No, I am not pregnant.
Okay, now that we cleared THAT up, let’s talk about the ridiculous amount of coffee I have been drinking on a daily basis.
Really, it’s kind of embarrassing.
Let’s take a typical morning when I’m running at the gym at 5:00 am. I found that I run much better after I’ve had one small cup of coffee, so I’ll set my coffee maker to brew at 4:45am, quickly get dressed, suck down a cup, and head out the door.
Total cups of coffee: 1
I get home, shower, get dressed, get the kids dressed and rushrushrush to get everyone out the door. Yet somehow in all the frenzy, I still find the time to fill up not one, but TWO travel mugs of coffee, that I chug on the 25-minute drive to the train station.
Total cups of coffee: Considering each mug is probably 2 cups, I’d say we’re now up to 5
I get into my office, eat breakfast and will sometimes bust out one of my K-cups for … yes … another cup.
Total cups of coffee: 6. Before 11:00am.
I somehow manage to make it through lunch caffeine-free, but there are some days when 2:00 pm comes rolling around and – yes- I’ll make a SECOND K-cup.
Total cups of coffee: 7
Um, that is insane, people. And probably not the healthiest. And – yes – even with all that caffeine, I can still go to bed by 9:00 pm (which tends to shock/horrify/impress most people)!
So last week, after feeling disgusted and bloated after a weekend of total and complete indulgence (damn you, football playoffs and your beer and yummy snacks!!), I decided to get back on a whole foods kick by trying to eat mostly natural, unprocessed foods. Kind of like a pseudo-cleanse.
Then it struck me that here I am, being mindful of what I’m eating, yet I am continuing to chug down cup after cup of a beverage that has no nutritional value and contains a powerful stimulant. I started thinking about why I was drinking so much coffee. Is it because I had developed crazy high tolerance levels? Had it just become habit? All of the above?
And I realized that the time had come for me to find some balance and strive for more moderation when it comes to my coffee consumption.
So knowing I could never give up coffee altogether (or switch to only decaf), I decided to cut back to about 2 cups a day. And you know what? It hasn’t been as terrible as I thought. The first day, I enjoyed one travel mug on my morning commute, and that was about it. In the afternoon, when I felt that familiar crash coming on, I substituted some decaf tea, and it was almost like it tricked my body into thinking it got its usual caffeine jolt.
The only signs that I had reduced my caffeine intake were that: (1) I dozed off on the train home and almost missed my stop, and (2) I crashed in bed at 8:45pm.
It’s been a little over aweek and while the afternoons are still a little brutal, I’m getting by okay. The weekend mornings are the worst. Dr. G. – who is a caffeine addict himself – would usually make 10 cups in the coffee machine for both of us …. and we’d finish every last drop. Just the two of us. Now I’m asking him to make more like 5-6 cups, so I can have one, and he can finish the rest and I know there’s not extra coffee in the pot, calling my name.
I wouldn’t say I feel any better physically, but I like knowing I don’t have to rely on a massive caffeine fix to get through the day, and that a small amount of coffee is enough for me to feel it’s wonderful effects and enjoy both the smell and taste.
Have you ever tried to kick a coffee habit? Any advice?
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide says
Dave totally needs to cut back. By the time he gets home I think he’s had at least 10. Good luck on this journey!
Jessica says
Thank you!!! Fingers crossed 😉
Michele C. says
ok, I thought I was bad with 2 cups a day!!!! Damn woman!!! I will never be rid of my morning cup, but I have really cut back on my afternoon cup. My morning cup is probably about 16oz or so, and I enjoy every last drop. In the afternoon, if water with lemon and/or a banana won’t perk me up, then I might go with one more cup. But that’s it for me!
Jessica says
It’s crazy – I never realized how much I was drinking until I totaled it up one day, and I nearly passed out. I have been leaning a lot on seltzer too, which seems to help … and thankfully none of those caffeine withdrawal shakes or headaches you hear so much about 😉
Jackie says
I always wondered how you balance it all – NOW I KNOW. Hahaha. For realz, I’m proud of you for taking this step. I love Seltzers too.
Katie @ Pick Any Two says
That certainly is quite a bit of coffee!!! I’m impressed that you cut back to 2 cups so quickly and with relatively little consequences. I hope you find it’s worth it! I drink 2 cups a day and I’m ok with that amount.