Giving Up the Java

on August 19, 2011
in All Posts

I am a self-declared coffee addict.

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I love coffee.  I love the taste.  I love the buzz.  I love the routine of preparing and drinking coffee in the morning. 

 

But I’m not so sure coffee loves me back.

 

The Husband (in all his infinite holistic medicine wisdom) has been urging me to eliminate – or at the very least, cut back – on coffee for years.  He argues that coffee stresses my body (especially the adrenal glands) and is hard on my digestive system.  I always retort, “But I only have a cup a day!” And he shoots back, “That’s 365 cups a year.  Do you really think that’s drinking coffee in moderation?”

 

I hate it when he’s right.  Hate it!  When I put aside my stubbornness (“But I don’t WANNA give up coffee!”), I realized that I totally use it as a crutch.  Coffee allowed me to stay up ridiculously late watching trashy reality TV and perk up right away in the morning.  Maybe if I didn’t have coffee to lean on, I’d be forced to actually get the seven or eight hours of sleep I needed.  And I really don’t think it’s the best for my body.  I know many people can regularly drink coffee with no ill effects (in fact, for some people, it can be beneficial), but I don’t think it’s jiving with me lately!

 

So I’m trying to cut back – I don’t want to say I’m quitting – the coffee.  I just don’t think I’m a cold turkey kind of person.  Cutting back seems more manageable.  Some mornings have been hard, but I haven’t strangled myself with a dish towel yet.  Here’s how I’m slowly giving up the java:

 

  • I replaced the ritual of drinking coffee.  So I’ve been drinking tons of green tea.  I bought some organic loose leaf tea and bust out the pretty tea pot every morning. 

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  • When I do drink coffee, I wait until at least an hour after breakfast.  I’ve found that I don’t really need coffee as often as I thought I did.  A lot of my coffee consumption was out of habit.

 

  • When I do drink coffee, I make it conscious choice.  I try not to drink it out of habit.  But if I truly want it, I drink a cup without the guilt.  Like tonight – I REALLY needed a latte tonight!

 

  • I pour coffee into my smaller tea cups instead of my big coffee mugs.  It’s a visual trick, but it really works. I feel just as satisfied!

 

Any former coffee addicts out there?  How did you quit?  Help me!

 

PS – The Healthy Living Summit Cocktail Party was tonight.  It was a blast.

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Check out my Facebook page for more pictures!

{ 138 comments }

 

  • Mandy August 19, 2011, 11:32 pm

    I’ve been debating on cutting back the coffee too … you’ve given me the inspiration to do it! Thank ya!

    • CaitlinHTP August 21, 2011, 9:33 pm

      Let’s hold each other accountable!!! It’s so hard.

  • Penny August 19, 2011, 11:34 pm

    My body can NOT handle caffeine. After a few years of horrible migraines, I realized caffeine was the culprit. I ditched it a few years ago, and only drink decaf now. I feel sooo much better too.
    You look awesome in your dress. 🙂

  • Eve August 19, 2011, 11:35 pm

    You look supah gorgeous and classy in the last picture! I am suddenly on an epic daily-latte and daily-antacid regime. Um, yeah, coffee does NOT agree with me, but I definitely agree with it. Can I have some of your willpower? 🙂

    • CaitlinHTP August 21, 2011, 9:33 pm

      Thank you so much 🙂

  • Shaya August 19, 2011, 11:39 pm

    noooooo, don’t do it!! someone else needs to appreciate the amazingness of my homemade cold-brewed iced coffee!!! 😉

    I’m just kidding, of course. I had to give it up for the majority of the school year. The caffeine + the crazy stress of school gave me CRAZY heart palpitations and anxiety. I only restarted drinking it for realz when I had the summer off.

    I sucked down some amazing cinnamon-flavored black tea while I was abstaining, and it ALMOST held a candle to the coffee. And there’s always decaf, my friend!

  • Jillian August 19, 2011, 11:40 pm

    I love the color of your shoes! Where did you buy them?

    • CaitlinHTP August 21, 2011, 9:47 pm

      TJ Maxx 🙂 They are Franco Sparto or whatever though 🙂

  • Kat August 20, 2011, 12:00 am

    I quit coffee about 6 months ago. I went cold turkey, from 4 cups a day to zero!! I did it because I have some problems with muscle tension that coffee was exacerbating.

    What really helped me was not telling anyone what I was doing for the first few weeks. (I think you already blew that one.) My coworkers were just so used to seeing me drink coffee that I worried that if they knew that I had quit and were constantly asking me about it, it would make me focus on it and make it that much harder. I put empty mugs on my desk as props for the first 3 weeks!

    • CaitlinHTP August 21, 2011, 9:47 pm

      This is a good tip!

  • Chelsea August 20, 2011, 12:01 am

    You girls are so lovely! I wish I could be there!
    Thank goodness I’ve never cared much for coffee. It was hard to give up sprite for awhile. I just stopped drinking it at home at first and only drank it when I went out to eat. Than I started realizing how much of a waste of money it was when I went out to eat in comparison to water (free!). Maybe take those steps as well :)?

  • Amber from Girl with the Red Hair August 20, 2011, 12:02 am

    I used to drink about…oh at least 4-6 cups of coffee a day. Then back in April I gave it up for a month! NO COFFEE. It was really, really hard. I drank lots of chai tea and decaf in the meantime.

    Since then I have added coffee back into my life, but ONLY 1 cup a day (2 on really bad days). I definitely feel much better since I cut back so much. I also make sure to drink only really GOOD coffee and no longer drink my offices AWFUL coffee just because it’s there 🙂

    • Susan August 20, 2011, 8:09 am

      I did the same thing – and then cut back to one, really good cup of coffee a day. I had it easy though, as I went through my coffee “detox” during the month I was in the hospital and felt like crap regardless of the lack of caffeine.

      Best coffee substitute is matcha. I like mixing a small scoop with creme brulee flavoured tea – cuts the edge off. I also like adding the matcha powder to smoothies 🙂

    • Jen August 20, 2011, 2:17 pm

      Ahhh I think I actually prefer chai tea to coffee! I need to remember to buy some chai tea bags on my next trip to the grocery store!

