Dr. Pepper became my best friend in college. Heide and I went to the College Street Deli for bagels with strawberry jam and a large Dr. Pepper 4 days a week and we always went back for free refills. Many exam days the combination of stress and caffeine caused some serious tremors, but hey, that stuff is the bomb! Who needs sleep when there is caffiene around? As I age, my eyes have begun to show the signs when I skip sleep, artificial rest in the form of liquid goodness does not suffice. How rude!
Dr. Pepper has the trifecta: Sugar, Caffeine, Carbonation! Unfortunately all that sugar comes with calories. This little drink increases risk of osteoporosis, cavities, the color darkens teeth, diabetes, weight gain, bogs you down when you run, decreases oxygenation etc... With all these negatives why would anyone drink it? Because that Dr. Pepper he puts a secret ingredient in his soda that makes ya crave for it nightly!
What does it take to truly motivate a person. Will power? Devotion? Fear of Shame? Urgent desire for change? Camaraderie? Rewards?
My cousin Dixie got her brother's into a sprint triathlon with her on Thanksgiving. It was fun to follow their progress through their blogs. My friend Jamie completed one and earned a very expensive purse. I miss the old days of running up A mountain with my fitness class, doing the Curry loop, training and playing soccer. When Dixie mentioned a women's sprint triathlon and that she was willing to help us train, I knew that was just what I was looking for.
Well, you would think my brilliant cousin knew I have been telling myself how I really should kick the habit. I get an email this morning saying our challenge for training this week is no soda!! Our very first challenge was making cookies and not eating the dough. I justified my way out of it with, "Oh I never make cookies." Did I ever miss the point. So here we are challenge number 2 and there is NO denying this is for me. No soda for an entire week, preferably the entire training season. So here I am, I realized my negligence round one and I am now fully committed!! This is the challenge karma biting me on the butt!! :) Game on Wendy!! Show me what your working with!!!
My final question is: If I ever find myself up on that ledge with a drink in my hand, Can I count on you to talk me down?!!! Will you take a cue from Yes Man, get out your guitar and sing, "I wish you would step back from that ledge my friend..." 
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