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Author Topic: My fight against caffeine.  (Read 21750 times)

MaximumZero

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My fight against caffeine.
« on: August 03, 2012, 11:37:13 pm »

I'm giving it up. Caffeine, that is. I really, really want to quit drinking pop and energy drinks, because I'm sick of being overweight, and that's a step in the right direction. I don't like tea or coffee, I can't drink diet anything due to an aspartame allergy, the tablets are ridiculously expensive and I don't know what to do.

So, I may go cold turkey soon. I went all day with no pop, and have a minor headache and am pretty tired, but I don't feel horrible. I've had a lot of false starts, and I'm sick of it.

Wat do, B12?
« Last Edit: August 07, 2012, 03:20:34 pm by MaximumZero »
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kaijyuu

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Re: So, I'm thinking about giving it up...
« Reply #1 on: August 03, 2012, 11:48:37 pm »

Giving up caffeine? I don't envy you. Codspeed, man.
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MaximumZero

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Re: So, I'm thinking about giving it up...
« Reply #2 on: August 03, 2012, 11:50:29 pm »

Well, I'm actually kind of looking for advice. Is it worth giving it up? Do the cons outweigh the pros? Do I really stand to lose a noticeable amount of weight (when combined with exercise)?

Help me, oh brilliant people of B12, I beseech you!
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Knight of Fools

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Re: So, I'm thinking about giving it up...
« Reply #3 on: August 03, 2012, 11:53:14 pm »

Exercise is the most effective way to combat caffeine addiction that I know of. Endorphins that you get from doing brisk exercise for at least twenty minutes a day give you a similar, more natural effect that have a lot more benefits. Look up some of the benefits of cardiovascular exercise and the effects of caffeine to get yourself educated so you're conscious of everything your body is doing. If you plan on losing weight through exercise, it's a good idea to give yourself variety: Cardio, muscle endurance, and muscle strength all need to be worked on in effective weight loss. A good diet will go a long way, too.

I don't recommend cold turkey with caffeine, unless you've got a will of iron and don't mind a few headaches. Your body's used to something, and depriving it very suddenly can throw you off balance - Caffeine stays in our systems for a surprisingly long time, depending on our metabolism, so a dependency on the stuff may be longer reaching than you think. It sounds like you've had a taste of this, though, and if a small headache and some tiredness is your only problem, you'll probably do just fine cold turkey. If you do decide to moderate until you stop entirely, there's plenty of plans and self-help guides out there that can give you a good direction and an idea of what to expect.

The biggest part is to just stick with your decision. Remember that you are in control, and that you're the boss of your own body - And don't beat yourself up over having an occasional soda. You'll know the difference between addiction and recreation when you drink for taste rather than the desire to increase your energy. Even if you're doing an all-nighter, try to resist. One excuse is all it takes to fall back on old habits.

Good luck!
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Sensei

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Re: So, I'm thinking about giving it up...
« Reply #4 on: August 03, 2012, 11:54:33 pm »

First off this probably belongs in Life Advice. But that said, I certainly imagine dropping soda will help you. I'd imagine it'll take 7-10 days of being pretty much out of whack and then you're home free, from what I've heard of other people who quit caffeine/energy drinks.
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MaximumZero

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Re: So, I'm thinking about giving it up...
« Reply #5 on: August 03, 2012, 11:57:38 pm »

Good point, it's been moved.
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freeformschooler

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Re: So, I'm thinking about giving it up...
« Reply #6 on: August 04, 2012, 12:04:34 am »

You've got my full support. I can't imagine giving up energy drinks without having something like coffee or tea as a fallback though. Have you tried both southern-style sweet tea and the funny hot kind they serve at cafes/coffee shops?
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MrWillsauce

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Re: So, I'm thinking about giving it up...
« Reply #7 on: August 04, 2012, 12:09:18 am »

Drink coffee instead. It's delicious once you get used to it and it doesn't make you feel like shit after you're done like soda does.
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Mephansteras

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Re: So, I'm thinking about giving it up...
« Reply #8 on: August 04, 2012, 12:23:53 am »

A good way to ease yourself off might be to use Aleve. It's got some caffeine in it, and it'll help with any caffeine headaches you do get.

And this is an excellent idea for your health. You'd be surprised just how much weight you'll lose just by cutting out sodas if you're used to drinking them every day. It's a lot more calories than you probably realize, and it's pretty much all sugar so it takes little for your body to absorb it.
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rutsber

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Re: So, I'm thinking about giving it up...
« Reply #9 on: August 04, 2012, 12:24:55 am »

I've heard that drinking something like lemonade can help. Water can get kind of bland after a while, so the lemonade can curb the need for something different, without resorting to a caffeinated drink.
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Svarte Troner

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Re: So, I'm thinking about giving it up...
« Reply #10 on: August 04, 2012, 12:33:27 am »

I only really drink water now a days. I bought this water bottle at a sporting goods store, where you have to bite the cap for it to release the water, and let me tell you, it is so addicting for some reason. I don't have a weight problem (in fact I'm probably too thin), but based on hearsay, drinking tons of water helps you loose weight, flushes out your system so to speak. The only problem is I'm slightly hesitant about drinking the tap water in my area, but buying water is one of the most absurd things ever, so I'll never pay for bottled water..
« Last Edit: August 04, 2012, 12:35:47 am by Svarte Troner »
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LordBucket

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Re: So, I'm thinking about giving it up...
« Reply #11 on: August 04, 2012, 01:19:13 am »

Well, I'm actually kind of looking for advice. Is it worth giving it up? Do the cons outweigh the pros?
Do I really stand to lose a noticeable amount of weight (when combined with exercise)?

I did it. It wasn't a big deal. Drink nothing but water for a few weeks and soda will begin to taste terrible. As to the weight loss...that might not be as simple. Consuming fewer calories to lose weight doesn't always work. If losing weight is the goal, then taking up a hobby that's very aerobically demanding is likely to be more effective. Surfing, skating, swimming, tennis, etc. Something you enjoy enough to do it for hours at a time for fun rather than something you force yourself to do in order to lose weight.

I'm slightly hesitant about drinking the tap water in my area, but buying water is
one of the most absurd things ever, so I'll never pay for bottled water..

...ahh, if I'd been drinking tap water I don't know that I'd have given up soda. Tap water in my area is disgusting. One has to be careful with bottled water, though, because a lot of "bottled" water is simply bottled tap water. Identify the source of the water before buying.

King DZA

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Re: So, I'm thinking about giving it up...
« Reply #12 on: August 04, 2012, 02:18:31 am »

Drink coffee instead. It's delicious once you get used to it and it doesn't make you feel like shit after you're done like soda does.
Second this.

I manage to stay in great shape despite consuming, on average, 30-40 oz. of coffee (with extra sugar and creamer) each day. So I'd imagine it can't be that bad for your health.

Dutchling

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Re: So, I'm thinking about giving it up...
« Reply #13 on: August 04, 2012, 03:23:09 am »

*Dutchling feels weird for almost always drinking fruit juice without any reason other than that it tastes awesome*
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Corai

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Re: So, I'm thinking about giving it up...
« Reply #14 on: August 04, 2012, 03:31:03 am »

*Dutchling feels weird for almost always drinking fruit juice without any reason other than that it tastes awesome*

*Corai feels weird along side with Dutchling, as he does the same.*
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