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.
Amy K. says
Aside from my single morning cup of coffee each day, I’m right there with you! Nothing but water for me for the rest of the day!
Dana K says
I gave up soft drinks in 1997 while I was in college, and I have never looked back. Now it is just water and milk for me! Good luck…hopefully you can quit them for good this time!
Christa @ a*typicaljourney says
This is an awesome idea – I’d love to participate, but October is a bad month for me to even attempt it… Particularly this year :) Between Halloween, buying our first house (yay!) and moving all within a month, I’m gonna be having some celebratory and anti-sleeping beverages this month. Maybe I’ll try in November? :D I’ll call it Aquember.
tjack says
I’m with you! But I will have my rules include one evening hot chocolate. Whoo hoo Aquachocotober :)
annie says
May the odds be “Evian” your favor? :)
Funny coincidence – I was already doing no sugary foods (other than fruit) for this month!
Young House Life says
LOLOL. Comment of the day.
-John
Jeanette P says
Woot – good luck John! You can always spruce up your water with fun stuff like lemon, lime, cucumber, apples, etc to make it easier to stay on the water train!
Maky says
I have to say… there’s nothing good about soda (other than the taste – duh!). Just the thought of the crazy amount of sugar or aspartame in those drinks makes me want to cry. As soon as I clocked on to it, I waved it good bye (and by no means for losing weight, but because I suddenly started valuing my health more).
As such, I drink water only (I’m not a hot drink person). I use Bobble bottles, which are a godsend (they have a filter that you can just replace):
http://www.waterbobble.com/
You can take them everywhere with you, they will let you in with empty bottles (airport, etc) and you can fill er up on the cheap. The cheap-o in me LOVES it! :) And the environmental conscious me loves it doubly! And the colour lover in me loves it triply! (???)
The only annoying thing is going out. Asking for ‘still water’ and paying through the nose seems ridiculous to me when tap water costs nothing and is just as good. At the same time, it just looks weird to order tap water so on the odd occasion I will give in and get a soda or a juice, only to keep up appearances (work related, mostly).
Long live H2O, though! Nothing on this planet will ever be more important, let’s face it! :)
Good on you for doing this, John – and the best of luck! :) I reckon if you were to give up soda for good, you’d have to buy yourself a whole new t-shirt wardrobe as well! can’t walk around promoting stuff you don’t drink! LOL
Patricia says
I almost always order water when I go out and have no problem doing it! My soda of choice is mountain dew and not a lot of places that I go to serve pepsi products so in those cases, water is my choice. But what do you mean by still water? Is this a “soda vs pop” type thing? lol. I just ask for water and it’s free.
ani says
I did a month of just water over the summer… I even eliminated condoments (ketchup, mustard, dressing etc). At the end of my water-only stint, I felt a huge difference and it made me super concious of the extra unnecessary junk I don’t need. I’m still about 80% condoment free and drink about 1/2 a cup of coffee daily! Thankfully soft-drinks are not too appealing to me so that made it tons easier. Happy drinking! :)
Abby J. says
My hubs and I have both seen great improvements in our health since basically ditching all sodas 6 months ago. We occasionally indulge, but it’s like a 1x per month indulgence. We just keep water, coffee, milk and copious amounts of unsweetened tea in the house (both hot and cold) for me the tea addict. And really, I hardly miss it anymore. Good luck!
Jess @ Life, happily ever after says
I’m in! I’m doing the “31 days” with the Nester and lots of other awesome bloggers and my topic is 31 days of fit. Vowing to drink only water totally fits in there! Sounds like a great idea!
Kasey M. says
I’m doing “31 days” too. Although I’m “tackling a nagging task.” Perhaps I’ll add “drink more water” to my task list.
