I give up coffee – Casualty report at 10
I decided to give up coffee. I had been toying with the idea for several months, as my stomach was not happy. I have tried several times and the headaches always drove me back. This time I decided was going to be different. And I am happy to report there have been no casualties . . . yet!
Having made up my mind, I engaged the services of a hypnotist that had cured a friend of mine of his Starbucks addiction. The process is about convincing my sub-conscious it doesn’t really want coffee. Yes, yes it does!! I am happy to say I no longer crave coffee, nor do I cluck like a chicken. I hope!
The first few days were typical. I would get a headache mod afternoon and have no energy. Surprisingly, despite these symptoms – I didn’t crave coffee. But something was definitely missing. My routine had been messed with. My day typically stated with the dog and me stopping at our local coffee shop for a cup and a muffin. That was gone. So was the banter with the woman who served me coffee every morning for the last three years.
Around 10 am every morning, Liza and I would go venture out to the local Starbucks. By 10, we had put out any fires from the night before and waded through a plethora of emails for Viagra and people wanting to send of money from foreign countries. It was an interlude before we ventured into meetings, conference calls and such. It gave the dogs a stretch and us a chance to regale in the previous night’s adventures. Try as we might, going for hot water and lemon just isn’t the same.
About a week or so into the caffeine free lifestyle, it happened - A crappy day. Nothing dramatic, just a blah, grumpy kind of day. It was the end of the day, I was running errands and I walked past a coffee shop. God, I wanted a coffee. So, I stopped and thought about it. I wasn’t craving coffee actually. I was craving comfort. Coffee was one of my comfort foods - Coffee, cream, sugar (ok. a lot of sugar) and cinnamon. I resisted the urge and moved on begrudgingly.
As I think about failed attempts at trying to live a healthier life these two factors have been huge obstacles – comfort and routine. When I am not happy, I want to eat something – usually sweet, usually carbs. Often, filling a need with a chocolate croissant. I live a somewhat urban existence whereby my life and routines revolve around social interactions and food. The morning trip to the coffee shop to exchange pleasantries and chat up the neighbors. Business meetings over coffee and danish. Lunches at the local pub that serves the best french fries. Dinners out with a cocktail or two.
Until we figure out why we do what we do, we will never be able to confront our habits. So if you want to adopt healthier habits, you have to consider what needs are being met by the old habit. Don’t underestimate the strength of the needs. If they are not addressed, the old habit will worm its way back into your routine. Be conscious of your needs and be mindful of how you choose to meet them. Take control.
But, just as I have adjusted to the absence of coffee, I can still make healthier choices in my routines. Is it easy? Oh, heck no! Do I feel better? Yes, I rode out the headaches and my stomach is much happier. And surprisingly, I haven’t killed anyone!