Saying goodbye to artificial sweeteners!

For several years I have been excusing my use of artificial sweeteners by saying, "It's the only thing I do! I don't drink alcohol (I don't like the taste), I can't eat gluten (celiac disease), and for a time I wasn't eating dairy (my infant son had an intolerance)! Drinking Diet Coke, ice tea with equal, and Crystal Light are my guilty pleasures!" One of my favorite things to do when I'm stressed is to get a large fountain soda from Circle K. 

I knew deep down that I needed to stop drinking these things. When I began 21 Day Fix in March I decided that I was going to give it all up. I thought I'd have some headaches for a day or two and then be fine. Boy was I wrong! I ended up going to bed really early on day one because I was so sick to my stomach, which I attributed to my lack of artificial sweetner. I guess I was going through detox! I stuck with the no artificial sweetner for about a week and a half. Then I fell back into my old excuse. Diet Coke was my only crutch and I wasn't giving it up, which also led me back ice tea with equal. 

       

Fast forward to last week...I began 3 Day Refresh on Monday and I was giving up artificial sweetner and caffeine. I have done really well. I have not had ice tea with equal. I have switched to iced green tea with lemon. I have had one Diet Coke and one Diet Pepsi (anything in moderation right) and honestly, they didn't do much for me. 

I've noticed that I am not as bloated, my clothes are fitting better, and I just feel better overall. Not to mention that I don't feel guilty for drinking things that are so bad for me. What I am struggling with STILL is dehydration. I am not a fan of water, but I'm working on it! 

Right now I'm focusing on eating less CRAP and eating more FOOD!