      • CaitlinHTP August 21, 2011, 9:48 pm

        Chai tea is the bomb 🙂

  • Abby August 20, 2011, 12:19 am

    Luckily for me, I never got started on coffee, mainly because I can’t stand the taste. I did stop drinking cokes cold turkey though (or sodas, for since I guess you’re not from the Texas Panhandle:) )in junior high when I started playing tennis. I figured if I was going to be an athlete, I needed to eat/drink like one. Since then, I’ve had a few sprites and one coke. The coke was an act of desperation to keep me awake for a really tough night class last semester lol.

  • Katharine August 20, 2011, 12:20 am

    Girl, I feel ya! I, too, was addicted to coffee – it started my morning off on (what I thought was) the right foot. I loved the ritual, the thermos I took it to work in, the feeling it gave me. But if I didn’t have it… oh the headaches I got.

    My mom (who’s an acupuncturist, too!) and I started a 21 day Chinese Medicine cleanse (for various reasons – the main one being fatigue that I can’t seem to find the culprit of). And one of the things that was absolutely off limits was coffee. The first two days were HARD, but, like you, I stuck with green tea instead and have been coffee free for 23 days! Once the cleanse is over (on Sunday) I’ll go back to having coffee – but only as a Monday and weekend treat. I don’t want to get addicted again like I was, as much as I love it, because I know it wasn’t doing my body any good.

    Also, it’s interesting that you say it stresses the adrenals – that’s one thing I think might be the answer to my morning fatigue. And since I’ve been on this cleanse, it’s gotten better! I’d love to chat more or give you tips if you need further support 🙂 You can do it!

    • CaitlinHTP August 21, 2011, 9:50 pm

      That’s cool that your momma is an acupuncturist 🙂 I didn’t know that!

      • Katharine August 22, 2011, 2:14 pm

        Yep! She went back to school when I was 8, so I spent a lot of my childhood growing up around acupuncture 🙂 She’s now had her own practice for over 15 years!

  • Katie August 20, 2011, 1:01 am

    Although I like the taste of coffee, I don’t like to drink it often. It makes me kind of jittery, and I feel, like you were saying, that it allows me to feel awake and ignore signs my body is telling me to get more sleep. I never feel as good on 6 hours of sleep with coffee as I do with 8 hours of sleep, caffeine-free. But – I am a tea drinker. I was about to suggest it before I got to the part where you said you’re already having some. It has a lot (and more) of the benefits of coffee, and it’s easier on you caffeine-wise.
    Upon reflection, I basically didn’t say anything here that you didn’t say in your post, lol. Oh well, there’s my two cents 🙂

  • Taysa August 20, 2011, 1:07 am

    I have quit coffee twice in the last two years. Just about a month ago was the second time. I had to quit it because highly acidic foods give me IBS. I was drinking two cups a days, so I starting cutting back by 1/2 a cup, and replacing coffee with green and black tea. There was at least three days of absolute hell–the worst headaches and “fogginess”, but after those three days I found I didn’t even need the tea. I drink a lot of herbal tea now, and occasionally green tea, but I try not to drink it first thing in the morning. I also drink decaf coffee very rarely, just because I love the taste!

  • Lorin August 20, 2011, 1:12 am

    I like the taste and the ritual of it as well. However, I drink decaf coffee.

  • Socal Rachel August 20, 2011, 1:35 am

    I quit drinking coffee this spring after reading Skinny Bitch. I only had 1 cup a day, so I started with every other day and kept cutting back so it was only once a week. I did that for a while until I realized I didn’t really need it and wasn’t missing it. I still have a cup maybe 1 or 2x a month. When I do it is such a treat and tastes so much better than it use to.

  • Khushboo August 20, 2011, 1:47 am

    Oh dear, I have never been a coffee person but I’ve recently gotten into the habit of starting my day off with an iced coffee and each day I seem to crave it more! I’ve fallen into the java trap- gah!

  • mi-an d. August 20, 2011, 2:04 am

    I’ve quit coffee several times, it takes me a a day or two for the headaches, then i’m fine. But then there are times when I drink coffee like now bc i’m reviewing for the boards and it helps me wake up in the morning when i’m doing questions! 🙂 But i’ll probably quit after i take the boards. I like coffee but im not addicted to it. if green juicing wasn’t epic, i would have it every morning instead of coffee. Try green juice in the morning. Might help! 🙂

  • Lexi @ A Spoonful of Sunshine August 20, 2011, 4:13 am

    I agree–I don’t think my body really likes coffee, but it is so addicting!

    I try to limit my consumption, but I do enjoy the flavor/taste.

  • Claire August 20, 2011, 6:16 am

    Your outfit is stunning!

    • CaitlinHTP August 21, 2011, 9:53 pm

      Thank you Claire 🙂

      You have my favorite name!

  • Sophie @ threetimesf August 20, 2011, 6:19 am

    I’m 22 and really don’t like the taste of coffee (sorry!) but used to be totally addicted to energy drinks and coke, which is just as bad! I tried to cut down to one a day, then one every other day etc. Eventually I settled on 3 a week, and knew that if I had a really busy time I just had to factor the energy that I would ‘need’ in. I know it’s not perfect, but its better than 7-10 a week! Good Luck!
    ps – the cocktail party looks fab, love your (and Megan’s) dress!)

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin August 20, 2011, 7:03 am

    You’re a stronger woman than me – I don’t think I could give it up! 😉

    Just curious about why you wait until an hour after breakfast to drink it – do you do that because of how coffee interferes with calcium absorption?

    • CaitlinHTP August 21, 2011, 9:54 pm

      I wait because sometimes, if I wait it out, the urge to drink it passes!

  • Victoria (District Chocoholic) August 20, 2011, 7:06 am

    HI CAITLIN!!! You are awesome. It was so cool to meet you last night. I will bother you more today to talk more about swimming.

    That has nothing to do with this post, but whatever.

    • CaitlinHTP August 21, 2011, 9:54 pm

      It was really wonderful to meet you, Victoria!

