Have a horrible caffeine addiction

[Kimberly_P]

I have been addicted to Caffeine since my first baby was born which was 7 years ago so it's been a long time. I tried to quit while doing Atkin's but Coffee gives me an edge to I can get things done and take care of my children who keep me on my toes. I usually go to Dunkin Donuts in the morning and grab an iced coffee with Splenda and cream with a shot of expresso and I do the same before I go to the gym, sometimes I have one in between but that's maybe 2 times a week. If I go off for a day I get a horrible headache which seems like a migraine. I really need to cut down or stop altogether because I went to the doctor having some heart palpitations and the first question he asked was "Do I drink a lot of caffeine?" He told me that drinking a lot of caffeine will affect the heart because it's a drug (which I already knew) so for a while I quit then once again started back up! Is anyone else in here addicted to coffee/pop/etc.? If so how did you quit?

[Barbde]

Kimberly. I was a coffee drinker since I was about 10 years old. Yup. Had a babysitter that used to give it to me in the morning! Wow, huh? And my parents didn't think too much about me drinking it either. Anyway. It's been almost 2 years since I had a cup of coffee! I quit the day I started Atkins. It was bad, it was hard. But I do NOT miss it at all! I quit on a weekend, and spent most of it in bed! Between the caffeine and the carb withdrawal I had KILLER headaches for days. It's definitely a "detox" situation. But you will live through it. And be much healthier for it. Caffeine was definitely adding to my anxiety problems.
It's like anything else. Once you put your mind to it, you can do it!!

[Jerzaka]

Slowly! Some people go cold turkey and that's fine too. Whatever suits your needs. I tend to think the body does better if weaned off of any drug slowly.

Cut back to half a cup. That means, pour half out! I know, I know - they're expensive. But, so's your health! Give it a whirl and see what your body can do without it! You'll be surprised! You can always ask the girl at the counter to give you half decaf and half regular....and decrease that way.

For the record: I did it cold turkey. I was a mess for about 3 days. After that, it was a breeze. Mind you - I still love the smell of coffee. Something about expanding your lungs with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee...ahhhh

[Kimberly_P]

I could definately try weaning myself off because if I did it the other way I'd probably be in bed all day and I have three kids who probably wouldn't like that, lol I'll be saving a lot of money too because it's getting to be really expensive going 2 and 3 times a day for almost $3 a piece.

[jimmie 48]

kimberly, i see the thread here and one in the health chats. there is another thread started in this forum and sarah, cristy and a couple others who are either on vaction or have some personal things going on are reporting and getting advice and lots of encouragement.
you might consider joining sarah and cristy in their quest to be caffeine free.