Can I just tell you…I did not expect my Diet Coke addiction post to receive such a huge response! Your sweet notes have made me both laugh and cry!

A note of thanks to Patty for forwarding to me a “Dear John” letter to Diet Coke from the nutritional blog Pantry Medicine. Here’s a sampling…..

My Dearest Soda:

DC darling it is only after many sleepless nights and much consternation, I write to you this letter. I feel there is no way for us to go on. I can’t continue on the way we have been for years. I yearn for you when I wake. I love your sweet whisper and cold kiss when you open up to me in the morning. You make me feel I am the only one for you. But the truth is I have seen you around town with everyone; I know all my friends have known you DC. You take from me my hydration. You cripple me, weaken my bones, stealing from me needed minerals. I feel sad for how much you have changed my palate.  You make it hard for me to take care of myself, instead leading me back to you with insatiable cravings. It’s true. My doctor told me that my relationship with you actually makes me more likely to gain weight…..

You can read the rest of the letter here.

Can anyone relate? I know I can! I guess I’m not the only one out there who enjoys used to enjoy something nice and bubbly on my throat!

I also received a private FB message from a sweet friend who asked —

Cindy,

Hi there! I hope you are well! I also am addicted to diet coke, and would love to hear how you quit! I am worried about the headaches etc.

I’ve been pondering her question all day. Here is my response —

Sweet friend,

You are not alone! Thanks for reaching out to me. Whereas I don’t have all the answers, I do believe God can do ALL things, and if He can deliver me from a drug and alcohol addiction, He can set me from soda cravings — and YOU TOO!

There are 3 things that were important for me on my freedom journey from Diet Coke.

• Motivation
• Accountability
• Prayer

I have tried off and on a bzillion times, but without these three elements, my best plans lasted only a day or two (if that long!).

1. Motivation

Figure out your “why.” Why do you want to stop? It must be personal to YOU! Get to the “root” and then write out your “why” and put sticky notes with your “why” everywhere.

Personally, this time, it’s because I want to join others on their journey to freedom.  Last week I was so tempted to just buy one Diet Coke real quick (“What’s the big deal?” I told myself) and then I thought about a sweet young friend who is trying day by day to break free from heroin. Instead of running in the gas station, I stopped and prayed for her. Knowing my “why” is making all the difference!

2. Accountability

I’ve found having an accountability partner to be super helpful! Want to know my best accountability partner? My college-aged son Jake. In the past, I’d make a bet with him for three months or so to go pop free. If we drank pop, we had to pay $300. Jake will gladly take my money, and I don’t have any money to give him — so that helps my motivation!

As much as I like Diet Coke, it wasn’t worth $300. Except, one time. Oops! Remember this?

Y’all are my accountability partners this time! You know I’m serious about being Diet Coke free when I blog about it! I see y’all out and about too much for me to go back on my word now!

3. Prayer 

I love the Max Lucado quote, “When men work, men work. When men pray, God works!” I believe this to be true with all my heart! I ask God daily to protect me from temptation, replace my cravings with His satisfaction and peace, and to fill my heart and mind with His Truth.

It’s true that Diet Coke tastes good on my throat, but the TRUTH is that only Jesus truly satisfies.

I also prayed that God would help me with any nasty side effects when I quit cold turkey.  To be honest, I didn’t really have super bad headaches. I still drink coffee, so I have not gone completely caffeine free.  Some people suggest weaning off of Diet Coke if you’ve been drinking it for a long time, but I have such an all or nothing personality, I needed to be done.

This article may help with ideas about the physical aspects of going Diet Coke free (here)

A couple of other little tips which have helped —

• Whereas I do not drink any soda anymore, I do treat myself to an occasional sparkling water, Propel, flavored water, etc..  I know that is not the healthiest choice, but during this season of transition, cold sparkling fruit-flavored water has helped. (Don’t judge. 🙂 )
• I’m careful with my surroundings. My biggest temptation: Mexican food. How can I eat chips and salsa with water? So for the past few Sunday’s, we’ve skipped our normal Sunday Mexican food lunch. In the long run, staying home from Qdoba is probably not a bad thing —except for our two sets of friends who went there to see us today, and we weren’t there. Sorry, friends!

Friend, no matter what is getting in the way of our freedom — Diet Coke, food, porn, gossip, chocolate, too much nightly wine — it is time to let it go! We can do ALL THINGS through Christ who gives us strength. You are not alone! You can do this!

Cheering you on!

P.S. Bloggy friends, do you have anything else you would share with my friend? I’d love to hear from you!

P.P.S. If you want additional information on Overcoming Addiction, check out my series of blog posts starting here.

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