Can you give me extra motivation for quitting caffeine?

[Vantage72]

I am going to try this. I used to drink 2 small espresso shots a day (about 100mg caffeine). I'm going down to 1 espresso a day, starting today. I'll be replacing it with the occasional decaf for a while and then going to herbal tea.

I've read Steve's article and some other online.

I was wondering:
-Can you give me some extra motivation?
-Maybe you can tell me what benefits you got from quitting?
-Maybe you have some articles,links for me?
-If anyone knows of some scientific research about negative effects of caffeine that would be interesting too.

Thanks in advance!

[Lazarus]

when you find some, tell me. i'm drinking 5 cans of pepsi a day, and i used to drink two large bottles of 'em as well. i honestly feel like quitting but i've been drinking pepsi most of my life almost everyday.

[Matthew Shea]

Here's a pretty scary list of stuff. (Not that I believe any of it myself.

Personally, my thoughts are that if this is something you feel you need to do, more power to you. The health effects of the amount of caffeine you're consuming, however, will be subtle or non-existent. Personally, I've tended to gain weight when giving up coffee and don't really notice much in the way of other physical differences. That's just me, though.

[wolfgang]

The hidden dangers of caffeine: How coffee causes exhaustion, fatigue and addiction

[Vantage72]

Thanks for tips guys. I found an interesting website:
The hidden dangers of caffeine: How coffee causes exhaustion, fatigue and addiction

If anyone wants to quit read that website ^ It's loaded with information.

[viscapes]

Why do you want to quit coffee? If you give yourself a compelling enough reason to do it and invest in it emotionally then it'll be easy for you. I'm guessing by the fact that you plan on weening yourself off coffee as opposed to ridding yourself of it right away that you haven't given yourself a good enough reason to quit.

How will quitting coffee improve you or your life? How will you feel once you've quit? What are the consequences of not quitting? If you can answer these questions fully and openly and come up with compelling enough reasons to quit then there's no reason why you can't simply quit coffee RIGHT NOW.

Perhaps your reasons might be that you'll live longer, you'll set a better example to your kids (if you have any), you'll feel a sense of acomplishment that will make you feel fantastic, you'll be less stressed, you'll feel healthier, happier and have more vitallity to enjoy your life and live longer with the people you love. Perhaps the consequences of not quiting is that your life will be cut short, you'll suffer stress, you'll suffer health problems and your loved ones will suffer with you as a consequence. Are these reasons compelling enough for you to quit coffee RIGHT NOW? If not, come up with better ones. Condition yourself emotionally to say "no" to coffee without even thinking about it and I promise it will be easy.

Cheers
Paul

[cheech]

I gave up caffeine a few months ago, and found that I have slept much better since. I was never a very heavy drinker (up to 2-3 cups of tea or coffee a day), and had always tried to avoid drinking it late in the evening or night, so I hadn't thought it would be making much difference to my sleep but, for me at least, the difference was huge. I get up hours earlier each day now, and typically feel more rested then I used to (I do go to bed earlier too, but used to find that if I tried to go to bed early, I just ended up lying awake for hours)

[Vantage72]

Originally Posted by viscapes

I'm guessing by the fact that you plan on weening yourself off coffee as opposed to ridding yourself of it right away that you haven't given yourself a good enough reason to quit.

The reason I do that is that I read it on many places. And it seems a good way to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

Originally Posted by viscapes

Why do you want to quit coffee?

I believe it will improve my sleep.
My energy will be more consistent throughout the day.
I will be more in touch with my feelings.

The thing is, I am not sure I will receive these benefits. If I was sure, it would be easy to do.

Thanks for your tips.

Originally Posted by cheech

I gave up caffeine a few months ago, and found that I have slept much better since. I was never a very heavy drinker (up to 2-3 cups of tea or coffee a day), and had always tried to avoid drinking it late in the evening or night, so I hadn't thought it would be making much difference to my sleep but, for me at least, the difference was huge. I get up hours earlier each day now, and typically feel more rested then I used to (I do go to bed earlier too, but used to find that if I tried to go to bed early, I just ended up lying awake for hours)

Thanks! I hope to get similar benefits.

[Dannyboy1]

I recently had an operation on my nose and throat, so about a week before, I cut out everything - coffee, alcohol, adderall...

I'm just starting to cut down on my pain meds today and I feel great. The problem with coffee is all the ups and downs it was causing me. Of course, that could have been because I was combatting sleep apnea... I guess I can't tell what did what at this point. But I think I'm going to try and stay off it all. With real sleep, I may actually be able to do it.

