Ok, maybe not a total mystery. I have been making some pre-op excitement efforts. Biggest one? I gave up soda.

But... That was a week ago. And today, at a follow up appointment with my primary care (yes, I'm Mexico self pay, but my PCP is awesome)... I'm down 6lbs!!!

Crazy... But I'll take it!! I know these pre-op nuggets won't all come so easily, but I'm going to enjoy this one and do a little happy dance. I haven't seen the scale move in this direction in MONTHS!!!! Amazing what the motivation of knowing that help is on the way can do, huh?

When I stopped drinking soda, I lost 10 lbs. I was so excited.

Is diet soda the same? I mean, I always thought since there were no calories or fat or anything that I was free to drink it as I want. If I gave it up would I lose weight too?

Is diet soda the same? I mean' date=' I always thought since there were no calories or fat or anything that I was free to drink it as I want. If I gave it up would I lose weight too?[/quote']

Yes, studies have shown people to lose visceral fat when they stopped drinking diet soda. It has something to do with the chemicals and toxins in diet soda that attract fat cells ( and water). You will feel better when you give up diet soda also, not so tired all the time.

I know there are some people who still drink a little bit of soda and have been successful, but for me it is really important to give it up because I didn't really commit to giving it up, along with other bad habits, when I had my lap band.

I think the reason I failed with my lap band was partly because it is a flawed product that comes with too many complications, but I also think it didn't work because I was always trying to negotiate ways to not give up things from my old lifestyle. Soda is a big one of those things for me. It is an unhealthy and unnecessary part of my life, in regular or diet, and if I am going to commit to this new life, I need to do it without negotiating.

It has been shown that diet soda is unhealthy for you, and the carbonation is not good for our tiny tummies. But I think for me, it's more important physiologically that we make the commitment to a new healthy lifestyle, and if we're honest with ourselves, soda has no place there!!

Psychologically... Stupid autocorrect!