Giving up caffiene!

**Telephus44** · 11-07-2005, 09:04 PM

I'm publicly stating this goal so I will be held more accountable (and hoping you guys have done this before and have some good tips!)

Reasons why:

1. I have had a splitting headache each Saturday for the past three weeks, a direct result of WAY too much coffee during the work week and then only one cup on the weekends.
2. DH and I are going to start trying for a family in the near future

Currently I consume:

Weekdays (M-F): 1 8oz cup of coffee from home, 3-4 16 oz cups of coffee from the office coffee pot, 1 12oz can of caffienated soda
Weekends: 1 8oz cup of coffee

This week I'm cutting back to:
M-F: 1 8oz cup of coffee from home, 1 16 oz cup of coffee from the office coffee pot, 1 12 oz can of coke
Weekend: 1 8oz cup of coffee

Next week (11/13-11-19):
M-F: 1 8oz cup of coffee from home, 1 12 oz can of soda
Weekend: 1 8oz cup of coffee

Following week (11/20-11/26):
M-F: 1 8oz cup of coffee
Weekend: 1 8oz cup of decaf coffee

Following week (11/27-12/3):
M-F: 1 8oz cup of decaf coffee, 1 12 oz can of soda
Weekend: 1 8oz cup of decaf coffee

I'm hoping this won't give me drastic headaches, tired spells, grouchy spells, whatever.

Wish me luck! If anyone has any tips or suggestions, let me know!

And no, I'm not counting the amount of caffiene in chocolate - that would just be too cruel to give up!

**SHOPGIRL** · 11-07-2005, 09:26 PM

Well, I'm in the "Lets Give Up Caffeine Challenge." I don't get headaches, but today I was so sluggish, and had very little patience. I wasn't my perky self.

I've done this before, several times and after about a week, you should be fine. I've given up caffeine to help increase fertility and for weightloss.

I spoke with the IVF nurse and she said the caffeine didn't reduce fertility. However, I've read a bunch of stuff online and I know from all my alternative healing books, etc... that caffeine isn't all that great for anyone. Of course, everything in moderation.

Last night, I spoke with a girlfriend about the caffeine and pregnancy, fertility stuff and she told me that the only time she could get pregnant is when she was completely off caffeine. She's had 4 pregnancies, the last pregnancy was twins! So, I decided to listen to her. She strongly advised me to just cut it out, so I am. Now, I'm drinking Starbucks decaf...not great, but o.k. I'll get use to it. Tomorrow morning I have a 7:30 a.m. meeting so I have to leave home at 7 a.m. without any coffee so it will be a long day. I guess I'll just load up on extra vits. Oh well!

Started off my morning decaf, ended my day caffeinated. So, not too bad for my first day of kicking the caffeine.

And chocolate...there is no way I'm giving that up!

**Mom23boys** · 11-07-2005, 09:29 PM

You can do it Sara and Shannon!!

When I gave up soda, I noticed a few, slight headahces, but they soon went away and now I have none!! It didn't last long.

I know you can do it!!!

**babymav** · 11-07-2005, 09:30 PM

I am in! God I need to give it up. My large dunkin donuts iced coffee (I know not frugal) is my biggest downfall, then not to mention usually a can of soda in the afternoon. I am good though at night I only drink water otherwise I would not be able to sleep

My goal is to cut the iced coffee first then gradually take off the can of soda in the afternoon.

**mom2matty** · 11-07-2005, 09:50 PM

Giving up the caffiene was one of the hardest things I did but it is so worth it!!! You can do it ladies!!!

**forestdale** · 11-07-2005, 10:09 PM

When I drink coffe, I have it at triple strength. But I only drink one cup every 4 - 6 weeks. I think i'm safe.

Way back in the day when my DH drank diet Coke, he used to get terrible headaches. He stopped drinking it and the headaches stopped the same day.

Sara and Shannon, there is an old wives tale that if someone gives you a potted parsley plant, you'll get pregnant. Maybe you should organise that with your friends.

**SHOPGIRL** · 11-07-2005, 10:21 PM

Really? Well, my sister gave me a herb pot with parsley this summer. I've never heard that tale before.

**KKCondrey** · 11-08-2005, 12:03 AM

best of luck to the both of you. I couldn't even give it up when I was pregnant, so it would take a lot to cut it out. However, I don't drink near as much as I use to. I cut back to one soda a day while I was pregnant, and I try to still do that (I still drink sweet tea all the time, but at least I am cutting back on the sodas

**Telephus44** · 11-12-2005, 03:55 PM

Ok, having made it through week 1 - I suceeded in all day at keeping to where I planned on being. Around Wednesday I started getting really tired and both Thursday and Friday I had withdrawal headaches, but I took aspirin both times and it worked.

I'm so proud of myself for making it through week one - I've been drawing smilie faces on my calendar for every day that I make it :-)

**SHOPGIRL** · 11-12-2005, 07:51 PM

All week long, except for one day, I drank decaf coffee. I was really sluggish. My kids at school kept telling me, "Please, drink some caffeine!" A few times after work, I stopped at Starbucks for coffee, and at night, I did make some deal. So, I have drastically cut down, which is good!

**Jojaby** · 12-03-2005, 02:31 PM

I'm with you on giving up on caffeine. I told hubby I plan to start a new diet January 1st giving up caffeine and a lot of sugar. I get headaches all the time and the only thing that eases them is popping Excedrin Migraine (which is loaded with caffeine)

**Telephus44** · 12-03-2005, 02:58 PM

Just an update - I did actually manage to get down to 1 cup of coffee (full caffiene!) in the morning, and a 120z can of coke (again, full caffiene!) in the afternoon. I had bought a 24 pack of coke that I keep at my desk rather than pay $.75 each in the vending machine. I think as soon as that's gone I'm going to switch to decaf soda - although that won't be there until next year.

And I know what you mean about using Excedrin Migraine to stop the headaches -been there, done that. And I'm sure its the caffiene that's in them!

I did have a few small headaches last week, but since going to my 1 cup of coffee 1 can of soda, I've been largely headache free. The first week I had two really bad headaches, but I just told myself if I couldn't make it through, it would be much better,

**MOMMYDEAREST** · 12-03-2005, 06:22 PM

omg i can't give up caffeine.....lol....i'm sorry!!!!! caffeine is my best friend when i get stressed......lol!!! good luck!!!

**Katybird** · 12-03-2005, 08:39 PM

WTG ladies, you are doing great. It is hard to quit and you are making great strides in the right direction.

**tervsforme** · 12-23-2005, 09:46 PM

Good luck on giving up caffeine! I give it up for 9 months out of the year, but when I'm really busy and stressed at work for the other 3 months, I start drinking it again. I work a lot of hours, over 60 hours a week, during those weeks and it is amazing what the caffeine does and keeps me motivated and working all those hours!

I love this site, it is amazing and has such a wealth of information. I'm still finding stuff! I'm soon to be divorced and I've already started implementing some of the things I've read. I'm so encouraged by all of you.

Thank you!
Kim