This week I gave up coffee and sweets. Wow, was it a rough week. I only have one cup of coffee each morning and sweets only a few times each week. But after 8 or 9 yrs of green tea or coffee each morning the withdrawal was terrible. I felt more tired, irritable and anxious this week than any other time since starting this program. I've been extremely anxious over my job, conversations I have had this week, career, etc. I'm hoping I'm through the worst of it. I feel like this week put me back to the beginning. I felt like a new person the past four weeks and now I'm right back where I started. I need to get control of my thoughts but can't seem get a grip on them.

What do I do??

Good start - it is not easy to get off the caffeine and sweets, especially this time of year when so many goodies are around! Have you listened to the tapes that deal with this? It sounds like what you are feeling is pretty typical. I have been off caffeine for awhile now, and even if I have a cup of decaf I can feel it. So be kind to yourself - and realize it takes time. Also - with the holidays rapidly approaching, it is pretty normal for everyone to be a little more amped up in both positive and negative ways. I drink alot of herbal teas and a great juice called Mona Vie - both give me lots of energy boosts. Hang in there!
Blessings!

Do you have to give up one cup of green tea?

Green tea has a good amount of caffeine in it too. You don't have to give up anything. I'm just trying to get a feeling for my mental state in the absence of stimulants. It's been a long time. I'm sure I will bring these drinks back into my life but in reduced quantities. This break benchmarks my emotions.

Acutally, I woke up Friday feeling great and have felt back to a relaxed state since then. I'm drinking a lot of water and spending time in the gym.

I'm back on track!

Are you doing the program, freebird? If so, what Session are you on?

Freebird34

You need to not give up. Just keep moving through the program. As the weeks go on, you'll stumble less and less. I'm on week 11 now and I stumble much less now.

I am cutting back on caffeine as well and finding it tough. Drinking decaf in the morning has been fine, but I crave a DP every afternoon. I am addicted, but really want to quit for a while.