At a recent visit to my family doctor my blood pressure was again on the high side. I have been twittering with high blood pressure for a couple of years. I'm a tiny bit older, a tiny bit fatter, a tiny bit more sedentary... well, I guess I can see where the problem is! That aside, Dr. Fisher insisted that I get rid of all caffeine. Yes, you can now see my feet of clay... I am not perfect... alas my credibility is ruined. I was back into caffeine AGAIN.
The good news is that my numbers are back in line again and I continue to say "NO" far more often than "Yes" to caffeine in any form. Dr. Fisher was pleased and commented; "I think I spend half my day getting people off caffeine." Isn't that something?!
Our personality leads us to all or nothing thinking. I just got off the phone with someone who misinterpreted some things in lesson five. She thought we were saying DO NOT eat any fruit because it's pure sugar. It is a carbohydrate but our body needs some carbo's... we are saying don't OVER do fruit. We are asking everyone to consider what a NORMAL serving is. In the day of "biggee" this and "whooper" that, I believe our concept of Normal may be warped.
We have seen what a SMALL change can do. We all know people who have stopped drinking soda pop for a year and lost 20#'s. (I'd rather have a Pepsi than eat. I haven't had a Pepsi in 2 years and haven't lost an ounce-but who's whining.) We've seen people who progress from being housebound, by making one small step outside to their porch, to living full productive lives outside their home. Small changes are the ticket.
If you are still on caffeine, how about trying the following 5 week process:
1. Keep track of your caffeine intake for one week. Use these guidelines: 6 ounces of Coffee equals 150 mg of caffeine, 6 oz. Of decaffeinated coffee 5mg., 6 oz. Tea 50 mg., 12 oz. Of caffeinated soda 50 mg., Excedrine 65 mg., Anacin 32 mg., Midol 132 mg / pill, and woe is me... chocolate candy bar 20 mg.
2. Consider your results at the end of the week. If your consumption of caffeine is over 250 mg, you may be able to trace any sleep problems you've been having. Folks tell me, "Oh I only drink coffee until 11a.m." IT MATTERS! Of the four levels of sleep
