Chapter 1: The Beginning of My Soda Journey

It has been over three years since I last indulged in diet soda, and while I wish I could say it was an effortless transition, the truth is far from that. The sound of a coworker opening a can still tempts me, stirring a longing for that invigorating first sip.

My relationship with soda has always been complex; I have a fondness for it, particularly Diet Coke, which has been my go-to beverage. The nostalgic silver-and-red packaging resonates with me, and I often find camaraderie with fellow Diet Coke enthusiasts. Most importantly, it evokes cherished memories of my teenage years spent shopping at the mall with my mom.

During my childhood, my mom always had a can of soda in hand while driving me to school, soccer practice, or the doctor. Diet Cherry Coke and Diet Dr. Pepper were her favorites. Once I entered my teenage years, my mom introduced me to the excitement of soda, and our Saturday mall trips often included a delicious meal at the food court followed by a refreshing fountain soda. Those moments felt like pure bliss, and even now, I experience a rush of nostalgia walking through department stores.

When I headed off to college, my mom ensured I continued to enjoy soda. Upon moving me into my dorm, she stocked my fridge with a 12-pack alongside essentials like cereal and yogurt. I quickly realized it was an effective remedy for hangovers, leading to my daily one-can routine. If I had extra meal plan points, I would splurge on large bottles from the cafeteria.

As I transitioned into the working world, my dependency on soda only intensified. The office environment made it easy to indulge, and whenever I felt fatigued or bored, I would make my way to the vending machine. My consumption escalated to two or three cans a day, which I discreetly disposed of to hide the evidence. Although I appeared to be a healthy individual who participated in 10Ks and enjoyed kale salads, internally, I was trapped in a cycle of soda consumption.

The turning point came when I viewed the documentary "Hungry For Change" at work. It opened my eyes to the detrimental effects of diet soda on my health, linking its ingredients to serious conditions like diabetes, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's disease. A particular study showcased that mice given diet soda frequently experienced heart attacks.

Ironically, I struggled to concentrate on the film because I had brought a diet soda with me. I found myself wishing for a mute button on my can to open it quietly. Once the screening concluded, I hurried back to my desk and finished the drink in the solitude of my cubicle.

This experience led me to confront the reality of my situation. I was consciously consuming something harmful and, worse yet, I lacked control over my choices.

Consequently, I resolved to quit diet soda immediately. While this decision was straightforward, the reality was quite challenging. The initial days proved to be the most difficult, especially during lunch when I yearned for a can to accompany my meal. Fortunately, weekends became more manageable, and I discovered that iced tea and sparkling water could satisfy my craving for carbonation. Nevertheless, it wasn't an exact replacement.

I initially planned to reintroduce soda into my diet after a month, but with each passing day, I found myself postponing that return. When the day I had eagerly awaited finally came, I chose to forgo it entirely. And the following day, and the one after that.

Today, I am proud to say it has been over three years since I last drank diet soda. Like any recovering addict, there are still challenging days when cravings hit hardest. However, overall, I feel lighter and more energetic than ever before. I now focus on nourishing my body with things that genuinely benefit my health.

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