I’m about to take on the craziest and most intense physical and mental challenge that I have ever done in my life. It’s not a Crossfit Competition or a Marathon…no, this is much MUCH worse. This is something that I may totally regret starting, but I’m going to do it and I’m going to finish it. Ready…..
I’m ditching coffee for 30 days. AAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAHhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!! I know, crazy right? Am I on crack? Possibly. This might be worse that Lindsay Lohan’s latest attempt at detox. Especially given the fact that I’m about to start my Bio-Chem course. I’m completely and utterly terrified to do this.
Why are you doing this, you ask? There are a few reasons:
1. I am my own guinea pig…..Now that I’m doing Nutrition Coaching I need to be able to recommend things to clients that I have tried myself. In my past, I have tried many different diets. Today, I try different brands of supplements, various recipes, sources of meat and read lots of articles and books to understand both Paleo Nutrition and the garbage that ‘conventional wisdom’ still spits out. It’s important to walk the talk and I cannot recommend things that I don’t truly believe work. Thus, it is my duty to Haute Life and all future clients to endure these 30 days.
2. Starbucks called, they want their coffee back. Yes, I drink WAY too much coffee/americano’s. My tolerance has skyrocketed and as a result, so has my consumption. I probably drink the equivalent of an entire pot (12 cups) before 9:30am each day. I don’t stop until my palms are sweaty and my leg is shaking. I love that feeling….it totally feeds my Type-A personality to be ‘go go go’! This is not good. This leads to point #3…
3. Detox. I’ve been learning a ton about vitamins and minerals recently and one consistent theme is that excess caffeine consumption depletes important vitamins/minerals. This is not good considering many of these important vitamins and minerals are related to mood and overall nervous system health. I’m curious to see if I have a sensitivity to coffee and whether I feel better once it is removed.
4. Paging Dr Drew. I think it’ll make for a few good blog posts. It’ll be like reading the transcript to an episode of Celebrity Rehab….picture me as that washed-up beauty queen who’s detoxing from meth and screaming at people to “bring me my juice!!” Except I’ll be saying, “Bring me my Fish Oil!!” and Dr Drew will be Fully Primal Husband sympathetically nodding with a pouty face and making me say affirmations every morning.
Now that I’ve posted this, there is no turning back. Day 1 is Monday November 1st. I’m also doing a Whole30 , but that is not a big deal because I’ve done that before and felt great…in fact, I’m quite looking forward to sticking to 100% good food for 30 days.
I should mention that I am still going to allow myself some green tea and other herbal teas. I need the warmth.
Sooo……WHO’s COMING WITH ME??!?! Anyone? Anyone??!?! You don’t need to give up coffee like me….But if you want to do the Whole30 with me….hop on board and let me know that you’re with me!
October 28, 2010 at 4:30 pm
Pffft. Forget it! Way too hard.
(Just kidding)
I do like my coffee, too, but I only have one cup of regular and one decaf a day. That’s enough for me. I’m still relaxed enough to submit to my mid-day guided mediation, so I don’t think I’m too jittery.
Good luck to you.
October 28, 2010 at 7:47 pm
Summer, you are too funny! Clearly you were born to be a paleo guinea pig – and most importantly, to share your 30 days of detox with the rest of us. Good Luck! I know you can do it!!
(Starbucks is holding on line two, btw.)
October 28, 2010 at 8:04 pm
I did a no coffee for 2.5 weeks once…it was nasty, but at the end of it I saw the light! My tolerance went way up, my sleep improved(I was working at 6am every morning). I saw the hole I had been digging everyday. I’ve been a steady 1 cup in the morning and a double epspresso pre wod since and had no problems. Good luck Summer, you’re going to do great!
October 31, 2010 at 1:18 pm
Thanks for sharing Robbie!!! Good to hear that you saw the benefits. I’m really hoping my sleep improves. That is one area that I have always had trouble with and I’m certain that caffeine has not helped.
October 28, 2010 at 8:26 pm
Summer, You Rock! If anyone can do it, you’re the gal!
I am in for the whole 30, but will keep my daily coffee in the mix- I’ll just be sure to not drink it around you…
Best of Luck!!
easy on the Lohan comments…
October 31, 2010 at 1:17 pm
Thank you Ms Lohan!!! Hope you enjoyed your last night out on the town before your alcohol monitoring bracelet goes back on and you start your detox!!