Ashley Faye says
you dont partake in any alcohol? impressive! good luck
Chana says
I think that’s a fantastic idea! Every October (including this one) I participate in something called the October Dress Project – essentially, pick one dress and where it for the entire month. Seems like October is the month to do crazy things? http://www.facebook.com/groups/132972689585/?fref=ts
Lindsey d. says
I was thinking this morning about cutting back on my Diet Coke intake, so I’m in… My Aquatober will be water, plus my morning coffee and one beer or wine per week. This will not be easy. Lots of social engagements this month.
Beth says
Good work! This will go along nicely with your commitment to getting more runs in. Speaking of, here’s a great article from the Runner’s World editor: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/30/sports/essay-the-honorable-clan-of-the-long-distance-runner.html?src=me&ref=general
Young House Life says
Oooh, thanks for the article. Flagged it to read later tonight!
-John
Ginny @ goofymonkeys says
Great idea – I will pass this on to my husband. It’s his sort of thing :)
Stephanie says
Can I half join? I’m totally in for drinking more water but if I give up caffeine no one will want to talk to me EVER. No seriously… ever. And uhm, that’s kind of my job. :)
Young House Life says
Feel free to join as little or as much as you’d like!
-John
Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says
I’ve been attempting to cut down on caffeine and soda for a few weeks now. We keep sodas in the fridge at work so I was in the habit of having one or two a day, now I’m down to one during the week (maybe) and one or two on the weekends. I consider it a fast improvement though. I’d join you for Aquatober if we weren’t going to a vineyard next weekend ;) Haha!
Jamie says
I think that I will begin this…after I finish the soda I just bought. I will also allow myself to drink my after-run chocolate milk and morning glass of orange juice.
Young House Life says
Yeah, the first couple of years I did orange juice for some flavor in the mix. But then I realized I didn’t really like OJ as much as I thought I did! :)
-John
Alisha says
I applaud you and have thought about doing this every year as you announce it but I was already drinking my morning coffee when I read this today. It didn’t help that the only incentive I have in the morning is the smell of that coffee to get me out of bed (not in a depressing way more of a lazy bum way). I think my “aquatober” will have to include coffee ;)
Lauren says
When I first read this I thought I could totally do it, since I usually just drink water anyway. Then I remembered those two cups of coffee I enjoy every morning… With a baby at home, I think I’m good :)
And a big high five for resisting Honey Boo Boo. Yikes!!
Kate P. says
We (my husband and I) are starting our chiropractic regimen today and the doctor told us to drink LOTS of water. This is supposed to last 9-11 weeks so I think we’ll join you in your Aquatober!
Julie S says
Every now and again I’ll kick the soda habit. The last time, I lost 10 pounds almost right away. I think that is insane!
I’m still a Dr. Pepper fiend. Whenever I drink it and my son grabs for the glass, my husband says, “No. Don’t. Mommy’s drinking ‘teeth rot’.” :-/
Lesley L says
My dad made me a bet in July 2003 to give up Soft drinks for one month for $100. I was drinking 3 Coke’s a day. Very high sugar content. I have not had a Coke since then. It is TOO sweet now. I will drink Sprite every now and then. But now it is always water ( and coffee)!
Gabriella @ Our Life In Action says
I’m with ya! Quick side note – we just had a 25k (I think) marathon here and my hubby has gotten the running bug. We’ve never done anything like this before but are planning to train and run our very first half marathon next year. YIKES!!! :-)
Young House Life says
Cool! Good luck with your training!
-John
Holly W says
I’m on board. I quit soda cold turkey in August and definitely don’t plan on going back. My coffee intake has drastically increased since then so I’m going to work to cut back on it instead. My goal is to do the occasional cup on the weekend for the month of October and that is it. No more coffee at work during the week.
There, I said it, now that means I have to stick to it. :)
Katie says
I’m in! Only water (and sparkling water!) for me for the next… well, let’s see how long I can make it :)
April says
I have been doing really good with not buying sodas and drinking water, but I HAVE to put a flavoring in it. Do you flavor your water at all? I wouldn’t make it if I didn’t.
Young House Life says
I’ve actually been doing that lately around the house. Rather than buy soda at the grocery store I’ve been buying the little 0-calorie flavor packets. But I’m gonna try to be good and give those up too.