  • Kelly August 20, 2011, 7:12 am

    I was a coffee drinker for about 6 years (senior year of hs through all of college, first year or two of work) and I had to cut it out because it bothers my stomach a lot. I would say 90% of mornings I don’t miss it, so if I ever could magically drink it again, I would probably be a person who drinks its 1-2 times per week just when I particularly need it 🙂

  • Cassie @ Back to Her Roots August 20, 2011, 7:24 am

    I was a totally coffee-aholic. I loved everything about it. There is something very romantic about carrying around a cup of coffee. You feel like you are in a special club.

    But I also always had terrible, heinous migraines. One day, I was doing some research on triggers and discovered caffeine is one of them! I immediately went totally cold turkey 100% decaf. I had raging withdrawals for about a week, but after that, my migraines numbers have droppped from 4-6 a month to 4-6 a year! Fantastic!

    Now, I only drink caffeine (any kind) if I really, truly “need” it. And even then, I can get away with a small cup of half-caf.

    P.S. Your dress and red heels are BANGIN’!

  • Meg August 20, 2011, 7:41 am

    http://www.yerbamate.com/YerbaMate/#health

    Check out Yerba mate. You can still enjoy the morning coffee ritual with tons if health benefits instead of feeling bad about drinking coffee. I drank it a lot while on a no caffeine (and no sugar, no gluten, no animal products) diet to naturally fight an H. Pylori bacterial infection a few years ago. They even have great flavors that imitate coffee drinks you’re used to.

    • CaitlinHTP August 21, 2011, 9:55 pm

      I love yerba mate but forgot about it! Thanks for the reminder.

  • Sweet and Savvy August 20, 2011, 7:43 am

    Oh wow! Good luck with your sans coffee adventure! I admire you!

  • Meg August 20, 2011, 7:54 am

    http://www.teeccino.com/

    Teeccino is actually the coffee alternative I was thinking of, whoops. Living in Africa for the past has me a little out of touch with my life in America. Teeccino is the one that really tastes like coffee though Yerba mate IS delicious and has great health benefits. Try them both!!!

    • katrina August 20, 2011, 2:49 pm

      I was just scanning comments to see if anyone had mentioned teeccino – love it! helped me go from 8 cups of coffee a day to one!

  • Laura @ My Reason to Tri August 20, 2011, 7:55 am

    i have given it up a couple times, once to help lower my blood pressure, another time because it made my boobs hurt, and the last time when i was pregnant. the withdrawals were awful. im back to drinking coffee full force. i know i should cut back a little, i just love coffee, even decaf, i love the flavor.

  • Laura @ My Reason to Tri August 20, 2011, 7:56 am

    OH! and i meant to say. you look so pretty in that dress. GAWgeous!

  • grace b August 20, 2011, 8:08 am

    I was definitely a hardcore coffee addict my freshman year of coffee. I basically did it because everyone else was doing it!

    By my sophomore year when I started to get healthy I became VERY sensitive to it and still am. Mostly because when I’m at home I don’t drink coffee–I don’t like what my parents make even though I love the overall taste of coffee (okay, what I really love are Coffee Coolattas and Frappacinos…).

    So basically I can’t drink coffee anymore. Even if I have the tiniest cup it leaves me jittery, nauseous, and I get REALLY bad sugar crashes–headaches, achy muscles, I literally feel sick. Now I only drink coffee related things probably once a month when I break down for the taste.

    Or I have coffee ice cream. 🙂

    • R. Chandra August 20, 2011, 8:35 am

      my freshman year of coffee!! 🙂 this made me smile 🙂

      • grace b August 20, 2011, 8:36 am

        Ah I didn’t even realize I did that! Lol. *Freshman year of college.

        Can you tell I am seriously missing coffee this morning?

  • Lori Lynn August 20, 2011, 8:20 am

    I have a 4 cup coffee pot, and I’ve always had my Hazelnut coffee in the morning. If I get absolutely desperate, I may have some in the afternoon. But it’s usually when I can’t function, and doesn’t happen too often. But this week, I actually was trying to go cold turkey without any coffee. I did actually go two days with just a cup of coffee, one day with NO coffee, but then yesterday and again today I had my 4 cups again. Part of it was that yesterday I was sitting through an inservice, and I couldn’t concentrate without it (b/c I didn’t sleep well), and then I slept horribly again last night, so again came the coffee!! Guess it’s a work in progress!

  • Jenny August 20, 2011, 8:29 am

    When my best friend got pregnant she replaced her morning coffee with a big glass of ice water. She said she was cranky, but the cold water helped to wake her up. Please don’t hate me, but I guess I’m one of those people that benefits from coffee. I quit it for a month once and it was the worst month of me and my girlfriend’s lives. Let’s just say I took cranky b**** to a whole new level. I only drink 1-2 cups in the morning and limit my afternoon caffeine to green tea. I would imagine if I needed to quit for health reasons, I could do it, but otherwise there is no way I could give it up–I love it all too much. And while most times I agree with your lovely hubby, I don’t on this issue. One cup a day IS moderation in my book. Let’s make a low estimate that you only have 8 other drinks a day (water, tea, juice, etc), while keeping in mind that a coffee cup generally holds 6-8 oz. while other drinking cups hold upwards of 12. Of the nearly 3300 drinks a year, only 365 are coffee–that does not sound like overindulging to me! Again, if coffee aggravates your health issues, of course you should reduce your intake. That would be the only reason I could ever give up my liquid gold. Good luck to you 🙂

    • Sarah August 20, 2011, 10:57 am

      I agree with you! Life is too short! I love coffee and can’t imagine life without it! Of course, I try to use it responsibly (i.e. NOT how I used it freshman year of college, haha) and would eliminate it if I had a medical issue that required it, but for now, bring it ON!!! 🙂

    • Stephanie September 2, 2011, 12:12 pm

      I love love love coffee too. We’re a family of coffee drinkers, and we always end dinner at my parents’ house with a cup. I’ve gone days without it, and I’m fine, but there’s something very homey about a hot cup of coffee for me. (Granted, I will also say that I drink about 2-3 cups a day, but I don’t get the withdrawal headaches when I don’t.)

