It should come as no surprise that my love of soda t-shirts translates to a general love of soda itself. I know it’s not good for me, but since I avoid other vices (alcohol, cigarettes, Honey Boo Boo) I usually give myself a pass on the soda thing. But not this month. Nope. For the month of October I’m swearing off all beverages except for good ol’ H2O. I actually started this tradition back in college in an effort to both detox myself for the month AND hopefully create a lasting healthier habit of choosing water over sugary drinks. Being the marketing student that I was at the time, I dubbed my little effort “Aquatober.”
This will be my 10th year of “celebrating” Aquatober. I’ve had varying success with it over the past decade. Most months I make it through – although I do allow another healthy option (milk) to sneak in there (can’t have cereal with water, right?). Some years it even carries far beyond October. In 2008 I actually attempted a whole year of water-only, but it fell apart when Sherry accidentally served me a Sprite at a wedding and things, well, went downhill from there. So I don’t beat myself up if I slip up because the spirit of the resolution is to try to drink better. And heck, I usually end up saving some money along the way.
So with all of that said. Who’s with me? Anyone else feel like taking the Aquatober challenge? May the odds be evah in your favor.
Rachel says
You go, John!
Since getting pregnant, water has been my main beverage with lots of milk and some juice. Occasionally, a Sprite. Absolutely no caffeine or any sweet tea! (I live in Alabama!) It’s been different but, I think I like it. On a different note I take a break from technology every Thursday and that has been rather refreshing, similar to giving up sodas for a month, I’m sure.
Jen W says
I never was a water-drinker (by choice) until I was pregnant. Four years later, that habit has stuck with me!
Andrea says
Count me in! I just had a baby and I need to get working on losing the baby weight – cutting out all the sugar I get from drinking juice (I hate soda!) will be a perfect way to get healthier! Thanks for the invitation and inspiration. :)
liz @ btb says
Me too! I LOOOOVE diet coke but haven’t been able to have any since our 8 month old, Charlie, is HIGHLY sensitive to caffeinated milk. It’s been lemonade and water for me for almost a year now.
Fifi says
That is such a fantastic idea.. except well I’m slightly addicted to Tea (being British and all)
Kim says
Does seltzer count (it’s just carbonated water, right?) If so, I’m in!
Young House Life says
The rules are totally flexible. I probably shouldn’t call them rules even. So feel free to make it count if you’d like it!
-John
Andrea says
Club soda/seltzer totally counts as water. I’ve loved drinking club soda since I got pregnant because all regular soda (ginger ale, sprite) seemed way too sugary. Its so nice and bland.
Shauna says
I vote that fizzy water should be okay. That, with a little lemon and lime, you’re golden!!
Victoria says
http://10days.cc/
Hello!
May I suggest yall check out this website, it details a challenge to people to drink only water for 10 days in October and then to give the money that they would have spent on sodas or coffee or whatever to help give clean water to the people all over the world that are lacking. No pressure, just a suggestion.
LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH!
Victoria
Young House Life says
That’s so cool! Where was that when I was in college…
-John
Maureen says
I try this every so often and fail miserably each time. I love water and drink a lot every day, but I just can’t kick the Coke. :)
Stephanie B. says
Maureen, you and me both!
Aimee says
Go John!
Sarah S. says
Love the idea! But with pumpkin drinks everywhere, I’ll have to pass. I’ll think of you, cleansing, while I continue to NOT fit into skinny jeans!
Young House Life says
Ha! I had a frozen pumpkin latte this morning as my farewell to my favorite flavor the year. Hopefully some will still stick around in November!
-John
Colleen says
Funny- I was thinking earlier this morning that I really need to lay off the coffee! I like this idea- I’ll give it a try!
Kate says
I am doing the exact same thing because I guess its bad to exclusively drink Dr. Pepper. I can’t drink it plain though. I have to add berry pomegranate flavor shots to it to fool myself into drinking more.
sarah says
Queue the soda vs. pop debate….. :)
I already don’t drink much soda, but my husband and I are doing a No-Media-October which means no FB, blogs, pinterest, tv shows etc!!! I have to say YHL is the blog i will miss the most :( I will be back Nov 1 though, I promise! haha.
Young House Life says
Wow! That’s intense. Good luck. We’ll miss you this month!
-John
Kristen | Popcorn on the Stove says
This is probably weird, but Joe and I never have soda in the house (unless we have guests over and buy some for them). Neither of us really drink soda and it usually ends up going flat before we drink it. I really do like this challenge though – Perhaps I will try to cut down on my apple cider consumption. Good luck!
