Re: no coffee

[Guest guest]

Deb,

I am such a big coffee drinker - and for similar reasons as you express -

initially because I was trying to drink coffee or diet coke instead of eat.

Then, when I gave up alcohol, coffee was a great substitute. Now it is a habit I

use as a crutch to get me through the day - allieviate boredom, deflect any

emotion etc. I have tried to give it up at various times - with no long term

success (except when I was pregnant and didn't want it) I never have had the

physical symptoms that pushed you to put the coffee down - so I haven't given it

up long term. The short term giving up of coffee- has made me very grumpy.

My point - I salute you for confronting what is underneath the coffee drinking

and am eager to keep hearing what you are going through - as I know this may be

where I am headed.

Perhaps you will eventually find something that you truly enjoy to take the

place of coffee?

Anyway keep us posted.

Thanks,

Georgi

[Guest guest]

I went to de-caf so many years ago I can't remember when. I really enjoy my

coffee for the flavor and morning 'moisture', not any caffeine 'lift'. I also

avoid caffeine in soft drinks too. I'm really just too naturally 'wired' a

person to add that into my life too Now if I have anything with caffeine I

not only talk FAST, I can see others eyes go wide with amazement that I could

have an even 'faster' speed - yikes! LOL!!

Georgi, its great that you can be aware of why you want to drink coffee. That's

an excellent starting point for finding what a change away from this could be

for you. Also, beware of slipping into the the 'all or nothing' reaction that

plagues so many of us when we want a positive change. Baby steps work well

Best to you, Katcha

IEing since March 2007

>

> Deb,

>

> I am such a big coffee drinker - and for similar reasons as you express -

initially because I was trying to drink coffee or diet coke instead of eat.

Then, when I gave up alcohol, coffee was a great substitute. Now it is a habit I

use as a crutch to get me through the day - allieviate boredom, deflect any

emotion etc. I have tried to give it up at various times - with no long term

success (except when I was pregnant and didn't want it) I never have had the

physical symptoms that pushed you to put the coffee down - so I haven't given it

up long term. The short term giving up of coffee- has made me very grumpy.

>

> My point - I salute you for confronting what is underneath the coffee drinking

and am eager to keep hearing what you are going through - as I know this may be

where I am headed.

>

> Perhaps you will eventually find something that you truly enjoy to take the

place of coffee?

>

> Anyway keep us posted.

>

> Thanks,

> Georgi

>

[Guest guest]

Deb,

How interesting...I never really thought of coffee as being a replacement for

food. For me, I find that I drink it in addition to something. Perfect example

is this morning when I had a cup with my bagel. I ususally drink it as part of

dessert or a meal (usually breakfast). It takes a lot of courage to walk down

this path and dig underneath to find out what giving up coffee really means for

you. Also, this post gives me a lot of insight because eventually I may be

walking down this path of giving up coffee too

>

>

> My point - I salute you for confronting what is underneath the coffee drinking

and am eager to keep hearing what you are going through - as I know this may be

where I am headed.

>

> Perhaps you will eventually find something that you truly enjoy to take the

place of coffee?

>

> Anyway keep us posted.

>

> Thanks,

> Georgi

>

[Guest guest]

Very interest topic about coffee. Honest, most people are shocked with how young

I was when I first started coffee. Probably some of you would not expect that. I

was only 5 years old when I have had my first coffee and even my mother let me

have only one but no more. Although the trick about my habit with coffee is odd

to most people. Accord to some of others that I should be an addict to coffee.

To be truth I am not that because I don't drink coffee everyday at all. Once in

a while usual during winter time but almost never during Spring and Summer

period. I still stick only one or two cup of coffee but almost never ever more

than that. For soda, I usual after diet soda because the regular soda taste too

much sweet to me. Probably due to my diabetic and that diet soda taste better

and less too much sweet. I usual after non-caffiene diet soda. For some reason

if I have way too much caffiene that tend cause my taste for other foods like

blah or worse. Did I ever once feel like limit myself with coffee or any

caffiene? Nope, I have not feel like being limited myself.

Eliza

[Guest guest]

I understand Deb. I had to give up coffee for my stomach. I occasionally have

decaf though. But you will get used to the change and find your new way to do

things just as comfortable in time. Time being the operative word here. ;-)

KT

>

> Well, it's been a full week without coffee for me. I've been having trouble

with my throat and stomach and decided to make this one small change for the

better.

>

> Having no caffeine has created some interesting feelings/experiences for me.

>

> 1. I have less indigestion

>

> 2. I dont seem to be as crazy hungry around 3-4pm as I used to.

>

> 3. I am " itchy " for something to occupy me.

>

> I'm finding it interesting how coffee and diet sodas used to fill a void.

