As a caffeine-free Diet Coke addict, how does giving up a diet soda help you lose weight? I can see it might be good to give it up for other reasons (actually I just say that to be politically correct - I can't think of any other reasons, either) but why does it effect overall weight?

There are lots of articles out there on recent discoveries linking diet soda with diabetes and weight gain. Here's just a start, from the New York Post:

Wait...if 70 is the new 40...and 40 is the new 20...Then we just keep getting younger again right?

I quit all sodas (I only drank diet) about 5 years ago. It was tough at first, but when I decided to cut all artificial sweeteners - it got much easier. That meant learning to drink tea with no splenda or Sweet n Low (allergic to aspartame). Once I did that, I didn't crave the sodas at all anymore.

40 pounds in 5 months? Seriously? From quitting 2 20 oz a day? Well, this will be my last pepsi. I swear. I don't have a problem. I can give them up anytime I want.

Right now I drink very little caffeinated coffee or tea, and I've never liked sugar/sweetener in either of them. I drink a lot of herbal tea. Is it the artificial sweetener that's bad? Also, what about all the flavored seltzer waters? If I find out they're also bad for me my world may collapse!

I don't do any artificial sweetener. If I'm going to drink it, I'm having the real thing.

I'm wondering this as well. I can't seem to find anything about sparkling waters. However, in looking at the ingredients, a lot of them use Aspartame as the sweetener which I try to avoid. I'm drinking Skinnygirl Sparklers now which are sweetened with sucralose but I'm not sure that's any better than Aspartame. I limit myself to one a day, at most.

Take a pitcher of water - slice up lemons, limes, oranges and put slices in pitcher of water. refrigerate. drink and enjoy without guilt!

no guilt for plant murder?

Water with sliced up lemons and cucumbers is also tasty.

Feels like a line out of an AA meeting...

Hi, I'm Princess Romeo and it's been 3 years and 2 months since my last soda, diet or otherwise.

I have to say I don't miss it. I drink water, carbonated water, unsweetened tea, or coffee.

I am now wearing either size 2 or 4 pants vs. size 18 or 20 three years ago.

Blood pressure, blood sugar, HDL levels, etc. are all in the good range vs. the "danger" zone they were in.

I have been using Stevia in my coffee. It is a natural sugar, no calories. I am sure in a year or so it will be deemed unhealthy.

Woot! That is awesome and a serious accomplishment. Congrats!

^^^^^Ditto what Okie said!

Here in Texas, we can get sodas made with real cane sugar, bottled in Mexico. But, like so many of you, I have stopped drinking sodas too.

My issue was not weight, it was Class C Los Angeles Esophagitis. It was an easy choice. Stop drinking the poison or die!

Only 2 Pepsis since last Wednesday! I am rather proud of that. I didn't beat myself up for those two and that made a difference I think.

I don't know...I switched to diet soda a few years ago along with other changes and lost 65lbs. I went from a size 14 to a 00. (Seems extreme, but I'm short at just under 5ft 4) Now, I will probably die sooner and be preserved forever from the aspartame, but so be it. I fully admit, I'm addicted to the stuff. Congrats to those that have managed to stay away from this stuff!

I gave up pop about 4 weeks ago, after falling off the wagon. Back in 2000 I had to quit Coke, I was drinking 2 cans and a large Coke from McDs or BK. Was having headaches, so the Dr cut caffeine from my diet. That was Nov 2000. I remember 2 mos into it, when I found a 6 pack of Coke in the basement. I opened it and was sitting in the corner sipping it (that adds to the flavor) when my wife walked into the basement and said I was pathetic

I still treat my self occasionaly to a coke. But I treat it like a treat. Put it in the garage fridge, and allow myself a sip or 2 every other day. Will make the bottle last all week. usually goes flat and I pour it out. I only do this about every other month.

Just past my 3 years smoke free anniversary. Also limiting pop to one every few days. Feeling good and losing a little bit of that weight!

Congrats Okie!

5 1/2 years and I'm still a QUITTER!

Good for you, HRH! That's wonderful news!

YAY HRH!

Congrats on changing your life and being and influence to those around you for the better. Overcoming addiction takes so much strength.