Has anyone here successfully quit coffee? If so, do you feel many benefits?

it simple.

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Guys, OP here.

Just thought I would update everyone here.

I've been off coffee since last Wednesday. I can honestly say the difference has been unbelievable. For me, my sleep is absolutely healed beyond measure. I was on meds for sleep, for goodness sake. I haven't taken one in a few nights, and don't plan on ever again, except in very rare circumstances.

My mood is so, so much better. I don't feel anxious at all -- I feel far more "balanced". This has definitely been a positive for me.

Now, I should also say that I haven't been completely caffeine free -- I have been drinking two cups of tea. One around 8:30 AM, and one around 12 PM. But that's it. Doesn't seem to really have any affect on me!

coffee no more wrote:

Guys, OP here.

Just thought I would update everyone here.

I've been off coffee since last Wednesday. I can honestly say the difference has been unbelievable. For me, my sleep is absolutely healed beyond measure. I was on meds for sleep, for goodness sake. I haven't taken one in a few nights, and don't plan on ever again, except in very rare circumstances.

My mood is so, so much better. I don't feel anxious at all -- I feel far more "balanced". This has definitely been a positive for me.

Now, I should also say that I haven't been completely caffeine free -- I have been drinking two cups of tea. One around 8:30 AM, and one around 12 PM. But that's it. Doesn't seem to really have any affect on me!

Glad to hear it!

TRex and others:

I don't think most people who don't drink coffee are anti-coffee in general, it's just not the right thing for us. Caffeine is pretty addictive, and like any drug, some people are more susceptible to it than others. For example, I could never me a "one cup a day" person. If I had a cup in the morning, I'd need another by noon or else I'd get headaches. Eventually it'd be two cups in the morning, two at noon, etc...

I never got so bad that I was caffeinating so much that I needed sleep meds (not saying this was your problem OP), but I see people who do this. I work with guys who drink four Monster energy drinks a day (which is 6-8 cups of coffee) and them complain of insomnia, which makes them want more caffeine in the morning because they haven't slept. This is obviously extreme, but it happens. Some folks just can't moderate caffeine,

I personally never had trouble sleeping, and never had coffee after lunch (I had that much self control at least), and never really let it get out of hand, but I didn't like waking up and NEEDING coffee. I felt like a slave to it. Unfortunately, even if I were to just have a cup a day, that would come back.

Hi TRexing,

I am not bioman.

When I said "coffee is the new cigarattes" I did not mean to say that coffee, even if abused (multiple cups per day), is as bad for your health as cigarettes. Nor did I mean that statement to be anti-coffee. I'm aware of the benefits of coffee and agree that it is fine, if not good, for health when consumed in small amounts/responsibly.

Remember when more people smoked and would need to step out with their buddies for "cig breaks". Well those have been replaced by "coffee breaks". I'd argue that there is a void to be filled by the stamping out of cigarettes in our society (a good thing, of course), and that coffee has filled that void. I mean, look at the growth of Starbucks from 1990 to today. People are definitely drinking more Joe than ever before. (Yes, I am aware that sbux is s*** coffee, but the point remains.)

In that sort of sense, coffee really is the new cigarettes.

No Way wrote:

I personally never had trouble sleeping, and never had coffee after lunch (I had that much self control at least), and never really let it get out of hand, but I didn't like waking up and NEEDING coffee. I felt like a slave to it. Unfortunately, even if I were to just have a cup a day, that would come back.

This is the real problem with caffeine. If is physically addictive (much like cigs) and over time increased dosages are needed for the consumer to feel the same effects.

This is why it so hard to simply stick to one cup per morning. The fact that coffee tastes delicious doesn't help either. It indeed is a hellava drug.

If anyone has successfully done this, how do you stay awake at work? I have to get up at 4 am to run before work and my job requires me to be completely alert the whole time. Suggestions?

No Way wrote:

It definitely sucks for a couple weeks. You'll probably have headaches and feel like crap. I "quit" caffeine a few times before finally kicking it for good.

+1

I've never had coffee (ever), but did drink soda with caffeine. Gave that up after my Little Heart Attack (an actual medical term).

What I mostly noticed were headaches (not terrible, but noticeable) for a little while after stopping with the caffeine.

At one point in my life, I quit caffeine for a year after heavy intake of daily caffeine of at least 300mg. Honestly, it sucked for about 6 months. I felt like I had no life and had to really change other parts of my life of eating healthier, getting good sleep, and no alcohol or drugs.

And then it got to the point where i was as really good, but it was awkward at social scenes where I always declined drinks and coffee. Then one day, I had huge weed craving, and then coffee came back to my life, and alcohol as well and I feel much better! It sucks both ways being super dependent on caffeine and drugs as well as not having any.

I think it's good to try to take a break for awhile, but that's hard to do. I'm up to now drinking venti americano and then another venti coffee everyday so that's a lot for most people.

Coffee is actually not a bean , it is a seed

zohan wrote:

why would you completely eliminate something from your diet that you really like and enjoy?* That's crazy.

