Caffeine or no Caffeine???

robin820

My New years resolution January 2011 was to elminate caffeine in my diet, as far as pop went. Believe it or not I stuck to it. Now going onto year two and sometimes I wonder if doing this My fitness Pal would go a little bit smoother with some extra energy. Right now if I drink a pop it is caffeine free diet coke. Help?

scweegie

I quit drinking pop becuase I wouldn't switch to diet, but I love my coffee! I have read studies that suggest a cup of coffee before a workout or run is good becuase of the boost., however it can dehydrate you as well. I think the best is just determine what works for you. Everyone is different.

shovav91

You worked so hard to kick the habit, why get back into it? Your body will start to rely on caffeine again and you will find yourself with no energy unless you get that caffeine kick,

seoid

I drink Diet Coke all day long.

Onesnap

coffee is GREAT diabetes prevention.

So...caffeine.

Also, according to the experts decaf coffee processed with water is best (and tastes the same as regular) you have to ask to get the good stuff though!!!!!!!!!!!

WhisperALullaby

Tea! Tea is awesome for you, though it doesn't have as much caffeine as coffee. And so many varieties to choose from.

bcattoes

I drink caffeinated tea all day long. It didn't hinder my weight loss at all. Caffeine causes a brief burst in your metabolism. I'm not sure how much help that short burst is, but I can't see how it would hurt.

I believe there are far worse things in soda than caffeine, though.

TonyL68

I drink black coffee - I really enjoy a good cup. Interestingly, I drank a lot more before changing my nutrition and eating habits. I was good for 3 cups in the morning and 2 in the afternoon every day, minimum. Now I find I drink 1-2 cups. I just don't feel as tired, so I drink it more for pleasure and less because I "need" it.

Moderation is usually best IMO.

knelson422

My New years resolution January 2011 was to elminate caffeine in my diet, as far as pop went. Believe it or not I stuck to it. Now going onto year two and sometimes I wonder if doing this My fitness Pal would go a little bit smoother with some extra energy. Right now if I drink a pop it is caffeine free diet coke. Help?

How hard was it for you to quit caffeine. I am struggling with that now. It is my pick me up in the afternoon. Nothing else works for me like a diet coke. How long did it take you to not crave it anymore. If you could send me a message back with any tips, that would be great.
Thanks.

I went without chocolate for a year, it was a good exercise in self control. Good luck.

hesn92

I don't consume any caffeine. I cut out soda about 4 months ago and I hate coffee and I'm not a huge tea fan. Water is really the only thing I drink except the occasional milk... so no caffeine for me. Caffeine never did anything for me, anyway. It never woke me up or gave me the jitters or anything.

michellebd1980

I definitely drink caffeine... I have to so I can function!

poustotah

I can't give up caffeine however, giving up soda is something entirely different. I gave up soda because it has too much sugar and I have convinved myself that the bubbles in it are actually corroding all of my organs and if I continue to drink it, my heart will blow up, my lungs will get eaten away and my brains are going to melt.

True story. I haven't had a soda in years.

So I keep my coffee and I love it.

Myndi73

Oh, how I miss caffeine!! I would drink 3 24 oz. sugar free rockstars a day. I was definitely addicted. Then, I ended up in the er. I made myself allergic to caffeine. I can't have a drop of caffeine now or I end up in the hospital. It really sucks as I LOVE ice tea. Now it's water, every single day, all day. It really sucks. :sad:

pamelad77

I quit drinking diet coke, but there's NO WAY I'm giving up coffee lol

dberry01

I can't give up my coffee (we own the local cafe) but for every double espresso that I have, I will have 2 glasses of water to compensate for dehydration.

Stumoo

Well done for quitting caffeine - though in my opinion the only reason to do so is if you had a heavy dependence on it. You say you drink caffeine free pop... do you get caffeine from other sources? Coffee, tea, chocolate, stuff like that? If not, then you're basically existing in a caffeine-free bubble and shouldn't need a drug to pep up your energy levels. If you start using caffeine in that capacity, it will soon lose most of its benefits and you'll be addicted to it again.

Myself on the other hand, I consume caffeine every day, and never go for a run without having had a cup or two of joe. This is because I can't run with mild caffeine withdrawal, it makes me feel sluggish and irritable.