Young House Life says
Yeah, I really try to avoid buying soda at the grocery store because if it’s in the house I know I’ll drink it. So lately this year it will mainly mean not ordering at restaurants.
-John
Erika says
We don’t keep it in the house, either. If it’s there, we’ll drink it!
I LOVE this challenge – but can’t give up my one cup of coffee a day. Besides that, I’ll stick with water! Thanks for the inspiration!
Emily R says
Not weird at all. I never buy soda, and don’t drink it. Unless it is in a cocktail. I know I could easily give up everything but water, EXCEPT for alcohol. As a single girl who goes out to dinner and drinks with friends (I don’t drink at home much) I just couldn’t give that up. But I do love water at all other meals.
Taylor says
I’m up for the challenge! I’m in college and therefore coffee is like water to me-this is going to be arduous!
I’m excited though! Thanks for the inspiration.
Ann says
Yay! Good for you! A little over a year ago I suddenly decided that my rapidly worsening migraines were triggered by my soda/coffee/caffeine intake. The migraines were so horrible that I decided to stop caffeinated beverages. I went without those drinks until November AND without migraines! But, then my parents gave me some Amish root beer which must have had caffeine in it, because I had migraines every day for a week. I haven’t had a caffeinated beverage since then! By December, I knew I needed something other than milk and water and the occasional decaffeinated soda or coffee. So in an attempt to make myself healthier and to consume the daily suggest amount of fruit, I bought a Vitamix blender and started drinking smoothies several days a week! I think smoothies are the way to go! Good luck.
Brittany says
Yes! I’m in! I did it for 13 months in college and recently went three weeks! Time to restart!
Monique says
I hate the taste of water! I’m lucky to get just one glass of it in per week. It’s pretty sad the amount of Gatorade I drink.
I would fail at the Aquatober challenge. Maybe I could make it a goal to get one water bottle of water in per day as my own mini Aquatober challenge?
Ashley C. says
Monique,
I felt exactly the same way until I was a junior in college. Then I got kidney stones, and my doc said I would have to start drinking more water. It really sucked at first, but now I drink at least 40 oz of water a day (or a lot more if I’m working out or it’s hot), no problem. I couldn’t stand the taste of it either, and the thing that worked best for me was a Zero Water pitcher. Then my husband and I got a couple of those Brita bottles that filter the water as you drink it, and we’re in love. You could try picking one of those up, for your “one bottle per day” goal (they’re not huge, so it wouldn’t be too bad). Good luck!!
Amanda says
Do you possibly have really terrible city water where you live? I hate the water on the base where I’m living right now but I’ve always enjoyed the water in my home town. It’s amazing how different water can be! The water here tastes kind of dirty, not fresh at all. Perhaps it would help you to have some kind of filter or to try some different brands of bottled water?
Lili says
This is so funny, because I have just decided I was going to fast soda for this whole month. So even though I had already decided, I’m there with you, dude!
Kelly says
How much soda are we talking here? I was following right along with ya, until you said you saved some money when kicking the soda. So itbegs the aforementioned question! Cheers! (ha)
Young House Life says
Mainly it means that at a drive through or restaurant I’m not spending the buck or two on a drink, which tends to add up over the course of the month…
-John
Lindsey says
I’m so in! Great idea :)
maryb says
Ill try it with you john! i have been losing weight with weight watchers so this might help me succeed in that as well
Corie says
Um… I can’t fully join you b/c I absolutely neeeeed my coffee to survive and you know, actually do things, but I can do no soda or juices or slurpees or milkshakes or even iced coffees for the month of October in the spirit of this decade-long tradition!
I’ll report back with my success in November. :)
Young House Life says
Yeah, I figure this is one of those “make your own rules” things. So if you can’t do without a cup of coffee in the morning (or a glass of wine with dinner) then I don’t think the Aquatober police will be coming after your.
-John
NYer says
I love this, John! I’m on board.
Kelli says
Ha! I totally just pictured you in a fluffy pink wig. You don’t make a very pretty Effie (which I suppose is really a compliment).
Nicole says
I am totally on board! I am 32 weeks pregnant and while I only allow myself indulge about once a week, I still don’t like that I do it. I know soda in general isn’t the best for me, pregnant or not, and I also drink a ton of water everyday so I think the fact there is a catchy name will be enough motivation for me!
