The following is a daily log I have kept of my thoughts and feelings on the attempt to wean myself off caffeine.
Day 11 – September 23, 2010
I cracked. I had 2 coffees this morning. I have completely rationalized it in my head and feel it is completely warranted. So there.
Day 12 – September 24, 2010
YAY!!! ITS FRIDAY!!!! I’m still not sure how to take this to the next level…maybe I need to just go cold turkey. I just don’t want to suffer worse headaches than I already do. I like having a sense of normalcy, where I know exactly how I will feel given any circumstances under my own control.
Day 13 – September 25, 2010
I slept until noon and didn’t have any coffee. Then I didn’t think twice though and had diet pepsi with dinner (I was out to dinner with the family for my sister’s birthday). I’m kind of disappointed because I was all proud that I didn’t have a coffee when I woke up.
Day 14 – September 26, 2010
Slept until 11ish, and went to Starbucks as soon as I was showered and dressed. It was awesome.
All right. Its been 2 weeks, and I’m not feeling as though I can give up on caffeine all together just yet. I’ve at least come down from having 2 cups of coffee per day to 1 cup of coffee per day. I’m fairly aware of my caffeine consumption. I’m finding other tricks to help with my energy (an apple first thing in the morning does wonders!!) So do I continue and try to completely get myself off caffeine? I enjoy the taste of coffee. And I have friends who have told me in no uncertain terms that they would have to consider our relationship if I were to be completely off caffeine because they would question my sanity.
I’m also kind of bored writing about this daily. Its putting me to sleep. Time for another coffee!!!!
Monday, September 27, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
WMOC - Day 5-10
The following are daily logs I have kept on my feelings and thoughts towards weaning myself off caffeine. Enjoy!
Day 5 – September 17, 2010
I wonder what it would feel like to just go cold turkey? I don’t know if I am ready to do that though. I’m just sitting here at my desk at work and feeling as though I absolutely NEED at least one cup of coffee. Just one. There is no way I could go cold turkey today without some effect on either my physical body or my social skills. I also have plans tonight, and usually when I have plans, I try to have another coffee, tea or Red Bull. I’m scared to face the world without caffeine…either that or I am scared to think what the world is going to think of me if I don’t get my morning coffee.
So I had an interesting evening. I had a voice lesson and decided to take out a co-op car instead of bringing my guitar on the skytrain. Afterwards, when I came back downtown, the building that I was supposed to park the car in was blocked by red-tape and police tape. Fire trucks and police were everywhere. So I called the co-op and explained the situation. They couldn’t think of a solution so I did. I told them I would park the car in my building and wait it out. They were fine with this. So I went upstairs and tried to figure out what was going on and when the building might be accessible again. Thank goodness for News 1130 online!! There was a Haz-Mat crew at the old BC Hydro building at Burrard and Nelson, and of course the spill that happened was big enough to effect the adjoining building, at least until they figured out just how bad it was. So I continued on to the party I was going to, and decided I just had to be sober so that I could return the car when I got home. I updated the co-op with this information. And then I had a 355ml can of Red Bull. I had to. And I am glad I did because by the time I got home and parked the car (3 am), I was at the point where if I were just a little bit more tired, it would be as if I were a little bit inebriated. As a side note, drinking and driving is one thing and should NEVER be done. But neither should not sleeping properly and driving. Don’t drive tired!!!
Day 6 – September 18, 2010
Since I didn’t get to sleep until 4 a.m. (once I got home from parking the car (3:05 am) I decided to read in bed for a bit to unwind), I slept until 11:30. It was kind of nice. And then I stayed in bed and finished the book I couldn’t put down (I had to know if they were going to fall in love after all!!!!!!!) Finally I decided to roll out of bed and go out and grab some breakfast – I wasn’t in the mood for a bagel or oatmeal at home. So I went down to Starbucks. I had a grande caramel frappucino (I was in the mood for something cold). Turns out it only has 95mg of caffeine in it, and that is the only caffeinated thing I had all day!
