Quiting soda

[JordanPlayer]

4 Liters of soda is definitely a lot to be downing every day (not to mention the money that it costs to support that). Like others have said; water and tea are the best substitutes for liquids. That is a pretty abrupt switch though, so maybe you can find some types of juice or something that you like and try a gradual move over. You should lose weight because carbonated sodas are pretty unhealthy... especially in large quantities.

Luckily for me I have never liked carbonation, that fizziness or whatever it is. Every time I have had a soda I am through with it in one sip. Oddly enough I like FLAT Sprite, the carbonation is gone and the taste is good. The only thing I like with carbonation are the Smirnoff Ice flavored drinks.

In general about weight... when I graduated high school I was pretty light and very active (played soccer). When I went to college I wasn't as active, I ate worse, etc etc. I gained about 20-25 lbs in my 3.5 years before I graduated. After that time, I have started eating a lot better (eating out less too), and working out with some people 2 times a week. I have lost about 10 lbs since then and gained muscle so I'm happy where I am at the moment. Exercising makes my body feel better, like I'm doing something and it is good motivation once you do it a few times.

[Octopod]

What if I switch to iced tea? Would that help even with sugar in it? Or do I need to go sugar free?

[Erik_Twice]

the sugar => fat => diabetes.

No, you don't get diabetes because of that. Diabetes is mostly genetic. Just wanted to point that out. Even xkcd got it wrong.

[Hatta]

Both genetics and weight have a factor in diabetes. Fat cells regulate insulin production from the pancreas. Too much insulin leads to down-regulation of insulin receptors and insulin resistance. Sure it's more complicated than that, but what in biology isn't?

In any case, you don't really need the fat cells in the above scenario. High blood sugar itself will cause high levels of insulin, which can down regulate insulin receptors causing insulin resistance and diabetes.

[gtmtnbiker]

Congrats on trying to quit bad habits. As others said, soda is definitely bad for you. I never developed a craving for it. I will have a coke once a month but that's it. I just drink water all the time.

Perhaps you can do a gradual withdrawal? How often are you drinking a can/glass of coke? If it's every 30 minutes, maybe you can start by doing one every hour? Or switch to diet soda as others mentioned.

I also think drinking a lot of coffee/tea is bad too. No sense switching from one bad habit to another. Try to drink water instead.

[Octopod]

Well I drink two two liter bottles a day pretty much so I just about always have a glass of soda sitting close by. I was thinking coffee would be bad and Ive never really liked it but I wasnt sure if tea was bad or not. I mean it is just some water that had leaves soaking in it but I like tea to be really sweet so I guess that makes it bad. I often have trouble sleeping at night and Im sure that has to be related to my level of soda consumption aswell.

[CaptainWeasel]

I stopped drinking soda for 5 months. I didn't like how much I was able to drink, and just decided to go cold turkey for a while. I started back up not too long ago, I was tired of not having a large variety of drinks anymore I didn't lose very much weight either.

[Hatta]

Tea and coffee are both quite healthful, but you don't want to be drinking them continuously. I drink about a quart (liter) per day and I think that's about right for me. Drinking twice that would fry my nerves for sure.

Of course, tea has about half the caffeine a cup of coffee has, and roughly as much as a soda, so that may be better for you.

[enderfall]

I stopped drinking soda on a daily basis a years ago because I was getting too many cavities. Since I stopped drinking so much soda I've had zero cavities. I have an occasional soda from time to time...sometimes there are no better options besides water, which I hate eating with a meal.

If cold turkey is too much, try one can per day... that should help ease you in...

[Xonticus]

Congrats on trying to kick the habits!

I can tell you that soda can have adverse effects on many things in your body. The caffeine will attack your heart, the high fructose corn syrup is a train wreck of a chemical to ingest... not to mention the much higher risk for diabetes. It is true that a high intake of sugar can bring upon diabetes and chemical imbalances in your body including adverse adrenaline levels from the constant flow of caffeine

I too am quitting constant caffeine, but usually only ingest a can or two a day. I can tell you even for me in the past 2 weeks caffeine free, It has made a big difference in my sleep quality, general stamina when doing outdoor work and work in general, etc.

Diabetes and heart problems are scary things to think about, and greatly cutting down on your synthesized soda sugar and caffeine levels will definitely aid in prevention. I hate to think about all these kids nowadays that have several energy drinks a day..... I'd hate to see their liver/kidneys in 15 years.

Good luck!!