Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

0

I need help breaking free of this addiction. Can't seem to get motivated without it now.

flag	asked Jun 4 2011 at 13:49 Dave 407●1●4●14

	what supplements are you using? brand? so we can see the ingredients. There could be addicting stuff in that. – justanotherhunt Jun 4 2011 at 14:02
	Me too...it's no big deal in my opinion. The only real downside to be addicted to pre-workout supps is the cost! :-) – Underground Nutritionist Jun 4 2011 at 14:52
	Proper rest eliminated my morning caffeine craving. Are you getting enough sleep? – Chickenosaurus Rex Jun 4 2011 at 15:51
	I am addicted to the point where without it I have little motivation to work out and have sucky work outs. – Dave Jun 4 2011 at 16:08
	Try slowly tapering it off rather than going cold turkey. – Chickenosaurus Rex Jun 4 2011 at 21:54

mth · Accepted Answer · 2011-06-04 14:03:16Z UTC

6

There has never been a substance that someone was addicted and didn't overcome the addiction. From my research on addiction it all boiled down to the addict wanting to stop the addiction more than wanting to continue the addiction.

I suggest that you determine if pre-workout caffiene is more important than being a slave to a chemical. If the caffiene is more important at this point in your life continue using it. However, if you decide that it is more important to be free from addiction, then stop using it and soldier on thru the workouts for the week or two that you experience withdrawal symptoms.

In addition to building muscle, you'll build character.

answered Jun 4 2011 at 14:03

mth
5,862●1●8●23

	THANK YOU, Great Advice! – Dave Jun 4 2011 at 14:09
	Yes on all your research on how people overcame addiction, it boiled down to them wanting to stop doing what they were addicted to more than not wanting to stop. How insightful. So you suggest simply deciding whether you want to or not and then acting in accordance with that decision. Isn't this all tautological? You offer words, but seemingly nothing of substance. – Anonymous Coward Aug 24 2011 at 2:29
	AC, it's a free internet forum about caffiene - something that does not require medical treatment to quit. If you would like substance, please call my office and make an appointment. – mth Aug 24 2011 at 18:10
	Still absolutely no substance. And no, I'm not gonna pay you to try to give me what I pointed out was lacking in your attempt to help this guy. You essentially said NOTHING in your response, yet you got 6+ upvotes and an accepted answer. Looks like you fooled them all into thinking that your "answer" was any more than just pure tautological drivel. – Anonymous Coward Aug 24 2011 at 20:02

Futureboy · Answer 2 · 2011-06-04 16:45:58Z UTC

I kind of agree with Mike on the caffeine. I drink 1 to 2 cups of unsweetend black tea (sometimes with heavy cream) a day, and I don't see it as a problem.

But there is a difference, like Pete mentioned. There's drinking a cup of home-brewed organic coffee with heavy cream, slowly and thoughtfully, enjoying it for what it is and enjoying the effects and benefits. Then there's slamming down 2 or 4 industrially produced caffeine pills made from who-knows-what, sitting around impatiently waiting for them to kick in so you can "motivate" yourself to go to the gym.

It can be a slippery slope, but if you don't feel like going to the gym today, don't go! Make it up tomorrow or the next day.

As far as the supplements go, what are you taking?

Payam · Answer 3 · 2011-06-04 15:45:22Z UTC

Are you working out in the morning? If so, it may be that you are subconciously using the caffeine to wake up rather than to work out. Try working out at different times. You may find that you have more energy in the afternoon and you dont even need the caffeine. Also, try working out to music. Music is a powerful motivational tool

Pete · Answer 4 · 2011-06-04 15:44:11Z UTC

I used to have the same problem. I'd whack down a couple ephedrine tablets with a cup of coffee to get up for the gym. Bad news. And remember Ultimate Orange? I was on that for a while too.

I've found that, when I'm unmotivated for the gym, doing a warm-up at home ramps up the central nervous system and gets you going. It really works. Just do a mini circuit of a low number of push-ups, some walking lunges, squat jumps, etc. Just enough to get your heart going a little, it shouldn't even be enough reps to burn.

It'll cause the CNS to prepare itself for work. I don't take anything before workouts anymore. Let's face it, there's nothing like stimulants, but the little warm up really does work well.

Mike Gruber · Answer 5 · 2011-06-04 16:31:46Z UTC

I wouldn't worry about it. Caffeine has helped me get out the door in the days when I was doing a lot of running, and these days it usually helps me have a more intense weight workout. If it helps me get one more rep on each set, I'll get stronger, faster. I don't see that as a problem. :-)

I have a morning espresso, and one before workouts.

Addicted to Pre-Workout Supplements/Caffeine Before the Gym

5 Answers