I'm on week one. The guidebook says to stay away from sugar and caffeine... but do we eventually have to get off caffeine entirely? I don't drink much coffee, but I like having a cup in the morning. I'm having some now and am feeling guilty about it.

Hi,

Yes you should wein yourself off all caffeins, sugars, and other foods and juices with high levels of sugar, certain other things are mentioned both on the CD's, DVD's and in the work books. Set a time to quit within a couple of weeks or less if you can. I'm now on the diet and nutrition part. It's very important for now and one day when you feel in control of all your issues you will be able to have the occasional coffee or soda, etc.

It's not easy...but nothing good is.

Good Luck !

First and foremost...don't feel guilty about it. Your only on week one. We tend to want to go full force on everything(the program) when we first get it. Give yourself time to wean off the caffeine. Try putting half de-calf and half regular. That's what I did. you might get headaches or feel sick if you stop suddenly.
that's just my opinion...take care and good-luck

I wouldn't feel guilty about it. Can caffeine and sugar make one feel more "antsy" or "hyped up". Yes, of course, that's what they do. However, the real question is "who cares?". It won't hurt or harm you in any way if you do so in moderation. I think some of this comes down to what is right can be different for everyone. Someone who is constantly anxious or panicky maybe should ween off of these until they get farther along in this program or any program to feel a bit more "stable" or "in control". But there is nothing inherently dangerous in caffeine or sugar. If one can use their tools to identfiy this, know it, and laugh at the feeling they bring on, then they are not a problem or issue. That being said, too much of anything isn't a good thing.....3 cups of coffee is probably too much for anyone's health. Moderation is a key with anything.

The reason I jump in is don't let the guilt turn into avoidance. I used to drink a lot of coffee and stopped as the withdral headaches on weekends were a drag. Also, as I developed panic disorder, I stopped. Once in a blue moon I drink a caffeinated drink just to show than I can.....normally, I don't feel one drink of caffeine does anything to me. But now just thru habit I drink decaf...but I try not to make it an issue of avoidance.

Thanks for responding everyone!

Don't feel guilty. Take small steps to wean yourself off slowly. I think on the CD Lucinda recommends a four week period to be totally off the caffeine and sugars. I know that I have cut back during my first week and I can tell a difference. I am drinking water instead of caffienated soda's most of the time. And I have replaced the morning coffee with green tea. I am still having an occasional soda, but much less than before. I am making progress and you can too!

the morning coffee is my favorite as well i love it tremendously i drink not one but two cups i have given up all the other caffeine throughout the day but feel sluggish around 2 or 3 in the afternoon but i guess sluggish is better than anxious im going to try to give up those two in the morning because i wake up in the morning anxious already anyway just thought i add this in stay strong we will make it

Starting anew,

The first week should be ok to keep with your regular coffee, but maybe next week you can move to 50/50 coffee and then move to decaf.