Quitting Pepsi Max in 2021 Support Thread

[NoZoomAtTheInn]

Open to anyone who has already quit with their success stories or anyone who also wants to quit.

I’ve tried twice to stop in the past, once by just stopping and once by gradually cutting down. Both times the withdrawal headaches were awful. Have decided this time to speak to GP first to see if there is anything I can take - like smokers get nicotine patches/gum - while I wean myself off it.

Still coke free. Well done to everyone else

Well done Essex! How are you feeling?

Last day of Feb! Let’s keep it going through March

My daily check in
Days since started to reduce - 58
Days since no cans at all - 42

I've lost track of days but I'm still completely off Pepsi and added salt. Tomorrow I'm starting chocolate!

I ditched Diet Coke a few months ago, Figured out it was causing me to have dizzy spells - don’t think it was a caffeine as much as the aspartame. Evil stuff. Was hell to quit for a week or so, but now I don’t miss it and feel much healthier.

Thank @NoZoomAtTheInn, feeling pretty good. Not noticed any headaches etc but I am absolutely exhausted though that might be cos it’s TOTM. I get IBS and my stomach feels much better. Noticed the cokes really bloat me and make me feel uncomfortable

Wow strawberry! Off the horrid stuff and salt already and now taking on chocolate! You’re amazing

wilson thanks for sharing your success story, interesting that you lined it to your dizzy spells. So glad that you’re now feeling much healthier- inspiring

Good going Essex - re: exhaustion, I had similar and figured I always was exhausted, it was the caffeine that kept me artificially alert (if you see what I mean). I started taking high strength vitamin D and it’s helped a lot.

Today’s check in (I missed yesterday’s)
Days since started to reduce - 60
Days since no cans at all - 44

Well done everyone. I'm still cola free No idea how many days it is now but I haven't been tempted since my lapse & sleepless night a few weeks ago.

Hadn't had any bread for over a week until today I had some toast but now I have a sore bloated tummy so that's why I need to reduce or quit.

Chocolate for me would be the ultimate thing to give up but I doubt I'll ever manage that! Anyway, chocolate is good for you not evil like cola

I've joined weight watchers - it's free for 3 months and I have 3.5 stone still of baby weight to lose.
Ive been a comfort eater in the past, Pepsi gave me comfort. But I'm trying to make a more positive change in my life.
I'm back at work in a month after the strangest maternity leave ever and I need to stay strong!

Good luck on the weight loss @strawberry2017. I’ve lost just over 2 stone with weight watchers and have about another 1 1/2 still to go. Lost steadily since last June so not the quickest but I find the plan really easy to stick to and feel confident in keeping it off.
Still going well re the cokes and feeling much better for it.

Brilliant to hear how every one is doing, I’m impressed by the other stuff that you’re reducing as well. You are strong and amazing! so happy for you all

Today’s check in (Have missed a few days posting)
Days since started to reduce - 66
Days since no cans at all - 50

Still off the cola

Haven't lost any weight as I'd hoped. I think I've replaced my cola addiction with chocolate which is not good at all. Any tips on giving that up or even cutting it down gratefully received

Well done hue ! Sorry I don’t have any tips for chocolate because (please don’t hate me) I don’t like chocolate

I’m still cola free but a weird side effect has definitely occurred now - not only am I not craving junk food, I can’t eat it without being ill. I had a slice of birthday cake yesterday but was ill.

Hey, how is everyone doing? I've had a light bulb moment! Due to lack of choice available I bought a wee bottle of pepsi Max. Had a few sips due to thirst but when I got home I just didn't fancy it when I could have water so I poured it down the sink. Just doesn't appeal any more

Still no Pepsi! Sometimes I'm tempted but haven't given in yet.
Will be interesting to see how I get on from next week, I'm returning from Mat leave and always had a Pepsi first thing at my desk. I'm working from home though so hopeful that because there will be no temptation I don't give in! X

I lost you all!

I went to a can a week, very sustainably. However I had sever constipation and suspect it was cutting out that caused it-Maybe the sweeteners, or the change in acidity- so I've actually reintroduced it to try and sort myself out. I'll reduce again, more gradually, when I've sorted it out

Has anyone else had the same problem?

@picklemewalnuts I had the same problem back in January. If you look back at page 7 or 8 @NoZoomAtTheInn posted a very strange solution Mine seems to have gradually resolved itself, though I think coffee was also suggested as being helpful. I don't drink coffee so can't really comment

Right! thanks!

Scroll scroll....

Caffeine! I'd assumed it was the sweeteners. Right. I only drink decaf coffee. I'm going to need to take steps, I see.

Caffeine really irritates my bladder though. Still, I can stop the fizz again, and take something else caffeinated, as soon as I buy it!

Thanks Hue! It took a while before I associated the problem with the lack of pepsi.

Can I join? I’ve gone cold turkey on Diet Coke and puddings/chocolates. I’d like to improve the rest of my diet but wonder if I should be doing it in phases.

Well done Raspberry! It probably depends how much you've been having, and whether you drink caffeine in other drinks.

I'd beat the cola first, then tackle other things. I started slimming world last October, and started ditching the cola in Jan, I think, with this thread.

Thanks pickle! I am still having a couple cups of coffee a day and not looking to give those up unless really necessary. I was having one can of coke most days but have been doing it for many years. I was worried about the effect on my teeth and also feel it encourages a sweet tooth which I’m terrible for.

It’s only been a bit over a week and while I occasionally miss it, I’m not finding it as difficult as I thought I would. Does it get more or less difficult with time?

For me it gets less difficult. I craved it terribly to start with & now I don't even like the taste!

Less difficult. You've cracked the habit of buying it and reaching for it, and any withdrawal symptoms.

You just have to avoid it creeping back in again. Don't buy it, basically!

I struggle because DH keeps buying it. He drinks it in moderation, which I struggle with. He's never really got the hang of not buying crap, or buying treats only occasionally. He runs the house like a sweet shop- it needs to be fully stocked at all times. Frustratingly, he's then able to consume at a moderate pace, whereas I can avoid buying it but once it's here struggle to ignore it.

Hello, I was so excited to find this thread today, I decided to cut out Pepsi Max completely 2 weeks ago due to awful silent reflux attacking my vocal cords. I've been drinking it daily for 25 years or so, so major addiction! I have tried to give it up before but never managed it until now. It's been 2 and a half weeks. My family still buy it so it's still around the house. I've been working on building different associations like learning to enjoy the taste of water after meals or snacks which is when I most craved the fizz.

Thanks all, I love this thread already! My husband does the shopping but he knows not to buy more and doesn't drink it himself, which helps. He won't buy anymore chocolate and will eat up the rest on his own slowly. I hear you on the sweet shop. We are normally fully stocked and I am the one with no self-control.

I've only been able to manage going cold turkey because I've been having health issues which have scared the cravings away I think! It's not related to diet coke but I am using it as an opportunity to change.