I gave up Diet Coke for a month and my body completely transformed

A man who “drank too much Diet Coke” said he refused to accept it was bad for him before embarking on a four-week no-drink in a bid to prove his faith.

Paul Turner, editor of Wales Online, said people have “gotten away with me for years” because of his love of Diet Coke. But he replied that it had zero calories or sugar and said it was no worse than any other drink or processed food.

He told people he didn’t drink tea or coffee, didn’t eat meat, and only drank two alcoholic drinks a weekend.

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Paul said: “I knew Diet Coke contained the artificial sweetener aspartame, but so did tons of drinks, even lots of fruit punches and flavored waters. People have also told me what happens if you leave a penny in a Coke glass. and how it must do the same within me, but I have not given it up.”

But one day, without thinking about it, Paul “naturally decided to drink an occasional glass of water rather than open a can of Coke”. He added: “I thought ‘I can do that’ so I did it again.

“Then, with the head of a journalist, I thought I might try an experiment to give it up completely, almost, and then write about it. Pretty much the rules of the game, I say I’d still have it as a mixer with my favorite weekend drink, the Tia Maria.

“So that was it, no more Diet Coke as a straight drink and basically none during the week.”

Before taking on the challenge, Paul said he would drink one Diet Coke at lunch, a second in the mid-afternoon, and occasionally another in the late afternoon. He had another one with the evening meal and a final one around 9.30pm.

He added: “One room in my house was always stocked with crates of things, and there was a ready stock in the fridge.”

Paul weighed 14.5 stone when he started the challenge, with a 104cm waist. Here’s what happened when he gave up Diet Coke.

First day

“I was spinning in the late 13s, early 14s before. I liked to think that my gain was due to the strength training I was doing more before this point and the muscle mass, but I have no real idea if it was or not. I was fooling myself.

“The waist measurement looked bigger than before and I feel that measuring your waist is far from an exact science. But I was 103cm at a previous measurement, down to 95cm a few years ago when I was doing tons of exercise.

“While the first day I didn’t notice any dramatic physical effects from my sudden switch to liquid soft drink and found drinking water to be fine, I wanted a little sweetness. But I had a kind of epiphany. I realized that my glass of Coke with a meal. it wasn’t just for liquid refreshment, I was drinking it because my body had gotten used to taking a mouthful of something sweet after every sip of savory.

“Now there was no sweet to put on a salty sandwich. It was a big change and a transformative moment in my understanding of my own body and habits.”

The second day

“I wouldn’t really call it cold turkey, it wasn’t like I was giving up nicotine or anything. But if I had any withdrawal symptoms, today was when they intervened.

“I’ve been a bit moody and moody. I also had a headache in the afternoon. Of course, I have no idea if any of these things are related or just a coincidence.”

The third day

“I felt like I turned a corner today and I felt ready for the challenge. I was on holiday at the time, which definitely helped.”

The fourth day

“The big test as I was going back to work. How would I cope without a shot of Diet Coke when I had to focus all day? Whether I’m getting back into a normal routine without the routine drink I started missing today. .

“I started having debates in my own head. My brain was saying, “Just have Coke, you like it, it probably won’t make any difference,” and then another part of me said, “No, you can do that—stick with it.”

Day five

“I went for a 55k cycle in beautiful warm weather and I wanted an ice cold cola with little bubbles forming on the outside of the glass. I could almost taste it, hear the ice cubes clinking together. That raging debate in my head started it all over again.”

The sixth day

“I felt the need for fruit today, not a feeling I’m used to. So I went out and bought some, also not like me. The fruity, juicy, naturally sugary taste of the strawberries and grapes did little to quell my coke. too healthy appetites, obviously, a bit of a side effect!”

The seventh day

First weigh in and Paul has lost 1.25lbs and three inches from his waist. He said that’s what spurred him on.

Eighth day so far

“I stopped recording the daily changes at this point. I was in a rhythm now and I got used to my routine. I still missed Diet Coke, but I didn’t crave it and found other ways to satisfy my sweet, fruity cravings. !

“One thing I found was that I was less tired at work. I found I had peaks and troughs before, maybe the low after the Diet Coke caffeine high and the fake sugar rush.

“If I was tired that day, it was smoothed out, rather than up and down, and much more manageable as a result.”

End of the second week

After the second week, Paul said he had lost another half a kilo, but his waist was 0.5cm bigger. He added: “But I’ve been busy this week with a lot less time for exercise.”

End of the third week

Paul lost 1.5 kg and 0.5 cm from his waist.

End of the fourth week

Paul said his weight had “returned to its normal fluctuations” as he gained 0.75kg this week, although he was still 2.5kg lighter than when he started. He shaved another half an inch off his waist.

After the full month, Paul has lost 4.5kg and shaved 5.5cm off his waist.

Conclusion

Paul said he hoped the experiment “wouldn’t make any difference” so he could continue drinking it. He added: “But I can’t ignore 5.5cm off my waist in just a few weeks, that seems pretty spectacular. And the weight loss was not to be sniffed at either.

“Whether it was all due to the Diet Coke ban, or a combination of things, the numbers don’t lie.

“So, since the end of this experiment, I’ve stuck to the plan. I’ve allowed myself a Diet Coke with food at the occasional meal if I’m driving, but other than that I’ve pretty much given it up.

“I miss him a little, but not a lot. I hope the weight and waist will continue to shrink.

“I tried something and I feel like it worked and made a huge difference in my diet and life. It may not work for you, or you simply have no interest or need to try, but for me, the journey has been worth it and I continue on that path.”

Diet Coke has fewer calories and sugar than regular sodas, so many experts believe it’s okay in moderation.

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