  • Keri August 20, 2011, 8:29 am

    I was a serious coffee addict for years. Every day began with a tall Americano courtesy Starbucks. And then, sometimes after school (when I was teaching) or at lunch (when I was a student again). It was ridiculous. I was studying Ayurvedic medicine, and my digestive system was not in good shape. Like you, I gradually shifted to green tea. Then swapped the occasional coffee for yerba mate when I wanted that caffeine boost. And after a week in the woods sans coffee, when we got back, I couldn’t stomach it anymore. I tried ordering my usual, but could only drink a quarter of it before I started to feel ill. Still love the smell, but can’t drink it anymore. Good luck!

  • chelsey @ clean eating chelsey August 20, 2011, 8:33 am

    I gave up coffee for a solid 6 months and then one day I fell off the wagon – HARD! I’m back to drinking it and my stomach is hating me.

  • R. Chandra August 20, 2011, 8:34 am

    i gave up coffee for about 6 weeks in the spring – went back to drinking it because i didn’t feel there was anything great about not drinking it! i just missed a source of enjoyment. what i did notice was not having any in the afternoon/evening was great for my body – i slept a whole lot better. but a cup or two in the morning makes absolutely no difference to my sleep patterns, and just tastes good and gives me energy. 🙂 but, you’re probably right, it’s not the best for my adrenals… but hey, no one’s perfect 🙂

    ahh good luck to you though! the first few days are the worst!

  • Hillary August 20, 2011, 8:52 am

    My roommate and best friend in college got me addicted to coffee, and I haven’t looked back since. I generally have a cup a day, and I never drink ANY caffeine after 3 or 4 pm (or else it messes with my sleep). The cup in the morning is just enough to get me moving, and (TMI alert) get my digestive system moving as well!

  • Sarah@The Flying ONION August 20, 2011, 9:03 am

    Well. I’ve had some ups and downs with coffee. I did quit it for about a month before realizing that I just missed it so much. Then I started just drinking it on the weekends. And then I went back and started drinking it daily.

    Coffee does have some positive links with preventing Alzheimer. AND it’s full of antioxidants. I use these two as my excuse to keep on drinking. 😉 But if it bothers your digestive system, maybe you could start cutting back slowly. As in, one week, drink 3/4 cup with a little extra milk. The next week, drink 1/2 cup. And so on.

    Good luck!! 😀

  • Ashley August 20, 2011, 9:17 am

    Ugh I’ve been struggling with the same issue. Does drinking the Green Tea eliminate the withdrawal headaches? I get soul crushing head aches when I try to quit
    cold turkey.

    • CaitlinHTP August 21, 2011, 9:56 pm

      I think Green Tea (at least the kind I drinK) has a little bit of caffeine in it so it definitely helps!

  • sarah@spinach and spice August 20, 2011, 9:30 am

    I love coffee, but coffee doesn’t always love me back! I, too, am attempting to cut back my coffee little by little,, but it’s tough! Have fun at HLS 😀 Enjoy your time!

  • Laura Diane August 20, 2011, 9:32 am

    Two things. First of all, your dress is GORGEOUS and I want it! =) Second, I am an actress and have spent several years studying voice and vocal technique and one of the first things we were taught was about the negative effects coffee (and caffeine in general) can have on the vocal folds. One of the best things to do (at least for singing) is after you drink a cup of coffee, drink AT LEAST the same amount in water, ideally double in water. That helps dilute the caffeine and wards off negative effects on singing and speaking. Now, I know you are not talking about singing, of course, but I have found that it’s a good rule to follow, especially since caffeine is a diuretic and drinking a caffeinated beverage really does nothing to actually hydrate your body. Balance, balance! Stay gorgeous 😉

    • CaitlinHTP August 21, 2011, 9:56 pm

      Interesting factoid!!!! 🙂

      Thank you for the dress compliments 🙂

  • Melanie August 20, 2011, 9:34 am

    I love coffee as much as you do it seems. I was so addicted to the whole idea and taste and feeling of it. Recently I started doing a cleanse and this, sadly, required that I give up all caffeine. I had to go cold turkey on it. It has been two weeks now since Ive had any and what I have discovered is that I dont think I was as dependent on it as I thought I was. It was all in my head, I think. Cause I never got that headache or felt bad at all. What it did allow me to do was to actually wake up on my own. Instead I have a glass of warm lemon water. Its actually quite good. I am not saying I will never have it again but its nice to not have to roll out of bed and feel like I can’t function until that large mug of hot coffee is in my hand.

  • Cait @ Beyond Bananas August 20, 2011, 9:38 am

    I do love coffee – but I can just not drink it for a week or two and have no problem. I haven’t really been drinking it as much since I’ve been on vacation – but once the school year starts I will certainly be having a cup in the morning to help keep me on my toes. Honestly – I drink it for the taste. Caffeine doesn’t keep me up (I can drink it and then immediately go to bed). I wish you the BEST with giving it up! I like your visual tricks.. funny how easy we can fool our minds!

  • Shannon August 20, 2011, 9:55 am

    I have a miracle product for you, Caitlin! It’s called Dandy Blend, and it is an herbal coffee alternative that tastes quite a bit like coffee, can be used just like coffee (except easier: no brewing; it’s an instant powder), eliminated withdrawal symptoms, AND is super-healthy to boot. It’s made from dried dandelion and chicory roots. Ask your husband about it! I was JUST as much a coffee addict as you — maybe more, since I drank much more than 1 cup a day! — and this has been a lifesaver for me! I love it. I drink it iced right now in the summer, stirred into ice water with some half-and-half on top (just a little!). But it can obviously be consumed hot as well. Check it out! They have a website or you can order it from iHerb.com.

    • CaitlinHTP August 21, 2011, 9:57 pm

      Awesome Shannon! Thanks for the recommendation. I’m going to look into this.

      • Katherina @ Zephyr Runs August 22, 2011, 8:10 am

        There are some great herbal tea blends that taste root-y or earth-y like coffee! Do you drink mate? It doesn’t taste like coffee (at all) but it could be a good replacement. A hot mate with some soy milk in it is pretty tasty 🙂 Or iced, steeped with coconut! So good!

