Most people can deduce from the name of my blog that water isn't exactly my beverage of choice. As a matter of fact, when it's really hot outside and I'm given a choice between cool, clear water and a drink that can take the corrosion off of a car battery, I'll take the caramel-colored acid every time.
When I was in Chicago recently, waiting for a friend of mine to come out of the bathroom stall, a very trim woman breezed past me and then stopped dead in her tracks. She turned and looked at me in horror. "Oh, my gosh. What is wrong with me? I just skipped in front of a pregnant woman!"
I turned around, prepared to see an expectant mom in full waddle mode, pee-pee dancing and glaring at the offending line-skipper. There was no one behind me.
When I turned back, the woman was a mere foot from my face. I flinched and then all the wind was knocked out of me when she whispered, "I'm so sorry. You go ahead."
"But-..." I stammered.
She looked so guilty and I felt bad for her. I didn't have the heart to tell her that I was not carrying a bundle of joy. What I was carrying was years of poor dietary choices.
I often think about what it would take to lose all of the extra weight I've been carrying and a recent article in Time magazine really shocked me: some scientists believe that exercise can actually make you gain weight. They have found in clinical studies that a change in dietary habits seems to have the most positive effect when attempting weight loss.
I don't eat sweets. I don't eat a lot of fried food or unhealthy food and my portions are typically under control. My weakness is what I drink and what I don't drink and what I don't drink is water.
For the next 5 days, I am taking the Crystal Light Water Way Challenge and I invite you to take it with me (because I need moral support and can someone help me figure out the most tasty flavors?). Join the Crystal Light Water Way Challenge at BlogHer!
You can also take the Water Assessment and sign up for a chance to win a $1000 Visa Gift Card. Additionally, I'll be doing a give away at the end of the week so come back daily as I'll be posting updates, likes, dislikes and how many times I've peed my pants.
Day One
Day Two
Day Three
Day Four
Day Five
Crystal Light official site
57 comments:
Do I qualify???
OOPS! I clicked on the glasses and they emptied! Ummm... I thought only you could do that.
Sorry.
No. You do not qualify. And quit clicking my glasses. Dork.
Um, well as soon as I finish my Sprite from McD's, I'm gonna get started. And, it's OK, Crystal. I have a 2 year old, my tubes are tied, and people still think I'm 6 months pregnant. Yea. They look at the baby, then look at my belly, snicker, then say "A little close together, huh?" Uh, no.
My husband brought me home the wheel of death one day...lucky for him HE's not dead yet.
hey Crystal...I'm like you. Give me soda every time! Can't STAND water unless it's flavored, so to force myself to get some water in I drink at least a glass of Crystal Light every day. My favorite is the Strawberry Banana Hunger Satisfaction, though it never does a thing to make me any less hungry, lol. *Hugs* to you, and good luck. Trying to go 5 days without soda makes me cranky. :)
With all the different flavors, crystal light is really something easy to adapt to. I love the pomegranate lemonade in the skin essentials line and fruit punch tastes EXACTLY like the Kool-aid every American kid grew up guzzling. The raspberry ice is a smoother flavor and I think it reminds me the most of dr pepper if one of these could ever taste like dr pepper! Also, if it’s the lack of carbonation that is killing you, you could try mixing it with sparkling mineral water. I’ve never done it but I bet it would help in that candy as a replacement to smoking kind of way…
In my lower 20s I gained a bunch of weight (went from my high school weight of about 150 to about 220 over the course of five or six years). This time frame included a rocky marriage amongst other depression-causing factors. When the marriage was over I decided I wanted to get back in shape. The primary way I accomplished that was by changing my diet. The first to go: soft drinks. I also ate less then eventually cut out red meat, started eating more fish, and made sure I almost never skipped a meal. I also do exercise more but even today not regularly. I'm now back to a respectable 160 (pretty decent for a 5' 9" man) and have kept the weight off for a couple of years now. It feels great!
I wish you the best of of luck, Crystal!
-fenix
I wish you the best of luck in this endeavor! You will feel much, much better after having no pop! Myself and a friend decided to stop drinking pop, and with no other diet change, or change in physical activity, we each lost five pounds in about three weeks. Water is much more thirst quenching and refreshing than pop. You'll also probably find that you'll feel less bloated, if you have that issue, because you won't be drinking anything carbonated.
Personally, I LOVE the White Tea with Blueberry the best, but the lemonade and orange ones are pretty good too :)
I've been reading a couple of other bloggers that are doing this challenge as well. That bastard Walmart has been selling those 8 packs of Cokes for 3 bucks and that's been my downfall the past few weeks.
