Thursday, March 3, 2011

Breaking the Cycle

I know you are all always anxiously awaiting what I will do next.  I'm totally interesting and my life is full of excitement.


Ok, not really.  But I will continue boring you with my progress on my List.


One might recall numbers 14 and 42.  (ok, I'll give you a hint: give up Diet Coke and give up one big thing for Lent).  Well, due to my slow progress on the List, I'm combining the two, and taking it one step further.  I'm giving up ALL caffeinated beverages for Lent, with the intention of breaking my addiction.  I wanted to be sure I gave up something that would really take some thought and struggle - and this fits the bill, even though it sounds kind of superficial.


This is going to be hard.


I drink my morning coffee, and the occasional DCs on the weekend or at restaurants.  Over the past few years, I've replaced my daily sodas with coffee, which is probably a better choice - mostly because I make it at home and don't add a bunch of stuff to it.


However - a few weekends ago, I really saw how bad this was.  We headed off to church in somewhat of a hurry, and I didn't have the chance to make coffee.  Thirty minutes into the service - I had a migraine - like, my head is in a vice and it might possibly break in half or at least crack and omg that would not be a pretty sight in public.


Caffeine has become a crutch - and my body literally has withdrawls if I miss it.  I don't want to be chained to a chemical like this.  Mostly because I'm lazy and don't want to always have to brew.  I want the occasional coffee to actually be a pick-me-up when I really need it - not just a daily requirement.


SO - I'm going cold turkey.  It's sad to say - but I am starting early - this weekend - since I know I will spend a few days with the shakes a splitting head.  Wish me luck.  Send chocolate.

9 comments:

  1. Good luck! you can do it!

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  2. You can do it, Claire!

    I've been fighting this exact same battle. It's been one month since I gave up soda....and I was EXTREMELY addicted. As in, wherever I was I had a Diet Dr. Pepper in hand. I spent a few weeks before giving it up totally halving, then quartering my normal amount...but it was tough. The migranes, the cravings. Everything.

    But! I will tell you this: It is so worth it. Just the feeling of having power over my body again. Not having to worry about finding caffeine within 5 minutes of waking. And honestly, eating has been much less of a struggle, too....I think my caffeine lows often lead to eating food I didn't really need.

    I allow myself one cup of tea a day when I need a pick-me-up, which is usually in the afternoon. But overall, after the first week, life was pretty grand!

    Anyway...blah, blah. Just wanted to say that you can TOTALLY do this! Power through, girl. The reward is great! :)

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  3. Good luck! I am the same way with caffeeine it's going to be hard but hopefully u can pull through :)

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  4. You can do it. I gave up DC (cold turkey) on January 1st and there are still days when I wake up thinking, a diet coke would get me in gear today. But for the most part, I'm over the addiction. I have added the occasional starbucks run in though :(. I'm cheering for you!!!

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  5. I'm sure you'll do great! Something about throwing it out in blogland seems to be encouraging and motivating. GOOD LUCK! And here's to hoping the headache isn't TOO bad :)

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  6. First of all, good luck!!

    Second, I need to share... I've been drinking coffee daily forever (I blame it on Starbucks). Since I recently started drinking my "power-packed" smoothies (posted about a couple of weeks ago), I literally have not even wanted it! And this wasn't intentional. I wasn't trying to cut it out, and since Ryan brews it every morning, it's not and added task. I've been drinking the smoothie, and then pour my cup of coffee (just because it was there, not because I needed it), and I've had a hard time even drinking a small mug!! I've never had anything totally replace my desire/appetite for coffee!

    And I still drink a little mug, as I'm blog readin' but I really don't need it anymore! Just thought I'd share =).

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  7. thanks for sharing your stories - some great motivation and inspiration!!

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  8. I would be a zombie without my coffee in the morning but then again, I also have a 19 lb excuse. Every now and then I think to myself, hey I should see if I can go without it and I do. But then around 2 pm, I want to curl up in a corner and die. Long story short, I hope you don't end up in a corner curled in the fetal position. Fingers crossed.

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  9. Girl, that sounds like a TOUGH resolution! I am totally impressed. I loooove coffee, way more than I should. I have two cups a day and sometimes 3! It's such a treat for me. But I know what you mean. It's probably not so great to be as in love with it as I am.

    Good luck with your mission! I'm sure you'll ace it with flying colors!

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