My Transformation Thread

[Petrolhead]

Hello everyone, my first post!! Been reading on here for a while so decided to join as everyone seems very friendly

Hope to hear from some of you soon.

Basically my story is as follows:

I'm unfit, borderline overweight, been eating nothing but junk for the last 8 years, I have no energy for anything and I'm pretty sick of feeling terrible all the time. I've got a little one on the way so I want to make changes in my life

So I decided this year was the year to do something about it.

I think trying to change everything at once would be a bit much, so I've broken it down into stages, once I'm happy with each one I'll move onto the next.

1. Break the caffeine addiction.
2. Sort out my sleeping routine.
3. Sort out my diet.
4. Sort out my fitness.
5. try and establish a routine in my life.

I am trying to eat a bit healthier and get more exercise at the moment, but my primary aim is no 1.

Caffeine

So I've been drinking 2+ Litres of full sugar cola a day, plus 3-4 chocolate bars and a few coffees every day for the last 8 or so years Time for a change!!

I'm not saying I'll never touch Caffeine again as I like cola and good coffees, but in future I want them to be a treat a handful of times a month rather than a crutch I rely on to get me through every day.

Should be interesting to see the changes my body makes as the caffeine works its way out of my system.

Day 1

Yesterday was my first day off the caffeine, and it went a bit differently than expected.

I didn't get a headache which was good, I had a sort of dull ache which could have become a headache but didn't thankfully.

I felt very irritable and snappy in the morning, had to try and watch how I was responding to people. Early afternoon and evening at work when I was in front of the PC I felt very drowsy and sleepy, was finding it very hard to focus and stay awake.

I also felt very fidegty and unsettled throughout the day.

Going to make a few changes today, namely taking something to drink to work as I didn't drink enough yesterday, just avoided all my usual drinks. Also got to figure out what I'm going to do to replace all the calories I'm dropping from the cola.

[highvoltage]

Originally Posted by Petrolhead

Hello everyone, my first post!!
1. Break the caffeine addiction.
2. Sort out my sleeping routine.
3. Sort out my diet.
4. Sort out my fitness.
5. try and establish a routine in my life.

Hi, welcome to the forums. Those are excellent first steps to a better life. As a matter of fact, those are the same exact 5 things I started with (and am still working on, actually). These are all synergistic with each other. Good luck!

I kicked the caffeine habit at the same time as I tried to fix my sleep. It worked pretty well for me. I went from ~1000 mg/day to about 50 mg/day by replacing all of my caffeine intake with a single cup of green tea in the morning.

[lifetimelearner]

hello petrolhead
welcome aboard

your goals are amazing !
I will be following you progress

here's a quote for you -

Elbert Hubbard:
"There is no failure except in no longer trying."

[Petrolhead]

I like the quote

Well I've made it to the end of day 3 relatively unscathed

Experiences so far have been quite interesting.

I don't feel as unsettled now, but I amdefinitely still grumpy, particularly when I feel tired.

Tiredness now doesn't hit until about 4 in the evening but still makes my eyes feel very heavy.

I've noticed a big difference in my sleep though, I'm not waking up at all now and I'm dreaming every night. I couldn't ever remember any dreams before.

My head feels clearer on waking and my thought fog is getting thinner by the day, I'm finidng it much easier to concentrate on challenging problems.

So all good so far, let's see if I can make it a week.

Thanks for the positive comments so far.

[Petrolhead]

Well I've made it to the end of day 4

I think I'm getting there now. Walking past the shops and vending machines I wasn't even tempted to get a full caff drink.

Previously I had to counciously tell myself, 'no that's not good for you', today the message seems to have programmed itself in.

No signs of headaches of tremors now, I am still a bit drowsy from about 4 onwards but I think this is going to require an adjustment to my sleeping pattern, food and exercise to cure completely.

Mental clarity was better again today.

I'm hoping after Saturday to make a start on my sleeping pattern, having got the first item on my list down

[Petrolhead]

Made it to the end of day 5, feeling pretty good.

I think I've got this one cracked now.

From tomorrow I'll be starting on number 2 on my list sorting out a sleeping pattern.

Wish me luck

[WhiteCrow]

Man this sounds great! I am proud of you.

Cola is very bad. Actually, the caffeine is the most healthy part in it!!!! Go figure. So if you get a relapse for caffeine, get a good coffee please!

Oh and do not try to replace the calories from cola.

Make this work, I will be checking on you everyday

[lifetimelearner]

great job

YouTube - You can do it montage.