I have an unlikely announcement to make. I'm glad that the New York Stock Exchange is closed because I would hate for this announcement to cause anyone's stock to plummet (including mine).
It has been 10 days, 9 hours and 17 minutes since I've had a Diet Coke.
Gasp! Can you believe it?
I didn't start out with an intention to give up my most favorite form of bubbly caffeine. True, I did reduce my consumption a few days before Tuesday, January 13 in an attempt to boost the iron in my blood so I could donate platelets. Despite my efforts, my hemoglobin (isn't that the iron measure?) was still too low to donate. So I left and immediately pulled into the nearest McDonald's for a large $1 fix.
At work we have bottled water, so it's pretty easy to drink that most of the day. And I've been packing my lunch more often, so that cuts into my Diet Coke intake as well. We recently implemented a "milk or water" rule for dinnertime beverages, which cut out another daily hit.
And then before I knew it, I'd gone 30 hours without a Diet Coke. And then 48. And then 60. Incredibly, I didn't get a killer headache. And I didn't have any other side effects like extreme fatigue (other than my normal level of fatigue) or irritability (other than my usual impatient self).
Then it became a personal challenge. Self-denial is not exactly a strong suit of mine, but I'd made it almost three whole days without one of my chief addictions. Sadly, that was a bit of an ego boost.
The idea that I might be doing my body a favor was only a fringe benefit. I never really believed those people who claim that something in Diet Coke turns to formaldehyde in your body. Even if it is true, I figured I'd be so well-preserved that my family might get a discount from the embalmer on the occasion of my demise.
Anyway, back to my newfound freedom...Amazingly, I don't even miss it that much. I do get cravings for the bubbles from time to time. So I indulge in caffeine-free Diet Coke from time to time (which means I can be friends with Chick-fil-A again!).
Now, while I offer my apologies to the shareholders of Coca Cola, let me assure the Ben & Jerry's corporation that they have nothing to worry about.