Meghan says
I’m training for my first 5K in 3 years so I think this would be a good habit for me too. I am also hoping to run my first half marathon in April – so here’s hoping this goes well!
Laura says
Good luck, John! This is awesome!! I’m pretty sure this means you can eat more Halloween candy…. enjoy!
Sasha says
Oh.. That sounds like a really good idea. :) Count me in ;) might add candy and chocolate to the list for aquatober :)
Patricia says
I’ve been doing this the past few months. I used to not be able to get through a day without drinking mountain dew and then in June I stopped drinking it (and the rare other kind of sodas I could drink) and I think I went over 30 days without drinking any and I broke my record at some point, but it’s so much easier now to go without it and I’ll have a soda about once every two weeks or so. It’s great! Good luck!
Johanna says
Great idea! My hubby and I once went without pop (aka soda) for 10mos… By the time we started drinking it again I could barely drink one can, it was soo overwhelmingly carbonated and sweet! Lol. It really is so unhealthy, yet we just cant stay away!! Haha… I’m so in with you for aquatober! :) yay for a month of healthy beverages! :P
Brittany says
I stopped drinking soda when I found out I was pregnant with my son. Oct 3 he will be 1, so count me in!! I’m still going strong almost 2 years later!!
Melissa says
I’m in. I drink way too much soda, kicking the habit will do my body good.
Kara says
I used to be a diet coke addict. I probably drank enough that it could have been measured in liters rather than ounces. Last year right around Christmas time (I think it was December 19), a friend posted a link to the basic text of this article (http://kimberlysnyder.net/blog/2011/12/01/8-dangers-of-diet-soda/) on my facebook page. I haven’t touched a diet soda since. I drink a LOT of water, but also drink a lot of unsweetened tea, coffee, milk, juice. I’ve probably had about 10 sodas since that date – normally ginger ale or the occasional orange soda. I wish you the best of luck with Aquatober and I’m definitely joining you…I’m excited about coming up on my one year anniversary of being pretty much soda free.
Melissa says
I’m in! Good luck!!
Avery says
This is a great idea! I’ve started trying to drink at least 16oz of water in the morning before I have anything else. That has really seemed to help me feel better (err.. cleaner) in the mornings. Good luck! :)
Lindsay says
I gave up soda before I started high school. It’s been 13 years and I’m still going strong!
So you (and Sherry?) never have a glass of wine or a beer? Maybe it’s noisy, but can I ask why? Nothing wrong with that obviously, but it’s not something you see all that often.
Young House Life says
I don’t drink (just never got into it, so I figure why start now) but Sherry will have the occasional glass of wine or a mint mojito on occasion (those are her favorite).
-John
Shelley says
It’s kind of funny that he is being asked to explain “why don’t you drink?” I think society might be a better place if drinking wasn’t so commonplace (less excuses for bad behaviour, DUIs etc). It would be nice if instead the question was “why do you drink?”.
Wendy says
I agree with shelley! I’m a fellow non-drinker and lots of people ask me why. There are actually a few reasons but the biggest one is just that I never saw any reason to. I never liked the taste and I can have lots of fun without it, so why drink?
Diane says
I’m with you guys. I always used to get asked why I don’t drink (not so much any more, now we’re grown-ups and college is in the increasingly distant past). I always thought it was funny that drinking is so “normal” that it raised eyebrows when I didn’t.
Lauren Nicole says
Isn’t it amazing that people think you are SUPPOSED to drink! I also don’t really drink (champagne at a wedding or a glass of wine at a special occasion is about it) and people are always asking me why. If I were a rude person I suppose I would turn around and ask them why they choose to drink and then try to impose judgement on others who don’t. Power to the non-drinkers (or light drinkers) who don’t see the need to waste their life away on hangovers!
Chelsea says
I’m going to have to back up Lindsay here. Not all of us who drink are out getting crazy, exhibiting bad behavior, and getting DUI’s.(as implied below). Some people enjoy the taste of a good beer or glass of wine once and a while and enjoy alcohol in moderation. Occasionally I enjoy a glass of wine to unwind in the evening, I dont see this being any more “wrong in our society” than indulging in a cup of coffee for an extra pick me up in the morning.
Young House Life says
Let’s all agree that there’s definitely nothing wrong with not drinking and nothing wrong with drinking in moderation either :)
xo
s
Katie says
I have to agree with Chelsea and Lindsey. There’s nothing wrong or weird with asking someone why they don’t drink and I don’t think it was meant to be judgmental. It’s no different than asking someone why they don’t have caffeine, sugar, meat, etc…
Annie says
I’ll do it. It will be a challenge, but I’m all in!
