Ok, I just had to run this by everyone. As the New Year rang in, I of course decided to try a few resolutions. One of which was to not drink caffeine. I'll be honest, I love caffeine. Love it. It seriously makes me so happy. I just feel like even a great night of sleep is not enough to keep you fueled and motivated throughout an entire day, and especially when most of the time none of us get a full night of deep, restful sleep. So I've tried to limit myself in the past but have found that, especially when my life is stressful and hectic, I just end up getting to the point where I drink it every day. I don't drink a ton, probably only about one 12 to 20 oz. coke's worth, but still, I hate feeling like I need it. Sometimes I have a hard time falling asleep at night, and for the last couple of months I've had heart palpatations--so I thought, I better just cut that out of my diet and maybe those things will change. The problem is, the doctor can't determine what is causing my heart to wig out (I know it's just stress...), and even when I'm off caffeine for a week or more, my heart will still do it's weird beats, and I still have a hard time sleeping, so I figure I might as well be happy. But I'm also trying to prep myself for when I get pregnant again, which will hopefully be within the next 6 months. I don't want my poor baby crazy hyper, so I for sure will stop then. But right now I'm having a hard time finding a reason not to. I'm a whole lot more productive with it that's for sure. And I made another discovery, I eat a ton more when I don't. I think my body is searching for more energy and it thinks it's gonna get it through cookies and a bunch of crappy snacks. Not good...
Anyway, basically I caved today. But I decided to put a limit--only once a week. Ok, I'm really sounding like an addict now. Maybe I really do have a problem. Is there a caffeine-aholics anonymous??? Does anyone else have a love-hate relationship with caffeine--or anything for that matter? Or am I just a weakling? Please make me feel better....
P.S. Dad, I know you are going to tell me to take my vitamins and bee pollen and exercise. I know I know I know. Trust me, I'm doing all of that. (OK not the bee pollen). But think of it this way, could you live without chocolate?
2 comments:
Don't feel guilty Kat. I'm a total caffeine addict. Before I was pregnant I would start my day off with a diet coke and then have another one for lunch and then I would have another one when I got home. I'm now finding myself succumbing to my addiction again, but I don't know what else to do especially on days when Keilani decides not to sleep well. I really don't think there is a problem with a little caffeine here and there.
Hey Kat... I know many who are struggling with caffeine addictions. It's hard, because it really is addicting. Having a hard problem myself, the first thing the doctor told me was to stay away from caffeine, including chocolate. It can mess with your heart when consumed on a regular basis. So, yes, it very well could be causing your heart palpations. If you tried to go off of it, my friend who has been dealing with other addictions says the first 2 weeks is "easy" when getting off an addicting substance, but weeks 3-6 are the worst. You need to find something else that can replace the habit, that isn't candy and such.
Not to sound "preachy," but Elder Ballard talked about this in his conference address in April 2008: "Avoid any kind of substance abuse, mistakenly thinking that it will help you accomplish more. And don’t allow yourself to be caught up in the time-wasting, mind-numbing things like television soap operas or surfing the Internet. Turn to the Lord in faith, and you will know what to do and how to do it."
I think you're wise and noble for trying to overcome a habit. We all have them, and we shouldn't let guilt keep us down (although we usually do!), but just recognizing it's a problem is a big step. Now, you just keep working to improve. If you want, I can send you a copy of my food diet (not really a diet, but a way to eat healthy & happy!!) that I was given that helps improve energy. You need more protein in the morning and afternoon to help you press forward through your day. As I get older, I've come to realize that we're all tired, but sugar, caffeine, and other stimulants don't really help in the long run. Because of my own health situations, I've had to stay away from any of those as well as processed foods, and Wow!!, I have so much more energy than I ever thought possible. I still get tired, and collapse into bed at the end of the night, but I do so much better than I use to!
I have faith in you... you can do! You're a great mom and are under so much stress right now. But, your Kat, and you'll find a way! :) Take care.
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