Day 17

Woke up and we had breakfast sandwiches. I had a glass of orange juice with the meal.

I then made my self a cup of coffee with the amazing cinnamon creamer.

Later for lunch after doing some tidying up around the house I just had a few glasses of water.

We went out to dinner with close friends for New Years at a Mexican restaurant so I had a few Dos Equis (and 1 glass of water).

Later at the friend's house I had water and then some tea when I got my mother in-law's house. One regular cup when I got there and then a cup of Chai Latte. It was very good but I am sure much to sweet to be good for me :)

I also had 1 small glass of Sparkling Wine when the ball in Times Square dropped. After seeing the outfit that Jennifer Lopez was wearing I felt like I needed a shot!

But, I need to get strict now that the New Year is officially upon us.

Hopefully, this time next year I can still be writing that I haven't had a soda. I think I may need to start my second resolution tomororw which is working out at least every other day for 40 minutes. We'll see if that happens.

Happy New Year!

Day 16

Woke up and had some milk and cereal.

Turkey salad for lunch and drank lots of water.

We went to see the Disney on Ice Show with Josh (he loved it) but I didn't have anything to drink at the show.

Went to a friends house to exchange gifts again. Had a few glasses of iced tea (it was sweetend... but not too bad). Then also had two beers with dinner.

Big glass of water before I went to bed.

Day 15

Had a cup of coffee to start the morning to go with the Eggo's my wife toasted for me. What a nice person she is :)

Once I finished my coffee I ended up giving my son a bath. It's nice having him home with us this week since we are home but I think his schedule is going to be all messed up when he goes back to school next week.

I had water up until lunchtime when I splurged and had a little glass of Egg Nog that I found hiding in the back of fridge. Again, I am not perfect and technicaly it's not soda :)... So far I have walked by every Mountain Dew display I have seen without incident.

Went back to water immediately as the BBQ chips (Baked Lays for anyone that is concerned) I was eating made me amazingly thirsty.

One additonal observation I have made is that when I do feel like I want to have a soda here or there I ended up popping a piece of gum in my mouth. Those "Biggie" Packs that they sell now come in handy.

Had leftovers from the other night... drank water along with it.

Had our doctors appointment for the new baby (at 22 weeks now). Went over to a friend's house to visit after the appointment to exchange holiday gifts with the kids. Had a big cup of tea with sugar.

Another large glass of ice water before bed.

Day 14

Worked from home today. Started with a family breakfast consisting of Corn Pops and Raisin Bran. It was simple but nice to all eat at the island together :)

I had a cup of coffee to start the day. My parents got me two boxes of the Donut Shop flavor for the Keurig... it is very good, and I highly recommend it.

Was pretty busy with stuff from work as well as getting some stuff around the house organized. We also had Verizon Fios installed so there was a guy at our house from 9:30 until around 3ish. I drank a steady dose of water throughout the day including with my leftover's from Carraba's.

Later in the evening with when to visit with The Pacewicz and Sieminkski families over at Connie Mom's house. I had a lot of naughty holiday cookies and a glass of red wine. Then I had a cup of Green Tea with a little bit of sugar and milk. That was very nice but I ended up drinking two glasses of water before we left. I think other kinds of drinks are making me crave water now.

Was up a little later than I wanted to be tonight so I had some more water before bed.

Day 13

Woke up and had some ice water. I also used the elliptical machine for the first time in awhile and had a big thing of water with it.

We went later in the morning with my parents to Panera Bread for breakfast. I had Orange Juice and then was bad and got myself a strawberry smoothie. It was so good, but I think it was sugar overload. I practically passed out in the car on the way home.

I tried to be better later in the day by doing all water like I have been. I need to figure out options other than coffee for getting some flavor in my drinks. It is easier said than done. I have yet to make myself a batch of the Crystal Lite.

Had water during the afternoon. I put together the tool cabinet that Erin bought me for Christmas. It helped to organize some of the shelves in the garage. By the time I was done I needed to drink so more water.

