addicted to caffeine

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mkat
Posts: 36
Joined: Thu Oct 19, 2006 7:32 pm

addicted to caffeine

Post by mkat » Mon Mar 11, 2013 1:12 pm

Is there anyone who used to be addicted to caffeine but is not anymore? I need advice. How did you do it? I am super addicted to all sources of caffeine (coffee, tea, energy drinks, etc.). I have tried to quit on several occasions. I know that caffeine is affecting me negatively and yet it's so hard for me to quit. I need all the help that I can get. The cravings are strong. I honestly wish that I could find caffeine addicts anonymous meetings, but they don't exist, at least not that I know of.

feelingbetter01
Posts: 30
Joined: Thu Mar 14, 2013 2:09 pm

Re: addicted to caffeine

Post by feelingbetter01 » Tue Apr 16, 2013 4:18 pm

I am absolutely addicted to caffeine. So far in the program I've managed to cut back, but not quit. Session five advises to stop for at least two weeks to see a difference. Since I am proud of myself for cutting back at least, I try to focus on that when I go for my third cup of coffee. In that instant, it helps to not do it. Maybe soon, with this motivation, I can cut it out entirely. Just remember, though, the program does not ask us to quit forever. So maybe thinking about going back to it, after we've experienced it out of our bodies for a while, can also be motivating. :? Good luck!

coachchris
Posts: 757
Joined: Wed Jun 06, 2012 2:34 pm

Re: addicted to caffeine

Post by coachchris » Wed Apr 17, 2013 6:01 pm

I love coffee too. What I did and what I recommend to many of my coaching clients is to move toward half-caff. I started by buying a pound of regular coffee and a pound of decaff and then mixing my own ratio. We are kind of coffee geeks here so I buy the whole bean and grind it right before I brew it. If you get your coffee from starbucks or your local shop they are happy to make a drink half-caff for you. Make sure you are drinking a lot of water as well. Go slow. It will come :)

Coach Chris StressCenter.com

findpeace
Posts: 37
Joined: Wed Apr 03, 2013 3:12 pm

Re: addicted to caffeine

Post by findpeace » Wed Apr 24, 2013 10:43 pm

Here's how I did it ten years ago:

I started by going in three day cycles - one day decaf and two days caffeine. Then I did one day decaf and one day caffeine. I might have gone two days decaf and one day caffeine until I went strictly decaf.

The taste is different, but what I did was top the decaf with a little cinnamon to give it some taste.
I sometimes do it with cinnamon and sometimes do it without. By the time I switched over I was down to 1-2 cups a day. I used to do as many as four cups a day way back.

There will be a day when you experience a headache that won't go away. That's the withdrawal and something like Advil or Aspirin will not help. Just experience the headache. After that day, I never had any more headaches.

LyndaLu
Posts: 794
Joined: Sun Oct 03, 2010 4:43 pm

Re: addicted to caffeine

Post by LyndaLu » Sat May 10, 2014 4:00 pm

Recently I gave up coffee and I have not missed it.
But my situation was a bit different than some of yours.
I was ONLY drinking coffee in the morning time and I
was ONLY drinking no more than 16 ounces. I always
purchased the very strongest blend at my local grocery store.
I DID use flavored creamer in my very strong coffee.

Also, I have stomach and colon issues, so giving up
the coffee was a good idea because of those reasons too.
Actually the coffee WOULD give me a stomach ache,
but I drank it anyhow. I liked the taste of the coffee.
But mostly it was part of my morning "routine".

I have not had coffee in almost two weeks and I am
not going back to drinking it. I am not going to replace
regular coffee with decaf either. I am not even going
to drink herbal tea. And sodas have caffeine and sugar
and juices are just pure sugar. I think, for now, I will
stick with just drinking water. That sounds boring,
but I am going to give it a try.

I saw a Nutritionist recently and this is what she said.
She said that we need to drink 1/2 half of our body
weight in "ounces" when we drink water.
This means if a person weighs 200 pounds, that they
should really drink 100 ounces of water a day !
When she said this I was quite shocked. I usually drink
about 48 ounces of water a day. I am trying to increase
that amount to 64 ounces right now. And hopefully
I can make it up to 80 ounces a day. 80 ounces a day
would be the equivalent of 5 bottles of water a day.
I live in Arizona, so it wouldn't hurt to be hydrated
anyway !

Wish me luck !

Lynda Lu :lol:

LyndaLu
Posts: 794
Joined: Sun Oct 03, 2010 4:43 pm

Re: addicted to caffeine

Post by LyndaLu » Mon Jul 21, 2014 10:30 pm

I have not had a cup of coffee in 2 1/2 months.
I gave up candy 2 1/2 months ago too.
I recently had a psychiatrist visit and he asked me
about coffee and sugar during our visit.
I don't drink sodas because I have never been a soda
drinker. Today I DID drink some iced tea.
I gave up candy, but that does not mean I gave up
all sugary things. I still like the sugary cereals.
So giving up the coffee and the candy has just
been a start in my new way of eating.
I have a colon disease and this prevents me from
eating a lot of things that I would LIKE to eat, but
they are bad for me. I cannot eat fast food without
getting sick. Unfortunately I also cannot eat a lot
of foods that are GOOD FOR ME because of the
Ulcerative Colitis ( like a lot of fruits and vegetables ! )
I cannot drink alcohol because of my
Acid Reflux. I have started to drink healthy breakfast
smoothies each morning, it is something my Nutritionist
introduced me to. The smoothie I am making now contains:
Banana, Apple, Carrot Juice, Soy Milk, Greek Yogurt,
Honey, Vanilla, and some ice cubes. I used to drink coffee
in the morning and then I would not eat anything at
all until late afternoon. So with the smoothies I am at
least eating food and not starving myself all day long.
Thanks for listening.
Lynda :)

sarahabel83
Posts: 29
Joined: Wed Apr 02, 2014 5:02 am

Re: addicted to caffeine

Post by sarahabel83 » Tue Aug 19, 2014 1:25 am

Addiction of anything results in physical damage. You will not see its effects instantly, but over the time, it definitely shows the adverse effects on the body. So better to slowly reduce the consumption of such beverages until you get the control over it. I read a few tips in a blog written by a motivational keynote speaker, in which she explained about controlling eating habits. I hope it will help you.

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