October 28, 2010 at 9:52 pm
Summer you will not regret it! I gave up coffee about 8 weeks ago and feel amazing! I thought it would be really hard as I loved my morning americanos, but it wasn’t that bad at all. My recovery time has skyrocketed on my WOD’s and I have to say I don’t even miss the stuff. Stick with it, you will feel amazing. Good luck – I’m rooting for you 🙂
October 31, 2010 at 1:14 pm
Aimee, that is so good to hear!! I’m actually really excited about how I’m going to feel. I think it is going to do wonders for my sleep and mood.
October 28, 2010 at 10:50 pm
Hey Summer,
Like you, I drink a tid bit of coffee … I’m up early everyday, and generally look forward to coffee but I’d be willing to join you in this venture. I think a switch to a green shake would probably be worthwhile … give me something else to have in hand and drinking while on the way to school.
Cheers,
Brandon
October 31, 2010 at 1:15 pm
Yay Brandon!!!!!!!! So happy you are jumping aboard!!!
October 28, 2010 at 11:12 pm
Best of luck! I had to give up caffeine a few years ago and it’s the best thing I’ve ever done. Not that I don’t splurge with a pumpkin latte during this season… but the acid reflux isn’t so happy about constant coffee.
October 31, 2010 at 1:16 pm
Danielle – that is so good to hear! I’m really looking forward to experiencing the benefits.
October 29, 2010 at 9:16 am
Break a leg!!
I’m STILL trying to give up Coke! All the caffeine and 12 times the sugar….
You KNOW you won’t regret it. Mr. Paleo will help ya along, along with yer friends….
Let us know the results!!!
October 31, 2010 at 1:16 pm
Craig – You really need to ditch the coke habit….that stuff is SO BAD for your insides. I know you can do it. It is totally a mental challenge. Why don’t you try it with me?!?!
October 29, 2010 at 12:50 pm
Good luck Summer I know you can do it. I know how much I love the glorious beverage!
October 30, 2010 at 8:58 am
I’m with you on this one – full 30
October 31, 2010 at 1:16 pm
Yes!! Awesome JCA!
October 31, 2010 at 11:35 pm
So Summer … how have you been doing?
I’ve been coffee free since I last posted
November 1, 2010 at 11:46 am
Today is Day 1 for me! I’ll do a post on it a bit later. So far, I’m doing OK. I feel like a zombie, but I haven’t had any other withdrawal symptoms.
How have you been?
November 2, 2010 at 1:17 am
I’ve wanted some but not out of need because of fatigue … just more of a habit. Usually between classes I swing by and get an americano and go on with my day … I’ve altered things a bit … but so far no mood swings or irritability.
November 1, 2010 at 9:50 am
Okay – I’m in…this is just the impetus I needed to do this and I think that I ended up on your site today for that very reason – by noon I am a jittery mess and I am really sick of it. It just can’t be good for me mentally or physically. So, tea for me – are you going caffeine-free on the tea, too? I probably should…thanks for the inspiration…I just hope that my family still likes me after this.
November 1, 2010 at 11:45 am
YEEAAAA Carol!!! Thank you for joining me!
I’m allowing myself tea, but under the following rules on a daily basis: Only 1 serving of a black, white or green tea (because they’ve got a bit of caffeine). Unlimited herbal and caffeine-free teas. I know I’m not being 100% caffeine free, but it’s probably a 80% reduction in what I was consuming and I’m OK with that. There are also some benefits to the tea whereas coffee is not really beneficial.
I have been warned that you may get some pretty bad withdrawal symptoms….bad headaches, bad mood. So far, I’m 7 hours into my day and I haven’t had any of those. I just feel like a zombie and a bit slow mentally. Good luck and please share your experience with me!!
November 1, 2010 at 2:02 pm
I did ok today. Just stuck to one weak cup of Cantonese Pu Erh tea while I got ready for work. Rest of the day it was just water. I feel ok. Fortunately I ran out of coffee on Saturday so there was no temptation to weaken
November 5, 2010 at 10:50 pm
Oops 🙂
I just posted my “I’m with you post” on the toaster one…
Either way…I’m with you!
Rhoda
November 6, 2010 at 9:03 am
Glad to hear it Rhonda!! Woot!