Later, for dinner I had a beer at Carraba's and then drank water with the rest of the meal.

Day 12

The day after Christmas I was still feeling the effects of not getting enough sleep on Christmas Eve. I woke up early anyway and needed big glass of water.

Then I had my typical cup of coffee during my day off. I only drank about half of it.

Had some more water as we waited for my parents to arrive from North Jersey.

Later in the evening we went to see the movie Avatar with Heather's family. Beforehand we went to Saladworks and I had a bottled water with my chicken wrap.

After the movie I broke down and had a Starbucks drink. Shame on me! I think it will be easier to not drink so much coffee after the holiday when I back to a normal work schedule.

Also, had my normal glass of ice water before bed.

Day 11

Christmas morning I was comatose since I only got 3 hours of sleep. Had a big glass of water and went immediately to coffee. We had to wait until later to have breakfast since Erin's brother and girlfriend were coming over for Egg Nog French toast. Had another cup of coffee and then some milk with the big meal.

Water the rest of the day until later after the wonderful turkey dinner that we made together.

Had coffee to go with the holiday cookies my wife made.

I am starting to wonder how hard it would be to give up coffee completely. I think I would go insane.

Big glass of water before bed and ended up passing out on the couch.

Day 10

Woke up and had 2 cups of coffee. Tried to say light on the flavored creamer but this one that we got (Caribbean Cinnamon) is so addictive. Again, I have cut out soda completely and it's the holidays right so I probably need to be a little less worried about it.

During the day I had more glasses of water while we got the house spic and span for Erin's family to come over tomorrow morning to open presents.

I think I need to get some sleep tonight but I have still have to put two of Josh's gift together.

At dinner with the family I ordered ice tea and realized when I took a sip that it was sweetened. I decided one wouldn't hurt me. And then I had water the rest of the time. Also had a glass of wine. Again, its the holidays so between now and New Years I should probably be less hard on myself.

Day 9

Took a vacation day today to prepare for the upcoming holiday. I was so thirsty when I woke up so immediately I went to ice water.

Later in the morning I had my coffee.

When my wife got home from work we hung around for a little and then we took my brother in law out to Bonefish Grill because we had lots of gift cards.

I only had water with dinner. Lot's of it because my meal was salty.

We had a delicious dessert (chocolate creme brulee)... I felt like i needed coffee but I resisted.

I was so full I fell asleep on the couch and desperately needed more water before I stumbled upstairs.

Day 8

Had a cup of coffee in the morning again. I think it might be impossible to give up morning coffee at this point. The only time I don't have it is when I am so busy at work I forget to go get a cup.

Drank pretty much noting until lunchtime and had two big glasses of water.

That lasted me until just about quitting time but I got some more before I left to bring with me for the ride home.

I think I might start making some of my wifes Crystal Lite's at home to I can get a little flavor in my drinks from time to time.

My wife also offered to make some fresh iced tea that I can drink plain or with a Splenda (or three).

Had a few more glasses of water and dinner time and then a few more before bed.

Day 7

Woke up in the morning and had a cup a coffee. I desperately needed a pick me up after going to bed around 2:30. My brother flew in late from Florida (held over in Washington D.C.) and needed a place to crash.

Had a few glasses of water while I worked from home up until lunch time.

For lunch I had a little apple juice with my pizza. Suprisingly I thought it tasted a little sweet. Guess that is what happens when you get used to not having soda everyday.

My brother ended up staying until late tonight so we had dinner together. I picked up some fastfood at Arby's and so wated to get one of their shakes but I resisted.

Not only did I have water, but I forced my brother to have water with me :)

Had another big glasss of ice water before bed. I have noticed with drinking all this water I have had to go the bathroom much more often. I assume that is a good thing?

Day 6

I was so thirsty after shoveling yesterday I had a huge glass of water when I woke up.

