Wednesday, February 17, 2010

I’m giving up

It’s that time of the year again. Lent. Long gone are the days of my Catholic school childhood when I would swear to give up being mean to my little brother or having bad thoughts about the girl who sat next to me in homeroom.

Gone also are the Fridays of fried fish sticks and tuna and egg salad swimming in yummy mayonnaise. Even more painful for me is the loss of my most favorite thing--grilled cheese sandwiches dunked in creamy tomato soup (though I think I might be able to make those work, just in a new way).

This year, I’ve thought long and hard about what to give up. For the past few years, when my eating was out of control, I’ve given up fast food or junk food. I’m already doing that, now. What food vices do I have left?

Just one.

And this is a doozy for me. My beloved Diet Coke. Now, before you say anything, I’m an educated girl. I know that Diet Coke is not good for me. I have read the chain e-mails about pouring Coke on your car battery to break up the corrosion, or using it to take the poison out of a jellyfish sting or cleaning your tile grout with it. I get it. It’s bad for me. Bad, bad, bad. But as I’ve always said, you’ll have to pry the Diet Coke out of my cold, dead hands before I give it up.


It’s not that I drink a ton of it. I usually only have one a day. I don’t drink coffee. But I need that cold, bubbly, artificially sweetened yumminess to start my morning. The rest of the day, it’s strictly H20. I’m lucky that I actually like water.

I thought if I were going to really challenge myself to sacrifice something this Lent, I’d commit to saying goodbye to my dear friend, DC. In my head, I can see the slow-mo montage. DC and me strolling down the beach, hand in can. DC and me sharing the morning paper (Business section for him, Sports section for me), or getting into an impromptu food fight while baking a cake—all while Queen’s “You’re my Best Friend” soars in the background. I'm crying, DC's beautiful can is sweating. Ah, the memories.

So, farewell, my red, white and silver friend. I’ll see you in 40 days. Parting is such aspartame sorrow.

P.S. The comment section is now working. Thank you, IS&T! Oh, and I lost 3.8 lbs. this week. Yay me.

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love, love, love your humor!! Great job on the 8.8 lbs lost...Awesome!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your weight loss & thank you for sharing your story!

Best of luck living without DC. I'm giving up chocolate this year, and I'm already dreaming of all kinds of goodies to have in 40 days. It's going to be a long two months. :)

Heather said...

I am a fellow DC addict - can't let a day go by without one. I applaud your strength and willingness to open yourself up to all of us. I lost 50 pounds on WW, it took time but I knew that I was making changes for the better! I look forward to your journey. Congrats on your success so far!

Anonymous said...

Erika,
I can so see myself in you. I will be cheering for you from the background throughout your journey. Please keep your sense of humor and I know you will do great!
~Laura, IS&T Billing

Nicole said...

You can do it! (Loved this post by the way!)

Unknown said...

You will feel so much better without the carbonation! Carbonation just bloats and slows down our digestion. I gave up Cokes and lost 10 lbs. Of course, I started drinking them again when Koby got sick and gained 8 lbs back....life is so unfair!

Keep up the good work!

Laurie

Anonymous said...

You can do it!!! Good for you for not taking the easy road:) Your strength is inspiring! I gave up coffee a few months back and it was one day of pure torture and then I was fine! You'll feel so great and so pure! LOVE your humor and your pictures - thanks for sharing your journey!!!

Anonymous said...

Woohoo! Another 4 pounds that's fabulous!

Anonymous said...

It's *so* not about a number... but WOW, 8.8 lbs ROCKS on so many levels! It's not about "you can do it" at this point. You ARE doing it. : )

And how much do you wanna bet you won't want that DC in 40 days...

Mary Anne said...

Last year Amy and I gave up French fries. We haven't discussed it this year, but maybe we should do that again. Or maybe we should follow your example and give up diet Dr. Pepper. Oh no - that very thought is scary!

Hang tough. Maybe you will break the DC addiction and not want it anymore.

Anonymous said...

DC...hmm...could this artificial sweetness be the name of that little devil in your head? Quite possibly so...

btw, you're doing great erika! i can vouch for your healthy break room concoctions :)
--a.bo

Kellynn18 said...

Congratulations on your weight loss! I commend you on sharing your journey. I lost 23 pounds during You4Life last year, and a few years ago I gave up Diet Coke for Lent. So I totally feel your pain! I still drink Diet Coke every once in a while, but I don't even miss it anymore, and I used to drink at least 6 a day. Good luck; I'm sure you'll do great!!

Anonymous said...

OK, you are quite brave. I also do not partake in the whole coffee thing, I rely on DC to get me going in the morning. Everyone around me would not be able to live with me if I gave up DC. I gave up all forms of candy, but I will be waiting to hear how your journey away from DC goes. Maybe next year...

Tiffany said...

E, you are the cutest and I heart you! Also, if I can give up DC (sort of), anyone can!

3.8 lb - wow!

Unknown said...

Erika, I love you and am so proud of you. You have not idea how much of an inspiration you are. You are the most incredible person that I know. H

Anonymous said...

I love this! You are too funny.:-)Congrats and great work - both the writing and the weight loss!
Meagan

Libertad said...

You crack me up! lol. I am loving your blogs- I think I may join you in giving up DC. I too, only drink one a day- usually in the mornings to wake myself up. I adore the carbonation! You've inspired me though- so away with the DC!!! :) You are doing awesome Erika- I am soooo proud of you!!!

Unknown said...

Hey Erica,

First of all congrats on 3.8 lbs gone!! Secondly, I'm with you on the DC...I gave up any kind of soda for lent and it's going to be a challenge because I love my diet drinks! We can make it through together!!!

Terilyn

Anonymous said...

TOO FUNNY!! or ROTFL (as the kids would say!) Congratulations on your success. Best of luck through Lent. Thanks for the inspiration.

ML

Audra said...

Erika, you crack me up! You can do it! Congrats on the 8.8 lbs!

kicks said...

Go Erika! Go Erika!

I've got a recipe for Creamless Creamy Tomato Soup, but I'm trying to figure out how WW-friendly it is. If it is friendly, I'll share it.

Anonymous said...

That is so funny. I love DC as well. I wish it were all so simple to just give up hitting your brother. I am on this lifestyle change as well. I am giving up Ice Cream. My BFF Ben and Jerry will no longer see my face. Well at least for 40 days. Keep up the great work.

Anonymous said...

Go Erika! It takes courage to put yourself out there - your story is inspiring!

Flynnsight said...

Crave-o-meter
Erika's audience's yearning for the next post > Erika's yearning for a DC

Seriously, this blog is a fast-growing addiction. Keep the posts a comin', my articulate friend!

Anonymous said...

Try sparkling water -- like Perrier or LaCroix -- as a substitute for your Diet Coke. They really can be refreshing and seem like a treat over "flat" water. You can buy Perrier (in small plastic bottles) at Costco. Great to keep on hand!

Anonymous said...

I love LaCroix! That's some good stuff!

Anonymous said...

La Croix rocks! Or water with crushed ice and a squeeze of lemon in a glass - makes it not taste like ordinary water - get yourself a nice glass to drink out of - it makes the boring....rather fun!