emails!  I don't want to start a fight though, coke can kill you if your overweight and have diabetes.  I have been reading horror stories (whick is really helping me).  I guess putting the fear of God into me isn't that bad.  This is my second day with no coke.  I woke up with the biggest headache I have had in a long time.  I took a caffine pill (Which I don't really want to do) but I think it's helping get through work today.

My boyfriend is very supportive also, he through out all the pops that we had in the house and got rid of all the recycling so I don't have to look at the cans! (That can be a killer).  Almost like taking a child in a candy shop and not letting them have any)

I will keep you posted on my progress.  If I can stay awake long enough. (my body is so use to the overdose of caffine that it's not sure how to function).