  • kelly August 20, 2011, 10:00 am

    I gave up caffeine almost a year ago! Partly because I knew I was going to try to get pregnant soon and would need to cut back, but also because it started to make me feel like crap! I couldn’t survive without it and was totally addicted. I’d always crash around mid afternoon too. And it would make my heart race like crazy, almost like I was having a panic attack. Not fun. So I quit last year. I eased my way into it by drinking black tea instead… then swtiching to green.. and then finally herbal tea.. Now I don’t drink any tea in the morning. Just milk, juice or smoothies, and I have way more energy than ever. I still occasionally have a few sips here or there of a coke or a latte, but any more than that and my heart starts going crazy! Now, I order decaf lattes and they are just as satisfying 🙂 Anyways, good luck, it is totally worth it!

    • Sarah @ w30 August 20, 2011, 11:44 am

      That’s one of the things that scares me most about pregnancy! Heh.

      But – I am interested to hear you say you have more energy overall. I’ve wondered about that… I’m sure my coffee habit makes me have mini energy spikes and crashes. Do you find you have less afternoon-sleepies?

      • kelly August 20, 2011, 3:03 pm

        Oh yes, way less afternoon crashes..and I fall asleep easier at night too!

        • Sarah @ w30 August 20, 2011, 3:31 pm

          It’s funny because I end up having an afternoon coffee BECAUSE I’m sleepy … classic case of the chicken and the egg! 🙂 Maybe I should reconsider it.

  • Shayla @ The Good Life August 20, 2011, 10:42 am

    I’m a definite coffee addict – I only drink about two cups a morning, but it’s more the flavor and warm, cozy ambiance it creates that I love than the caffeine aspect of it – and to make things move in the morning, if ya know what I mean 😉

    And you ladies look absolutely gorgeous! And love your dress Caitlin 🙂

  • Alayna @ Thyme Bombe August 20, 2011, 10:43 am

    I completely replaced coffee with tea about a year and a half ago. At first, it was not at all satisfying and much blander than the rich flavor I was used to. Over time though, I fell so in love with it that I can’t even drink coffee anymore, it’s too intense and turns my stomach. Great choice to start with green tea, it has plenty of caffeine and it’s very flavorful.

  • Danielle August 20, 2011, 11:09 am

    I think for me it’s more the habit of having a cup of something with my breakfast! My mom drinks the instant stuff. (yuck!) So when I was in college and came home on weekends I was without my precious drip coffee in the mornings. I quickly learned that I didn’t really NEED coffee and tea was a good enough substitute. I now just go with what I feel like drinking that morning, usually coffee though! It tastes so good. 🙂
    Kudos to you for kicking the coffee habit!

  • Amber, Blonde and Balanced August 20, 2011, 11:15 am

    I gave up coffee (caffeine) over a year ago. I DID not go cold turkey but my husband did. I weened (spelling?) myself doing half caffeine/half decaf for about a month. It TOTALLY works. I haven’t had real coffee in a looonnng time.

    HOWEVER, I LOVE the ritual of coffee, so I still have decaf every morning. 🙂 Tastes so good, without the caffeine! I did a more detailed post about giving up caffeine here: http://www.blondeandbalanced.com/living-without-caffeine/

    Good luck!!! It is so worth it…

    • CaitlinHTP August 21, 2011, 10:00 pm

      Oh your post is great. Thank you so much!

  • Crystal (Bye Bye Fat Pants) August 20, 2011, 11:33 am

    I gave up coffee a few years back, just went cold turkey! It was making me feel anxious and I was have digestive issues! I do occasionally have a cup here and there … Maybe 1 cup a month! I feel a lot better when I don’t drink coffee!! Mind you I’m a Diet Coke addict eeeep

  • Sarah @ w30 August 20, 2011, 11:42 am

    Coffee addict in the house (wop wop). I love coffee, and it’s hard to imagine giving it up. I honestly haven’t considered it seriously, but it does make sense. It’s an ADDICTION. Any other addictions, and we know it’s bad. I would like to be someone that didn’t feel they needed it, but could have an occasional cup. So way to go! 🙂 Maybe I’ll give it more thought … eventually …
    I know you said you didn’t give it up completely, but what about the mornings? Did you ween yourself off it slowly, or just stop the morning ritual?

  • Allie August 20, 2011, 11:42 am

    I gave up coffee about 3 or 4 weeks ago. I am SO addicted to coffee (during finals week, upwards of 10 cups A DAY.) I finally came to the conclusion I needed to do something about it haha.

    I am definitely a cold turkey person (I did the same for going vegan and gluten free.) Not gonna lie, I would totally (and still do) get irrationally angry when I was/am craving it, but it’s getting easier. But I’ve found that I feel a lot better when I drink green tea. It gives me this calm, focused energy as opposed to the jolt that coffee gives you, which honestly feels a lot better.

    • CaitlinHTP August 21, 2011, 10:02 pm

      Oh man, we should try to support each other!! We can do this!

  • Rebecca August 20, 2011, 11:52 am

    I’ve discovered that caffeine actually tends to make me even more tired, so… Plus I don’t like the taste. Even coffee flavored stuff bugs me.
    I’m not a big coffee or tea (or soda/pop) drinker, so I don’t have any tips for quitting. I do know that my mom used to drink coffee and then started drinking decaf and then eventually quit drinking it all together. Now she drinks tea!

    I know that my dad has withdrawal symptoms if he doesn’t have at least one or two cups of coffee a day. He once made the mistake of not drinking coffee before coming with on a field trip; he had headaches the entire morning. Oops.

  • Brittnie (A Joy Renewed) August 20, 2011, 12:07 pm

    Love that dress you have on in the last photo! So flattering.

    I admire you for trying to kick the coffee habit. I only have 1 cup per day (see I am justifying it) but I think it is more of a fun habit for me than anything. I don’t notice any difference in my alert level after having a cup. Having my one cup of coffee is my fav part of the morning!! I am trying to get pregnant though so I probably should switch to decaf….soon.

  • Jennifer August 20, 2011, 12:10 pm

    Have you tried teeccino? Its a caffeine free hearbal coffee drink. http://www.teeccino.com/
    My boyfriend was a huge coffee drinker but I convienced him to finally cut back and now all he drinks is teeccino, he hasn’t had coffee in 2 months! I really like the original flavor it has a slight chocolatey taste. The french roast is supposed to be most like coffee but I haven’t tried it yet. The java flavor isnt bad either. I definitely recommend it!

