I am very reliant on my coffee which I drink throughout the morning and early afternoon. Our coffee mugs are huge so I don't know the exact amount but I probably consume about 3-4 "real" cups per day, sometimes more. I have 3 young kiddos and also work evenings so I really depend on the caffeine to get me through the day. My two main reasons for wanting to quit are that I have psvt (an electical heart issue that it not generally dangerous but very annoying and freaky) which has recently increased dramatically in frequency, and that I am so tired in the afternoon that I either end up taking a nap or drinking yet another cup of coffee. So I guess I would like to know if anyone has ever given up their coffee (besides during pregnancy) and if it really made a difference in their energy levels etc after the "withdrawl period." I suppose I just need a little convincing :) Thanks!
all i have to say is GOOD LUCK! I am a caffiene addict!
A friend of mine did her own baby step program. She gradually baccked off. She went from Venti, to Grande, to tall, to every other day, etc.
Yes!!! So long as your afternoon need for a "high" isn't replaced with a soda, sugary snack, etc... You WILL feel better (been there, speaking from experience) giving up coffee. Just make sure all your meals 3 and about 2 snacks a day include a protein. A meal/snack of healthy carb (fruit/veggie), healthy fat (nuts, and healthy protein (turkey) this is just a snack example - but if you eat like this you will feel a difference and not feel the need to grab something to pick yourself up.
Best wishes!
M.
P.S. - sorry my response posted twice!
I am also trying to give up caffeine. This will be the sceond time in the last twenty years I've tried. The first time was during pregnancy. Like some of the other moms posted, I am gradually weaning myself off from a huge cup to a smaller and smaller. You might want to try to drink more water. It has helped me "cleanse" out and actually, I do feel more energetic with it. Good luck!
Doing it cold turkey... but be prepared for headaches, from withdrawl. At least that is what I experience.
My friend, just started to dilute her coffee with more water, each week. Until it was just like colored water and she hated the taste. Then she went to herbal teas and that is what she drinks now. It worked for her.
For me, well, I have cut myself down to only 1 cup a day, in the morning. That is it for me, and is enough for me now. I'm the type that used to drink espresso, straight, no sugar or cream. So my 1 cup a day, is good enough for me now. That was my "goal" anyway. So I'm satisfied.
Or, use a SMALLER coffee cup.
A lot of it is just mental too. For my friend, her herbal teas, mint, is a good 'replacement' for her, and she just likes the "ritual" of sipping something during the day. And its not caffeinated.
All the best,
Susan
Yes!!! So long as your afternoon need for a "high" isn't replaced with a soda, sugary snack, etc... You WILL feel better (been there, speaking from experience) giving up coffee. Just make sure all your meals 3 and about 2 snacks a day include a protein. A meal/snack of healthy carb (fruit/veggie), healthy fat (nuts, and healthy protein (turkey) this is just a snack example - but if you eat like this you will feel a difference and not feel the need to grab something to pick yourself up.
Best wishes!
M.
Good for you! I found out the hard way that i was allergic to caffeine... I gave it up quickly and although I wasn't a coffee drinker or a soda drinker I loved my Thai Iced Teas....mmmm so good! Anyways... B vitamins are the energy vitamins, specifically B12. However, take a complex because if you take only one it tends to throw off the others. You can combine extra b12 with a complex if desired. They are water soluble so tey don't get stored in your liver. Emergen-C helps pep me up and it has vitamin C... which helps with all sorts of things ...not just the immune system.
Cold turkey is h*** o* your body! I used to drink at least a pot a day myself before noon...and when I decided to stop I went very slow. I hardly felt the negative effects. It took me 4 months to get to 100% decaf. I really like the smell and taste of coffee, as well as the routine of drinking it...and since I just started adding decaf, I still had that part satisfied. It's been 5 years now, and I still drink mostly decaf...everyday. I feel better and sometimes when I really need a pick me up...1 cup does the trick!
Good luck!
I was addicted to Pepsi and I would have at least two or three cans a day of it. I decided to stop because I didn't want my teeth to erode away as well as I felt bloated a lot. It was just the best decision for me but I will tell you that the withdrawl period is by far the worst time ever. It took two weeks before I was weaned off completely and the first week I had a headache for three days straight, I had back aches all week, I was irritable for the whole time. It wasn't very nice at all but once that time period was over then I was fine. I did have more energy and my bloating disappeared. You will feel much better when you no longer drink it. After several months I completely lost my desire for pepsi and once I tried to drink it, the taste wasn't the same. I was excited and sad all at the same time because I had been a pepsi drinker for as long as I could remember.
I think removing the caffeine coupled with exercising will really help in the transition. it'll be hard at first but it's well worth it in the end. Good luck.