Liz@LifeInYellow says
This is too funny – my husband always does “June of Doom” where he launches into hard core workouts and no alcohol for the month to get “beach ready” :) It wasn’t so successful this year, so then it became “July of Try” haha. Go, John!
Young House Life says
LOL. I love that. Hopefully there wasn’t an “August of Regret” or something afterwards.
-John
Kathy says
ahh I tried to give up diet soda awhile back, but I failed miserably! I think I have four cans left.. so once those are gone.. I’ll join you on the Aquatober challenge!
Elaina says
I did the same thing my freshman year of high school for soccer season. I decided to give up pop for the August – October of 2000 just to see if I could. At 14 years old I had no idea it would be a total cleanse and make me never really want pop ever again. 12 years later and I have maybe 3-5 drinks a year that aren’t water (or alcohol – oops)!
Enjoy your journey! Any reason why your pick October?
Young House Life says
Good question. It was actually just coincidence. When I first decided to try this in college it just happened to be the end of September so it just made sense to start in October. It was a good thing since Aqua-uary or Water-cember don’t really have the same ring to it.
-John
Kate says
This post couldn’t come at a better time! I was thinking this morning that I drank about 1 glass of water all weekend…the rest was soda(and maybe a little wine). I felt so gross! I just went and filled up my glass with H20…count me in!
p.s. I think seltzer counts! no calories
Lynn @ SafeBeauty says
Okay I’m in! My rules go like this though…only water EXCEPT for my morning coffee with honey. I don’t drink it daily because it seriously takes like 2 days to get out of my system so I ride that wave for days, haha! But 90% of the time, it’ll be water for me. I’ll try and get my old man in on this too. Cool. Cool, cool, cool.
My best, Lynn
Shelley says
I’m very similar to you in that I don’t drink alcohol, I don’t smoke and I don’t care for coffee or tea. But I do love my soda! I could try this experiment but I just don’t think I can do it. Like you said, this is just going to have to be my only vice. Water just doesn’t cut it and I loathe diet drinks. So I guess I’ll just encourage you from the sidelines while I’m drinking my Coke…haha
Anna says
Years ago I drank only water for 1 week, and when I tried to go back to sodas it made me so sick I nearly had to go to the hospital. Since then my fear has kept me from drinking anything carbonated. That was 5 1/2 years ago. It was probably for the best.
Amanda says
I so want to see a video of you and Sherry talking in a Capitol voice! Is it funny that I can already hear Sherry pulling the Effie accent off flawlessly? lol
Good luck John! I’m on board with ya!
Alisa says
I have an idea. How about I just consume all the caffeine that everyone is giving up for the month FOR you guys? I have a month left to finish my graduate school exhibition and thesis and am pulling a crap ton of late nights/early mornings/ work while the baby is sleeping/plan out sentences in my head while commuting to work…you get the point. I’m sure as soon as I hand in that big stack of papers and my show is done, I’ll take a break from caffeine. Too bad my show wasn’t in September or else I’d be hopping on this band wagon! Sugary drinks gross me out, but they are the only thing keeping me going at this point (and an embarrassingly large amount of daily cups of coffee).
Young House Life says
Ha! Mine is all yours. Good luck with your exhibtion!
-John
Bethany says
I am a diet pepsi product addict and just finished my first month without it on 9/29. So happy to have some company for month #2!
laura says
I’m in! I have cut waaay back on pop in the last few months. I only have 2-3 a week now. Coffee and water are my main beverages these days. My October resolution is to exercise for at least 30 minutes a day and to eat healthier…It’s the first of the month and it’s a Monday….so there is NO excuses on waiting until the 1st or wanting to start on a Monday!!!
Tasha says
Good luck! You should write down whenever you are craving something non-water so you can keep track of how much money you saved. I guess coffee at home (if you guys do that) doesn’t really count for cravings, though you could halve the cost of the beans/roast you use since it will just be Sherry (unless she doesn’t partake).
