Reasons to drink less coffee

Hildebeest · 05-04-2012, 06:24 AM

I could use some psyching up in this regard, folks. I'm truly an addict and I would like to have a good big list of reasons to slow down my java intake. I drink coffee with a little cream (I don't like it sweet at all) and in the first cup I add 1 tbsp of VCO and sometimes a little cinnamon. I usually drink at least 1.5 pots a day - about 8 of my big mugs full.

Traditionally, I'm an all-or-nothing kind of girl when it comes to forming or breaking habits - I do not do well with moderation, which is one of the reasons I love low carb eating so much. The directive 'don't eat sugar or flour' makes sense to me and is an easy rule to follow. 'It's okay to have anything in moderation' gives me reasons to redefine 'moderation' and eat anything in moderation 50 times a day, lol. Hence the coffee quaffing glut.

I don't think I could ever completely stop drinking coffee, but I would love it if you kind people would add your reasons for limiting coffee to this thread, even if they seem 'duh, obvious,' heh. I'll start with my #1 pervasive problem:

#1 Drinking excessive coffee makes me forget to eat. A lot of people might count this a good thing, but I know it's destructive - it makes it harder to regulate my metabolism and it slows down my weight loss. Sometimes if I dive into the coffee at 7 a.m., I will completely blow breakfast and then suddenly around 11:30 my body goes 'HEY - eat EVERYTHING you can fit in your mouth.' ... which is a perfect setup for a major cheat if there is crap food handy. So, if I could stop at one or two cups in the morning I know that problem would fix itself.

ravenrose · 05-06-2012, 10:14 AM

I used to drink a LOT of coffee when I worked in an office. The thing that stopped me was a combination of stomach problems and that job ending. I went through a period of HORRIBLY painful acid reflux and had to give up caffeine and alcohol completely for about six months. After that, I have gone to one cup first thing every morning and then tea the rest of the day. That works well for me.

Hildebeest · 05-06-2012, 12:20 PM

Thanks for your post ravenrose.

I think now that my office is at home, it's made my java overindulgence worse, not better. Once upon a time I ONLY drank coffee at the office. Yes, I would drink it all day - but I never drank it at home. Now that there's an endless flow, I drink it all day and much of the evening, 7 days a week.

I'm going to try, starting tomorrow, drinking 2 cups of water for every 1 cup of coffee I put away. I hope that will not only reduce the amount I'm drinking but also automatically solve another problem - too often I drink coffee *instead* of water. Not good!

I'll see how that works for a week or so, then start establishing a coffee 'curfew', heh. No java after a particular hour of the day.

Hildebeest · 05-07-2012, 07:06 AM

So far today this is proving a lot harder than I imagined, but I persevere.

kat mommy · 05-11-2012, 06:40 AM

Hi Hilebeest
Just thinking maybe try a low caffine coffee and work to a decaf.
I too drank gallons of coffee..DH started to buy a brand I did not like and I just naturally slowed way down. Now I have max 3 mugs a day. I also found that cafine makes me more hungry ( it is an evil beast for me).
Hey you e doing so weel keep up the great work.

hez · 05-11-2012, 07:49 AM

Hilde,

I have recently cut way back on my caffeine. I have always been about a 2 cup a day coffee drinker, but my big Achilles heel was diet soda. When I cut that out I noticed something interesting. Even though I get the same # of hours "sleep" each night, I wake up feeling waaaaay more alert and ready for the day when I cut back on caffeine. So, I guess I'm getting higher quality sleep.

