I was once an avid supporter of pop (or soda, for all you folks back east). I’m not sure when or where the habit started, but I can definitely say it was a habit and not an addiction. Same difference? Yes.

Unlike many soda drinkers, I wasn’t raised with my parents allowing soda in the household. My mother always had a 12-pack for herself, but made sure that my sister and I were drinking water, milk, juices, or Gatorade. But around the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades, when I had an allowance, I would buy the fizzy heaven from the soda machines that were all around the school.

I can remember getting at the very least 5 or 6 20oz bottles almost every day. By the time high school came around, that’s when I really went crazy. I can remember drinking 4 to 5 liters – LITERS – of Mountain Dew Code Red in a day. My friends rarely saw me without one in my hands.

While that continued on for a few years, I calmed down a bit – but I was still drinking too much. Turning 21, I thought it wouldn’t get worse because I would switch to beer, but I, being the habitual soda guy I had become, would tell the bartender to mix me a Jack and Coke – just continuing that pop trend. It was my drink of choice until January 1, 2010.

I actually gave up soda cold turkey to start 2010 as a kind of resolution. But more because I knew in order for me to get in shape, I needed to have a complete life change. And to start this movement with my life I started with soda. Something so minimal, yet so huge in my life was a great starting spot for me.

So you would think this major change would be hard? It turned out to be one of the easiest cut-offs I’ve ever done in my life. I instantly saw results in my skin, and my energy levels. I just drink water and unsweetened ice teas most of my days. And I enjoy both of them as much if not more then that fizzy refreshment that was the creation of this group.

NoFizz America is doing great things for your community out there, and its even reaching back to Denver with some friends of mine and I jumping in on the challenge. I have to thank NoFizz America for the support system you’ve put together for this hard – yet so simple – challenge. I’ve held true to the challenge and am eager to see what he has planned for us next!