Help me say no to pop

I plan on asking this question at the next Gorospe meeting, but I thought i would ask here too.  I am extremely addicted to pop.  I can easily drink a 2 liter a day if I don'****ch it.  And if I dont drink at least a can a day I get massive pressure migraine headaches.  I really do want to stop drinking pop and know that I really need to asap.  Any suggestions or tips would be greatly appreciated.  I will say that I cannot stand anything hot except hot chocolate.  I drink tea but being a single bachelor I don't make it often cause well (I know poor excuse) it takes time and time is thirst la la la I know I know. 

I suggest cutting down..slowly..thats what I did.

I wish there was a magic trick to quitting pop.. I have been trying for years.. I have cut down a bunch, i buy those drink mixes that add to bottle water. the flavored teas are great.. u can get them unsweetened.. i also like the sunrise.

I quit pop almost 4 years ago.  First, I went from regular to diet.  That, in and of itself, made me lower my intake because I didn't like it as well. Then, I slowly tapered it down (so I woldn't get the headache).  I gave myself a water goal (I was also trying to up my intake of water at that time) and I didn't allow myself to have pop until I had drank all of my water.  It is really a mind over matter kind of thing and for some reason, I'm fairly good at playing mind games with myself (too bad I can't play them on my husband!  ha ha) Anyway, it worked.  Now, I drink about one to two cans a week if even that.  Most of the time it isn't in the house and I only drink it when I eat out somewhere.  My 14 year old daughter quit pop about 2 years ago.  She doesn't even drink it when we go out to eat.  She doesn't drink anything carbonated. I go in spurts where I make tea.  I only like brewed iced tea, so yes, it takes time...  lol Good luck!  You can do it!

Oh yeah, I like the flavored sticks that go in the water (Crystal Light or store brand)  The Peach Tea is really good, Raspberry Ice is good, Fruit Punch...  About the only ones I don't like are the Lemonade and the Grape.

I was a diet pepsi aholic pre-op.  I drank 6 -8 20oz bottles a day!  What I did was slowly cut down and switch to diet green tea in the 20oz bottles.  Then I would drink one bottle of water in between each one of the green teas.  When I discovered the Crystal lite teas, which have minimal caffine, I was hooked.  So no pop for me and no headaches either.  I actually drink more water now than ever before which is good for your body in more ways than one. Just take it one day at a time and you will learn to leave the craving. BTW, I plan on attending the next Gorospe Support Meeting also, it will be my first since my surgery got scheduled before I could attend one.  And of course, missed the one in Dec due to ice storm.  Hope to see you there.

I was addicted to diet dr.pepper - didn't think I would be able to give it up.  After surgery, my head told me to try it and so I took one sip and all that carbonation just created bubbles in my mouth, after that I didn't want anymore.  Your body will adapt, your taste will change after surgery. Good Luck, Brenda

I was a pop freak too.  Sonic is the evil empire!!  I had at least 2 44 oz cokes a day!!  However, when I first made a decision to go for surgery, I started tapering off and drinking more water because I knew it would have to be done.  It was HARD!!  But by the time I started my pre-op diet (I did 6 weeks - not required but suggested) I was completely caffiene free.  There are some things you are just going to have to decide to do.  This is going to be one of them.  I can count on my hand (not hands) the number of times I have "tried" drinking carbonated beverages since surgery.  It is an AWFUL feeling and waaaaay too much sugar so I don't even think about attempting it any more.    Make a list of things you "know" you need to do and what steps you need to take to accomplish them.  Also make a list of things you want to do when you are more healthy.  This gives you goals to work towards and something to look forward too. Good luck!!  We're here for you! Ruth

Thanks everyone.  I used to drink those packets back whe nI did resets for a 3rd party company at Lowe's.  We would work 10-12 hours (most of the time overnight) adjusting shelves, putting out the new product and taking down the old, etc etc.  We brought a ice chest with us full of bottled water and we would just pop one of those packets in a bottle and be good to go.  I will start drinking those again and maybe some Kool-Aid and tea and other non-carbonated things.  I definately want to get over pop before surgery so I can get the headaches out of the way before my tummy is changed around.  I would bet that taking aspirin or other headache pain medication is not a good idea shortly after surgery is it?

You are not able to take asprin and the only headache or pain reliever is tylenol for over the counter stuff.  I did have a liquid pain killer for after surgery but it was a prescription from my Dr.