Missing Link

About 9 months ago I decided to quit drinking soda. (It’s soda, not pop – get it right!). Up until then I drank soda like it was my job, I loved the taste and generally found myself craving it. It didn’t hurt that most restaurants here in the US offer free refills on soda, allowing me to suck down tons of the stuff at each meal out. Of course, it was horrible for me health wise, but I didn’t care about things like that.

Well, last June I decided to heed the advice given to me by friends and family (especially Ann) and give it up. Ann and I went on vacation to visit my sister and brother in law near Washington D.C. and I decided to take that time to cut myself off cold turkey. I figured it would be better to do it then, when I could relax and have a good time, rather than when I was at work and perpetually stressed out.

For the first few weeks it was actually pretty difficult. My friends drank soda (as did Ann) and would often offer it to me, even knowing I didn’t drink it anymore. It was tempting, and I really had a craving for it for a while. It was rough to watch them drinking and enjoying it, but not doing so myself. Sure I could have had some, but I needed to remain strong and resolute.

After a while I stopped having the cravings for it, and in fact now have no desire to ever drink it again. There are a few cans of coke in my fridge, but those were there for Ann (until she gave up soda) and now are there for any of my friends who still drink it and want something while they’re over at my house.

That, though, was the catalyst for me losing weight. Without the huge amount of calories that soda brought in I started losing weight – fast. With the success brought from stopping the soda drinking, I decided to take it a step further and a few months later I stopped eating fast food. I also started riding bikes with Ann. The removal of fast food and the increased exercise helped immensely. I felt much better physically, but also mentally.

Biking, hiking, swimming and core exercises are things I do now (well, right now the core exercises are all I’m doing, but once it warms up and I can get outside the others will reemerge), and I feel great. I’ve gone from around 235 pounds to 190 pounds – I look better, I feel better and family members who haven’t seen me in a while are all telling me how great I look.

The only real downside has been that I’ve had to buy new clothes, my old ones were too big. That’s a problem I don’t mind having.

What I’ve learned from this is a few things:

• It doesn’t take MUCH to lose weight. Just cutting out soda alone can have surprising results. Diet soda, by the way, won’t cut it. You have to stop drinking ALL of it, diet or not. It’s not just the calories that get you – the sugar and other crap that’s in it are just as bad.
• Exercise doesn’t have to suck! Gyms are OK for some people, but others (myself included) hate them. I found biking to be a very fun cardio exercise, as are hiking and swimming. Core exercises – those that work your core muscles – can be done from the comfort of your own home. Free weights can help add muscle tone and work muscle groups not already worked. The trick, though, is to find something you enjoy doing that also gives you a workout, and do that. You’ll find it is much easier to motivate yourself to work out, and you’ll have a good time doing it too.
• For me, I watch the amount I eat, but not always what I eat. Let’s face it – diets suck. They tell you you have to eat all healthy food all the time, and that’s no fun. I still eat the things I like to eat ( the exception to this is, obviously, fast food. it’s evil and should be avoided) like burgers and steaks, the key is moderation. I don’t eat ONLY burgers and steak, I eat a variety of foods, and often incorporate fruits and vegetables into my diet to keep it balanced.
• Have a goal. For me, my goal was broad – lose weight and feel healthier. Your goal may be more specific than that, or just as broad. Choose one that works for you, and one that is attainable. Remember, once you attain your goal you can start setting new goals. Goals help keep you focused, and can give you something to work towards.

I’m not an expert in this field, at all, so take my thoughts and advice with a grain of salt. For me, though, this worked and I feel great. You have to really want to change, though, or else you’ll never see success.