I bought some of those Crystal Light flavor packet things last Friday. They certainly have helped me to drink the water over the weekend and today. It is hurting my brain however. If I'm adding Crystal Light to it, how is it still water?????
Hey, this is a great idea. I really do like those Crystal Light single serving packets. Mixed Berry is probably my favorite, although I like most of the ones I've tried. (I also love SoBe Life Water, though that probably doesn't count toward this challenge you're setting yourself.)
I drink Diet Coke instead of water, personally. It's no better than non-diet soda, and I'm a little concerned about the nutra sweet and my bipolar disorder, but there you go. I'm a soda addict and my flavor is Diet Coke every time. It's so bad, I get withdrawls when I quit. About three days in, the headache sets in and does not go away. I don't know if this will happen to you or not, but I just have to take it easy through the headache. It lasts a few days, I think - honestly, I go about two days with the headache and then drink soda again just to get rid of it, so I don't know how long it ultimately lasts. But keeping hydrated and keeping the vitamins and other good stuff coming seems to help. Caffeine leaches calcium out of bones, and other vitamins and minerals out of other places, so you should probably take supplements if you don't already. It would be a good time to stock up on the nutrients while you're off the soda. Good luck with the challenge, I hope to hear it's going well for you. :-)
Hey Crystal-
I am allergic to aspartame - I cant so any of the diet drinks. They make me puke! Poor me ;-)
So I cant do the Crystal Light Challenge with you- but I will do the water challenge with you!
(FYI hubby drinks CL-The Iced Tea and loves it)
Count me in! One of my daughter's friends asked me recently if I was pregnant; and when I said no, she asked why my stomach was so big.
P.S. frequently the reason exercise can cause you to gain weight is because muscle weighs more than fat. Not a bad way to gain weight, I suppose.
Crystal, I know what you mean. My sister and I are big girls (I hover around 250 and she around 300) but I saw a new doctor around Christmas and she pinpointed immediately a few really fantastic ideas. I started a low/no carb low/no sugar diet. Had to give up my Pepsi, my breads, my rice, my pasta, my desserts, my whole WORLD.
I also bought one of those ridiculous balance balls from Gaia.
And wouldn't you know it? With that ball, the insane woman on the exercise DVD, Crystal Light in my water (which I soooo don't drink either), and an ungodly amount of raw veggies, raw fruits, and lean means, I have dropped 40 pounds.
So I'm with you, girl. It sucks, but the end justifies the means.
Um, can I play even though Crystal Lite and coffee are my only two beverges of choice other than Friday night wine nights? I am a one cuppa coffee in the AM girl, followed by all strawberry flavored Crystal Lite. I don't even crave soda anymore, but it does take time!
*sigh* Count me in. I went into the bathroom here at work today, sat down to do my business, and looked up to see Jabba the Hut's reflection on the stall door. I gotta lose some of this baby fat!! (btw, the babies are 10 and 13. Years, not months.)
I am just like you only with NO Fear energy drinks instead of Dr Pepper. I think I shall join the challange as well. Good luck Crystal! I know you can do it!! I on the other hand have no self control!! But I can't fail if I don't try so here it goes!!
Nicole
Hi, I love Crystal Lite, especially the the lemonaide (pink, I think) and there's one with raspberry that is also yummy.
Beware of the withdrawal headaches, girl. In fact, I'm not much for cold turkey and would recommend weaning yourself off of Dr. Pepper and caffeine, if you're currently drinking a lot of it. The headaches can be BIG SUCKY and you don't need that. ...
Hang in there and good luck! You're gonna be so glad you did this! I'm rootin' for ya! : )
I really should join, too. I have a disgusting amount of clothes that don't fit...and I'm damned if I want to buy more "fat girl" clothes. I guess that switching from Diet Coke to water is as good a start as any, eh? Congrats on starting this.
I need to sign up for this challenge! Last summer I developed Plantar Fascitis and all thoughts of exercising went out the window because it hurt too much to stand. Needless to say the pounds poured on. I refuse to buy more clothes in a size larger, so I have to do something. After all, can't go naked no matter how much hubby may wish it :grin:
Yeah, who is that African American chick on "The View"?
She did an exercise thing and lost a grand total of about 8 lbs, but went from a size 16 to a size 6, so there is something to be said for NOT focusing on the weight thing and focusing more on exercise to build muscle tone, stamina and just an overall more healthy body. Since I have started working again, part time (it is a job that requires a great deal of physical activity), I have only lost about 5 lbs, but I can take the stairs now instead of the elevator and WOW that can really make you feel like you accomplished something. My legs and feet don't hurt anymore when I get home, and I just feel more energetic all the time. It is a wonderful feeling!