[Angela]

I think the best reason to quit doing something that you're addicted to doing is because you are giving it dominion over yourself and you would like to be the source of power in your own life -- you are ready to recognize the infinite power that is you.

Is being the source of power in your own life inspiring and motivating to you?

[Vantage72]

Originally Posted by Angela

Is being the source of power in your own life inspiring and motivating to you?

To me not really but probably to others it is. Thank you for your input.

[Dannyboy1]

Originally Posted by Vantage72

To me not really but probably to others it is. Thank you for your input.

I would say to have an even keel during the day without the ups and downs should be pretty motivation. It's usually associated with mood swings.

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

Originally Posted by Vantage72

To me not really but probably to others it is. Thank you for your input.

Hmmm. That's interesting. So, what is the source of power in your life (if you don't mind me asking)?

And just to keep on topic, I find that my sleep is more restorative when not on caffiene, I have a happier, lighter mood, I do not get jitters, I do not get withdrawl headaches.

[Angela]

Originally Posted by Vantage72

To me not really but probably to others it is.

Oh. Okay then, how about it makes your breasts gravelly?

[Dannyboy1]

Originally Posted by Angela

Oh. Okay then, how about it makes your breasts gravelly?

WHAT???

I've heard of putting hair on your chest, but rocks in your breasts???!

[Vantage72]

Originally Posted by {aspiring_to_clarity}

Hmmm. That's interesting. So, what is the source of power in your life (if you don't mind me asking)?

I'm more of a go with the flow person. I spend a lot of my life trying to control my life it but it never made me happy. My path now is more of letting go of control and that way being more aligned with the flow of everything.

Originally Posted by {aspiring_to_clarity}

And just to keep on topic, I find that my sleep is more restorative when not on caffiene, I have a happier, lighter mood, I do not get jitters, I do not get withdrawl headaches.

That's very interesting. Already today a feel a bit different, lighter and more connected with people.

Originally Posted by Angela

Oh. Okay then, how about it makes your breasts gravelly?

I did not get the joke, maybe a language thing.

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

Originally Posted by Vantage72

I'm more of a go with the flow person. I spend a lot of my life trying to control my life it but it never made me happy. My path now is more of letting go of control and that way being more aligned with the flow of everything.

I see. That's great! I guess I make a distinction between being the power in your life and controlling everything. But going with the flow is good.

Originally Posted by Vantage72

That's very interesting. Already today a feel a bit different, lighter and more connected with people.

Awesome, has it made you want to give it up for good?

[Vantage72]

Originally Posted by {aspiring_to_clarity}

I see. That's great! I guess I make a distinction between being the power in your life and controlling everything. But going with the flow is good.

Well to be more specific, in my world >I< am not the power in my life. The power is The Power if you know what I mean.

Originally Posted by {aspiring_to_clarity}

Awesome, has it made you want to give it up for good?

Too early to say that, but I will continue this. Tomorrow I might already drink no caffeine at all.

I am most interested to see changes in my sleeping patterns. I know my sleep has not been as deep and long, and since I am very sensitive to caffeine, I believe it may be good to totally quit.

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

Originally Posted by Vantage72

Well to be more specific, in my world >I< am not the power in my life. The power is The Power if you know what I mean.

Of course .

Originally Posted by Vantage72

I am most interested to see changes in my sleeping patterns. I know my sleep has not been as deep and long, and since I am very sensitive to caffeine, I believe it may be good to totally quit.

I think you will notice pretty dramatic changes where sleep is concerned.

Good luck!

[Angela]

Originally Posted by Vantage72

I did not get the joke, maybe a language thing.

It's not a joke; studies have shown that coffee can cause or exacerbate benign cysts (which feel like gravel) and men and women with such "gravelliness" are encouraged to reduce their coffee intake. Apparently it can make potentially dangerous lumps harder to detect. (Breast cancer occurs in men as well as women, by the way.)

Well, maybe it was a little bit of a joke, because I thought you might be motivated by smooth velvety breasts, since you are not motivated by personal power.

p.s.... personal power and (the illusion of) control are two entirely different things.

[JimOfferman]

Originally Posted by {aspiring_to_clarity}

I think you will notice pretty dramatic changes where sleep is concerned.

Since I quit drinking coffee on a daily basis, I find that I'm sleeping less not more. Not quite the change I expected (or hoped for)...