Suzanne says
I give up soda every lent. And without fail, Easter Sunday morning I drive to the closest McDonald’s for a giant fountain coke. It actually makes me reset and not drink it as often but after 40 days, those sugary bubbles taste like perfection! Good luck!
Kim S says
Suzanne – I have done the same thing! And is it just me, or is McDonald’s fountain Coke the best kind of Coke there is?
camille says
Is it just me or is the image on this post not working? Sorry to leave such a boring comment, lol! :)
Young House Life says
Hmmm, we’re seeing it our end. Sorry if it’s having a momentary glitch for ya!
-John
suzanne says
No image for me either….
Camille says
It’s working now. Weird. :)
bean says
Once you start drinking water only you realize how freaking thirsty you are. Vitamin water with lemon is a great option for electrolytes. I learned how to drink water only in Africa many years ago and haven’t had a soda in the decades since. Your taste buds change.
bean says
Why not just drink tea, coffee, and water? That way you have a better chance of cutting out soda entirely.
Young House Life says
I don’t like the taste of tea and coffee, so I’m happy to leave those out! :) Unless it’s sweet tea, but then that defeats the purpose of non-surgary stuff…
-John
danielle says
But if you sweeten it with an all natural sweetener, you’re still avoiding the ‘sugar’. I like stevia. :)
Olivia says
Since we moved out to our little Alaska island (at the way far end of the Aleutians) we’ve been almost 100% water only– because it’s so expensive to ship anything else! Although it was accidental, I can report that I’ve had way fewer headaches. Also, perhaps placebo effect, but I had one of my beloved cans of Diet Pepsi as a special treat, and the next day I had a killer headache. I’m sold of Aquatober!
Heather says
It’s not placebo Olivia. I had a dark cola a few months ago (I very rarely drink soda, and 99.9% never drink dark soda at that) and hours later I ended up with a serious headache to the point I had to lay down and take ibprofun. I’m pretty sure it was the soda. I don’t know if it had aspartame in it or something but it was highly unpleasant.
Vicky says
I love this idea! When I worked at a summer camp, I sort of did this, Sunday through Thursday drinks were only water or soy chocolate milk. Friday and Saturday I allowed myself pop only if I was at a restaurant. Now, I can only really have one soft drink a week, otherwise I would start to feel sick. But I am kind of addicted to Gold Peak Ice Tea. Soooo good!
Leah says
I’m in, you caught me on the 1st of th month and a Monday so I am almost compelled. Sneaky marketing that! LOL
Cat says
As a non-beer drinker, I like your ‘oktoberfest’ better! P.S. When I was younger, in an effort to protect my (ahem) singing voice, I went for a whole year drinking only lukewarm water :P
Rachel @ Personality Crafts says
Great job, John!
Every month for me is like Aquatober. I’m ALWAYS thirsty and nothing sounds better to me ever than just plain old cold water. Okay, maybe I drop a splash of juice into a glass of water once a week to keep things interesting, but that’s about it.
I always like to say I’d rather eat than drink my calories.
Good luck!!
Andrea says
Aw just yesterday I told my boyfriend I wanted to leave out on coke in October. I had a soy coffee this morning (I don’t drink milk) but will start now. Great idea. I think I’ll donate the money I’m saving.
Vicki says
I’m in…. but I think it might end up being an Aquamonday or Aquamonday morning rather than Aquatober. I guess we’ll see.
Theresa says
Have you heard of the whole life challenge? or Whole30 or Whole9? Similar idea but incorporates more than just water.
Young House Life says
Sounds interesting! Will have to check it out.
-John
liz @ btb says
Dusty from G&D (I believe she tried to steal your baby once) has done the Whole30 and talked about it on her blog. :)
MissCaron says
So glad that you’re doing this again this year and that you’re so good at keeping up with the challenge. I’m getting married on November 9th so Craig and I are doing the coffee and water and maybe milk in cereal challenge. Can’t quite commit to only water but I do drink my coffee black so I’m staying away from sugar anyway. :-)
Meg A. says
Darn it. If only I read this BEFORE I poured my cup of coffee this morning! Maybe I’ll start tomorrow… (yeah, that sounds real convincing, right?) Haha.
Jasmine says
Same here!