Kicking the Caffeine Habit

Every new year comes with new goals or new plans. Unlike the rest of the world, (at least those who make new year's resolutions), I just decided to make some new plans/goals over the last week.

After being hospitalized, my mind has been in overdrive for too long. I have decided to try and do what is good for MY BODY as well as MY MIND. While it may sound like I'm going crazy, I'm making some drastic changes and hope both my mind and body will benefit from them.

I am going to share my plans/goals with you all. You should feel special! These are big changes and if they don't happen, I become just another statistic of how people fail year after year trying to accomplish said goals.

1. Kicking the caffeine habit. Yup. I am giving a final farewell to soda pop and coffee. I'm torn over this but know it's best for my body. The caffeine is constantly giving me palpitations and keeping me up at night. I didn't mind the "insomnia" while I am at work (and I'm sure my patients appreciate my alertness) however, my body needs to function well when I'm at home and caffeine is not friends with my bowels. I'm hoping that by cutting soda and coffee out of my diet it will in turn make me healthier, make me feel better, and my body in turn shows me some lovin' back. I will not cut cold turkey. Kicking caffeine to the curb does not happen overnight. I have to slowly reduce the amount I consume until I can "safely" end my relationship with caffeine. I want to be healthy, not miserable. And without a little caffeine every day until my body becomes accustomed, I have been getting headaches. So it is a challenge every day to pour a little less coffee in my cup or pass on the soda mid-afternoon. I can do it though. I know I can!

Coca Cola. I love you. You will be missed.

 2. Stop using artificial sweeteners. Let's face it. We all know they are bad. People believe it's linked to cancer (isn't everything though?) and our bodies don't like it. So I will no longer use my favorite low calorie sweetener Sweet 'N Low. That means I will no longer have my favorite tea. Boo to that. My body better love me for this or I will be sad. I heart tea with Sweet 'N Low! I grew up having tea time with my Nana and her sweetener of choice was Sweet 'N Low. But hey, the doctor wants me to give it up and I am willing to do whatever I need to do to make it feel better.

3. Acupuncture. I am now getting acupuncture. I am doing whatever I can to feel my best and although I practice Western medicine, I also believe that Eastern medicine (Chinese especially) has great benefits. My first appointment went well and I look forward to many more. Here's to hoping my body appreciates my efforts.

Yes, I am petrified of needles, however these ones don't hurt. I swear!

 4. Yoga. Yoga is great for many things. It can increase your flexibility. It can help you relax. Overall, it can help you find an inner peace during the chaos of life. I am going to begin practicing yoga and thanks to my husband, I can! He bought me a yoga package for Christmas! Be prepared for some downward dog, mountain and child's poses. Even if I only do it once a week, that is great! I just bought a new yoga mat and am secretly very excited to begin. Thank you Target for carrying awesome mats for a reasonable price. My wallet and body thank you.

My new yoga mat.

 5. Massage. Yup. I am going to splurge on this "luxury" at least once a month. Massage not only helps you to relax, but it helps your body release toxins. Plus, come on, who doesn't love massages? I am very excited about this one!

Here's to hoping my body appreciates my efforts to having a healthier lifestyle. I've been sick for over 12 years and just want to feel better. :-)