That is one of the two things I'd credit for giving me the motivation to get going with the weight loss effort this time around...snapping out of my brain fog and having a little better mental clarity.

ebeads · 05-21-2012, 09:41 AM

At first I tried to cut coffee out totally, but now allow myself 2 cups. I only make 2 cups with the coffee pot, and that is that. Back in the day I drank as much as 8 mugs full, too. From time to time I also used to overdo ( such a pretty word lol ) diet cola. Then I read so much about aspartame being terrible. I also have anxiety problems so if I keep the caffeine down a bit, my disposition is better. I always wonder why my body craves what is worst for it. I am doing ok at the moment, but the worst for me is when I am out in the car, I used to LOVE Dunkin Donuts coffee ... why is their drive through coffee so good? LOL So far, I have resisted drive through temptation. Hope I can keep it up when it comes to iced-coffee season. :-)

ebeads · 06-06-2012, 11:36 PM

How is every doing about coffee? I have been sticking with 1 cup, first thing in the a.m. and no artificial sweeteners except a little stevia in that cup. I am adjusting better than I thought I would!

Leo41 · 06-08-2012, 06:43 AM

Can I offer a minority opinion here--that might relate to others?

When I was struggling to lose weight, part of my problem is that I'm post-menopausal and hypothyroid--and my endo believes I also have a 'genetically slow metabolism' (that's further slowed by age and thyroid problems).

He advised me that just two things can stimulate the metabolism--caffeine and exercise, and he told me 'Since you're otherwise healthy' I'd advise you to increase your consumption of caffeine, along with your exercise.'

I've always loved coffee (and drink it black), so throughout my weight loss (and now in maintenance), I drink coffee all morning and green tea all afternoon (also plain). Both suppress my appetite, too.

If you can tolerate the caffeine, it has its advantages.

ebeads · 06-08-2012, 11:50 PM

Holy cow Leo41 you lost nearly 200 pounds. God Bless You. What an inspiration.
I am very post menopause low thyroid and come from a family of very overweight people for generations. I have a photo of my great grandmother from about the year 1920 and I swear I am looking at MYSELF lol. Pics of my mom at this age , same size. So I do have an uphill battle. I wish I could motivate myself to exercise more. I just have so much pain from three degenerating discs and fibromyalgia that even a 5 minute walk is painful. I choose my battles and use what mobility I can muster for laundry, shopping , cleaning and my work. So I know I am a whine fest here, but most of my weight loss needs to come from LC and managed calories.

I am my own guinea pig. In one more week I am going to try a week with unsweetened coffee ( perhaps 3 cups in beginning of day) and see if that has a negative result. Everyone's body is different. And oh boy each of our bodies is different at odd times in our lives. When I was a kid, I could lose weight like a champion. First time on atkins I lost well over 100 in less than a year. Now, decades later it takes me months to lose what I used to in a couple of weeks. Again, sorry for the whine fest. Thanks for your info Leo41. I really appreciate it.

Jennyl · 06-09-2012, 10:24 PM

I think you could easily cut down your amount. Instead of 8 cups, cut down to 7. You can definitely do that! You can just decrease from there. I would hate to have to cut out coffee altogether, I drink 1-2 cups in the morning, and then occasionally have one in the afternoon, but that is rare now. I think if you cut down, you might end up really savoring the cups that you do have. Try drinking some water to replace the coffee, or drink the water along with it ifyou think that might work. You could try a smaller coffee pot too. I have a moka pot that only make 2.5 cups and that is perfect.

06-08-2012, 06:43 AM	#9
Leo41 Senior LCF member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 8,461 Gallery: Leo41 Stats: 340 then/145 now WOE: Low carb/calorie cycling	Can I offer a minority opinion here--that might relate to others? When I was struggling to lose weight, part of my problem is that I'm post-menopausal and hypothyroid--and my endo believes I also have a 'genetically slow metabolism' (that's further slowed by age and thyroid problems). He advised me that just two things can stimulate the metabolism--caffeine and exercise, and he told me 'Since you're otherwise healthy' I'd advise you to increase your consumption of caffeine, along with your exercise.' I've always loved coffee (and drink it black), so throughout my weight loss (and now in maintenance), I drink coffee all morning and green tea all afternoon (also plain). Both suppress my appetite, too. If you can tolerate the caffeine, it has its advantages. Last edited by Leo41; 06-08-2012 at 06:44 AM..