There is also an exerpt in the IE book about how we use these products to

" pacify hunger....without eating or calories " which I'm sure was my ultimate

reason for incorporating them into my day. It's sort of sad because my poor

body is telling me it's hungry and I'm so afraid of gaining weight that I opt

for the caffeine. And all I think it really did was make things worse. I guess

I could trick my body into thinking it was eating but then the price I would pay

would be greater later on when my blood sugar would drop more dramatically than

if I would have just eaten something in the first place - resulting in eating

more food.

>

> It's very sobering not having that crutch in my hand. There is somewhat of a

death. On Saturday mornings I used to blast my music and drink alot of coffee

and clean my house. I miss that euphoric feeling. It sort of makes me feel

" old " now. I imagine after I become more at peace with myself I wont be missing

these feelings so much.

>

> I dont have a choice to go back to the coffee. My body made it perfectly

clear that it cant handle it anymore. The decision is made. What a scary thing

to lose that crutch.

>

> Deb

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for your input Georgi!

Now that I am without this crutch, I notice that I often used it to just " fill

space " along with just using it to fill me up and wake me up. Especially in the

morning, I'm so used to getting up and making coffee. Then I would SIT and put

off getting my shower to get ready for work and justifying it by saying " i'm not

done with my coffee yet. "

Ah hah! WORK! Hmmmm, now there's a subject related to AVOIDANCE!

It's interesting the things we start uncovering when we choose to start

addressing our addictions. It is also scary but it feels good to be taking care

of myself for a change.

Deb

>

> Deb,

>

> I am such a big coffee drinker - and for similar reasons as you express -

initially because I was trying to drink coffee or diet coke instead of eat.

Then, when I gave up alcohol, coffee was a great substitute. Now it is a habit I

use as a crutch to get me through the day - allieviate boredom, deflect any

emotion etc. I have tried to give it up at various times - with no long term

success (except when I was pregnant and didn't want it) I never have had the

physical symptoms that pushed you to put the coffee down - so I haven't given it

up long term. The short term giving up of coffee- has made me very grumpy.

>

> My point - I salute you for confronting what is underneath the coffee drinking

and am eager to keep hearing what you are going through - as I know this may be

where I am headed.

>

> Perhaps you will eventually find something that you truly enjoy to take the

place of coffee?

>

> Anyway keep us posted.

>

> Thanks,

> Georgi

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Katcha.

I'm the opposite of you - my nickname when I was a baby was Turtle. No kidding.

So I'm naturally drawn to stimulants. Wish I had a little more of that energy

you've got! Perhaps after awhile things will balance out.

Have a great day!

Deb

> >

> > Deb,

> >

> > I am such a big coffee drinker - and for similar reasons as you express -

initially because I was trying to drink coffee or diet coke instead of eat.

Then, when I gave up alcohol, coffee was a great substitute. Now it is a habit I

use as a crutch to get me through the day - allieviate boredom, deflect any

emotion etc. I have tried to give it up at various times - with no long term

success (except when I was pregnant and didn't want it) I never have had the

physical symptoms that pushed you to put the coffee down - so I haven't given it

up long term. The short term giving up of coffee- has made me very grumpy.

> >

> > My point - I salute you for confronting what is underneath the coffee

drinking and am eager to keep hearing what you are going through - as I know

this may be where I am headed.

> >

> > Perhaps you will eventually find something that you truly enjoy to take the

place of coffee?

> >

> > Anyway keep us posted.

> >

> > Thanks,

> > Georgi

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Deb for writing in. I let go of diet soda -- a serious habit for me -- about 10 months ago. My mind still talks to me about wanting it, and I even still dream about it and it's definitely a filling the void thing, an emotional void, it was how I gave myself a "treat". The truth is it increased my anxiety and increased my appetite, especially for sweet things. And, it probably effected my sleep too -- I don't think it could have helped my sleep, that's for sure.

I am so much more sane without it and my body feels so much better. And somehow now I am able to connect viscerally to the self-love involved in refraining from it.

I don't like coffee and when I stopped drinking the diet cherry pepsi I started drinking herbal tea instead. And, I didn't add sugar to it because I thought I'd just be recreating the situation I had with the diet cherry pepsi -- now I have all these different kind of teas and I even like them hot (I used to just like iced tea), it's like drinking it for a while started to produce a positive craving for it!

This past Sunday, I had some tea with caffiene because I was studying for a test and thought, I'm going to let myself have this crutch for now. But it was terrible! I went into such heightened anxiety and my mind started moving so fast I couldn't study...it was a really unpleasant experience.

Thankfully, something seems to be connecting and I don't want to experience that again so much so that I haven't even craved caffiene again.

I am hoping that at some point the unpleasant body, mind, and spirit reactions I have to compulsive overeating will also translate into a total lack of desire to eat compulsivley. I know it has helped, but I definitely still fight for the willingness to stop eating when i feel full.