[The David]

One thing that may help is to figure out what caffeine does to you, and why you feel the need to drink it at all. Does it give you physical energy? Does it boost your concentration? Does it cause insomnia? Does it make you irritable? For me, it's easier to cut back when I honestly evaluate what the drug is doing to me, and whether or not I'm willing to consume it anyway, rather than cut back because of what some random website says and end up questioning my decision later.

I currently drink about two cups a day, sometimes just one. I'm taking it from there.

Edit: Jim, I notice the same effect. When I get out of withdrawal, I start sleeping less. I still have insomnia and tend to be more irritable, though, so it's a trade-off.

[ebaby]

My goodness, I really am NOT alone! I have a real problem with coffee. I drink so much of the stuff and I am sure it is not an asset to my health. I also smoke which I hate and am getting some hypnotherapy next month. ( but that's another story)

My point is, I feel that in order to get my fitness regime back on the go I need to quit coffee and smokes....the both just go so nicely together! I don't like smoking but find it hard to stop and I know I need help.....I figure that if I can quit one, I'll quit the other.

Sometimes I have a coffee just to be able to have a smoke...........
Anyone?

In an ideal world I would stop smoking, quit coffee and get my pre baby body back!! I know my ideal world is out there.........just a bit lost at the mo!
Thanks for reading this......have been looking for somewhere I could get those thoughts on paper!!!

For anyone in OZ......my partner follows me around the house chanting....nicorette, nicorette, you can beat the cigarette!!!!! He finds it highly amusing...

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

Originally Posted by JimOfferman

Since I quit drinking coffee on a daily basis, I find that I'm sleeping less not more. Not quite the change I expected (or hoped for)...

I don't necessarily sleep more, I just have better sleep. I would say I probably do sleep less actually because I am getting more restful sleep.

[Vantage72]

My first day now without caffeine.

I slept very deep last night, but woke up quite tired. Today at 14.00 I was very tired and fell a sleep on the couch. Now I feel a lot better.

I think the absence of caffeine lets the tiredness come out better.

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

Originally Posted by Vantage72

My first day now without caffeine.

I slept very deep last night, but woke up quite tired. Today at 14.00 I was very tired and fell a sleep on the couch. Now I feel a lot better.

I think the absence of caffeine lets the tiredness come out better.

I think that's a good thing. It allows you to feel and react to the reality of what your body needs, rather than forcefully keeping it in a certain state.

Also, I think after a few days you should readjust to not having it all the time.

And, I am sure you already know this, but drink lots of water!

[JimOfferman]

Originally Posted by {aspiring_to_clarity}

I don't necessarily sleep more, I just have better sleep. I would say I probably do sleep less actually because I am getting more restful sleep.

I don't think the quality of sleep has changed much for me, I just sleep less. I can't figure out why, though, since I hardly ever wake up feeling as well rested as I would like. But, then again, I can't make heads or tails of my body when it comes to sleeping... I go to bed when I feel tired, I wake up naturally (no alarms) and yet I hardly ever feel fully rested.

Dropping coffee did - surprise, surprise - eliminate my caffeine-spike induced insomnia adventures. Not complaining about missing out on those...

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

Originally Posted by JimOfferman

I don't think the quality of sleep has changed much for me, I just sleep less. I can't figure out why, though, since I hardly ever wake up feeling as well rested as I would like. But, then again, I can't make heads or tails of my body when it comes to sleeping... I go to bed when I feel tired, I wake up naturally (no alarms) and yet I hardly ever feel fully rested.

Dropping coffee did - surprise, surprise - eliminate my caffeine-spike induced insomnia adventures. Not complaining about missing out on those...

You could have sleep apnea. When my mom got treated for it she began to feel rested upon waking.

[JimOfferman]

Originally Posted by {aspiring_to_clarity}

You could have sleep apnea. When my mom got treated for it she began to feel rested upon waking.

Hrm, I don't seem to have any of the other symptoms that would indicate sleep apnea... I don't snore and am most definitely not overweight. Other than that, it would explain perfectly what I am experiencing.

I'll take it up with my physician. Thanks!

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

Originally Posted by JimOfferman

Hrm, I don't seem to have any of the other symptoms that would indicate sleep apnea... I don't snore and am most definitely not overweight. Other than that, it would explain perfectly what I am experiencing.

I'll take it up with my physician. Thanks!

I think it's more common with snorers or the overweight, but I am pretty sure that anyone can be affected.

I hope that you don't have it, but if you do at least treating it you can get some good rest!