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05-04-2012, 06:24 AM	#1
Hildebeest Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 922 Gallery: Hildebeest Stats: 428(highest)/384.6/200 WOE: Atkins Start Date: Restart 4/23/2012	Reasons to drink less coffee I could use some psyching up in this regard, folks. I'm truly an addict and I would like to have a good big list of reasons to slow down my java intake. I drink coffee with a little cream (I don't like it sweet at all) and in the first cup I add 1 tbsp of VCO and sometimes a little cinnamon. I usually drink at least 1.5 pots a day - about 8 of my big mugs full. Traditionally, I'm an all-or-nothing kind of girl when it comes to forming or breaking habits - I do not do well with moderation, which is one of the reasons I love low carb eating so much. The directive 'don't eat sugar or flour' makes sense to me and is an easy rule to follow. 'It's okay to have anything in moderation' gives me reasons to redefine 'moderation' and eat anything in moderation 50 times a day, lol. Hence the coffee quaffing glut. I don't think I could ever completely stop drinking coffee, but I would love it if you kind people would add your reasons for limiting coffee to this thread, even if they seem 'duh, obvious,' heh. I'll start with my #1 pervasive problem: #1 Drinking excessive coffee makes me forget to eat. A lot of people might count this a good thing, but I know it's destructive - it makes it harder to regulate my metabolism and it slows down my weight loss. Sometimes if I dive into the coffee at 7 a.m., I will completely blow breakfast and then suddenly around 11:30 my body goes 'HEY - eat EVERYTHING you can fit in your mouth.' ... which is a perfect setup for a major cheat if there is crap food handy. So, if I could stop at one or two cups in the morning I know that problem would fix itself. __________________ Heather While all your focus is on where you're going, don't ever forget where you came from. Complacency is not an option. *Hey Nashville, TN area people!* Visit my new Facebook page: Nashville Low Carb and/or Wheat Free and let's share local resources and maybe some lunch/dinner outings! Even if you're not in Nashville, you're welcome to join!

05-06-2012, 10:14 AM	#2
ravenrose . Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: California Posts: 9,178 Gallery: ravenrose Stats: lost 130 lb so far, and miles to go before I sleep WOE: low carb controlled calorie Start Date: June, 2009	I used to drink a LOT of coffee when I worked in an office. The thing that stopped me was a combination of stomach problems and that job ending. I went through a period of HORRIBLY painful acid reflux and had to give up caffeine and alcohol completely for about six months. After that, I have gone to one cup first thing every morning and then tea the rest of the day. That works well for me.

05-06-2012, 12:20 PM	#3
Hildebeest Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 922 Gallery: Hildebeest Stats: 428(highest)/384.6/200 WOE: Atkins Start Date: Restart 4/23/2012	Thanks for your post ravenrose. I think now that my office is at home, it's made my java overindulgence worse, not better. Once upon a time I ONLY drank coffee at the office. Yes, I would drink it all day - but I never drank it at home. Now that there's an endless flow, I drink it all day and much of the evening, 7 days a week. I'm going to try, starting tomorrow, drinking 2 cups of water for every 1 cup of coffee I put away. I hope that will not only reduce the amount I'm drinking but also automatically solve another problem - too often I drink coffee instead of water. Not good! I'll see how that works for a week or so, then start establishing a coffee 'curfew', heh. No java after a particular hour of the day.

05-07-2012, 07:06 AM	#4
Hildebeest Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 922 Gallery: Hildebeest Stats: 428(highest)/384.6/200 WOE: Atkins Start Date: Restart 4/23/2012	So far today this is proving a lot harder than I imagined, but I persevere.

05-11-2012, 06:40 AM	#5
kat mommy Senior LCF Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: ANDALUCIA, SPAIN Posts: 538 Gallery: kat mommy Stats: 107.9/ 91.1/ 76 Kg. WOE: Atkins72 Start Date: restart Jan 2012	Hi Hilebeest Just thinking maybe try a low caffine coffee and work to a decaf. I too drank gallons of coffee..DH started to buy a brand I did not like and I just naturally slowed way down. Now I have max 3 mugs a day. I also found that cafine makes me more hungry ( it is an evil beast for me). Hey you e doing so weel keep up the great work.

