Addictions!

Do you have any?

I do!

Is that a gasp of shock I hear?

I have a Coke/Caffeine addiction. I don't drink coffee or tea. I drink coke to get my caffeine. I go through times where I reduce my intake or stop altogether and, of course, suffer the bad headaches with it. I keep telling myself this is the last carton I'm buying but I know I don't really mean it.

You know why?

Cause I like it! I enjoy having a can of coke!

Is that another gasp I just heard?

Yep, you heard me right. I enjoy drinking coke. I know its not good for me but then, isn't it always the case? Most things that we like aren't good for us. But herein lies my problem ............

I don't let my children drink coke (much). They are only allowed a softdrink every now and then. I would say they probably only have it maybe once every other month or three (if that often). When they can have one, I always try to have them drink an orange or lemonade.

Now they are getting older (and wiser) they question me over drinking coke:

• "Why are you allowed to drink it when I'm not?".
• "Why isn't it bad for you if its bad for me"
• "Why isn't it rotting your teeth"

And on the questions go until I am forced to snap and say "Because I said so". I really hated being told that as a child so I can imagine how my kids feel when I say it to them. I try not to do it too often.

So my long term goal (say 4-6 mths) will be to cut coke from my daily life. GASP!!!!

This time its me gasping :D

My reasons for this are simple:

• I'll save money
• I'll be healthier
• My children won't feel like I am letting them down

I hate the feeling of my kids being disappointed with me. I know I can do and have what I want because I'm an adult but I want my kids to understand that I'm not being selfish or deliberately teasing them. So adult or not, I think its now best that I do what I tell them. Don't drink coke because it is unhealthy.

Not only is it unhealthy for my body but it is so unhealthy for my wallet. I am trying to budget better and two weeks ago I was out of food money and had a couple of days til payday. Do you know what happened?

No, you say!

I'll tell you!

I had put money aside at the start for a carton of coke because I knew the one we had wouldn't last. I justified my buying the carton because I had "saved the money".

Now tell, isn't that just so sad?

That in itself shows me what a hard hold on my life I have let this addiction have. So, my aim is to stop drinking it altogether with maybe the occasional treat. I think this will be a bit hard as I've drunk it for so many years now but its never too late to stop.

Wish me luck!