Today I spent with my son in Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. I didn't find drinking soda a temptation today - until it came time for bowling and the pizza party with the group. That's when there were pitchers of soda bought and nothing else provided to drink, and I did feel a twinge of temptation to join in the soda drinking. However, I was well behaved and stayed away from it, choosing instead to focus on the pizza.
Tonight, I find that I'm craving a soda but I also recognize that I'm very thirsty and the craving would likely vanish were I to go and get myself some ice and drink some water. Soda is mostly tempting when everyone is drinking it and when I'm thirsty. I am learning to appreciate just what an impact thirst and social behavior has on my tendency to engage in drinking soda, and it's a fascinating eye-opener.
However, the benefit of being more aware is that I get to make a conscious decision about how I handle those cravings and temptations. I recognize the sources of them and can work to avoid them. For example, if I go to a party or am in a social situation where everyone is likely to be drinking soda I can make sure that I bring myself a bottle of water or two so that my hosts do not feel like they need to expend extra money for me to have something and I don't feel overly tempted to drink what I know I don't need to be drinking.
I think this is the main thing about breaking a habit like drinking soda: it's largely becoming aware of what drives the impulse and working to short-circuit them by preparing in advance. I am actually really glad that I've begun this challenge. It is making me more aware of what triggers impulses and by making me aware is allowing me to take control of the situation.
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