Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Cold Turkey Ain't For Chickens

So, let's start at the beginning. I broke my neck 15 years ago in a fall. At the time, I weighed a very lovely 14.2 stones, to be exact. When I woke from surgery, my darlin' neurologist said, "You must lose at least 50 pounds." I, being the over achiever I am (remember: my word for the year is Moderation), I lost a bit more.

Now, here I am, 15 years later and have allowed a portion of the weight to creep back on. Not much, but enough. Add to that the fact this year a number of folks near and dear to me have had their own serious health issues -- breast cancer, heart attacks, ruptured bowel, high blood pressure, diabetes and so forth -- and you can see that it seems that a warning bell is going off around me that I need to be more Moderate in my lifestyle.

Thus, I have given up caffeinated coffee and tea as well as reduced my sweets by 75%. Did I mention that I love all three?? And, have I mentioned that I now have a monster headache that seems to be my own special friend? On top of that, I am now having weird dreams which, I am convinced, stems from my lack of drugs -- er, coffee, tea, and sweets.

We had a speaker for in-service today who addressed the topic of "mental health crisis in the workplace." After five minutes, I turned to my suite mate and whispered, "Glory! Since I gave up coffee, tea, and sweets I am a poster child for 12 out of 15 of the illnesses she has listed!" My suitemate giggled, slid a little away from me, and whispered back, "Well, at least I now know how to get you committed for 48 hours if you act out!"

Do you think they would let me have caffiene and sweets in observation? It might just be worth it.

7 comments:

  1. I enjoyed visiting your blog today. I have given up coke and sweets for the New Year,so I completely understand, I had been drinking 2 liters of coke a day,so I am really having a hard time with that.

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  2. Oh my-that is a heavy burden my friend. I know the headache you are experiencing and I am sure you can get through it. I haven’t been successful in that and don’t even talk until I have had a cup of coffee in the a.m. I’m pulling for you though. A short commitment wouldn’t be all that bad :) LOL

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  3. LOL... I recognize the 'need' to modify, but do you have to do it all in one day.......... what about modify moderately...... (bleh.... my two cents worth or less).....

    Got a chuckle from your little whispered chat with your suite mate... maybe you could become 'sweet' mates.......

    Hope the headache goes away soon!

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  4. Hang in there! The headaches will go away and the sweet cravings will decline. Really ... they will.

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  5. I have cut down (most of the time) to just one cup of caffeinated coffee in the morning and then green tea in the afternoon, which has a little caffeine. Except Candy Cane Lane, which is decaffeinated.

    Just had the opposite with sugar, I've had to cut down a great deal (obviously, since developing Type 1 diabetes ten years ago) but had more than usual yesterday.

    I gave myself extra insulin so that wasn't the problem, just forgot the affect of lots of sugar at one time on the body.

    My original diabetes educator encouraged her patients to have one planned time each week to look forward to a special sugar treat and then at the end of a high protein meal so it didn't spike my bg levels.

    I found that worked better for me then giving it up completely, something to look forward to. :)

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  6. I don't care for Tea and I have been somewhat successful with cutting my "sweet" intake but coffee - NEVER!!! I follow Mark Twain's advice about keeping a vice. That way you have something to give up when you do get sick. My coffee is my Ace in the Hole! I drink a lot of it so when I am finally forced to give it up, it will make a huge impact on me!!

    (As I begin to contemplate and plan sock knitting, coffee will play a huge role in the process! Thanks, again!!!!)

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  7. Oh my, I will be praying for you to find peace as you achieve your goals.
    Warm wishes, Tonya

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Thanks for dropping in on the farm today! I enjoy your comments!

Warmly,

Matty