Excuses. Lots of them. I ignored all the information. The research presented at the trainings I attend do not apply to me. I have a reasonable idea of what constitutes living healthy, after all, I teach nutrition to elementary school students and conduct programs for adults on preparing healthy and inexpensive meals. The research and reports on pancreatic cancer, I somehow managed to overlook. The constant warnings from family and friends that I consume too many sodas pass by me without a second thought.

I reluctantly switched from regular soda — Coca-Cola is my brand of choice — to diet soda about four years ago. Aspartame became my friend! It allowed me to consume unlimited quantities of soda, eat artificially sweetened snacks, bake cookies and make pies – all filled with aspartame – and not gain any weight, or suffer any consequences. Yes, aspartame and I were getting along just fine!

The first time I heard about the NoFizzUSA challenge, I laughed at the idea. Why would I want to give up diet soda? I exercise daily, count calories, watch my fat intake and eat less than my allotted 40 grams of sugar each day. I eat my share of fruits and vegetables. I’m healthy. Why should I give up my diet soda?

Then, the reasons why I should consider at least reducing the number of diet sodas I drink started to appear – foggy at first. Little voices from around me, updates on Twitter, and my daughter’s continual pleading for me to stop. Finally, the NoFizzUSA challenge came with a direct invitation from Bobby DeMuro, simple and effective. “Are you in?”. Because, you know, there are reasons to use open-ended questions to prompt discussion and then there are times when the answer is going to be either yes or no. You did or you didn’t. You are committed or you aren’t. No need for additional discussion or extended dialogue. The answer is just that simple.

So, I share with you my thoughts through the transformation of full-on diet soda addict to…well, we will see where the NoFizzUSA challenge takes me.

Day 1: Bang a Gong in my head! I have decreased my diet soda intake from eight to ten sodas per day to two per day. I am in pain. Nauseous. I cannot think straight. I don’t easily recognize my co-workers and, in fact, I am not sure I am even at the correct office. My vision is blurred. I really need to be put to down…..to sleep…as in, a mercy killing. I am that miserable.

My muscles feel like they are being ripped from the bone. And though I’ve been assured that I am not, I’m pretty sure I’m suffering from some rare form of anaphylactic shock. I have spent the day with my head on my desk, pleading and begging for someone to admit me to rehab. My daughter, Amy, told me I was being ridiculous.

Day 2: The gong in my head is now equivalent to 500 gongs. Either that or the construction worker with the jackhammer outside my office is very close to dying. Concentration has not improved much. I cannot remember where I parked my car in a parking lot of only 3 cars (small town). Things are not much better at home – I just found the febreze in the refrigerator and the cat in the dryer. Fluff cycle.

Day 3: Asking, pleading and begging for intervention! I am close to a major relapse and feel I can easily knock off a 12-pack…of Diet Coke. I am seriously considering saying to heck with this no fizz stuff. Relax. Count to ten. Take a deep breath and drink a quart of alka seltzer. Plop, plop, fizz, fizz. Relief.

You get the picture. Getting off the sauce ain’t easy. I can now say during Day 6 of NoFizzUSA, my life is improving with positive results. I seem to be thinking more clearly, feeling less agitated and experiencing a resurgence in energy! I have occasional cravings for a little fizz in my life, but I am able to contain myself. Thanks to my family for their support, to friends for keeping me on track, and to Bobby for inspiring me.

So, what’s next – maybe The USMC Mud Run challenge? Are you in? [We are in. NoFizzUSA Bobby and Jason will be joining Dee for the USMC Mud Run on September 25th!].