    • CaitlinHTP August 21, 2011, 10:02 pm

      So many great coffee alternatives. I will look into this!

  • Lisa August 20, 2011, 12:10 pm

    I too love the habit of waking up and making myself a big pot of coffee! Good luck on cutting back :). I love your dress in the pics! where did you get it from?

    • CaitlinHTP August 21, 2011, 10:03 pm

      It’s Calvin Klein but I got it from Tj Maxx. Hollar! Thanks 🙂

  • Susan - Nurse on the Run August 20, 2011, 12:16 pm

    I’m guessing that anyone who kicks their coffee habit has never worked night shift before…I easily go through 5-8 cups per evening/night! Sometimes you need a little help when you’re fighting the natural sleep pattern. Plus, I don’t think it’s actually all that bad for you or the entire world would have fallen apart by now.

  • Danielle August 20, 2011, 12:20 pm

    Love your blog girl, but seriously, I think you have discussed being a coffee addict about 10 times! I love/need/want coffee, but I think I’ve commented in like four discussions about this on your blog previously! Maybe I have a good memory, or have been reading your blog longer than some commenters, but it makes me wonder if people *actually* pay attention to the things they read and comment on sometimes. Anyway, just wanted to constructively criticize this small thing! You are capable of coming up with unique content, so don’t recycle topics/questions!

    • Allie Q (Fit Geek) August 20, 2011, 2:14 pm

      I’ve noticed that she has posted about coffee before, but it doesn’t bother me at all. If anything, I like knowing I’m not the only coffee-crackhead out there. And I think of blogs as an extension of the writer’s life. She obviously drinks and loves her coffee, so it’s going to come up.

      • Jennie @ whilemybuttonsleeps August 20, 2011, 2:58 pm

        I agree with Alli. Danielle, did someone pee in your coffee this morning or something? Sheesh! I like when Caitlin revisits things!

        • Danielle August 20, 2011, 4:52 pm

          Well, that’s pretty rude.

          I wrote my comment in a cheerful and non-negative manner, so I’m not sure why you need to chime in here. I am clearly a long-time reader of this blog, and enjoy it! My point wasn’t that she’s posted about coffee before in a general sense (although, I think that was obvious from my comment) but more about the whole “addict” thing, and talking about wanting/needing to cut down or whatever, and then asking readers if they are coffee addicts. I think it bothers me a little (I don’t even think bothers is the right word though…) because bloggers always ask questions at the end of their posts to generate comments and responses, which is fine if the blogger chooses to do that, but in this case I feel like this discussion has been had many, many times on HTP. And if you actually read my comment, you would see that I was complimentary towards Caitlin – I think she often has really unique content on here, so I think to recycle the same old coffee discussion is a cop out. That’s all! But seriously, I didn’t say you couldn’t like it or that I speak for all readers. I was speaking for ME – so maybe you need to consider why you feel the need to even respond to what I said, and especially in such a rude manner. Does it actually bother you that I expressed my opinion? What about my comment compelled you to respond and try and offend ME when I was just expressing my honest opinion, which wasn’t even really that negative?

        • Jennie @ whilemybuttonsleeps August 20, 2011, 5:33 pm

          Danielle, I was not trying to offend you. I’m sorry … I was trying to make a joke…get it, about coffee? I honestly thought I added LOL im my original comment but I see I forgot it. I didn’t mean it as anything more than a joke. I was just agreeing with Allie that it didn’t seem like a cop out to me. I really am very sorry if I offended you- that wasn’t my intention at all. I guess it was in bad taste to joke. I’m sorry!!

    • CaitlinHTP August 20, 2011, 6:33 pm

      Hi guys – it’s cool 🙂 Everyone is entitled to different opinions 🙂 I appreciate all your thoughts! I wasn’t offended but I appreciate the support.

    • CaitlinHTP August 21, 2011, 10:04 pm

      Hi again Danielle!

      Also the reason I revisit topics is because not everyone has been reading my blog for months or years 🙂 Thanks for reading so long! Some stuff is worth revisiting, in my opinion!

  • Pauline @ Milkshake junkie August 20, 2011, 12:21 pm

    I use to be a 2 cup per morning person. I would go to sleep thinking about having my coffee in the morning. Then on mornings that I run or do a hard workout I found that my stomach just wasn’t handling it so I cut back to 1 cup those mornings. I so look forward to that second cup on my rest days. I don’t think I could ever give it up.

  • Lauren @ Fun, Fit and Fabulous! August 20, 2011, 12:58 pm

    Oh girl, I am right there with you!! I love the stuff for all the reasons you listed. It just makes me happy. I try to keep my intake on the smaller side and only have it in the morning. It’s a tough habit to crack!

  • Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife August 20, 2011, 1:18 pm

    Yep, I don’t drink coffee and i LOVE my sleep. I feel great when I get that sleep–so no crutch for me! You can DO IT 🙂

  • Amber K August 20, 2011, 1:47 pm

    I have never liked coffee, but I found out a couple of years ago that caffeine in any form is not good for my body!

  • Allie Q (Fit Geek) August 20, 2011, 2:09 pm

    If coffee had a d*ck, I’d marry it. Sorry if that’s crass, but yeah. I love coffee. Perhaps a little too much. Then again, I have literally drank a cup and fallen asleep. I think I’m immune to caffeine at this point. I’ve tried to replace it with tea…but it’s just not the same 🙁

  • Jen August 20, 2011, 2:12 pm

    I go through phases with coffee. Lately, I haven’t really wanted much, so I just don’t drink it. I know, that’s not helpful in trying to quit, but sometimes I just don’t buy coffee; having it in the house makes me much more likely to drink it, so if I limit my access to it, I end up gravitating towards tea instead if I’m in a warm drink kind of mood. The difficulty is living near a lot of coffee shops… but I only allow myself to get coffee from a coffee shop if I pay in cash and walk there, so that helps me cut back on the coffee, especially in the winter.

  • Erin @ Big Girl Feats August 20, 2011, 2:16 pm

    So funny because I was just thinking of writing a post about giving up coffee and then going back on it and then giving it up. My medication + body really doesn’t like it so I’m trying to not drink as much lately, so this is very appropriate!