Day 7 – September 19, 2010
Well I was up and at ‘em first thing in the morning on Sunday, despite being out late for a friend’s birthday. But I can’t say the same for a friend of mine who crashed at my place. Once they were finally up, we headed out to Starbucks for breakfast. I like weekends! We had a grande drip coffee which had way more caffeine, but we were gonna explore the city a bit too, so a little kick in the butt never hurts!
Day 8 – September 20, 2010
Oh wow, if ever there was a day that was a test of my will power, today was that day. I was sooooooooo “don’t-even-look-at-me-until-I’ve-had-my-coffee” this morning. And I only had one, and have survived with just one for the past 3 days. I contemplated having a cup of tea in the afternoon, but decided not to. Tomorrow, no coffee at all…
Day 9 – September 21, 2010
No coffee? Yah, sorry, not gonna happen. Not quite ready to be a tea-totaler yet. This is harder than I thought. I honestly enjoy the taste of coffee, not just the caffeine boost it gives me upon every sip. I enjoy the rich flavour, the warmth. Its like a big warm hug in the morning. Life without coffee would be misery!!!
Day 10 – September 22, 2010
I seem to be in a place where I feel stuck. I don’t like the taste of decaf coffee, at least not the ones I’ve tried. So I can’t even try to switch my coffee in the morning because it will just be disgusting and putrid and leave me in a foul mood, which I would be in anyway if I don’t drink coffee. You want the sun to shine out of my ass in the morning??!?!? I need coffee to do that.
Day 5 – September 17, 2010
I wonder what it would feel like to just go cold turkey? I don’t know if I am ready to do that though. I’m just sitting here at my desk at work and feeling as though I absolutely NEED at least one cup of coffee. Just one. There is no way I could go cold turkey today without some effect on either my physical body or my social skills. I also have plans tonight, and usually when I have plans, I try to have another coffee, tea or Red Bull. I’m scared to face the world without caffeine…either that or I am scared to think what the world is going to think of me if I don’t get my morning coffee.
So I had an interesting evening. I had a voice lesson and decided to take out a co-op car instead of bringing my guitar on the skytrain. Afterwards, when I came back downtown, the building that I was supposed to park the car in was blocked by red-tape and police tape. Fire trucks and police were everywhere. So I called the co-op and explained the situation. They couldn’t think of a solution so I did. I told them I would park the car in my building and wait it out. They were fine with this. So I went upstairs and tried to figure out what was going on and when the building might be accessible again. Thank goodness for News 1130 online!! There was a Haz-Mat crew at the old BC Hydro building at Burrard and Nelson, and of course the spill that happened was big enough to effect the adjoining building, at least until they figured out just how bad it was. So I continued on to the party I was going to, and decided I just had to be sober so that I could return the car when I got home. I updated the co-op with this information. And then I had a 355ml can of Red Bull. I had to. And I am glad I did because by the time I got home and parked the car (3 am), I was at the point where if I were just a little bit more tired, it would be as if I were a little bit inebriated. As a side note, drinking and driving is one thing and should NEVER be done. But neither should not sleeping properly and driving. Don’t drive tired!!!
Day 6 – September 18, 2010
Since I didn’t get to sleep until 4 a.m. (once I got home from parking the car (3:05 am) I decided to read in bed for a bit to unwind), I slept until 11:30. It was kind of nice. And then I stayed in bed and finished the book I couldn’t put down (I had to know if they were going to fall in love after all!!!!!!!) Finally I decided to roll out of bed and go out and grab some breakfast – I wasn’t in the mood for a bagel or oatmeal at home. So I went down to Starbucks. I had a grande caramel frappucino (I was in the mood for something cold). Turns out it only has 95mg of caffeine in it, and that is the only caffeinated thing I had all day!
Day 7 – September 19, 2010
Well I was up and at ‘em first thing in the morning on Sunday, despite being out late for a friend’s birthday. But I can’t say the same for a friend of mine who crashed at my place. Once they were finally up, we headed out to Starbucks for breakfast. I like weekends! We had a grande drip coffee which had way more caffeine, but we were gonna explore the city a bit too, so a little kick in the butt never hurts!