Good luck Crystal! I gave up soda a long time ago and really once I gave it up, I didn't want it anymore. Almost can't tolerate the taste of it anymore. Maybe it will be that way for you. My vice was Dr. Pepper too. I could drink a full 2 liter bottle every day NOT including what I got at the convenience store or McD's while I was out somewhere. I dropped 20 lbs in like a month. It was surreal.
I also had a major decrease in migraines. I was getting them A LOT. As a matter of fact, to give you an example, I had FOUR 3 day migraines in the space of 9 weeks once.
NOW, since I no longer consume caffeine, when I feel a migraine coming and can actually drink a strong cup of coffee and it will help. Sometimes it will go totally away. How weird is THAT?
So giving it up and getting more physical has been a great thing for me. I am not going to focus on the weight, but on feeling better. And I already do, so it is actually working!
Oh! And I sleep better!
YOU GO, GIRL!
I've developed my own challenge. I'm not a big soda ... pop up here in the Great White North ... drinker so I won't be giving up much.
On Saturday at our local farmers' market, I found a basket of second grade limes. You know ... the old ones, the ones with discoloured skin, the beginning to be dried out ones. How a Canadian farmers' market found limes out on the back forty beats me?
Anyway ... during this current heat/humidity wave, I fill my coffee thermos mug with water, drop in some ice cubes, cut up and squeeze the juice of one of those nasty looking limes, add a fillip of artificial sweetener ... and voila! I have a cheap, reasonably healthy water-based drink.
It won't win my any prizes ... but it's good to my tastes.
Regards.
I'd love to join you, kiddo, but I drink about 1 soda a month. I have a 32 oz water bottle that comes with me everywhere. I fill it with ice, water, then squeeze a 1/4 lemon in it and drink it all day. And it hasn't helped with weight loss at all. But you do what you can, right?
I haven't had a soda pop for 13 months now. I used to drink 2 to 6 cans worth a day. The carbonation steals calcium from your bones also. Now it's iced tea, Crystal Light (watered down by at least half for lighter flavor, hot lemon water, and watered down fruit juices. I keep a couple of carafes of cold water in my frig all the time to make quick cold drinks and make two cups of hot tea at a time so that I can dilute one later with the cold water for some "instant" brewed iced tea.
I tried drink additives like Crystal Light, and they helped me increase my water consumption. After a while, though, it became too much trouble to mix it in, so I switched to a 1 liter Nalgene bottle. I shoot for drinking 2 of those a day. When I don't take it to work, I drink nothing. It's sad how dependent I am on that purple plastic bottle!
Thanks for the motivation. I always THINK about doing this, but instead I just don't do it. Now I feel accountable...darn it.
yep, I'm in...any little bit helps with the BUTT
Lord have mercy, girl, I feel for you. I LIVE on Pepsi, and shy away from water like the Wicked Witch. My pregnancy was the loooongest 9mo of my LIFE. I was jonesin' lol. I'm rootin' for you, tho. Good luck!!!
Whoohoo! I'm behind you all the way, ma'am! :-)
While I won't be drinking the Crystal Light along with you (I try to limit the amount of sweets - both real and artificial - I drink), I'll be supporting you by drinking a whooooole lot of extra water. It's something I'm pretty hit or miss at right now.
I'll have some days where I can drink up to 1.5 gallons (yeah, those are the days I don't have to go anywhere so I can be within running distance of an available potty! lol). Then, there are others where it's a struggle to get even one glass in. I'm currently in one of those funks right now where my water intake is nowhere near what it should be.
Anyhoo, best wishes with the challenge! I'm behind you, cheering all the way!
When I need more water and am tired of Crystal Light, I reach for things like sugar free Kool Aid and that True Lemon and True Lime stuff. Crystal Light is usually much better.
Okay, I'll play along but only for the chance to win free stuff.
I don't allow myself to buy soda (Coke) very often because I suck it down like a crack whore after forced sobriety.
The only water I can stand the taste of anymore is the natural spring or moutain creek water we haul for our water source. I drink it out of gallon wine jugs so it doesn't pick up the plastic taste. I look like a fucking hillbilly with my moonshine jug. Town water tastes like pipes, bleach or ass. As for Crystal Light *shudder*, tried it once. Would rather drink town water. Good luck on the challenge.
Mountain Dew was my poison for years and years... I've been off the soda for about 5 years now. It's a tough change to make in your diet at first, but within a month you just feel... better and better. Now I could never go back; soda makes for an occasional treat, but when you get used to how your body functions without it you'll be amazed. It's wonderful.
You can make it. I believe it. ^.^
I love this stuff!! They stock it at work and I promptly got hooked. Now soda is just not an option.
