I read and dream of achieving what many of you are doing. You are very good role models.
I have taken my focus off of healthy habits and it shows. I am heavier, have less energy, lost strength and not as limber.
I feel somewhat like a horse prancing waiting for the starting gate to open so I can take off in the better health journey. I don't want to focus on the "finish" because I know healthy habits are about the daily journey with the achievement of less of the icky symptoms being the markers along the journey. I have been telling myself to wait until my life slows down a little so I can focus on taking better care of myself. However, I suspect getting started slowly in any form is better than waiting until a perfect time.
FEEL FREE TO SKIP MY RAMBLINGS BELOW. I'm just working through my thoughts/research in an effort to find the answer that is right for me.
Caffeine is my focus for today.
My reason for focusing on Caffeine consumption - Last year I had one b*reast cyst found on mammogram. They did ultrasound 3 times over the past year to see if that cyst changed shape/size. It has not changed. However, this years mammogram (and ultrasound) showed a dozen more small cysts appearing. After consulting with 2 specialists and my family doctor, I still find myself with no reason for these cysts to appear. The only suggestion they had was biopsy of two groups of the cysts to ensure there was no cancer cells. The pathology report can back benign (Thankfully). The medical recommendations I have received are -
** keep having yearly mammograms to monitor the cysts
** reduce caffeine (some studies show it causes cysts to swell)
** maintain a healthy weight
In my effort to reduce caffeine intake, I first need to become aware of what I am eating/drinking that contains caffeine
** coffee - yup! I'm a dedicated coffee drinker
** chocolate - rarely - I consider chocolate a treat.
Continuing on my effort to track down caffeine consumption -
How much caffeine does my morning coffee habit have? I have seen all kinds of report that give mg of caffeine per cup of coffee, but it doesn't say how strong that cup of coffee is. I drink my coffee weak so I want to know caffeine per Tsp/tbl of coffee grounds.
This best information I can find is -
For Folgers Ground Coffee: Serving size equals 1 tablespoon ground coffee to 6 oz of water.
Milligrams of Caffeine per Serving:
Regular: 59 mg per tablespoon (one serving)
Half-Caff: 30 mg per tablespoon (one serving)
Decaffeinated: 1.5 mg per tablespoon (one serving)
My morning pot of coffee has 3T of coffee grounds - which is equal to 177 mg of caffeine for the whole pot of coffee (I share it with DH). My best estimate of current caffeine intake is around 90mg a day. This is well beloW the recommendation of not exceeding 300mg of caffeine a day.
MY CAFFEINE DECISION AFTER THIS RESEARCH & THINKING -***VBSigh*** of relief. My morning coffee habit stays. However, I am going to purchase some decaf coffee and mix it in with normal coffee. This should reduce my caffeine to around 50mg a day.
I will become more aware of the occasional chocolate, soda type drinks and tea. Those are easy for me to give up, so they are placed on my "avoid if possible list". I don't care if I have them or not and would truly rather have water.