A Quick Update:

Ok, so since my post on April 3rd, alot has happened.  The loved ones that I mentioned both lost their battles - one on the evening of the other's funeral.  My niece's minor surgery turned major, with her ending up in ICU and on a respirator.  My move was anything but a smooth transition and I am physically and emotionally drained.  I completed the No Soda Challenge and Ryan and I succeeded with flying colors.  I soon had a few Pepsis and considering what I have been through, I am okay with that. (I could have definitely done ALOT worse!) I haven't had a soda in over a week and am back on track to having them in moderation.  My dad is doing better and we are awaiting news as to whether he will have to have surgery. His spirits are better and he's getting stronger everyday. My plan was to give more details, but at this point I can't.  I am too tired and just want to move forward.  I have cried and I have been angry.  I have forgotten to eat.... and at times I have forgotten to breath.  No more dwelling in this place.  I may visit from time to time, but no more dwelling.....

14 Days on the Wagon....

Ok, so it's time for another update.  I was going through withdrawals for a little while, but now I'm doing great.  I went out to lunch today and had a burger and fries and didn't think twice about not having a soda. YEAH!!!!!!. I don't want to get too excited, because when you get cocky, you can relapse and I don't want that.  I'm not saying that I will never have a soda again, but I think that if I do have one they will be few and far in between.  I hope that everyone is still on track, but remember that there is no shame in falling down, only shame in choosing not to get up......If you are still on the fence about giving up sodas or reducing the amount that you drink, click here for more info.  The choice is yours, but it always good to be informed.  Enough with the heavy, here is the update of the members of my family that are apart of the challenge.  Unfortunately, I may have to start a rehab group  :  )

1. Me
2. My 8yr. old
3. My oldest sister
4. My sister, Nessi
5. My brother-in-law (K)
6. My niece, (E)
7. My husband


Revised Challenge: My 12yr old said that he would reduce to 2 sodas per week to start with and he is still on his wagon. ; ) {He said that going totally soda free would contradict one of his resolutions for this yr., which was to set realistic goals. ; ) Welcome to my world,}

8. My 12 yr. old

March Challenge: Update

Ok, so in my last update there were already two casualties.  As of yesterday, there were three.  My husband is also off the wagon. {I think he may have fallen off before then, but he admitted it yesterday}   ; )  He joined the challenge just so that he could prove to me that he could do it.  "It's not a big deal.", he said...but  he couldn't make it past seven days.  So, ha! ha!  Okay, now that I've gotten my bragging done, let me be real..... I am STRUGGLING!  One lesson that I have come to realize is that when I eat certain foods, my body expects a soda to be it's bubbly companion.  Think about it.  Imagine your favorite burger..can you see it?..thick and juicy, with crispy lettuce, does it have bacon?, or cheese? or both? Think about the fries on the side.  After all, you can't have a burger without fries. (I think that would be a misdemeanor in the south.)  Are they shoestring or steak fries?  regular fries or sweet potato?  mmm...yum yum....Now, you're thirsty.  Pick up your cup.  What's in it?  If you said anything, but a soda...you lie...you lie...you lie.  Now clear your mind.  A new meal.  Your plate is now a bowl full of a fresh medley of greens...fresh diced tomatoes, crisp sliced cucumbers, a sprinkling of bacon pieces and maybe even a few seasoned croutons.  It is lightly covered with the dressing of your choice.  Again, you reach for your drink.  Now what is it?  For most of you, it will be water....for some, a lemonade or tea, but only a few will say soda.  Lesson one of this challenge, when we make healthier choices our bodies will crave healthy things.  Yes, I knew that before the challenge, but there is a big difference between knowing something and truly accepting it.

P.S. I'm not giving up my occasional burger, but I will try to "see" something healthier in my glass when I do have one.  : )

My Sister and Niece Are Off The Wagon....

Okay, so we are three days into the challenge and my oldest sister and niece are off the wagon.  My niece had a ginger ale on day 1 and my sister had several on day 2.  My niece drank one out of habit without thinking and has promised up and down that she is back on task.  Likely story, I know, but she is a sweetheart and I believe her.  My sister on the other hand, would normally have to be interrogated by a seasoned CSI detective.  But this time she has a legitimate excuse.  She had minor surgery and the doctor told her to drink ginger ale to settle her stomach while she is recuperating.  I told her that she could get ginger from the store or drink ginger tea, but she shot that down pretty quick.  I knew it was a long shot when I brought it up, but I had to try.  : )  Anyway, she says that she will be back on the wagon in a few days......we will see....to be continued...

March Challenge: Soda Free

FYI: The goal was to have this posted on 2-28, but in dealing with an unfortunate event that changed.  I sure could have used a Pepsi or Mountain Dew to cope, but I am proud to say that I stayed faithful to the challenge.  If you are joining the challenge, but have had a soda yesterday or today, don't let that stop you from starting right now.  You can do it!


Ok, so I made up my mind. February 29th at 11:59pm will be last time that I can have any carbonated drink of ANY kind for at least 31 days. OMG!.... I don't drink alot of soda anyway (probably 2x a week at most), but I wanted to see if I could do without it at all.  I could tell you about all of the bad stuff in sodas, but we all know about them and I could tell you about all the calories, but we know. It is time to do something about it.  The goal during for this challenge is to replace sodas with a healthier alternative.  Otherwise I might as well keep drinking sodas...Duh! but it's a good thing that I didn't realize that March had 31 days until I told other people about the challenge otherwise I may have changed it to a shorter month. : ) Oh well, it is what it is.  Feel free to join me or at least wish me luck. (I'm gonna need it.Wink. Wink.)

P.S. I typically drink "healthier" sodas like Switch or Izze (fruit juice w/sparkling water), but even those are off limits during this challenge.
P.P.S. For you loop hole finders, for the purpose of this challenge if it's carbonated, it's soda. Sorry. : (