Caffeine Addict!!

[shoecrazy66]

Well here I am on day 9, doing great except for I hadn't given up my caffeine. I have such a crazy life and I usually get only 5 hours of sleep if I'm lucky, so I drink a pot of coffee every morning and one every night when I get home from work, just to keep myself going. I was determined that today was "lose the caffeine day!" So...I made it until about 4:30pm. I drank water water water all day (which I have been drinking all along, on top of the coffee, talk about being a pee pot!) but I got headachy and sleepy around lunch time. This headache just progressed all afternoon regardless of the Advil and Goody powders I took, until just before dinner I was wondering if I was going to make it. I have two 8-year olds, a 7-year old, and a 13-month old to fix dinner for, and I'm wondering if my head is going to explode before I get them taken care of. So...I fired up the coffee pot, had a cup and presto, headache was gone in 10 minutes flat. I think I took on too much at once, trying to go cold turkey from being into caffeine so heavily for so long. I think I'd better take it just a little bit easier on myself with this! I have done well on induction, not too many carb cravings, and I lost 5 pounds in the first 3 days but haven't lost any more since. I thought maybe if I lost the caffeine, it would help me take off. Last time I did Atkins I didn't give up the coffee at all, and had great success, but this is 2 years later and post-baby, so I guess it does make a difference. I'm glad you're all here to struggle through with!

[slimndown]

Re: Caffeine Addict!!

It can make a difference in weight loss. Remember that each cup of coffee has around 1 carb - make sure to count that - and that's drinking it black. A good way to cut down on the caffeine is to mix 1/2 and 1/2 decaf w/ regular and slowly get yourself off of the caffinated stuff. Or, you could try decaf by itself and see if that helps because it does have SOME caffeine in it - I found that helped with me LOTS. If you like green tea, you could drink that instead and it is much better for you and has less caffeine.

[shoecrazy66]

Re: Caffeine Addict!!

Well there you go, that's what's blowing it for me I bet! I didn't know coffee had any carbs, and I don't put sugar in it, just a skosh of 2%. That's it-I'm going to buy some decaf today. I just don't want to have another day like yesterday-I felt absolutely awful! And, I am still sitting here at only 5lbs down, :P Thanks for the info.

[Kate113]

Re: Caffeine Addict!!

I remember those headaches. They're terrible. I had one huge one for 4 days, but it did go away. I attributed it to the caffeine withdrawal. Good luck!

[Laurenfra]

Re: Caffeine Addict!!

Many of us experience a slowing of weight loss when we dont get enough sleep.

[knicknack]

Re: Caffeine Addict!!

2% is going to have some carbs too, don't forget. a 'slosh' is probably enough to have at least one carb in it. Use heavy cream instead - allowed on the diet!

[slimndown]

Re: Caffeine Addict!!

Remember, cream has carbs too! Actually, oz per oz 2% is SLIGHTLY lower carb BUT cream is higher fat with much fuller flavor in comparison which is why it is allowed on the list.

[knicknack]

Re: Caffeine Addict!!

Slimndown, are you sure about that?

I get this when i do the comparison:

2% milk: 11.42g carbs per cup
heavy whipping cream: 6.64 grams per cup

(carb-counter.org)

(edit: fitday shows 11.72 for 2% and 6.64 for heavy cream as well)

[Smallerizing]

Re: Caffeine Addict!!

I weaned myself off of coffee before I started on this WOE, but had the same experience as you on the first day. Same cure, too. Try again sometime after you have gone thru the carb withdrawal phase, that can bring on a headache by itself!!!!

Hope you have better luck then me -- I never was able to quit totally. I use caffeine as a sleep substitute, too. Not good, but that's life.

[shoecrazy66]

Re: Caffeine Addict!!

I guess it will be to my benefit to cut it back gradually and start mixing in the "decaf"-I do drink more coffee than any reasonable human being should. I like it super-strong too, most days I make my pot double-strength. God help you if you ask me to make coffee at work-you might wind up with a new hairdo!! LOL! I can slam down Starbucks espresso & creams like nobodys business. I just love coffee. I've been thinking about weaning down, and buying myself one of those pots that makes only one cup at a time, then I could have my morning treat and not feel like I gave up my most favorite thing. And I never thought of putting the whipping cream in it, I'll try that in the morning, I'll bet it's gooood....Thanks you all for your suggestions and support! Smallerizing, I noticed you are in TN-I'm in TN too, howdy neighbor!

[knicknack]

Re: Caffeine Addict!!

Shoecrazy, i'm with you on the strong coffee. I almost never drink it, but when i do,watch out! At starbucks I get a triple shot of espresso in my latte - medium size latte. SO GOOD. Before I discovered that I couldn't drink starbucks stuff, it was so weak!