If the idea of going cold turkey with soda gives you the shakes, we totally get it.The first step is to PULL BACK instead of give it up overnight. How many

times do you drink soda? Do you have it once a week? Once a day? Multiple times a day? Your first step will be to cut your number in half

and do that for about two weeks. So, for example, if you have soda several times a day then just have one daily. If you drink it five days a

week, cut down to three. Adjusting gradually will be a lot easier in the long run!

This sounds kinda gross but give it a try anyway. Mix your serving of soda with water. Obviously this means you will drink less but, on top of that, it

helps cut the level of sweetness. This is the part that so many of us find addicting! We crave the sweet! As you adjust to this new soda / water

hybrid mix your taste buds will start to change with you. Which will make it easier to give up soda in general!

If you are drinking non-diet cola, we suggest wrapping your head around the idea of just how many extra calories you're really drinking every time you fill em' up. A

12-ounce can of regular Coke has 140 calories in it. One of those 20 ounce bottles? Has 240. There are a lot more nutritious, filling  things you can put in

your body worth the same caloric values. If you already exercise, do the math to see just how much extra exercise you would need to do to burn off the

calories soda contains!

If you crave the caffeine jolt of a soda, swap it out for unsweetened tea instead! This is great especially if you are someone who pounds a cola during your

morning commute. Cold iced tea can give you the same caffeine as a soda but without all the yucky chemicals. 

Ok so you are really, REALLY thirsty. Don't slam back a soda!! It WON'T hydrate you! Drink a glass of water first. Maybe even two. Give yourself real hydration before you

reach for a soda... see if you still crave it then? You'd be surprised at how the craving can subside. 

Still craving soda? Swap it out for a soda made of more natural stuff. Brands like Grown Up Soda, Santa Cruz Organics and Blue Sky make soda without high-fructose corn

syrup or artificial ingredients. If you only indulge occasionally, these are certainly a more wise choice!

There are some situations where we automatically include soda; to not drink it feels weird. For example, at the movies. If you are anything like us, you may order a

large soda on autopilot! Know the places and occasions that are triggers for you and plan ahead by bringing your own sparkling water, iced tea or alternative drink .

We're almost addicted to La Croix. Among other reasons, it gives us the sensation of drinking a soda -- the fizz, the cold can in our hands -- and is

amazingly delicious. These days there are SO many sparkling waters out there, there's bound to be something you like! Just make sure you are selecting a sparkling water that is

as natural as possible and low (or free) in calories. 

Our parting words are this: replace your soda habit with a new routine. Do it long enough and THAT will become your new habit! So, if take a loop of your

office every time you crave a soda, you will soon begin to do that instead. All habits can be broken, it is simply a matter of putting in the time

and being mindful!