Caffeine or no Caffeine???

Templetough

As much as caffeine can help a work out, I also quit caffeine about a year ago and it's really hard to start it again once your body isn't used to it anymore. Since I haven't had almost ANY in a year, when I accidentally drank a coke zero assuming it was caffeine free, I got horribly anxious and jittery. could just be how my body reacts to it though. I've been doing great without it though!

beckylawrence70

I've had 2 sodas in the last 2 months but I will never, ever give up my coffee, no way!! I drink 1 to 2 cups in am, and 1 to 2 cups in eve......

sfh0wrd

I am an AVID coffee fan, and have tried to kick it, but just can't. And then I'd get those awful caffeine withdrawal headaches. *Shudder*

I typically have 1-2 cups of coffee in the morning. Sometimes I'll have one in the afternoon, but not on a normal day, especially when I have a run planned for the evening.

To me, eliminating carbonated beverages always made the bigger difference for me. So now I'm soda free, but not caffeine free! PLEASE! DON'T TAKE MY COFFEE!!!

If you need a little boost, you should check our Yerba Mate tea. This website explains it if you are interested! http://guayaki.com/faq.html

Sweet_Potato

I just did a caffeine-free week. I forgot to have my morning coffee on Monday morning, and then I decided to see how long I could go without it. Normally I'd have at least two cups of either coffee or black tea a day.

The results have been very uninteresting. I don't feel more energetic, I don't feel less energetic, I'm not having withdrawal symptoms. I guess I'm not addicted. Since it's something I enjoy I might as well start drinking coffee and tea again, but it's good to know that I can go off it easily if I'm in a place where unsweetened black coffee or tea is difficult to get.

Onesnap

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!

Actually this is wrong. Check out the data at the Mayo clinic website.

Onesnap

To me, eliminating carbonated beverages always made the bigger difference for me. So now I'm soda free, but not caffeine free! PLEASE! DON'T TAKE MY COFFEE!!!

Actually, it's an amazing source of antioxidants and great diabetes prevention. Please don't feel guilty about drinking 1-2 cups per day that's what's suggested for these two benefits.

sdminor11

I quit drinking pop about 2 months, i have slipped a couple times but nothing like before. I drink coffee which seems to work way better than pop and its alittle bit healthier for you. Honestly i hated the taste of coffee like 3 months ago but now id rather drink it over pop.

Stumoo

Actually, it's an amazing source of antioxidants and great diabetes prevention. Please don't feel guilty about drinking 1-2 cups per day that's what's suggested for these two benefits.

It's great really, a vast majority of the population is self-medicating with coffee and tea. Imagine how bad public health might be without it? Now if we could convince everyone to drink it black with no sugar, we might crack the obesity epidemic too. No point saying it here as I'm sure you're all aware of this, but lattes and frappes and all that junk are generally pretty high in calories...

sfh0wrd

To me, eliminating carbonated beverages always made the bigger difference for me. So now I'm soda free, but not caffeine free! PLEASE! DON'T TAKE MY COFFEE!!!

Actually, it's an amazing source of antioxidants and great diabetes prevention. Please don't feel guilty about drinking 1-2 cups per day that's what's suggested for these two benefits.

Oh, I don't feel guilty about it. I'm perfectly happy with my cup of black coffee in the morning.

I am glad I no longer drink 8-10 cups a day (no lie) like I did when I worked at a local coffee shop. Same way I'm glad that I no longer smoke!

dberry01

Lots of arguements on the benefits of caffeine

misskgb

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,

this!!

etajr

Soft Drinks are not just about the caffeine. There is a bunch of other junk in them that is bad for you. Caffeine is a drug and has it's good and bad. If you have kicked the habit I would stay away!!

karenwill2

I am not really allowed to have stimulants. However I do have a couple of days a week one serving of Advocare Spark. It has as much caffeine as a cup of coffee but is loaded with vitamins and it tasted like fruit punch kool-aide and only 45 calories. It helps my husband with his ADD as it is known to help improve mental focus. It costs about a little over a dollar per serving and I love it. It is my "treat."

I don't think caffeine itself is harmful. I go months at a time without. But all I drink is water unless I have a Spark which is mixed with twice as much water as instructed. I love my water! Indulge every now and again. I know I do.

tiffanyvc

Good job on giving up sodas!!! I've tried that a few times, and it has been very difficult, though I am in the process of trying again - I fudge sometimes by stealing a sip of my husband's, but I figure that is better than having my own!