Day 8 – September 20, 2010
Oh wow, if ever there was a day that was a test of my will power, today was that day. I was sooooooooo “don’t-even-look-at-me-until-I’ve-had-my-coffee” this morning. And I only had one, and have survived with just one for the past 3 days. I contemplated having a cup of tea in the afternoon, but decided not to. Tomorrow, no coffee at all…
Day 9 – September 21, 2010
No coffee? Yah, sorry, not gonna happen. Not quite ready to be a tea-totaler yet. This is harder than I thought. I honestly enjoy the taste of coffee, not just the caffeine boost it gives me upon every sip. I enjoy the rich flavour, the warmth. Its like a big warm hug in the morning. Life without coffee would be misery!!!
Day 10 – September 22, 2010
I seem to be in a place where I feel stuck. I don’t like the taste of decaf coffee, at least not the ones I’ve tried. So I can’t even try to switch my coffee in the morning because it will just be disgusting and putrid and leave me in a foul mood, which I would be in anyway if I don’t drink coffee. You want the sun to shine out of my ass in the morning??!?!? I need coffee to do that.
Friday, September 17, 2010
WMOC - Day 2, 3 and 4
Day 2 - September 14, 2010
I had a cup of coffee this morning and up until this point I didn't feel like I needed anything. Interesting. So should I still have a cup of tea in lieu of a second cup of coffee, even though I feel as though I don't even need a second cup of coffee? Just for consistency's sake? Or should I leave it and see how this effects me later in the day? I generally try not to drink tea or coffee in the afternoon for fear of not being able to sleep when I finally get to bed, but definitely use it as a pick me up if I have plans that I know are going to go late. I think I am going to leave it and not have that cup of tea.
What mundane-ness. I honestly thought this would be more tortuous, and therefore more interesting to write about. Seriously, I thought I would be regaling you with tales of having turned into an insatiable banchee, but no such luck.
I had a caffeinated beverage with dinner, but the content was low. I felt tired and ready to sleep around 10. As soon as I hit the sheets, though, I couldn't sleep. So I read until a friend called me for a late-night chat and ended up finally getting to sleep around 2.
Day 3 - September 15, 2010
More of the same. I had coffee and then I had a tea. And I was told I get to go home early because I stayed late last night. I got my grocery shopping done, made a delicious dinner (Adventures in Cooking will be a forthcoming blog...maybe...), and watched the finale of Big Brother 12.
Day 4 - September 16, 2010
I was kept up all night with a cough. Yay. These never leave. Then I was approached sans-caffeine in a testy manner first thing in the morning. Frickin' double yay. I had my regular coffee, and then instead of having a cup of caffeinated tea, I decided to have a cup of decaffeinated coffee. YUCK! Those in my office who drink decaf like dark roast coffee. Ew. But it has served its purpose of being a hot, soothing drink.
I went for dinner with a friend after work, and I totally hit a wall around 8. I don't know if it was the vodka or the lack of caffeine, but I felt like I could fall asleep right there. SO not like me! Thankfully though, I managed to stay awake through dinner and the walk home. And then as soon as I tried to fall asleep, I was wide awake. Don't know what thats about!! Weirdness!!
Peace!
I had a cup of coffee this morning and up until this point I didn't feel like I needed anything. Interesting. So should I still have a cup of tea in lieu of a second cup of coffee, even though I feel as though I don't even need a second cup of coffee? Just for consistency's sake? Or should I leave it and see how this effects me later in the day? I generally try not to drink tea or coffee in the afternoon for fear of not being able to sleep when I finally get to bed, but definitely use it as a pick me up if I have plans that I know are going to go late. I think I am going to leave it and not have that cup of tea.
What mundane-ness. I honestly thought this would be more tortuous, and therefore more interesting to write about. Seriously, I thought I would be regaling you with tales of having turned into an insatiable banchee, but no such luck.
I had a caffeinated beverage with dinner, but the content was low. I felt tired and ready to sleep around 10. As soon as I hit the sheets, though, I couldn't sleep. So I read until a friend called me for a late-night chat and ended up finally getting to sleep around 2.
