addicted to coke and/or convenience stores

[TaiwanTeacher]

I'm writing this post for my husband who has started Atkins about 4 times and several times gotten half way to goal and felt seriously that he had beaten his addiction to coca cola, only to find some excuse to start up again and thereby beginning the downward spiral to weight regained. He has a serious physical and psychological addiction to coke (the drink) which is also tied up in an addiction to convience stores. During his periods when he had "beaten" the coke habit he still would go to convenience stores often to buy water and nuts (even though water was readily available at home and work and I would buy nuts in bulk to cut down the cost). This is a serious issue in his family as his mother is also in the same situation. She is addicted to large fountain cokes from the fast food restaurant Sonic and goes there 2 to 3 times a day just for the coke. His mother and father are both very overweight (his father 100+ pounds overweight) and his father also suffers from type 2 diabetes, and sleep apnea (that has resulted in an enlargement of his heart) and so now, at 60 years old is basically house ridden because his physical condition is so poor and cannot go on trips because he has to lug around his C_PAP machine. My husband knows that this is where his addiction will lead him someday and has a real desire to give up the coke but he just can't seem to kick to habit for good. It is such an accepted habit and so available and so connected to 'good times' that it's really hard to quit. The kids and I would like to have him around AND in good condition until well past 60 so we'd all like to know if anyone out there can help out. Thanks.

[SuzyBlueMoon]

She goes to convenience stores or fast food places 3-4 times a day for HUGE fountain diet cokes. I worry about her kidneys! She used to be very heavy but has lost 100 pounds but still has this habit. She used to live next door to me and we were always running to the corner store! Now when I visit her I get into the habit again, too.

Sorry, just commiserating. I don't really have any suggestions to you. It's got to be a really hard habit to break. I still prefer fountain diet cokes to canned. Caffeine is a drug, too.

[Mur]

I too struggle with my husband’s weight but I try to accept that I can’t change anyone but myself. I actually shared on this subject at meeting just last night. As far as your dh’s weight, maybe you can try leading by example and ask him to join you in exercise.

As far as the convenience store aspect, here is approach which worked for us: Several years ago when we had some financial concerns we spent 3 months writing down every penny we spent. DH was shocked to see how much he spent on soda and snacks. 4 or 5 dollars a day really adds up. I actually heard a financial guy talking about this the other day on Oprah, and he called it the Latte factor. It really opened our eyes to some easy, fairly painless ways to save money. Maybe saving $500 for something he really wants, that’s about 3 months of soda, will help him.

Good luck.

[gettingstrength]

I have this problem to . I want to stop .

[Sandee]

I am sooo addicted to McDonald's diet coke. I spend way toooo much money on them each day. On my way to work, I buy 2 large ones, during the day someone brings me a large to work, and then I buy one at night. This is $5.72 per day on drinks! Plus the canned diets I drink each day. I even have a DH who has become addicted as well. Putting the money issue aside, I know they are not good for me.

[Meyer]

I've got a problem with regular sodas myself. Not an exaggeration --- at one time I regularly drank 7+ liters a day. The local Texxaco had 3 liter bottles of RC cola for 99 cents and I typically bought 2 of them and one 2 liter bottle of A&W Root Beer for 99 cents. I usually got several packs of sugar wafers (assorted -w- choc, straw, and vanilla) for 50 cents each. I've got a good metabolism, but not nearly enough to overcome these "snacks" and the other foods and drinks I was intaking daily.

At various times in the past, I'd get in really good shape (abstaining from sodas) and then make an exception. Typically, this occured as we drove to visit family hours away. Instead of water or tea, I'd get the 44oz or 64oz drinks every time we fueled up. Next thing I know, my frig is stocked with sodas and I'm gaining weight.

My latest trouble started 2 months ago. I started a new job and summer school (college) was keeping me busy. Instead of eating healthy after work, my wife and I would walk to the local Taco Bell and its neighbour --- an Exxon -w- very soft crushed ice and 44oz fountain drinks for $.79. This seems to have made eating all sorts of junk ok. Instead of just the 44oz drink, I started buying the 25 and 50 cent Little Debbies -- Nutty Bars -- for desert. My wife went out of town for a couple of weeks to visit a sick relative. I ended up stocking up on Sam's Choice cola and eating total junk the whole time. While on my PC one morning, I downed two 2 liter bottles of cola and 5 assorted donuts. That stands out in my mind, but was basically just one of many snacks. It's amazing that I didn't gain 25+ pounds in those 2 weeks alone.

Last Thursday (Aug 5th) I quit eating/drinking junk and put my gym membership back to use. I had gone from the mid 170's to 190 pounds (in 2 months) and with school starting back up and cold weather to follow --- I need to fit comfortably into my slacks and jeans. Something about wearing "scrubs" at work and shorts everywhere else didn't help over the last 2 months. I weighed 184.6 pounds at the gym this morning, so I should be able to get into the upper 170's by the time school starts (Aug 23rd).

I'm not the brightest fellow on the block, but certainly I understand the trend --- drink sodas and gain weight. I'm truly hoping that the lesson is learned this time and that I stick with the iced tea and water. I guess I just don't like admitting that I must TOTALLY abstain from something to maintain control. Maybe that is the problem that many of us face. We think we can handle just one drink.

Welp, that 's my story. Hope it inspires another "coke" addict to abstain from the sugary fluid.

Oh, on another note. Dark sodas are horrible for your bones and teeth due to phosphoric acid. The sugar provides food for plaque and this causes tooth decay, but the acid erodes the teeth and leaches calcium from your bones. It's pretty nasty stuff.

[GypsyVisions]

I too have a serious addiction to Coca-Cola. If I go all day without a coke, I get very irritable and shaky. I am new to Atkins. Just started Sunday after reading up on it over the past couple of weeks.

Yesterday, after going all day without coke, I finally hit the store and bought one of the new C2 lower carb Cokes. I gulped it down like a druggie getting a fix. Now I'm concerned that my induction is out the window. I am starting fresh today, with a new resolve. I really want to beat this and lose the weight. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.


Gypsy

PS: this is my first post. I've been reading the board and have been very inspired by your stories and posts.

[purple]

I think that being addicted to soda is a big part of why I am as big as I am today. I used to easily drink a 12 pack in a day, and I HATED diet. About 18 months ago I made a decision to drink diet and get used to it. I did, and lost a few pounds just from that. Now that I have been doing Atkins, I find that I don't even drink that many of the diet ones either. When I think back on how much regular soda I used to drink it makes me sick. I was easily consuming 1000 calories or more of soda with no nutritional value.

[Mibashful]

i my self find i drink regular soda to. but i play a mind ame with my self when i do I get the smallest cupp they have at work wicch is a 16 0z cup and i fill it full of ice and i put 1/2 diet and 11/2 regular so i am getting the best of both worlds i think :confused well any way i am also trying to get off soda god bless to all love shelly

[Meyer]

I'm 12 days sober and free from Coke..... hehe, the legal kind!!!