My thing with caffeine is this - anything that you say you "HAVE" to have in order to function in daily life isn't a good thing. Typically, I only drink soda at work to get the caffeine high, so that meant on the weekends, I didn't get my caffeine dose and I was sluggish and exhausted and no fun to be around all weekend. That showed me that I am addicted to caffeine and therefore, I need to stop.

Yes, caffeine gives you a boost, but how critical is it? Can't we get just as much energy by drinking enough water, eating healthfully, and getting proper sleep at night?

WheyStrong

I think caffeine is the most effective natural substance that will aid in fat burning and energy boosting. It gets a bad rap because it is found in a lot of sodas and energy drinks, but caffeine is not the reason those drinks are unhealthy for you. Try taking caffeine before your workouts or when you really need a pick me up. Coffee, tea, or caffeine tablets are a great alternative if you want to stay away from sugary drinks. Just take in moderations and I believe it will be a great contribution to your success.

Lanna74

Caffeine reportedly has benefits. Either way, it's my only vice and I'm sticking to it. =P

jamiesadler

I stopped drinking soda but not my coffee. I drink my black with no sugar so the calories are not that much. Caffeine has a lot of health benefits. I could never cut it out completely.

cranberrycat

As I scanned through the posts, I did not see anyone address caffeine-induced cravings.

Some people report an increase in food cravings, early onset of hunger, etc. Not all people do, but this could be a diet derailer if your energy boost is also inducing hunger and cravings. Just thought I would bring this up.

HauteP1nk

I don't drink pop...but I do have the occasional coffee. I wouldn't recommend it all the time, but in moderation why not? Sometimes you just need that extra boost.

stlbluesangel

I've been using the Crystal Light Energy with Caffeine packs. Just add to water and you get the caffeine and great flavor.

fatboypup

Caffeine ?!?!?!?! i efing LOVE Caffeine !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MommyTKD

I'd rather give up air than coffee. And the people around me would rather I give up air than coffee. 'nuff said!

jamiesadler

I'd rather give up air than coffee. And the people around me would rather I give up air than coffee. 'nuff said!

HA. I cut back on my coffee after the holidays. I mentioned this to my younger brother and his exact words, " Man I bet your employees are loving you right now!" BRAT

aftergypsies

When I've quit caffeine in the past it has made me feel so much better. I've been on a coffee kick lately. Trying to cut back on it now though. I can't stand the taste of soda any more. I used to drink like 3 a day but now the taste doesn't appeal to me. I'll have one once in a while but I am done completely with it. Coffee is too good for me to give up completely though hehe.

Keran24

I think people are all different in how their body handles caffienne. I get low blood sugar after drinking it. I have read all kinds of studies on the good and the bad. I have read that it raises you metabolism. I peronally drink in moderation. Just one cup of green tea in the morning, hot in the winter and iced in the summer. Doesn't seem to interfere with my weight loss but I have to have it with a meal or I get hypoglyemic (low blood sugar).

sammys1girly

i drink 1/2 caff coffee for breakfast, so I don't get the full jolt, just a lil kick out of bed!

mrh1227

It is good that you quit pop, as that is among one of the biggest contributors to obesity in the United States. It is honestly worse for you than some of the burgers you might order at a fast food place. Don't let it find a way back into your life if you've already kicked the habit. You'll be better off in the long run

mooglysmom

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:

What were your symptoms?? I recently had to give up my morning coffee (one cup) because I was having a bunch of weird neurological issues and migraines. A friend of mine said it might be due to my gluten free diet as well (not tolerating caffeine) but I'd never heard of an allergy to it! (I mean, I know its possible...).

tmm01

If I don't have my cups of tea (strong) each day then I get withdrawal - I really think I am addicted. So Caffeine all the way - but only in Tea. Don't drink fizzy at all. Am trying to reduce slightly, but I couldn't go without.

Zombie41

Without chocolate for a YEAR???!!!!! I almost fell off my treadmill when I read that. That is like no water for a year...stop breathing for a year! I could never EVER stop eating chocolate...at least stick to the dark chocolate...I give you the gold star for will power.