Day 3 - September 15, 2010
More of the same. I had coffee and then I had a tea. And I was told I get to go home early because I stayed late last night. I got my grocery shopping done, made a delicious dinner (Adventures in Cooking will be a forthcoming blog...maybe...), and watched the finale of Big Brother 12.
Day 4 - September 16, 2010
I was kept up all night with a cough. Yay. These never leave. Then I was approached sans-caffeine in a testy manner first thing in the morning. Frickin' double yay. I had my regular coffee, and then instead of having a cup of caffeinated tea, I decided to have a cup of decaffeinated coffee. YUCK! Those in my office who drink decaf like dark roast coffee. Ew. But it has served its purpose of being a hot, soothing drink.
I went for dinner with a friend after work, and I totally hit a wall around 8. I don't know if it was the vodka or the lack of caffeine, but I felt like I could fall asleep right there. SO not like me! Thankfully though, I managed to stay awake through dinner and the walk home. And then as soon as I tried to fall asleep, I was wide awake. Don't know what thats about!! Weirdness!!
Peace!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
WMOC - Day 1
September 13, 2010
10:22 am - So today I started out the day with a coffee as per usual. When I felt like having a second cup of coffee, I rinsed my cup and switched to english breakfast tea. The first sip of tea made me feel as if it wasn't going to work because it just didn't hold the same amount of comfort as a cup of coffee. However, I also hadn't eaten breakfast at that point and decided it might be time for a bagel. After the bagel and tea were finished, I felt better.
I think I am fighting some sort of cold or something though. I feel clammy and gross, and I'm downing vitamin C and water like its going out of style!
1:29 pm - I just finished my lunch, and I'm feeling kind of ill. Its a run-down, just-want-to-go-and-wrap-myself-in-my-comforter-like-a-cocoon type of ill. The side-effects listed by Wikipedia did not include a symptom like this for withdrawal, and I haven't even eliminated caffeine at all, so my guess is a cold/flu kind of thing is at work. Bollocks. On the bright side, though, if I actually AM sick, I'll most likely quit cold turkey then. I tend not to drink coffee when I am sick due to the fact that I try to sleep all day.
I am also interested to see how I am going to feel in about an hour or so because I started the day earlier than normal. I had to be in the office by 8, and may still not be able to leave until 5. We shall see.
4:46 pm - I am nearing the end of the workday for day 1, and I feel a bit better. I've kept up the vitamin C, as well as plenty of water and managed to grab an apple for my afternoon snack. I have plans for the evening - either go home and that is it, or go home, nap, and then go to volleyball. I am going to see how I feel once I am home.
12:05 am - I ended up going to volleyball without a nap! Yay! I wasn't there for the whole 2 and half hours, I just stayed for an hour and half. On my walk home, I ran into a friend of mine and he came over and chilled for a bit. I'm feeling fairly normal, kinda tired, but I usually am at this point of the day. I was thinking of doing a yoga class in the morning, but I think I will sleep as much as I can instead. Yah, sleep sounds awesome!
Goodnight!
10:22 am - So today I started out the day with a coffee as per usual. When I felt like having a second cup of coffee, I rinsed my cup and switched to english breakfast tea. The first sip of tea made me feel as if it wasn't going to work because it just didn't hold the same amount of comfort as a cup of coffee. However, I also hadn't eaten breakfast at that point and decided it might be time for a bagel. After the bagel and tea were finished, I felt better.
I think I am fighting some sort of cold or something though. I feel clammy and gross, and I'm downing vitamin C and water like its going out of style!
1:29 pm - I just finished my lunch, and I'm feeling kind of ill. Its a run-down, just-want-to-go-and-wrap-myself-in-my-comforter-like-a-cocoon type of ill. The side-effects listed by Wikipedia did not include a symptom like this for withdrawal, and I haven't even eliminated caffeine at all, so my guess is a cold/flu kind of thing is at work. Bollocks. On the bright side, though, if I actually AM sick, I'll most likely quit cold turkey then. I tend not to drink coffee when I am sick due to the fact that I try to sleep all day.
