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No Caffeine Challenge!

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I realized I had a caffeine problem after buying caffeinated mints to take to Walt Disney World. I knew we’d be tired and sleep deprived through the trip, but caffeinated mints to stay “alert” on the spinning teacups has got to be excessive! I’ve somehow worked up my habit to four cups of coffee a day, plus some black tea (‘cuz, England?) and maybe a few extra mints to keep me going.

Caffeine in moderation is awesome. It helps you work out harder for longer, speeds up fat loss by burning fat as well as suppressing appetite, and has an inverse association with certain diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis. However, chronic overconsumption of caffeine is no bueno for your sleeping habits, and potentially can cause health problems for people with pre-existing conditions, such as renal failure.

I think the real issue for me is that I was getting panicked if I had something to do later in the day and didn’t have access to caffeine. Would I be able to get through a workout? Be sociable with friends? I needed a reset.

A few times a year, I like to go caffeine free. I feel it helps me to recalibrate and attempt to slog through whatever needs done without the handicap of caffeine. I also intend to follow up this detoxing process with a liver cleanse, which should be extra fun! Anyway, today is the first day of the caffeine withdrawal. Let the headaches begin!

DAY 1

1:17pm: So far so good. I feel a little groggy but minimal mind fog. Pretty standard anyway. No headaches yet. I hope this doesn’t mean that they’ll come with a vengeance later! I’ve had herbal tea so far just as a placebo, and I’m trying to drink a lot of water.

6:03pm: Husband says I look irritable. Not sure if that’s just my typical demeanor or due to caffeine withdrawal.

10:00pm: In bed already! Really tired.

DAY 2

11:29am: Definitely feeling a little out of it. Nothing too bad, but sluggish and slow.

5:49pm: Kill me now. Horrible headache. One of those headaches that wraps your head in a vice grip. Also, really tired even though I slept  solid 9 hours last night. Ugh.

10:53pm: Sweet Jesus I am tired. Bed time!

DAY 3

9:02am: Dayum almost 10 hours of sleep! Feeling a lot better, although still not 100%.

Introduction

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Since arriving in England a little over a month ago, I’ve accomplished quite a bit. I’ve gotten over my jet lag, learned how to drive (at least as well as I do in the US, so take that with a pinch of salt), and applied for quite a few jobs and internships. While I’m confident I’ll find employment quickly, I wanted to turn my attention to something meaningful in the meantime. I decided to start a semi-professional website where I can compose and post articles of importance to me, and hopefully to all of you. I have a lot of thoughts, observations, and quandaries rattling around my brain, so this should be entertaining at the least.

I see so many conflicting health-related news articles through the media, Facebook, et cetera, that I feel confused half the time, and I know what to look out for. I hope that by doing my own research, I can assay some of these conflicting reports, and perhaps bring to your attention something that maybe you hadn’t thought about before. I promise to be as transparent as possible, and always cite my sources. As always, the foundation of my passion for nutrition and health lays with cancer and preventable medicine, and the focus of this website will reflect that.

Finally, I aspire to inspire (say that 10 times fast) all of you to make “healthier” choices. Whether it be trying out a new recipe or walking in place rather than sitting while watching The Walking Dead, small changes can add up to something big. This is my attempt to better myself and my family.

Thanks for coming on this journey with me!

Julia a.k.a. The Curious Nutritionist