  • Moni'sMeals August 20, 2011, 2:37 pm

    i go back and forth all the time with coffee, if it is the one thing I do that is considered :bad: than I figure I am doing pretty great. But with that being said, I still do agree with you smart husband! It is just hard, I know. 🙂

  • Sue @ Sue In Training August 20, 2011, 2:41 pm

    I’ve been doing pretty much the same for a few months now. I’m not an expert, but I believe sleep is healthier than coffee, right? Plus, I have a sensitive stomach, and it doesn’t like coffee, esp. of the filtered kind. So I’ve switched to decaf, having about a cup of it per day, enjoying ‘real’ coffee, mostly in the form of espresso (much better for my tummy) as an occasional treat.

  • Amy @ ahealthyandhappyheart August 20, 2011, 2:46 pm

    I try to drink decaf.. TRY! I just love iced coffee! You look amazing !

  • kristin August 20, 2011, 2:56 pm

    I was a huge coffee addict before getting pregnant…what’s funny is that I was planning to switch to decaf or have an occasional half cup of regular to keep the “ritual” and taste but turns out it actually makes me nauseous! Natures way of telling me that I shouldn’t be having it haha. I fully plan to re-integrate it back into my routine once I kick this morning sickness haha

  • Kari @ human, MD August 20, 2011, 2:59 pm

    I love coffee… it’s like a toddlers blacket to me. When I’m in the hospital and need some comfort, a warm cup of coffee to sip on does the trick. I also happen to love the taste and work in a field that sometimes makes the caffeine extra-special. But I drink coffee at night a lot too, not to keep me up, but totally as a comfort. I also take a day off totally a few times a month, just to make sure I’m not actually addicted (withdrawal headaches and such). I have no plans to give up coffee any time soon!

  • Ellie@fitforthesoul August 20, 2011, 3:03 pm

    haha ohhh myyyyy I hate statistics!! haha. 365…? Okay I’m way overdue. I love tea as well! But like you, I feel like coffee is a gift and an art in itself. The ritual, the drinking, the taste….lol I sound crazy 😛

  • Aja August 20, 2011, 3:11 pm

    I’ve never had coffee, but my fellow yearbookers at our yearboot camp drank it like they were going to die without it. We all were pretty tired, though. My dad is completely addicted. When we go on vacation I count how many cups he has over the 2-3 days we’re there. It’s always like 15-20. Eep!

  • Silly Savage August 20, 2011, 3:21 pm

    I quit coffee for 13 months or so. I switched to vanilla chai tea and added a splash of almond milk. Tasty and satisfying because it’s full bodied but naturally low in calories.

    • CaitlinHTP August 21, 2011, 10:05 pm

      Oh that sounds good! I want a cup of your vanilla chai tea 🙂

  • Tracy @ Tracy's Treats August 20, 2011, 3:46 pm

    I used to drink coffee every day, but it would make my skin feel really dry afterwards. I cut back by switching to green and white tea!

    Honestly, I feel so much better now that I only drink coffee on occasion.. and I’m sure you will notice the difference soon!

  • Corrie Anne August 20, 2011, 4:08 pm

    I’m a coffee addict who is still being stubborn! Oops!! Love seeing all the gorgeous dresses at the partay! 🙂

  • Marissa C August 20, 2011, 4:47 pm

    Haha–I don’t want to quit! I drink coffee purely for the taste/experience. It does wake me up some, but really doesn’t do much for me at all. I drink it 6-10 times/month because I really enjoy it. I can honestly say I have no dependency on it.

    Lattes apparently have less caffeine than plain old java if that makes you feel better.

    I’m certainly not giving it up before Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte and Holiday Drink Season!

    • CaitlinHTP August 21, 2011, 10:05 pm

      Oh yeah – I can’t quit completely! I forgot about Pumpkin Spice!

  • Vicky S. August 20, 2011, 6:03 pm

    I was never an addict… but I love my morning iced latte which has 2 double shots of espresso. Now that I am pregnant I have to limit myself to drinking half and saving the other half for the next day… sad but I am saving $$

  • Marla August 20, 2011, 7:18 pm

    I gave up my MEGA coffee addiction cold turkey on a detox dare kinda deal…and after 4 years am still off it….
    but verrrry addicted to my Twinings loose leaf Gunpowder
    Green tea every morning.And green tea does have some caffeine,so still hooked but on less caffeine now!
    Surprised I learned to love the taste of this tea (cause I finf most green teas nasty tasting!) and I do still swoon
    when I smell high quality coffee brewing as a former addict will do! 😉

  • Kari @ human, MD August 20, 2011, 9:06 pm

    Ooo, I just thought of a story that is appropriate here. So a friend of a friend (no really…) developed some abdominal pain one day. It got worse and he went to the emergency room and discovered he had appendicitis. They went to take him to surgery, but couldn’t do it right away because his blood pressure was too unstable (fluctuating ALL over the place!) They postponed the surgery to get his blood pressure to stay at a safe place, and discovered that he drank a LOT of coffee every day… like pots, and he was withdrawaling. They had to give him a caffeine suppository (in the bum) to get his blood pressure to stay in one place. After the surgery he decided that needing a suppository to be safe for surgery was a sign that his caffeine addiction had gotten a little out of control, and he quit. Clearly an extreme example, but still amusing!

    • CaitlinHTP August 21, 2011, 10:06 pm

      OMG! What a crazy story. I can’t believe they gave him a caffeine suppository. LOL

    • Katherina @ Zephyr Runs August 22, 2011, 8:05 am

      Wow!!

  • Molly @ RDexposed August 20, 2011, 9:13 pm

    Love the classy dress!

  • Katie @ Peace Love and Oats August 20, 2011, 9:35 pm

    I have a small cup of coffee every morning, but it works for me! I still get my 8 hours of sleep and have a rule of never drinking coffee after 6pm. Have fun at HLS!

  • sarah August 21, 2011, 5:39 am

    OMG Can’t help but roll my eyes, if you like coffee drink it.. One cup a day isn’t going to hurt anything. Quit depriving yourself. All this crap about stressing the adrenal glands, dude if your body is that sensitive maybe you should only drink water and eat iceburg lettuce. The way you word it you would think you’re drinking shots of jager everyday!

