My name is Erica, and I’m a Diet Coke addict.
I used to be literally obsessive about Diet Coke. Fountain soda was my favorite. If that wasn’t available, I would choose a bottle, than a can, and if all else failed, a 2-liter. Why did the 2-liter come in last place? It would lose fizz too easily. Yes, I was that specific.
I know I’m not alone in my addiction. I once knew a girl who drank a case a day. To those who don’t understand, the allure isn’t just about Diet Coke’s lack of calories. It just has SOMETHING.
So what happened when I cut it out cold turkey? I went from drinking it every day to zip, zero... nada! Well, something crazy, surprising happened.
First of all, women started looking at me funny as I stared longingly at their Diet Cokes. And my hand felt a little empty with just a glass of water. And I became frustrated that something so wrong felt so right.
But after a month of going cold turkey, something even CRAZIER happened.
I stopped wanting it completely.
All of a sudden the fog lifted. And my incessant cravings went away. And one day when I just out of curiosity decided to have a sip, it tasted weird. I remembered the taste as magical. But now it just tasted like... chemicals.
I had reduced sugar cravings.
So I wasn’t just a Diet Coke addict. I was a bonafide sugar addict. And I’d struggled for years to reduce my sugar consumption. But without the constant sweetness of my soda, my sweet tooth started to subside. And while I of course still liked sugar, I didn’t crave it with the same intensity
I went down a clothes size and looked less puffy.
So I wasn’t dieting at the time, but I surely felt like I had a few more pounds to lose. And somehow, without doing anything else different, my stubborn last few pounds melted off. And maybe this also was a side effect of my reduced need for sugar. But these pounds didn’t come back... ever.
The last of my skin problems cleared.
I had struggled with skin problems since my teen years. And while my skin had calmed considerably, I still would get breakouts on my chin. But without Diet Coke, my skin was calm. And a problem that had plagued me so much of my life was completely gone.
So what do I drink besides Diet Coke?
Seltzer water with a little bit of flavoring. I realized I just love bubbles, even without all the chemicals. Who knew?
Coffee. Hey, when you give up Diet Coke, all the fun isn’t gone. There’s still coffee. And you can have lots of fun with coffee.
Iced tea mixed with some soda water. Because sometimes I wanted bubbles with some extra flavor.
Had I realized that giving up Diet Coke was going to be so amazing, I would have done it much earlier.
I always felt entitled to having a vice. After all, I didn’t drink or smoke. What could be so bad about drinking some soda? But once I stopped drinking it, I realized my vice wasn’t so innocent.
I haven’t had a soda in about five years, and I don’t miss it at all. Totally crazy! So if you’ve been wanting to cut back on Diet Coke, give it a try. And I dare you to come back here in a month and tell me that you feel anything but amazing!
Learn more about Erica Mesirov at www.ericamesirov.com.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.