Help me break my energy drink addiction

[KCrockaholic]

Since I was 11 or 12 years old, on average, I've drank about 2 per day.

I slowed down considerably right around 20 years old, and since then have been on about 1 or 2 per day.

If I see them in a grocery store, I have to buy one. If I go inside to Quik Trip, there's no chance I can walk out empty handed. I don't even feel a true burst of energy off them, and haven't felt that in many years. I drink them and at most I'll be at a normal level of energy, but without one I'll feel heavy eye'd throughout the day.

I'm still in decent/good shape, but I'm tired of feeling tired. I feel like once I finally break away from these things I'll once again have my natural energy back and maybe once I do indulge in a caffeinated beverage I'll actually feel energy from it. At this point I can still drink one or two and fall asleep 5 minutes later no problem.

It's a real addiction, and I need to do something about it. Don't know how to alter my mind into thinking I don't need energy drinks anymore, but I gotta stop.

[BucEyedPea]

Originally Posted by KCrockaholic

The thing is, I LOVE the taste of them. They probably aren't that good, but my brain has been wired to like them for over a decade, since I was a kid.

Wow, that's too bad you had anything like that as a kid. Kid's shouldn't even have the caffeine in coffee. You may just need a supervised de-tox program.

[SAUTO]

Originally Posted by Big Smoke

I'm someone who also has an addictive personality, so I feel I can relate to you to an extent. You need to find something positive and healthy to take the place of your energy drinks, while taking care not to replace them with something equally/more destructive.

I'm also not one who is in fantastic tip top shape, but I've been working out quite a bit lately, and I feel great. Even a simple walk around campus seems to give me extra energy and puts me in a better mood.

I gave that exact advice to someone else on here one time
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[Stinger]

Originally Posted by MikeMaslowski

Oh, and the price is a big factor. Add that shit up and you will poop gallons of taurine.

Originally Posted by KCrockaholic

I added up how much I spend per year on them this morning. Came out to around $1,700 per year.

Switch to meth.

[KCrockaholic]

Originally Posted by BWillie

If you want to save money, the Hy-Vee in Olathe off of 151st Street has Venom for $1.25 each. I don't actually like Red Bull that much. I love Monster & Venom though, and sometimes drink Full Throttle, Amp, and Rockstar. Unfortunately Red Bull is probably the least bad for you, it has the least amount of caffeine than any of them.

This is not the place to be telling me that. Money isn't the issue, but it'd be nice to keep that extra $1,000 in my pocket each year.

[BWillie]

Originally Posted by Pablo

Honestly, the more water you drink in a day; the more anything sugary/sweet tastes awful to you. Force yourself to get a gallon of water down a day and it may help your taste buds get back to normal.

That might help eliminate one aspect of your craving/addiction.

I think this is very true. I'm 30 now, and I used to not drink energy drinks at all. No soda, no energy drinks. Its just a habit I've picked up in the last 4 years. And back before then, I was in really really goods shape. I ate well, and drank tons of water. I'd carry around a liter of water everywhere I go and just drank out of it. And I hated the taste of sweets and soda. Now I love it

[SAUTO]

Originally Posted by Stinger

Switch to meth.

He will spend quite a bit more money per year on that program
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[KCrockaholic]

Originally Posted by BucEyedPea

Wow, that's too bad you had anything like that as a kid. Kid's shouldn't even have the caffeine in coffee. You may just need a supervised de-tox program.

It started when my dad would let me pick out whatever I wanted at Quik Trip in the mornings before he went to work. I fell in love with Monster. Didn't even care about food.

[KCrockaholic]

Originally Posted by BWillie

I think this is very true. I'm 30 now, and I used to not drink energy drinks at all. No soda, no energy drinks. Its just a habit I've picked up in the last 4 years. And back before then, I was in really really goods shape. I ate well, and drank tons of water. I'd carry around a liter of water everywhere I go and just drank out of it. And I hated the taste of sweets and soda. Now I love it

We both need to quit then. Or at least slow down in your case. I need to just flat out quit. I'm sick of it.

[ptlyon]

Add a little more and more Antifreeze.

Sorry if repost.

[KCrockaholic]

Originally Posted by ptlyon

Add a little more and more Antifreeze.

Sorry if repost.

I'd still like the taste of it. Maybe not the aftermath.

[JoeyChuckles]

Hey man, you want $100? Cause quitting will net you about $100 a month.

Think what you could do with that money.

[KCrockaholic]

Originally Posted by JoeyChuckles

Hey man, you want $100? Cause quitting will net you about $100 a month.

Think what you could do with that money.

Yup.

[Pablo]

Originally Posted by BWillie

I think this is very true. I'm 30 now, and I used to not drink energy drinks at all. No soda, no energy drinks. Its just a habit I've picked up in the last 4 years. And back before then, I was in really really goods shape. I ate well, and drank tons of water. I'd carry around a liter of water everywhere I go and just drank out of it. And I hated the taste of sweets and soda. Now I love it

Yeah, I slipped into a funk this winter where I drank more soda/sweet drinks than I have in quite a while. It's an easy way to pack on pounds.

Really, if you stick mostly to water, you'll feel a whole lot better in general.

I drink coffee occasionally. It's your best bet if you're looking for quick caffeine. I wouldn't say I love the taste of coffee in general, but it's alright. I try to stick with water, tea and coffee if I can help it.

[BucEyedPea]

Originally Posted by KCrockaholic

Thanks. I need to stop, and I'm tired of feeling fatigued for no reason.

Fatigue? See a naturopathic doctor or wellness clinic with both those and regular doctors to build your body back up naturally. You sound like you have deficiencies. Drugs, caffeine, alcohol use up B vitamins which are your energy vitamins. They are hard to find in the American diet of white processed foods today. Allergies to food can cause fatigue too. The symptoms are not just sinus related.

Someone here mentioned water, that will help de-tox you by washing out any toxins in your cells. Besides that caffeine dehydrates you. 80% of the people do not drink enough water. Go for 70 ozs a day. I'd buy bottled Volvic for at least a month for the natural trace minerals. It's not cheap but it's really good water. Then switch back to your regular water.

I realize, I am giving you a recommendation that is a lifestyle change that is not easy or even popular. But it works long term. Helps if you have someone assisting you.

[Ragged Robin]

Switch to coffee instead.