Lemonade is our family favorite. We switched to Crystal Light over a year ago. It only "hurts" for the first week or so...good luck!
Good luck, I have a rather serious diet coke addiction, I had to go off of it for two weeks and it was two weeks of hell:)
Good Luck :o)
I've been doing the 30 day shred thing, and weight watchers... whom I have decided is the devil - I loose 6 lbs, and they TOOK AWAY one of my daily points. What kind of incentive is that?!?
I already drink tonnes of water, thankfully.
Way to go Crystal! After this challenge is over, you might even find that you don't crave DP anymore.
Good luck! I think I'll try it myself.
I give the kids Crystal Light...they think it's juice, probably because that's what I call it.
But, their favorite is the fruitpunch....just wish it wasn't RED! Sippy cups are not completely leak proof, as can be noted by the little red spots all over our area rug!
I think I drink a good amount of water but I will try for more with some CL!
Second glass of the day! Does beer count?
I'm gonna do this with you but not til I get back from vacation.
Try the peach tea one - it's really really good!
The Pomegranate Lemonade is my favorite. I also like to mix the Lemonade with Fruit Punch or a berry flavor. That mix is so good I got my brother hooked on it.
Good luck on this, Crystal. I know you can do it. And no, one Dr. Pepper a day would be okay. Better than okay. It would be a ton better than how many you've been drinking.
But... how am I supposed to stay awake without caffeine???
I'm not ready to give up my crack... I mean coffee. But I should definitely increase from my current 0.003 oz of daily water intake. I like water, but I like coffee flavored water better.
Since I'm running to hell (Walmart) right now anyway, I might as well pick up a thing of Crystal Light and give it a try :(
Ok I'm in..I may hate you tomorrow but I'll love you long term!
Go us!!
Jenn
citidok@aol.com
I try to drink lots of water but the flip side of that is lots of trips to the potty. Which is hard to do when you're in a classroom with 25 kids....
The first thing I have when I wake up, even before food, is a Diet Pepsi. It is all I drink all day. I think I should give this a try. I don't know if I want to live with myself not on caffine though.
I read the same thing in Time. For a brief moment in time, I thought I could use that as an excuse to not exercise, then I read some more.
I don't eat sweets either (Except Skittles occasionally. Oh, and apple fritters twice a year) but soda was my downfall. I'd choose an icy cold Coke any day of the week. I've never liked water. It has always been a chore to drink it.
In March I tried Crystal Light. I didn't like the flavor of the sweetner crap, although, the tea flavors are good and so is the lemonaid. In June I tried to wean myself off soda completely. That was not pretty. Not at all. I need the bubbles and the caffeine.
I tried a Diet Dr. Pepper. It was as gross as I thought it would be, but it was better than Diet Coke. Now, I only drink diet soda, diet Snapple Peach Tea and, brace yourself, a bottle of water at work.
Since June, I've lost 6 pounds. Now if I can fit a little more exercise in there, I should be down by 15 or 20 before our cruise in October.
Pray for me and I'll pray for you. xoxo Me
I can't do Crystal Light. Gives me HORRIBLE headaches, I'm allergic to something in it. Wishing you all the luck in the world! You can do it.
I've joined the challenge but I'm still looking for a great flavor. I'm not a fan of cold drinks (even my Dr. P is room temp), so finding a flavor that tastes good slightly warm is troubling me. BUT, I'm still drinking it and hoping to continue on this route even after the five-days.
Drinking loads of water is definitely a good way to lose weight. But, one thing most people don’t realize how important it is to drink healthy water. Here is a link to a blog that introduces a new way to look at water purity. http://waterprocessor.wordpress.com/
I'm not a big fan of crystal light either but I will look into this! I have a belly that could use some shrinking!
Whoo Hoo !! Go for it Crystal !!
I used to drink a whole 2 litre Coca-Cola all by myself.. DAILY, until I was diagnosed with PCOS and Insulin Resistance.
I switched over to Crystal Light and have lost 34lbs over the last 8 months and I am still going.
Good Luck !!
Just sending my support to you! I read you every day...I dont normally comment, but you just inspire me to try things all the time...so I am off to do the Crystal Light Challenge today
My drink of choice is still water!!
Unless I can get root beer -- I really love root beer.
wtg girl i knew you could do it!! Trust me, it will help your waist line! i gave up soda long time ago, but i dont have one every now & then... now i drink water (& coffee in the am LOL) anyway congrats!!
I find that having a drink of water whenever I'm hungry takes the edge off things.
Living in a country where a can of Dr Pepper costs $2 also keeps me away from drinking too much soda!!
Post a Comment