05-11-2012, 07:49 AM	#6
hez Junior LCF Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Idaho Posts: 26 Gallery: hez WOE: Atkins Start Date: 05/02/2012	Hilde, I have recently cut way back on my caffeine. I have always been about a 2 cup a day coffee drinker, but my big Achilles heel was diet soda. When I cut that out I noticed something interesting. Even though I get the same # of hours "sleep" each night, I wake up feeling waaaaay more alert and ready for the day when I cut back on caffeine. So, I guess I'm getting higher quality sleep. That is one of the two things I'd credit for giving me the motivation to get going with the weight loss effort this time around...snapping out of my brain fog and having a little better mental clarity.

05-21-2012, 09:41 AM	#7
ebeads Senior LCF Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Hartford, Connecticut Posts: 616 Gallery: ebeads Stats: yikes/tryingmybest/ihopeihope WOE: Atkins Start Date: restart May 10,2012	At first I tried to cut coffee out totally, but now allow myself 2 cups. I only make 2 cups with the coffee pot, and that is that. Back in the day I drank as much as 8 mugs full, too. From time to time I also used to overdo ( such a pretty word lol ) diet cola. Then I read so much about aspartame being terrible. I also have anxiety problems so if I keep the caffeine down a bit, my disposition is better. I always wonder why my body craves what is worst for it. I am doing ok at the moment, but the worst for me is when I am out in the car, I used to LOVE Dunkin Donuts coffee ... why is their drive through coffee so good? LOL So far, I have resisted drive through temptation. Hope I can keep it up when it comes to iced-coffee season. :-)

06-06-2012, 11:36 PM	#8
ebeads Senior LCF Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Hartford, Connecticut Posts: 616 Gallery: ebeads Stats: yikes/tryingmybest/ihopeihope WOE: Atkins Start Date: restart May 10,2012	How is every doing about coffee? I have been sticking with 1 cup, first thing in the a.m. and no artificial sweeteners except a little stevia in that cup. I am adjusting better than I thought I would!

06-08-2012, 11:50 PM	#10
ebeads Senior LCF Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Hartford, Connecticut Posts: 616 Gallery: ebeads Stats: yikes/tryingmybest/ihopeihope WOE: Atkins Start Date: restart May 10,2012	Holy cow Leo41 you lost nearly 200 pounds. God Bless You. What an inspiration. I am very post menopause low thyroid and come from a family of very overweight people for generations. I have a photo of my great grandmother from about the year 1920 and I swear I am looking at MYSELF lol. Pics of my mom at this age , same size. So I do have an uphill battle. I wish I could motivate myself to exercise more. I just have so much pain from three degenerating discs and fibromyalgia that even a 5 minute walk is painful. I choose my battles and use what mobility I can muster for laundry, shopping , cleaning and my work. So I know I am a whine fest here, but most of my weight loss needs to come from LC and managed calories. I am my own guinea pig. In one more week I am going to try a week with unsweetened coffee ( perhaps 3 cups in beginning of day) and see if that has a negative result. Everyone's body is different. And oh boy each of our bodies is different at odd times in our lives. When I was a kid, I could lose weight like a champion. First time on atkins I lost well over 100 in less than a year. Now, decades later it takes me months to lose what I used to in a couple of weeks. Again, sorry for the whine fest. Thanks for your info Leo41. I really appreciate it.

06-09-2012, 10:24 PM	#11
Jennyl Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: GTA Posts: 45,149 Gallery: Jennyl Start Date: manana	I think you could easily cut down your amount. Instead of 8 cups, cut down to 7. You can definitely do that! You can just decrease from there. I would hate to have to cut out coffee altogether, I drink 1-2 cups in the morning, and then occasionally have one in the afternoon, but that is rare now. I think if you cut down, you might end up really savoring the cups that you do have. Try drinking some water to replace the coffee, or drink the water along with it ifyou think that might work. You could try a smaller coffee pot too. I have a moka pot that only make 2.5 cups and that is perfect.