Caffeine
19 Mar 2012
I should give up caffeine, it actually hurt to type this one. More coffee than caffeine, but, I think this needs to happen. The problem here? I think I love coffee almost as much as I do shoes. That and I am 100% addicted. I get headaches when I don’t have coffee, cannot focus, and well, easily lose patience with everything… a not nice Ange comes out to play. (and yes, I think decaf coffee is a joke) The other concern: my husband drinks about a pot a day. However, he has several habits I no longer have… and we work well together. I love even the smell of coffee…. I also don’t like black teas… green tea yes, herbal tea, yes. Could I transition myself to an occasional tea drinker? And, like a true addict I am thinking… what else can I replace that morning cup of joe with? I enjoy that first sip, the lazy weekend morning with a cup of coffee and the dogs…. what will I do without the coffee? Well, I am sure I can figure it out. The dogs will still be there and want to snuggle. But, coffee should be phased out. As much as I deny this, I am getting older, and taking care of my body is important to me now. Research goes all over the place on the benefits and/or dangers of caffeine, so I am not even falling back on that…. But, more I am looking at all the other things I have given up that weren’t great for my body. And, honestly, do I need the coffee? Maybe I am still not convinced on giving this one up yet…. this may take time, and input from all of you. But what I will do is cut one cup a day out for the next 2 weeks, then another… until I am at ONE cup of coffee a day, and from there, transition down to occasional. And, then I realized something…. on mornings I get up early to run, I don’t drink coffee before the run. My thinking here is, the less awake my body is when I start out on a long run, super early, the better… it cannot revolt for me having it up and moving so early. Anyway, those days…. I have maybe one cup of coffee the entire day. My body is awake and my energy levels are sky high all day, because I ran…. so, that could be a solution. But, I cannot run every day, and do not want to fill the void with my running addiction…. hmm.
Anyone out there given up coffee? How did you do it? Thoughts, suggestions? Any way I can prepare my loved ones for the caffeine withdrawals?
I will post the race report from Saturday’s half marathon tomorrow… and then, finally, the last habit: Not Saying No! So stay tuned!!
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Mar 19, 2012 @ 21:36:42
I switched to 1/2 Caff in December, and going to decaf once the wedding is over. I can say though that I have far less migraines since I switched to the 1/2 Caff. I don’t seem to crave it as much either. I would much rather have my protein shakes.
Mar 20, 2012 @ 15:11:33
You KNOW I have to chime in on this one!
I started drinking coffee in grade school. Grew up with “Coffee Con Leche” (aka Latte’s) and I lived in Seattle – need I say more?
Like you, I love the smell and taste of coffee. It was my indulgence for decades. After 30+ years of this addiction, my stomach had enough and revolted.
After the Vegas Half in 2010, I decided to start the weaning process. I thought I was going to give up my best friend. Really.
First month – I cut back my coffee from one pot to half a pot.
Second month – half a pot of DeCaf
Third Month – 1/4 pot of Decaf
By the end of March, I was done. I was ready to move on and I no longer even craved it. Even when I smelled it.
The ONLY time I have drank coffee (decaf) was on Valentines Day with my dessert.
Once you make the decision and you know it is for the better – your mind turns it off.
My skin improved and I didn’t have the acid burning feeling in my stomach anymore. Unfortunately, the long term affects of drinking coffee is still with me. I have lifelong tummy issues that make me more sensitive than others.
Do it now, before it gets out of hand. You will be glad you did. Just find a way to wean yourself off of it and stick to it.
Mar 21, 2012 @ 02:21:23
I’ve been tracking my intake, and was surprised to learn I am at 2-3 cups a day. Not so bad, overall. So, starting next week, I will make it no more than 2, then 1, then from there, wean down. I am actually more comfortable with this than I thought I would be… at least I am now, lol. Thanks for all the input ladies!!! It will help when I start the process!!