Don’t worry — I don’t know how to pronounce that post title either. It’s just a playful way to say that my “Aquatober” challenge — where I try to spend the entire month of October drinking water instead of soda and other sugary drinks — has stretched all the way through April. Hence, Aquatoberpril.
When I first wrote about Aquatober I admitted that my results vary from year to year. Some years I don’t make it all the way through October, other years I last a little longer. This time, though, I’m still going strong about six months later — with the exception of a milkshake I made for myself the other day.
I’m not bringing this up to fish for virtual pats on the back or to expect anyone to hand me a trophy. I mention it because this round taught me something new. It was the first time I shared the challenge beyond close friends and family — I told the blogosphere. Immediately, I felt more accountable and more motivated to stick with it. Oddly enough, simply declaring it publicly made me less likely to give up when November arrived. I didn’t fear public shaming if I grabbed a Coke (nobody would necessarily know), but the encouragement I received in the comments clearly helped keep me on track.
There haven’t been dramatic, visible rewards from six months without soda. Sure, I probably saved some money by ordering water at restaurants, and my dentist might appreciate fewer sugary drinks. But I haven’t noticed a massive surge in energy, glowing skin, or significant weight loss (the book tour and its cupcakes may take some blame). The real payoff has been confidence: I proved to myself I can exercise willpower, stick with a decision, and form a new habit. That’s been more meaningful than any immediate physical change, and I appreciate the role readers played in that — whether they knew it or not.
I’m not promising to give up soda forever. Summer is coming, and when it’s hot and humid all I want is something cold that definitely doesn’t taste like plain water. So, what’s keeping you motivated these days? If you’ve given up soda before, did you notice any significant differences in how you felt?