Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/619701
4 www.studentdriverplacement.com January '16 Healthy your soda intake slowly. If you aver- age several servings of soda each day, cut back to one a day. Then gradually take it down to fewer days each week, such as three sodas a week the second week. Cut- ting back slowly gives you time to adjust. 2. Track Your Calories There are several apps available to help you track your calories. Apps likeMyFitnessPal allow you to scan the barcode on the drink or food and it automatically uploads the nutritional information, or you can search and input the informa- tion yourself. Use the calorie coun- ter of your choice and then look at the number of calories you intake from soda alone, then look at how much exercise you would have to do to accommodate those calories. Looking at the numbers can help you see just how much soda im- pacts your diet and fi tness level. 3. Find Substitutes The carbonation in soda is a large part of its appeal for some. You can try using fl avored seltzer water as a way to satisfy your carbonation cravings. If you don't have a sub- stitute on hand and you need to satisfy your urge for a soda, drink a glass of water fi rst. This will help satisfy your thirst and will fi ll you up so that you aren't as interested in the soda. Add fruit to your water to give it a taste if you aren't a fan of the way water tastes. For truckers who thrive on caffeine, switch to an unsweetened tea to still get that energy boost you need. 4. Avoid Triggers Out of sight, out of mind. Identify your triggers and the times and places that you consume the most soda. If you're tempted by the vending machine in your company breakroom, don't venture in there. If you're tempted by the 12-pack of soda in your fridge, buy a pack of bottled water next time instead. If restaurants and truck stops are a trigger for you, make it a habit to order water instead. 5. Stay Motivated Remember why you decided to stop drinking sodas in the fi rst place: to improve your health and live a healthier lifestyle. Create a calendar and mark off each day that you're able to go without a soda so that you can visualize your prog- ress. If you do struggle with elimi- nating sodas from your diet, think of it as a temporary change instead of a permanent one. Giving up soda for a temporary time period may seem more manageable than giving it up entirely, and you can build on your progress when the time period is up. ◆