Crystal @ 29 Rue house says
I gave up my two cans of diet coke a day habit several months ago for health and money (still have it once a week with pizza!). I figured out how much I was spending on it and figured I could do a lot of other things with it.
This isn’t my first time giving it the boot either. I was in college and had gone 6 months with no soda and went to a school thing (you know how they have those mixers all year put on by the RAs) and got a root beer float. Half way through it I realized it was soda. Of course I knew that already, I just totally forgot when I got it. Good luck!
Rebecca @ the lil house that could says
My husband and I were soda free for the longest time when we were in college. Easiest way to lose weight! I’m usually pretty good with only having Coke with pizza or something, but I gave myself a free pass after having a baby 4 months ago. Now I’m totally addicted again and have one a day (plus I need the caffeine… haha) A month doesn’t seem so bad though, maybe I’ll join you :)
Liz says
I started doing this during the summer! I was a total soda and coffee junkie, but I started running and decided I needed to give up sugary drinks in an attempt to get healthier. I started at the end of June and have been sugary drink free ever since!
Nicole says
I actually gave up pop on September 11th, 2011 and had my first pop one year later. I usually will drink pop after my year of giving it up and then do it again for a year! This will be my 4th year of doing it! Tough work but it is soo worth it in the end!
Becky says
Drat! after feeling a bit beat up from battling wallpaper yesterday in our bathroom, I already cracked open a Coca-Cola. Hmm…I’ll treat it is a last one and join you!
Melissa Mitchell says
I love your Aquatober idea. I also love soda- but recently decided to scale back (almost) completely- and drink as much water as possible so my occasional IBC root beer would be a much-anticipated treat… I bought a 24oz Tervis Tumbler (with a peace sign patch! :-P ) and I make it a challenge to see how many times a day I can fill it up with H2O (there’s ice, too, so it’s not 24 straight ounces every time). I love that cup because the ice stays intact and I can keep filling it up throughout the day at my office. Aside from washing it every morning, I’m finding that it’s never very far away from me- so I’m drinking water all day long now! I think it’s funny how I didn’t really even notice.
Miranda says
Way to go John! My New Years Resolution for 2012 was to give up soda and I haven’t had one since Jan. 3rd. I also gave up sweet tea in April and more recently I have cut back on coffee (about once a week) and will probably give it up eventually also (trying to take baby steps because I want it to be a permanent lifestyle change). I still have milk and fruit juice as long as it is 100% juice and no added sugar and of course water as well. Good luck with your Aquatober and keep going! The cravings are hard but I feel like it is totally worth it!! Get Sherry involved too!
Young House Life says
Well done Miranda!
-John
Jasmine says
ROFL to Honey Boo Boo!
Guess not too many people know who she is…
Rebecca says
Oh geez, I’m guessing it was some sort of sign that I do this since i have never once visited ‘Life’ (don’t worry,I always read ‘Love’). I have a very real emotional addiction to diet coke. I drink it when I get frustrated at work. When I’m driving and trying to stay awake behind the wheel, when I feel like eating but know I’m not hungry, etc. I’ve given it up before but I replaced it wil other things and maanged to make it through the period I had set aside to give it up. Well here goes nothing…
Wendy says
People probably think I’m weird, but water is the only thing I drink. I do have skim chocolate milk as a recovery drink after a run, but other than that, water is it. I used to drink all the sugary stuff a long time ago, but gradually phased it out and now I don’t like the sugary stuff at all. Yuck. And I’ve never drank coffee or tea or beer or wine or alcohol. Good luck to you! Maybe some day it will just naturally stick and Aquatober will just become a way of life.
Cass says
I just gave up soda this summer after a really bad health scare. I could easily finish a 2 liter of diet coke in a day. I also stopped drinking (used to have the occasional beer or wine with a fancy dinner). I feel much healthier and my skin looks younger, I sleep better, and its a lot cheaper!