give up caffeine

So I’m starting to feel this weariness in my brain. My head starts to feel light and I develop this sort of tunnel vision. I’m withdrawing from caffeine…

I was doing well for a while, but picked back up around 6 or 7 months ago. Before you know it I’m drinking coffee and Rock Star again.

So today is the second day of no caffeine. I knew I’d be fine the first day, it’s the second day that is often the worse. I have decided that I will drink a little caffeine today if my head gets real bad. I have a run coming up the end of September, so I thought now would be a good time to get off caffeine.

The weird thing is that every time I give up caffeine I get these horrible dark circles under my eyes and they stay. I guess the caffeine was constricting something around my eyes.

Oh well.

so I have no cravings and have not found myself dreaming about Dunkin Donuts. I’m happy, I feel great. I’ve been sleeping a lot better and I do think the loss of caffeine in my diet is a big reason. I find myself with a TON of energy in the mornings and throughout the day. I do tend to peter out earlier in the night, but I think that’s just because I’m getting old. I have had a soy chai latte a couple times in the past month, but with no regularity. So with ALL that money I’ve saved I did go out and buy a motorcycle, check out my completed list and see my new bike. So what I’ve learned is that can give up caffeine and go buy yourself something expensive :)
I’m going to refrain from marking this off as ‘completed’ until the new year.

So it’s been a week and I only had on caffeinated drink, a Pepsi. All the physical addiction is gone, it’s the mental addiction that has to be grappled with. I have no idea why I drank the one Pepsi, but I did. Oh well, I feel good about it and I think I’ll leave this up on my 43 Things for a while. I’ll wait for around 6 months and think about marking it as done at that time.

of being caffeine free. I’m feeling great, meaning no headaches. I weened myself off for 2 days and starting yesterday I went with nothing. I didn’t get any headaches, but did notice getting tired around mid-afternoon. My sleep has been pretty sound and my energy has been good. Today was tough, went to an Eagles party and really, REALLY had to refrain from grabbing a soda. My rationalization was “well, I really gave up caffeine because of the financial burden, so having FREE soda is okay.” I didn’t listen to myself and drank a lot of water. Yay!! I hope it sticks this time.

I have one Rock Star left, but the morning coffee is done as of today. The Rock Star will be gone today, I actually considered drinking it this morning in lieu of the coffee. The first day of no caffeine is usually okay, it’s that second day that kills me when it’s completely out of my system.

So I worked out the finances, I spend roughly around 1,224.50 per year on coffee and Rock Star. I want to buy a motorcycle (estimated at $2,200.00), so to take the edge off of buying a new (new to me) bike I’m done buying caffeine. I’m almost finished my case of Rock Star. Yes, I actually bought a case of it and have 2 cans left. Actually, I just checked my work refrigerator and I only have 1 can left. So I guess I’m done with caffeine Wednesday.

at Dunkin Donuts and ALMOST left without getting coffee. A customer threw away trash and actually opened a door to the trash counter to do it. He freed a huge roach, I’ve never seen anything so big in this area. The cockroach landed on his back, so didn’t scurry away. I spoke to the gentleman about his freeing the insect. A lady waiting for her order said, “is that what I think it is?” I commented that it was amazing that a cockroach is expected to live through a nuclear war, but can’t flip itself over if on its back.
Anyway, I’ve been finishing less and less of my coffee everyday. Starting Monday I’m getting a size smaller, medium instead of large. I’m not giving up just yet.

Ugh…

I’m really giving this a realistic shot. I feel like shit and my sleep has been sporatic. I toss and turn throughout the night, wake up in the early am, unable to go back to sleep. As I speak, I’m gulping down water, hoping to flush out my system.

So my body is going through all these changes as I replace my afternoon ROCK STAR with water. Mmmmm, Rock Star. I’ve been jittery, anxious and I look like a zombie, seriously, look at the picture. That’s me, with dark eyes and I feel I’m developing a penchant for flesh. Anyway, I’m sure all of these symptoms have nothing to do with all the stress in my life and are only products of my caffeine use :)