Kate Can Cook

I’ve given up soda for at least 30 days, just to see how I feel. I don’t drink regular soda, so it’s not like I’m saving any calories by doing this. I just love diet soda. Prior to starting this, I had many days where soda was the only thing I would drink all day. Surely that much sodium is not good for you. There are some people who are nervous about artificial sweeteners causing cancer or the bubonic plague; I’m not. I just really want to know how I’d feel if I didn’t drink so much of it.

At first I was worried about lacking caffeine when I stopped drinking soda. I have about one cup of coffee a week, if that, and maybe one cup of tea. Soda was basically my only source of caffeine.

I’m on day 4, and so far it’s been an interesting experiment. I’ve actually slept less this week than normal, but I’m definitely more awake and have more energy. This could be from the lack of soda or the regular exercise though.

You may remember that I did a kettlebell exercise on Friday, and took Saturday off the recover. On Sunday, I was still sore, but it was a wonderful kind of sore. My abs hurt, but somehow they hurt in such a way that I was forced to sit up/stand up straight or be in pain. I tend to be a horrible sloucher, so this was welcome. The plan is to do my kettlebell workout again tonight.

When I trained for my 5Ks in 2008, I started way too quickly. I figured I would just do the whole distance every time I trained, and try to run more of it each time. It really burned me out. For the 8K, I’m trying to get back to basics. Let’s run a mile before we try to run 5, shall we?

I’m nervous because I’ve already started making excuses for missing workouts. On Monday, I was supposed to do strength training via the Wii Fit. But then I had to stay at work late, was hungry when I finally got home, and just wanted to relax for the short time I would actually be awake at home. I don’t regret taking Monday off. However… the excuses slipped into yesterday as well. I was supposed to run a mile, but it’s been raining and icy out, so I would need to run in our apartment complex’s gym. The gym was packed. I was at an impasse and not sure what to do. I’m sure I could have done *something* — I have other workout DVDs. Instead, I did nothing.

Hrm. You know, self, if you think you’re going to slouch on workouts, that’s fine. But you’ll regret it come 8K time.

Tonight, I have no excuses. No good ones, anyway. It’s hell’s bells kettlebell time!