Growing up, we were occasionally allowed Cokes (no one in our house really drank anything but Coca-Cola).
It wasn't until I was in college, up late studying for exams, did I begin to rely on Cokes to keep me alert. I never learned to drink coffee so Coca-cola's sugar and caffeine enabled me to pull all-nighters if necessary.
Unfortunately, it is a vicious cycle. You drink a Coke to stay up, you crash from the sugar and caffeine so you then have to drink another to function the next day.
My habit of drinking Cokes worsened during grad school. Eighty work weeks are tough to maintain (Duh! Unfortunately, my grad adviser didn't understand that.) and so I started drinking even more Coke.
When I think of all the money I have put in the pockets of the executives at Coca-cola---I get angry.
"Hello there! Yoohoo! Coke execs!
When I think of the health consequences, I shudder. I gained a good amount of weight in grad school---a combination of stress, becoming more sedentary (after standing in front of a hood for 80 hrs/wk, who would want to go to the gym?), not eating/drinking as well as I should and sleeping less (which really causes me to pack on the pounds).
On several occasions, the latest last summer, I have tried to quit drinking Cokes. I swear, that stuff is like crack. I have caffeine withdrawal headaches for several days afterwards. Once I made it to the 6 month mark. And even then, I was still craving Cokes particularly first thing after getting to work in the mornings and at 3pm (my accustomed times for having a Coke in the old days.).
Usually, stress triggers a backslide into my old ways. Having a paper due or a compound that must be made by X date (but of course the chemistry wasn't cooperating) was enough for me to have a Coke. I always thought "just one". I have come to the conclusion that I will never be able to have just one.
Well, last Sunday (April 27) I drank my last Coke. I hope.
I have placed a count-up clock on the blog to help remind me of my progress.
Already, I feel a difference. I am more alert (ironic I know) and don't feel as tired. I am sleeping better and have lost a few pounds (last time I quit I lost 15lbs). I am able to focus better too. It is really amazing how this stuff affects every thing from your body to your moods to your mental capabilities.
Maybe now that life is settling into a comfortable routine, I can finally kick my bad habit.
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