Thanks for reading,

Liz

To: IntuitiveEating_Support From: scopingforyou@...Date: Fri, 25 Sep 2009 04:20:16 +0000Subject: Re: no coffee

I understand Deb. I had to give up coffee for my stomach. I occasionally have decaf though. But you will get used to the change and find your new way to do things just as comfortable in time. Time being the operative word here. ;-)KT>> Well, it's been a full week without coffee for me. I've been having trouble with my throat and stomach and decided to make this one small change for the better. > > Having no caffeine has created some interesting feelings/experiences for me.> > 1. I have less indigestion> > 2. I dont seem to be as crazy hungry around 3-4pm as I used to.> > 3. I am "itchy" for something to occupy me. > > I'm finding it interesting how coffee and diet sodas used to fill a void. There is also an exerpt in the IE book about how we use these products to "pacify hunger....without eating or calories" which I'm sure was my ultimate reason for incorporating them into my day. It's sort of sad because my poor body is telling me it's hungry and I'm so afraid of gaining weight that I opt for the caffeine. And all I think it really did was make things worse. I guess I could trick my body into thinking it was eating but then the price I would pay would be greater later on when my blood sugar would drop more dramatically than if I would have just eaten something in the first place - resulting in eating more food.> > It's very sobering not having that crutch in my hand. There is somewhat of a death. On Saturday mornings I used to blast my music and drink alot of coffee and clean my house. I miss that euphoric feeling. It sort of makes me feel "old" now. I imagine after I become more at peace with myself I wont be missing these feelings so much. > > I dont have a choice to go back to the coffee. My body made it perfectly clear that it cant handle it anymore. The decision is made. What a scary thing to lose that crutch. > > Deb>

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[Guest guest]

Hi :

Thanks, I think the way you drink your coffee sounds most " normal " to me.

Deb

>

> Deb,

>

> How interesting...I never really thought of coffee as being a replacement for

food. For me, I find that I drink it in addition to something. Perfect example

is this morning when I had a cup with my bagel. I ususally drink it as part of

dessert or a meal (usually breakfast). It takes a lot of courage to walk down

this path and dig underneath to find out what giving up coffee really means for

you. Also, this post gives me a lot of insight because eventually I may be

walking down this path of giving up coffee too

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks, KT. Yes, time indeed. Practicing being patient!

Deb

>

> I understand Deb. I had to give up coffee for my stomach. I occasionally

have decaf though. But you will get used to the change and find your new way to

do things just as comfortable in time. Time being the operative word here. ;-)

>

> KT

[Guest guest]

Thanks for your comments Eliza. I used to like to drink coffee with my dad when

i was small. I dont think you sound like an addict to coffee. I think you

sound like you are " intuitive " with your drinking habits. It sounds normal to

me.

Deb

>

> Very interest topic about coffee. Honest, most people are shocked with how

young I was when I first started coffee. Probably some of you would not expect

that. I was only 5 years old when I have had my first coffee and even my mother

let me have only one but no more. Although the trick about my habit with coffee

is odd to most people. Accord to some of others that I should be an addict to

coffee. To be truth I am not that because I don't drink coffee everyday at all.

Once in a while usual during winter time but almost never during Spring and

Summer period. I still stick only one or two cup of coffee but almost never ever

more than that. For soda, I usual after diet soda because the regular soda taste

too much sweet to me. Probably due to my diabetic and that diet soda taste

better and less too much sweet. I usual after non-caffiene diet soda. For some

reason if I have way too much caffiene that tend cause my taste for other foods

like blah or worse. Did I ever once feel like limit myself with coffee or any

caffiene? Nope, I have not feel like being limited myself.

>

> Eliza

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Deb,

Everyone had noticed some days I drink a lot than other days. They wonder why I

don't keep it in same amounts each day. I had once told them if they feel full

with drinks then they should not force for more by accord the " rules " they were

set.

Although I still work on this food issues which I am take one step at a time.

Eliza

> >

> > Very interest topic about coffee. Honest, most people are shocked with how

young I was when I first started coffee. Probably some of you would not expect

that. I was only 5 years old when I have had my first coffee and even my mother

let me have only one but no more. Although the trick about my habit with coffee

is odd to most people. Accord to some of others that I should be an addict to

coffee. To be truth I am not that because I don't drink coffee everyday at all.

Once in a while usual during winter time but almost never during Spring and

Summer period. I still stick only one or two cup of coffee but almost never ever

more than that. For soda, I usual after diet soda because the regular soda taste

too much sweet to me. Probably due to my diabetic and that diet soda taste

better and less too much sweet. I usual after non-caffiene diet soda. For some

reason if I have way too much caffiene that tend cause my taste for other foods

like blah or worse. Did I ever once feel like limit myself with coffee or any

caffiene? Nope, I have not feel like being limited myself.

> >

> > Eliza

> >

>