There's an element of the running community that tends to bend toward the ascetic. It is just soooo misguided. "If I eliminate everything comforting and pleasurable I will be a better runner." No, no you will not.

There are only a few real pleasures in life, good food is one of them. Just eat and drink reasonably and remain open to what's out there.

*unless medically necessary.

This^

What the heck is wrong with you people? Being a "running monk" trying to find your purified soul will not help you run faster. Enjoy life a little for a change.

Can't give it up despite acid reflux and browning teeth.can't get going without it, helps mood and energy.

Got a high blood pressure reading a year ago. Never had anything like it previously. Easiest remedy was to cut caffeine, so out went my morning cup.

For years, I'd worked in an office and had maybe a half cup of strong coffee to start the day. Fast forward years, and the option is these 20-ounce deals. Not healthy.

The biggest issue is the regularity/laxative effect it would provide.

nbskis wrote:

i cut coffee out a couple months ago because i've had chronic issues falling asleep and i figured it couldn't hurt. i'm sleeping better these days and am on a much better schedule. i drink a couple of cups of decaf tea and usually a decaf coffee in the morning too. i do, however, have a bunch of caffeine before races (races only, not workouts unless it's in a gel or something) and have found the effects of that to be awesome. before it was like i was just drinking it to get to normal, now with it being once a week or less it definitely noticeably enhances performance.

Ohhh, legal doping, we like, we like!!

I do the same thing for after work 5k races in the summer. Nothing like a little pick-me-up espresso to turbocharge that first mile.

coffee no more wrote:

I'm trying to cut out coffee and replace it with just two cups of tea throughout the day.

Main reasons: I want to sleep better, and I want to feel better (I'm prone to being a little over-anxious -- I've heard coffee can cause this.)

Anyone have experience with this?

I am a coffee aficionado. I keep my coffee maker clean and I brew and drink my coffee pure and black. There are benefits and drawbacks.

The major issue is coffee often interferes with my circadian cycle. I have trouble sleeping and I always end up super horny. Also, coffee contributes to staining of teeth. Too much and even white strips and professional whitening won't turn it back. Also, heartburn. Better be drinking that milk son. Even then, if you drink too much coffee black, it's time to cut back. Heartburn is whack.

Benefits include

Turning things around when one is feeling groggy and lazy

ability to focus

Getting important tasks done

Good for socializing and dating

Taking tolerance breaks and generally being healthy and eating healthy food will accentuate coffee's positive effects.

Same to me..

When I worked for Starbucks, there was a regular who used to sit down, order a venti coffee and get two refills after he downed the first one. That's 60 ounces of coffee, not 9 cups but pretty close

I have a Gaggia (Baby) coffee machine for about 15 years and it just works, it takes no time to get your coffee in the morning and it is always exceptional, lots of crema and two cups at a time. Now looking for new one machine with grinder

https://cozzy.org/best-coffee-maker-with-grinder

Anyone who says instant coffee is the way to go obviously has never tasted good coffee from a proper espresso machine.. One tip I would add is if you want milky coffee (Cafe-latte) then use semi or fullfat UHT/Longlife Milk not fresh milk (it enhances the taste) and use an espresso amount of coffee and the rest is hot milk (So very little water). On the other hand if your doing tea always fresh milk

I drink coffee throughout the day & night...hence my nickname "Caffeine Charlie." Why quit? The greatest beverage ever, IMO. Good for training, good for racing, good for staying up all night and posting on LRC 😉. I think in the U.S. here, we're too much into booze. The U.S. isn't even in the top 20 for coffee consumption per capita, per year:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/maps-and-graphics/countries-that-drink-the-most-coffee/

Coffee is a legal proven PED. However, it affects people differently, possibly depending on individual tolerance and whether or not you are a regular coffee drinker. A significant percent of the population does not get a performance benefit, but it can be statistically significant for those who do.

It's important to find your own personal dosage... too much and your heart beats faster, you get jumpy, and it hinders performance.

Since there are high school kids reading this, I have to stress MORE IS NOT BETTER when it comes to caffeine. Caffeine can be dangerous in large doses.

Caffeine is mildly addictive, but then so are quite a few commonly consumed foods... sugar, salty snacks, diet soda, etc. It's just a matter of becoming aware of your caffeine consumption and moderating it.

I roast my own coffee. On a typical day, I'll have two cups before 11am and none the rest of the day.

As far as long term health is concerned, I think the benefits of coffee in moderation outweigh any potential downside.

For those in the know: Does brewed decaf have generally similar antioxidant benefits to caffeinated (assuming same source bean)?

coffee no more wrote:

I'm trying to cut out coffee and replace it with just two cups of tea throughout the day.

Main reasons: I want to sleep better, and I want to feel better (I'm prone to being a little over-anxious -- I've heard coffee can cause this.)

Anyone have experience with this?

Yes, I quit. No, I didn't notice any difference.