I'm a recovering coke addict. No not the illegal drug, the soft drink. I have always been prone to becoming addicted to caffinated soft drinks. In college I became the vicitim of the cafeteria soda machine. I regularly began to drink 6 twelve oz glasses of soda every single day. That is 900 empty, empty calories. I also could not switch to diet because artifical sweeteners give me migraines. At the beginning of this summer I decided that enough is enough and that I was kicking my cola habit. At first I weaned myself down, and I stopped buying cases of soda to keep in the house. I then would buy 2 or 3 single cans to keep around from the reduced price section at my local supermarket. Now I only have one can in the house and it has been there for 2 going on 3 months. Everytime I think I need to drink some soda I just tell myself no and the can stays there. It is an enormous source of pride for me. I now only drink soda when I go out to eat with friends and even then I tell them that I am only allowed to have two glasses. They are very good about making me stick to what I said. However, if for any reason I REALLY REALLY must have a soda, I then have to walk the half mile to the convience store to buy a bottle. That will usually deter me, but if it doesn't I at least have the satification that I walked an extra mile.

I like that you make yourself walk to the store to get it your soda. That way you are getting exercise and kind of rewarding yourself for doing a good job. Friend support is also very nice. Be thankful to have such great friends. The only thing I can think to do is start trying new drinks that are better for you to drink than soda like Sobe, Gatorade, juices, milk or water/flavored water. There is so much sugar in soda that is bad for your teeth and overall health.College can be a very stressful time where you need caffeine to survive studying and doing your homework and overall makes your lifestyle kind of unhealthy. For me it was the fast food because I was always pushed for time and needed something quick. It's nice to get back to a normal lifestyle after you graduate.

I always eat chocoalte bars when I'm stressed out. So espeically during finals and midterms I'll go buy chocolate bar after chocolate bar and cookies and just so much of that yummy sweet junkfood! But i'll eat so much of it and at the end of the month my weight gain is so completely noticable.. I like your idea of having to walk an extra mile to get your soda, I should do that with my chocolate.

Do you drink coffee to wake you up in the morning? Or have you completely given up all caffeine along with sodas?