Quitting caffeine

[math_fridge]

I am participating in a study at Fletcher Allen on the effects of amino acid supplements on exercise performance. I get free fitness testing, including a VO2 max test, a free DEXA, free supplements, even a muscle biopsy... it's an exercise addict's dream. Plus, I get fasting bloodwork once a week for five weeks

Comments

[patrickwonders]

I'm impressed.

[demonstrable]

Ooh, congratulations. Good luck with the motivator!

[pseudoqueer]

good luck! i've been caffeine-free (well...coffee free, i drink the occasional tea and/or diet soda) for well over a year and it's not so bad after the first month. plus once your tolerance goes way down, a few sips of coffee go a long way. i can't have more than 3 or 4 sips now without being wired for hours.

PS i have a question for you. you've mentioned elijah (i think that's how you spell it) on here a few times. your bf, right? are you two doing long distance? if you are, would you mind if i asked you a bunch of questions about how you guys deal with it? i'm (most likely) moving to columbus in august and my bf is staying in california so we're both kind of freaking out about it haha.

[math_fridge]

We are long distance - I'm in Burlington, VT and he is in Savannah, GA. I find it quite easy. When I see him, I often feel like "but I just saw you!" I feel like it's too soon and I'm not ready to see him again, even though it's been months. Feeling "not ready" is part of the mindset that helps me deal with it so well. I try to improve myself noticeably between visits to Savannah, so that I get better in some way every time he sees me. Getting physically stronger, learning new skills or improving old ones, and improving my GPA are some of the things I try to do, and to produce a noticeable difference in any of them takes time. So I end up constantly not wanting to visit him for at least another month because I'm not better enough yet

[gallusgallus]

It shouldn't require "strenuous intellectual activity" to realize that caffeine does not help you think. It doesn't make you smarter or more creative. Its only benefit is to keep you awake, and that only happens for people whose bodies aren't used to it as yours is. For you it's just another form of wrist-cutting. Give it up permanently.

[philentropist]

1. I'm curious if they're requiring you to give up chocolate as well. Technically it doesn't contain any caffeine, but theobromine, which is has similar effects.

2. I gave up caffeine a little over 3 years ago. It was a good move for the most part. I managed to get through a masters program without it, no publications though... In any case, my mental state is much more even and stable these days. I can still be quite productive when necessary, just have to manage my time better.