I am also interested to see how I am going to feel in about an hour or so because I started the day earlier than normal. I had to be in the office by 8, and may still not be able to leave until 5. We shall see.
4:46 pm - I am nearing the end of the workday for day 1, and I feel a bit better. I've kept up the vitamin C, as well as plenty of water and managed to grab an apple for my afternoon snack. I have plans for the evening - either go home and that is it, or go home, nap, and then go to volleyball. I am going to see how I feel once I am home.
12:05 am - I ended up going to volleyball without a nap! Yay! I wasn't there for the whole 2 and half hours, I just stayed for an hour and half. On my walk home, I ran into a friend of mine and he came over and chilled for a bit. I'm feeling fairly normal, kinda tired, but I usually am at this point of the day. I was thinking of doing a yoga class in the morning, but I think I will sleep as much as I can instead. Yah, sleep sounds awesome!
Goodnight!
Monday, September 13, 2010
Weaning Myself Off Caffeine
With the help from http://www.dumblittleman.com/ (@JWhite on Twitter), I am going to try to wean myself off caffeine. I know...crazy, right?! The first step is to monitor how much caffeine I get in 1 week. This is how much I have had the past week:
September 6 - 2x 250ml can of Sugar Free Red Bull
September 7 - 2x 12oz cup light roast coffee; 1x 355ml can of Coke Zero
September 8 - 2x 12oz cup of light roast coffee
September 9 - 2x 12oz cup of light roast coffee
September 10 - 2x 12oz cup of light roast coffee
September 11 - 1x XL coffee at Tim Hortons
September 12 - 2x 355ml can of Coke Zero
Every 250ml can of Sugar Free Red Bull contains 80mg of caffeine. The average cup of coffee contains 80-135mg of caffeine. According to http://www.energyfiend.com/the-caffeine-database, there is 108mg in an 8oz cup of coffee. I am going to estimate that my cup of coffee contains 135mg. Every 355ml can of Coke Zero contains 35mg of caffeine. I checked Tim Hortons' website, and my XL coffee has 200mg of caffeine in it! So I have had (if my math is correct) 1545mg of caffeine this past week. After some googling, it seems that 300mg per day is a "safe" amount to consume. Well, I seem to be under that amount, but I'd still like to help my fitness and nutrition goals by kicking the habit now before it gets to be more than it is.
According to the article at http://www.dumblittleman.com/2007/10/how-to-give-up-coffee-and-caffeine.html, I should start replacing my coffee with caffeinated tea. Since I am at 2 cups per day (which used to be just 1 per day), I think I will substitute my 2nd cup for a caffeinated tea that has a decaffeinated version in the same flavour. Once I get through that, I'll switch both cups to caffeinated tea. Then 1 to decaffeinated, and both to decaffeinated. One thing the article doesn't really spell out is the timing. I guess I'm just going to have to decide that for myself.
This article also lacks what sort of side-effects one might feel during this process:
"Withdrawal symptoms - possibly including headache, irritability, an inability to concentrate, drowsiness, insomnia and pain in the stomach, upper body, and joints - may appear within 12 to 24 hours after discontinuation of caffeine intake, peak at roughly 48 hours, and usually last from one to five days representing the time required for the number of adenosine receptors in the brain to revert to "normal" levels, uninfluenced by caffeine consumption. Analgesics, such as aspirin, can relieve the pain symptoms, as can a small dose of caffeine. Most effective is a combination of both an analgesic and a small amount of caffeine." ~Wikipedia
Well that sounds like loads of fun! I assume that these symptoms would be experienced more if I were to quit cold turkey. But once I reach a point of switching everything to decaffeinated tea, there will be some risk of going through withdrawal symptoms, right? This is definitely something to be conscious of.
And as always, it is recommended that during this process I drink plenty of water. Well thankfully I have been in the habit of drinking at the very LEAST 2L of water per day. That should be no problem for me whatsoever!
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