    • CaitlinHTP August 21, 2011, 10:08 pm

      I’m actually experiencing lots of funky medical symptoms and irregular test results regarding my adrenals. It’s not fun. Coffee might not be a serious thing to you (lucky!), but it certainly is to me.

      • sarah August 22, 2011, 2:55 am

        I’m sorry to hear that it affects your body like that. The Adrenal glands are part of your endocrine system, which I’m sure you know control every horomone in ur body. Since caffeine is NOT normal to the body but is tolerated in small amounts, it must indicate some other cause for the intolerance, caffeine alone does not cause significant interuptions in glandular function, nor does it disrupt endocrine secretions. If caffeine is affecting you this horribly, then yes you must not be exposed to it. So I’m sorry to have insulted you, or to have come across as if I have. I perhaps misread your post, and I hope you are well.

        • Caitlin August 22, 2011, 8:58 am

          You didn’t insult me 🙂 Don’t worry! I just wanted to clarify that this is a big deal *to me* because two doctors tell me that it is.

  • Kristen (inspiredbydooce) August 21, 2011, 8:02 am

    I disagree with your husband. I think one coffee a day IS moderation. But if you do want to cut back, I think your plan is a good one (with the smaller cups). Also, if you drink it at home, get yourself a small french press (if you don’t have one) and some high quality coffee. That way it is a bit of an ordeal to make coffee, there’s only a small amount, and you get a really good cup!

  • Emily August 21, 2011, 9:47 am

    Oh my goodness. Caitlin – coffee HATES my body. My brains says ‘Emily.drink.coffee.now” I have one cup a day (I’m pretty good about it) but if I have more (even decaf) I feel almost shaking, spacey and almost hungover! It’s the classic battle of head vs. body

  • Mel August 21, 2011, 11:42 am

    I love coffee and I think a cup or two a day is healthy for my mind and body! I’m never going to give it up…unless I must when I get preggers someday! You could say the same about a beer, wine, a glass of juice, etc. Of course we all know water is the best but I don’t see any problems with a cup or two of coffee a day, a glass of wine or beer a couple of times a week, etc. Love your dress!

  • Carolyn @ cool beans August 21, 2011, 12:13 pm

    Former coffee addict here! Clean for I think about three years now! By clean, I mean I still drink coffee occasionally, when I would really enjoy it or got myself into a desperate situation that requires a quick pick me up, but I feel so much better. Caffeine was killing my body – I know some people can handle it, but I can’t. It’s tough (I had headaches for about two weeks) but so worth it, as now when I do choose to drink coffee I really enjoy it rather than using it as a crutch, like you say.

    Good luck with the Summit! And enjoy that latte! 🙂

  • hemp jogger August 21, 2011, 3:11 pm

    i’m the exact same way…love the smell, taste, habit, caffeine…but i have no desire to quit. i typically drink 3-4 cups a day, and will do so until i really have to cut back (babies or some health issue). its just so good when it hits your lips!

  • Katherina @ Zephyr Runs August 22, 2011, 8:03 am

    Not a coffee addict (never could quite get into it) but I understand the ritual. My boyfriend is noticing great benefits from cutting way back on coffee – even his penmanship is better! I think replacing the ritual is a great way to cope! Good luck 🙂

  • Jaclyn August 22, 2011, 8:13 am

    Congratulations on making the decision to cut down on coffee! I used to be the same kind of “coffee addict” as you – just one cup a day, but going without it was unimaginable. Now I hardly ever have it. Not that I go without caffeine by any stretch of the imagination, but I am a total tea person now. I decided that I shouldn’t have both coffee AND tea in the same day – that’s a LOT of caffeine for me – and I really just prefer tea to coffee. So I phased it out and phased tea in. The main tip I would give you, it sounds like you are already doing – make the tea ritual something that you enjoy and look forward to just as much as, or more than, coffee. For me the best part of tea is that there are so many varieties and I can have whatever flavor I am craving. Being a plain black coffee person, I really didn’t discern many different flavors in my coffee; it always tasted exactly the same to me. I’d suggest that you find a tea shop in Charlotte where you can smell loose leaf teas and pick out exactly what you like. And if you want a REALLY nice treat, pick up some Mariage Freres tea. You can order online, but Dean & Deluca carries their more popular blends and you won’t have to pay for shipping from Paris. I’ve tried a lot of tea and nothing compares to Mariage Freres. Enjoy! 🙂

  • Hayley @ Oat Couture August 24, 2011, 11:42 am

    Coffee is such a habit for me, I just love waking up, preparing it and drinking it, from my favourite, massive mug of course! 🙂 However I’m like you in that it wasn’t doing anything for me, it left me quite jittery actually. I stopped drinking it about 6 months ago, still drink decaf though and honestly I forget it’s decaf sometimes. I tricked my mind finally! 🙂

  • lindsay September 2, 2011, 3:12 pm

    Just clicked back to this post from your superlatives post and realized that I never commented! I love coffee and drink 1 cup a day, max. About 50% of the time I make it decaf and sometimes I will swap it out for tea. I love the taste and the ritual. I love hot coffee to warm me in winter and iced coffee to cool me in summer 🙂

    But, the real reason for my comment is to share a negative effect that caffeine can have on your body. I have had two painful masses (both luckily benign) from one of my breasts. I often have other cysts that cause me pain. The one recommendation my breast specialist made when I experience pain in my breasts – to cut out coffee!! And, I can tell you that it absolutely works. Its just a perfect example of why its so important to pay attention to what you put into your body and how it effects you…

    • lindsay September 2, 2011, 3:14 pm

      *have had two painful masses removed from one of my breasts. Missed a word there 🙂

  • Nancy September 10, 2011, 11:12 pm

    I would never give up coffee. Like, ever.

  • Lindsay September 18, 2011, 4:55 pm

    I’m totally trying to do the same thing you are! I am in Seattle and therefore COMPLETELY addicted to coffee. I’ve tried switching to all sorts of things. The closest non-coffee drink I’ve been able to feel satisfied with: yerba mate latte! Buy a milk frother and froth some almond milk with some honey in it and add it to a cup of green tea or yerba mate – it’s so amazing!

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