My new year's resolution was to stop drinking diet soda - specifically diet Mountain Dew. I was drinking 20 + ounces of diet Mountain Dew each day, some days as much as 40 ounces. Since 2005 I have struggled with joint/muscle pain and was often visiting my chiropractor 2 times a week just to stay mobile and pain free. Over the years I have given up soda, but never for more than a month at a time. It was about the caffeine and the convenience. Before my hip injury in 2005, I was racewalking an average of 21 miles a week in 3 - 9 mile walks. In recent years I have only been able to walk 2 miles at a time and then would ache for days afterward. A few weeks ago I found myself walking for 45 minutes almost daily with no aches and have noticed that my strength training has become easier and again recovery is fairly quick and that I can alternate between the two without any consequence. The only thing I have really changed is kicking diet Mountain Dew out of my diet. In addition to improved joint/muscle endurance and strength, I am sleeping better, my skin is clearer, and have lost a few pounds. I have replaced diet soda with ice tea and coffee in the am for the caffeine kick and switch to water by noon.