My exciting life with a house full of boys

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

I Gave It Up

For several years I have been dealing with physical and mental symptoms that are undiagnosable, at least accurately. I've dealt with serious post partum depression, headaches, memory loss, aches, acne, difficulty losing weight and fatigue. Major fatigue. It doesn't matter when I go to sleep or when I wake up. I get the kids off to school and lie down and fall asleep. I wake up and take a shower only to want to lie down again. Yes I've had tests and of course nothing seems to be wrong, not hormones, thyroid, etc. I've popped thousands of vitamins and nothing helped. This wasn't the kind of mom I envisioned myself to be. I didn't want to be lazy and inactive but my energy was gone. I can honestly say that I really prayed about this and didn't like or want to admit to what I was feeling.

You see, my husband has asked me for years to quit. "I'm telling you, that stuff is poison." But I don't listen very well. I'm to proud. If he was right then that would mean that I was wrong.

I realized one day that I may be wrong. I took the leap of faith and I gave it up.

And so I quit. I had tried before. Many times, but never successfully. But this time I played a game with myself. I wasn't giving up the icy cold refreshing bubbles that I so loved and craved. I could still have it any time I wanted. I wasn't giving up the caffeine that sometimes lifted me. I could still have it any time. I decided that I was going to simply give up the "poison". The aspartame. My drink of choice. Diet Coke.




Many people have different views about this chemical. Look it up on the Internet and you will find hundreds of thousands of pros and cons. That's not really what this was about. It's more about me finally following that tiny whisper in the back of my mind that said to do it. And so, it's been about 4 months since I have had a Diet Coke or a diet drink or snack of any kind.

What changes did I see? Nothing. At least not for a while. But then one day I realized that I had sent my kids off to school, took a shower and went on with my daily things without crawling back into bed. I was dreaming again. I hadn't realized that I had been missing that for a while. My mom commented on my complexion one afternoon, "your skin looks brighter, fresher" and I realized my pores were smaller and I hadn't broken out in several weeks. I have not been eating out as much. I realized that I would want a soda and go to a drive thru - every single day. And lastly I just plain felt better. Coincidence. Some might say, but I never have believed in coincidences. I haven't lost any weight but I now have enough energy to get myself to the gym so we'll see.

Giving it up wasn't so hard. Once I decided I could still have the real stuff it made it easy. Now, as far as the real stuff is concerned...I don't really like it. It's too sweet. But there are just some meals, pizza and Mexican for sure, that I HAVE to have a soda with and so it's the real thing. But I find that I don't even finish one full glass compared to the three or four refills I would have of the diet.

So is it poison? I don't know about the rest of the population but for me I think it is. But shh. Don't tell my husband he was right.

Jenny Matlock

16 comments:

  1. That's wonderful that you found the cause of your problems and were able to get off of it! I've finally weaned my husband off of soda altogether. Now I see that it was a good idea.
    I wish you continued success. You have a beautiful family!
    Barb

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  2. I'm so glad you have given it up! Have you seen how well it cleans toilets!!

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  3. My sister drinks it all the time.

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  4. I would think the reason for crawling into bed would be all those boys! But then, if things are going good, that's all that matters, right? Congrats. I drink Diet Coke, but only one or two cans every day. It's the morning coffee that I need to give up... {:-D

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  5. For years I drank Coke or Pepsi, the true addict. Never liked the diet kind. Then about twenty years ago I quit. What a difference it made in so many aspects of my life. Give your hubby a big bonus hug and tell him he was right!

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  6. Me too! If everyone would except the fact that aspartame is a manmade poison...can I re-post your post on my blog?
    ~Jo
    LazyonLoblolly

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  7. Hey I'm your newest follower,hope you can follow back,I'm visiting from Alphabe Thursday.
    ~Jo
    LazyonLoblolly

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  8. My son reacts negatively to aspartame, too. Interesting. I'm going to suggest he come and read this post.

    =)

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  9. Wow. I think I could never give up my coke zero. Good on ya.

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  10. I have given it up for the most part. But there are days at work when I just need a little picker upper and Diet Coke is my picker upper of choice!

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  11. Good for you! That's not easy!!! Sounds like it's helping!

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  12. I think there's more ills than we know because of artificial sweeteners. I'm glad you were able to step away and that you are feeling better...

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  13. I gave up drinking soda all together. I once heard that drinking soda is the same as drinking beer - it makes your guts grow big - at least it made sense at the time now I'm not even sure.

    perhaps you were allergic to aspartame? who knows. anyway, good for you for being able to gave it up.

    have a lovely day.

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  14. I occasionally like a diet Coke, but out here in the desert, I drink LOTS of water!!

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  15. Wow. I was thinking thyroid and hormones and to read this!

    I mostly drink water. I've never been able to stand diet anything...which is why if I drink a soda it's the full on sugar kind...which is horrible for you, too.

    I admire your determination and drive in making these changes in your life.

    Good for you!

    Thanks for sharing this grand post with us!

    A+

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  16. glad you feel better with more energy!

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