The buzz generated on Twitter around NoFizz America piqued my curiosity. I admit that I’m not a heavy soda drinker, but I wondered if I would be up to the challenge of a soda-free life. I don’t need a jolt of caffeine first thing in the morning to get me started, but there are some things that just go with an ice cold Coke. Pizza, burger and fries are at the top of the list. Water just doesn’t seem to go as well.

While I grew up in a house with a chronic Coke drinker (Mom, I’m looking at you) I rarely drink more than one soda in a day. In fact, I can barely finish a 12-ounce can.

Since I made the commitment to NoFizzUSA, it appears to have had the opposite effect on me! I have found myself craving a Coke or even a Mountain Dew. It has became the forbidden fruit – kind of like drinking under age. I woke up one morning with a serious craving for a Coke, and all I could think about was an ice, cold, real coke. I really had to tap into some willpower to resist collapsing into the urge for soda! I didn’t do it. I drank water instead, and even though I wasn’t happy about it, I did it.

I also noticed it had become a habit, more than anything, to just order a Coke while eating at restaurants. Ordering water just doesn’t seem as exciting. It wasn’t that I really wanted a Coke, I just didn’t want to order water.

It would have been easy to cheat. Who would know? So I checked the updates on Twitter and saw what everyone else was saying. I wasn’t alone. Other people were discussing their cravings and offering suggestions and sharing what they were doing to overcome the desire to drink soda. It made me realize that this isn’t just for 30 days – it’s going to stick.

Honestly, I knew all along how bad soda is for you. And I knew that diet soda can be even worse than regular. I try to eat healthy and take care of myself so this is just another stepping stone to becoming a healthier, more informed person. Knowing that other people were committed to giving up soda actually made it fun. It’s also taught me the importance of moderation. It’s ok to have a coke one night with pizza if I absolutely have to have it. But for the most part, I think I will stick with water!