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Original poster

Quitting Pepsi Max in 2021 Support Thread

330 replies

NoZoomAtTheInn · 27/12/2020 20:48

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.

OP posts:
GwendolineWindowlene · 28/01/2021 09:51

Well done Zoom.

I'm on day 16. I definitely think giving up Diet Coke is more extreme than giving up bad food habits, but it's a short sharp shock thing. It feels REALLY hard to stop, but I find once I do the withdrawal is quite short then I can do without it. I'm now confident I'm out the other side.

On the other hand, I can change my eating habits for six or seven weeks and it's still a real struggle. Which is why I give up. Blush

The hope this time is because I've done the Diet Coke first I'll have less twanging at my willpower when it comes to eating sugary stuff.

Hueandcry · 28/01/2021 14:46

Day 14 for me & only had 1 can since trying to cut down/cut out. Considering I used to drink 4/5/6 a day im happy with that. I still want it though. Wondering if/when I'll stop thinking about it. Stupid because when I had 1 after about a week I didn't even enjoy it!

picklemewalnuts · 28/01/2021 15:26

Well done all.

I'm early on, maybe 2 weeks heavily reduced, 1 week none.

I suspect I'm feeling the benefit. I think my sleep is better. I'm drinking gallons of water, and strangely I'm drinking less decaf as well. It seems to have been linked somehow.

I'm wondering if diet fizz has been a gateway substance, encouraging me to drink coffee, snack etc, more than I otherwise would!

Has anyone found it's impacted heartburn or reflux? I was taking something for silent reflux, but think cutting the fizz is working better. It's not quite clear though...

Original poster
NoZoomAtTheInn · 28/01/2021 22:02

Wow!
gwen Day 16
hue Day 14
pickle Day 7

Brilliant! Just brilliant!

Do you think if we hit 30 days of none we can consider that we’ve kicked the horrible habit?

hue have you got something else to distract yourself with? A new hobby/new food etc? I know you tried chocolate at covid’s suggestion. Is the Rubicon Black Cherry & Raspberry not hitting the spot anymore?

My daily check in
Days since started to reduce - 30
Days since no cans at all - 12

OP posts:
Original poster
NoZoomAtTheInn · 29/01/2021 21:27

Happy Friday!

My daily check in
Days since started to reduce - 31
Days since no cans at all - 13

OP posts:
Elmo311 · 30/01/2021 09:25

No cans for 4 weeks now, and I think the habit has been kicked! I don't even look at Pepsi Max and get excited anymore 😅.

Keep it up everyone, @NoZoomAtTheInn thank you for making this thread x x

GwendolineWindowlene · 30/01/2021 13:02

Well done Elmo!

Hueandcry · 30/01/2021 20:21

How's everyone doing? I'm still off it despite being sorely tempted today. I think it's just knowing I can't have it that makes me want some. Testing my willpower. Weekends seem more difficile for some reason

Original poster
NoZoomAtTheInn · 30/01/2021 22:03

Brilliant Elmo! I hope to be where you are in 2 more weeks

Hue, completely agree with because somethings forbidden I crave it! Also after that weekends are more difficult, I think that’s because my brain has more free time rather than being fully occupied during the week trying not to let me cock up work Grin

I am loving the marks and spencers sparkling water with lemon and lime (really hits my fizz/sweet spot) as well as the trusty vanilla chai tea

My daily check in
Days since started to reduce - 32
Days since no cans at all - 14!!!!

I’ve done 2 weeks with no cans and have also stopped the daily coffee I started when I began to reduce

OP posts:
Hueandcry · 30/01/2021 22:18

Brilliant @NoZoomAtTheInn!!

Thanks for this thread, it's really keeping me on track

Rhynswynd · 31/01/2021 11:10

I’m going to try and join you all. After I get my uni assignment in. I currently drink up to ten cans a day and cans in Australia are bigger than uk cans.

I do find I get very bad heartburn if I massively overindulge on Pepsi max.

GwendolineWindowlene · 31/01/2021 16:05

I’m on day 19 and I think I’ve cracked it. I have the occasional Lucozade zero but that probably averages out at one every 4 days. Fizzy water seems to be sustaining me, and I’m feeling rather impressed with myself.

strawberry2017 · 31/01/2021 20:49

I'm on day 10 I think with no PM or DC, I love this post. I have been craving sugar so much more and it never occurred to me it was because I'd stopped drinking PM or DC.
I today started no added salt, I love salty food but I'm conscious I have my 3 year old watching me now and I want to kick the bad habits earlier enough that she doesn't try to copy me.
Everyone's doing really well!

Hueandcry · 31/01/2021 21:16

Well done Gwen & Strawberry!!

Day 17 for me. Drink of the day is lemon & lime sparkling water from the co-op 🍋🍈

Original poster
NoZoomAtTheInn · 31/01/2021 21:41

It’s the last day of January! When I started this thread at the end of December, I never thought that I could get to 15 days of no cans within 33 days!!!

Yet, thanks to you all, I’ve done it and didn’t suffer the terrible withdrawal headaches I had experienced before.

Well done Gwen, Hue and Strawberry!

welcome Rhyn - nothing but support here for you, we’re all rooting for each other.

My daily check in
Days since started to reduce - 33
Days since no cans at all - 15

OP posts:
RandomMess · 31/01/2021 22:31

Well done everyone 👏

picklemewalnuts · 01/02/2021 08:28

I slipped a bit. DH bought a bottle of the cherry, which only I drink. So I did, then had a can on Sunday as well. But today is day 1 again, and there's none arriving on Thursday, so I should do better now.

Hueandcry · 01/02/2021 20:05

Dammit im so annoyed with myself! A new month & I caved because there was cherry pepsi max in a fridge by the till & I was intrigued....

It's proved to me that dc/pm whatever gives me cravings for rubbish food, almost immediately. This makes me even more determined to ditch it because I know when I'm off it I eat more sensibly & don't have the same cravings for snacks.

Tomorrow is another day

Original poster
NoZoomAtTheInn · 01/02/2021 21:45

On the bright side pickle and hue, you did complete a good streak of having none of the horrid stuff, so you know you can do it and this time, you’ll maintain it. You can do this!

My daily check in
Days since started to reduce - 34
Days since no cans at all - 16

OP posts:
picklemewalnuts · 01/02/2021 21:52

Well done zoom!

It's not so bad, Hue. It's far far less than you'd usually have had.

Covidcorvid · 02/02/2021 11:39

How's everyone doing?

It's been a week for me I think now without a drop. I'm not craving it anything like I was the first week. where I slipped up a few times.

Thanks @NoZoomAtTheInn for starting this thread. Really gave me the kick up the bum I needed.

picklemewalnuts · 02/02/2021 11:49

I have the odd moment where I fancy it, plus a lot of habitual moments where I expect/reach for it. I have a pint of water instead. It's doing me good, I'm sure!

Scampersaur · 02/02/2021 15:39

There’s a really good article in today’s Guardian online about beating a Diet Coke addiction. I’m hoping to stop drinking it altogether this month.

picklemewalnuts · 02/02/2021 16:34

I'm having to wrestle with myself today. It really helps having the cans in the garage. You don't drink one accidentally in quite the same way!

Hueandcry · 02/02/2021 17:33

Thanks @Scampersaur, that's an interesting article