Then later I had some coffee with my breakfast (pancakes!). I had to shovel some more because of blizzard and had a huge jug of blue Gatorade. I think it was okay since I was sweaty like crazy doing the shoveling. Honestly, I don't think I needed to wear a jacket or a hat I was so hot.

Later for lunch/dinner I had more water.

We went to a friend's parent's house to celebrate a birthday and we had cake and ice cream. I had some more coffee (2 cups actually) but I figured I burned so many calories shoveling two driveways with 2 ft of snow that its not a big deal

Another big glass of ice water before bed.

Day 5

Got a call early from my mother in law to come to her house before the weather got too bad. They are predicting a big snow storm.

Went to the store with her when we got here... it was crazy driving on the roads but we made it okay... she got me some coffee today... it was so cold it hit the spot.

Then I helped her out by plowing her driveway and sidewalks. When got all done she told me she had a hair appointment. I looked around and saw 8 inches of snow and said "You're going?"

She said yes and I decided I would drive her in our SUV to be safe.

We got there and I was starving so she offered to buy me some food. I had about 4 cups of water there while I waited for her hair appointment to finish.

Had to plow again later when we got back.. I can't keep up with the snow... I had the rest of my coffee and then a couple more glasses of water.

I have been bad snacking on the candied almonds that Erin's grandmother made... it is making me amazingly thirsty. Off to get more water!

Day 4

Passed on coffee again this morning but did have a little milk with my cereal.

Was home with my son today taking a vacation day so he kept me pretty busy.

When I finally got to have lunch when he napped I had lots of water. More and more and am starting to miss soda a little less. Of course, when I have certain foods... pizza, Chinese, I think about a nice cold Coke. So far, I have resisted.

I bring up pizza cause that is what we had for dinner. Had a couple glasses of ice water and it was actually refreshing.

More water before bed and end up crashing on the couch watching TV.

Day 3

Started the day off with coffee..... I have a lot of stuff around the house planned today on a day off. Let's see how much I do.

Drank water most of the day. Probably had about 4 glasses between 11 and 2.

I also forgot to eat lunch. Probably the Enteman's Pop 'ems filled me. Yeah I think that might be counter productive to giving up soda... one battle at a time I guess.

Later, after the holiday show at Erin's school we were in the mood for some hot chocolate. I just couldn't pass it up. Honestly, water all day is pretty boring.

First, I got to watch Erin polish off the last of the Arizona Sweet Tea. I guess we won't be buying anymore of that for awhile.

Ok, back to water again before bed and maybe even the elliptical if I am really motivated. Time to see who gets voted off Survivor!

Day 2

Had coffee to start the morning. It is about 10:45 and feeling pretty good. I am need to do grocery shopping today so I will maybe get myself some Vitamin Waters. Or I can just keep costs down and go with the water from the fridge.

Hopefully, I can get through lunch without needing any more caffeine.

I heard about this video on the radio today and watched it... it's gross but makes you think twice about drinking anything but water :) use the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-F4t8zL6F0c

Lunch time - Made a french bread pizza and the sweet tea was calling my name. Again went with water, I think I am getting used to it (especially if it's iced cold). Luckily I am pretty busy today so not really getting a chance to think about soda too much.

Dinner - Taco night at the Ehrenworth's. Water actually was pleasant with the meal. My wife didn't help by drinking sweet tea but she says she is trying to drink it all so I don't (How nice of her!) .

Dave is coming over soon so I will have a beer. First non-water of the day.

Dave canceled but I am going to have a beer anyway :)

Day 1

I started my end of soda drinking today. I am going to write this blog so I can account for what I chose to drink in replacement of the evil sweet drinks of the world but also be honest about how miserable I am without one of my major vices.

This morning I drank a bottle of water. I didn't even have my cup of coffee (which I am allowing myself to have in the morning).

I had water again for lunch. And drank more water throughout the day.

So far so good.

7PM - More water with my leftover sandwich from Jack's Grill. Then I did Holiday cards and got thirsty from all the envelopes. I was tempted for Sweet Tea but did water again.