Karen at Not Just Celery threw down a 21-day challenge to curb her binging tendencies and invited her readership to jump on board with their own self-challenges and then log in their progress.
After successfully dumping my diet soda habit (36 fizz-free days and counting), I decided that it was time to unplug the coffee pot. I’ve already dropped from several cups a day to one big mug in the morning. My problem? I take my coffee Willy Wonka-style… loaded with sugary crap that makes it taste like a candy bar has been melted into it. I’ve tried to switch to the sugar-free, low-fat versions, but it’s never really taken.
I was drinking several Diet Cokes and Diet Dr. Peppers every day, and I never had any headaches or withdrawals from dropping them from my daily routine, so I can’t imagine that it’s going to be any more difficult to say “no” to the cup of joe. Still, there’s something very comforting and civilized about reading the paper and sipping coffee. I’ve never been a “tea” person, so that’s not my solution. I'm sure I'll find a suitable substitute.
After this 21-day challenge, I may still treat myself to a weekend brew from time to time. But I suspect it will be just like it was with the diet sodas; once I realize that I don’t really need it, I won’t really want it.
I've joined in, i'm going to drink nothing at work but water or iced tea made from real tea and no sugar :) No coffee at work!! When working a donut/coffee shop there are way too many temptations.
ReplyDeleteF*ck it - I ain't givin up my coffee for anybody! (black and sugar free, so that's OK, huh?)
ReplyDeleteI also can't drink coffee unless it tastes like candy. I'll have a lite frappucino every once in a while because they're awesome and only 3 points but for the most part, I don't really miss coffee. I started drinking a cup of skim milk. Not as tasty, but at least it's in the guidelines.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the shout out! I too like to enjoy a(n) (iced) coffee every morning - I take it with cream but Equal sweetener, so I only have to count the points for the cream.
ReplyDeleteI've tried skim milk, soy milk, etc and it just isn't the same. I am switching to iced tea this week - still putting some Equal in it, but no calories! After my weekend, I need to cut some calories from somewhere this week, LOL...
Good luck!
I'm a tea person myself and I switched from creamer in it to vanilla protein powder which isn't bad.
ReplyDeleteMy challenge will be not letting the scale have power over me.
I don't want to give up my coffee. It has anti-oxidants in it, after all! I didn't give up on diet pop, either, although I have drastically cut back on it.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a tea drinker, either. I've tried many types of green tea and they all make me gag!
So good for you for kicking those habits. I'm glad we don't have a Starbucks anymore in my town. It was one that got cut when they closed over 600 stores...and it was after it closed where I learned to appreciate (LOVE) It.
Good for you! I'd say I was joining you but at this point in my life I have no intention of giving up coffee. I drink one every now and again so it's not really a big deal for me. Giving up corn syrup in all its forms would be torture though. Why is all the good stuff so bad for you?!
ReplyDeleteWishing you much success with your challenge. :)
I don't want to necessarily give up coffee; I just want to give up the daily routine that says I have to drink several cups or I can't function.
ReplyDeleteI don't think there's necessarily anything wrong with diet soda either (especially compared to regular soda). But it's hard to argue that there's that much right about it either. I'm feeling very empowered these days by my ability to just say no to things that I haven't just said no to in the past.
I am with fat[free]me. I do one cup a day with a little non-dairy creamer and Splenda. I drink one soda a day but could probably cut that out. Now one thing I really need to quit is SMOKING!
ReplyDeleteI've never been a coffee or tea drinker. What's wrong with me. I sit down at the breakfast table eating breakfast, drinking my lite soy milk or oj or water while reading the blogs. I'm so dull..lol
ReplyDeleteI've given up coffee before, and I am down to no coffee after 8 am on most days. I'll have to think if there is something I want to give up...[[[crickets]]]
ReplyDeleteGreat blog! I came from Ang's blog.
ReplyDeleteThis may be a good goal for me. I love coffee. I drink mine black but I think it gives me the jitters.
I love the "willy wonka style" comment. Too funny. My problem is, everything latesly has been Willy Wonka style!
Today actually marks 37 days since I gave up CAFFEINE in all forms. I, too, used to have a pretty heavy diet soda habit, and also liked my coffee "willy wonka style". Is there any other way to drink it, lol? But after encouragement from a friend, I decided just to *see* if I could give it up, and I did! Now I don't even miss it! Isn't that some crazy sh*t?
ReplyDeleteI kicked the caffeine when the thyroid went a little crazy and switched to decaf - which totally didn't work for me a few years ago. Maybe it's because of my perkier thyroid.
ReplyDeleteAnyhow, I've NEVER been able to give up the willie wonka, EPA advisory coffee creamer so instead of the usual 20 oz. cup, I cut it down to 12 oz. It's been working for me so far. There are just some things I won't go without. We all have our standards - no matter how low they are.
I've cut down drastically, but can't give it up completely. I allow myself 1 or 2 home brewed coffees with the fat free creamers, but have completely kicked my 3 Peppermint Mocha a day habit.
ReplyDeletebye bye Starbucks. I miss you, but not as much as I miss my skinny jeans.