For anyone reading this out of curiosity, there's good info about caffeine and fitness here: http://sweatscience.com/?s=caffeine. Basically my understanding is that a moderate intake is beneficial (protects against certain diseases including cancer), though if it's taken in the form of coffee the effects on your exercise speed/endurance are unclear.

coxy46

In my youth I was a body builder and we drank lots of black coffee in the diet weeks before contests because it helps speed your metabolism - like a little extra burst - that helped burn calories

jojowack

I've also read in fitness magazines that caffeine can cause a temporary boost in metabolism and energy. I think it also suppresses appetite but also can dehydrate at the same time. As long as I'm not harming my body, I'll do whatever helps me to be more successful in my weight loss goals. Maybe stick to a limit of one drink per day right before you work out?

mes1119

I drink black coffee. Diet sodas are awful for you. They make you crave carbs and sugar. Something in the ingredients also makes your body store more fat.

I find coffee to help me in my workouts, I work much harder the days I drink it. Plus I've found it helps with occasional bloat do the the effects of the diuretic

sjtreely

Life is full of simple pleasures. Caffeine is one of them.

I enjoy it everyday. And lots of it! I'm doing what works for me.

stanvoodoo

No cafeine! Not got for anyone!

It dehydrates you so you need to drink even more water to flush your system.

I can tell you getting off of soda really sped up my weight loss and I don't miss it at all anymore. Never in a million years thought I could say that!

Best of Luck!

hollythehutt

I've never really drank very much soda, even as a little kid, but I drink a lot of black coffee and espresso-derived drinks. I find that, paradoxically, *not* drinking coffee for too long gives me headaches, weird vision, and irritability, plus I just love the taste of good coffee, so I don't think I'll be giving that up any time soon.

Stumoo

I find that, paradoxically, *not* drinking coffee for too long gives me headaches, weird vision, and irritability,

That's not a paradox. That's classic caffeine withdrawal. But don't worry, your addiction isn't doing you any harm and is probably good for you on balance, contrary to the unsupported assertions of stanvoodoo above.

robin820

I will not lie the first couple weeks was very tough. But well worth it in the end.I had a few bad migraines but I got through it. I do not drink coffee or tea so quitting my caffeine pop was a very big deal. I can have a pop every so often when we go out of pop with caffeine, and I dont have a headache the next day like I used to get without.
I do notice that I no longer get the bad mirgaines I used to get also. So I think thats worth it all. So i suppose I will just stick to the non caffenated. I just wonder what other people thought about this situation. Thanks >:O)

I told myself I would no longer bring in caffeinated drinks into the house once my last 12 pack of cans was gone. I went with out pop for a period for about a couple months before I reintroduced the caffeine free in our house. Worked out great!

bellavie23

Honestly, I limit myself to maybe 1-2 cups of coke a month, if that, other than that it is just water, however, I don't have an addiction to it, I don't drink coffee, so it makes it easy to have 1 or 2 now and again, I just add the calories in. Dont make yourself suffer, one coke will not harm you, better to have one when you are having a small urge than to get to feeling you need one and having quite a few. Moderation for me.

AirCircleI

I quit caffeine for January and when the month ended I didn't go back because I felt so good - loads more energy than I had before. Now, I drink a pint of water when I first wake up instead of coffee, and when I am feeling lethargic, I drink water or rooibos (redbush) tea, which is a nice caffeine free red tea that I have with lemon.

Runningirl7284

The Women's One a Day multi-vitamin for active has caffeine in it! The same as a cup of coffee! I take it everyday and drink nothing but water.

poisongirl6485

I don't drink pop but I do take caffeine pills (which is the equivalent of about a cup and a half of coffee). Work til 2 in the morning then deal with kids all day and then tell me if you don't need the caffeine.

Cupcakehippiemommy

I have not had soda in 4 months but I drink maybe 4 to 8 oz of coffee every once in a while if I have a sweet tooth.My hubby usually buys caramel brownie or vanilla hazelnut flavored coffee from a local coffee shop so that plus Splenda or Truvia helps satisfy my sweet tooth

BobbyDaniel

Coffee is great...it keeps me from making others' necks go "break"!

momof8munchkins

I only drink diet soda every now and then but I am a soild 2 cup of coffee a day gal.. I stopped for a while and started having horrible migraines.. so caffeine for me!