Caffeine isn't great for you, (and as you've discovered, can lead to really dreadful withdrawl headaches) but for most people it's a lot less bad than being obese. Weight loss is hard enough without going through caffeine withdrawl...I say one thing at a time. If you're thinking about becoming pregnant, or you've been having major insomnia problems, kick the Diet Pepsi now and worry about weight loss when that's over with. If not, then drink your Diet Pepsi and be happy that your helpful little addiction usually costs less than my Diet Coke.

Also, if you want to do a more gradual wean, I'd suggest green tea. It has less (but some) caffeine and may or may not be particularly good for you. (I keep reading "New study says green tea prevents cancer, will bring world peace" and "New study says green tea is just mucky water" and so on. The truth is probably somewhere in the middle.)

Thanks everyone! I got through today and had my one diet pepsi with dinner and I'm feeling fine. One 'addiction' at a time!

I had a later breakfast/lunch (around 11am.. three scrambled eggs and a piece of toast), which seemed to work well because I am not really a breakfast person anyway. I would have normally had some fruit with it also, but I need to get to the store. Thanks for that suggestion! Then, in the afternoon, I just kind of grazed on 'healthy' things, like a smoothie made with 1 c. of 2% milk and frozen fruit.

I had some orthodontic work done yesterday (I have BRACES, part of the "I want to change me for the better" thing), so my mouth is very sore.. so I had to stick with soft things for today. For dinner, I made french toast (which I think isn't so bad.. I had 2 slices, both whole grain white-about 110 cals each.. and the mixture was just an egg, a tad of milk, cinnamon, and a tad of vanilla.. and I used Pam).

I have been resisting this incredibly persistent urge to get a bag of my daughter's M & M's out all night. I just keep telling myself that I want them, and don't NEED them. It's been tough, but I am hoping that the scale shows my self control!

Hang in there, Mama2! There will come a time when you can have "a few" M&Ms--but it sounds like you're afraid that if you open that bag, you'll just keep eating... Agh! I hope you resisted!

Jay

I did, I did!