My No-Soda Challenge

On the first of April, I began my no soda challenge. The challenge is to go for one month without soda, the idea being that you will reap a number of health benefits. The people who said this would be easy have a far different definition of easy than I. Those who say it is rewarding are absolutely right in my opinion.

With my determination raring, going without soda wasn't hard for the first day or so, and I had convinced myself this would be a piece of cake. Unfortunately, I had forgotten the temptation posed by those around me drinking soda. My first test came when my Mom ordered us both a pizza, and herself a two liter of soda.

I could almost taste the flavor of the soda. Knowing that soda was sitting there put me in mind of the Bible story about Eve, the apple, and the snake. I felt like Eve, eyeing that apple, the snake being my Mom who had forgotten about my challenge and offered me a glass. But wait—did she really forget? Perhaps she was just testing me to see if I would buckle at the first temptation. Maybe it was just wishful thinking on my part, just hoping she had forgotten! When she offered, my first thought was to accept, but in the end I resisted the temptation of the proverbial apple.

One thing I hadn't counted on was the sheer surge of personal gratification and self worth one feels when managing to stick to goals, no matter how difficult they may seem. My mother told me that my soda challenge illustrates life itself, and I have to agree.

Our lives are far from easy, and many of the challenges we face seem as insurmountable as Mount Everest must sometimes seem to the climbers who scale its slopes. However, when we scale the slopes, and look at what we achieve, we gain such self-worth as people, not to mention that by our achievements we can sometimes build a place of comfort and peace for ourselves and others.

Another thing I did not expect was how much better I would feel after I got into the soda challenge. I have more energy, and feel less sluggish. I am also sleeping better. I had the awful habit of drinking sodas just before bed which naturally gave me a sugar high. I practically became an insomniac. But now that I am drinking water before bed, my sleep is much deeper and more beneficial.

And since I started this challenge on April Fool's day, Marc Twain may have said it best, "April 1st: This is the day upon which we are reminded of what we are on the other three-hundred and sixty-four."

Looking back on the beginning of my soda challenge, I realize how true this quote is. I was so naive when I began, believing it would be easy. It was simply something I did to prove I could. But I have learned that in its difficulty lies its great reward. I no longer believe this is an easy task. I have found that I had the will and strength to see it through so far. That gives me more fuel to stoke my discipline reserve with and now I’m considering continuing it at the end of the trial period.

Can I drink just one?

I am considering staying with the challenge because I have found it almost impossible to drink just one, or to limit myself to a set amount each day. After I drink one, I crave them for the rest of the day. I guess I’m a bit like an alcoholic but instead of alcohol I’m a soda-holic.

This challenge may well turn into a life-long change for me and has also given me a different insight into new trials I may face. If I have the willpower to accomplish the soda trial, why wouldn’t I have the willpower to do anything I set my mind to?