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Posted by u/squat_to_pizza

Did dropping caffeine cold turkey mess with my gains and sleep?

TL;DR: Dropped caffeine and now my lifts and sleep are whack. What's up with that?

So, I just dropped caffeine cold turkey 30 days ago, and now my lifts feel like I'm lifting pizza slices instead of weights. My sleep data is all over the place too. Am I just coping, or does caffeine actually play that big of a role in my gym game and Zzzs? Any advice would be epic!

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u/veganpowerlifting

i dropped caffeine for a while and it did mess with my sleep patterns. i focused on whole foods and tried to get my energy from natural sources instead, like bananas and oatmeal. totally worth it!

29
u/5kqueen_2022

if sleep is wild, maybe consider meditation or some light stretching before bed. helps calm the mind and prep for better rest.

5
u/6footdadbod

as a dad, my energy's always fluctuating, and i swear caffeine helps! can't imagine lifting without my coffee. maybe try some herbal teas if you want to chill out.

4
u/badformbutgoodvibes

i thought i'd be the hero dropping caffeine, but then i just turned into a tired potato. you're not alone, dude!

1
u/6footdadbod

real talk, my kids keep me up at night. so when i cut caffeine, i had to work on sleep hygiene big time. blackout curtains, no screens, the whole shebang.

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u/homegymhero

try tracking your sleep data with an app. it can help you see patterns, and you might figure out what's messing with your Zzzs.

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u/squat_to_pizza

have you tried tracking your meals? sometimes just switching to whole foods or high-protein snacks can give you the boost you need without caffeine!

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u/rpe_skeptic

i get the appeal of quitting caffeine, but don't fall for the hype. it's just a tool, not a magic pill. focus on the basics: sleep, nutrition, training.

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u/veganpowerlifting

not to mention, focusing on hydration can seriously help with performance. water can work wonders too! throw in some electrolytes and you'll feel a difference.

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u/badformbutgoodvibes

i feel you, my lifts got weaker when i tried cutting caffeine too. like, one day i'm a beast and the next i'm just a noodle.

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u/lightweightsfordays

if you're lifting pizza slices, maybe it's time for some pizza gains? 馃槀 but really, try adding carbs before lifting. they can help you recover and give you energy.

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u/bro_split_bro_420

caffeine withdrawal is no joke! i'd say take it easy, listen to your body, and maybe switch to a lower dose if you miss it. you got this, bro!

2
u/whey_addict

caffeine withdrawal can really mess with your energy levels and sleep. it's been shown to affect performance, so you might just be in a slump. hang in there, it gets better.

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u/bro_split_bro_420

facts! i was lost without my pre-workout. now i use beta-alanine and it's been pretty chill. maybe look into that while you adjust?

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u/5kqueen_2022

for sleep, have you tried melatonin or magnesium? those can help regulate sleep patterns while you adjust to no caffeine.

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u/rpe_skeptic

not saying caffeine is the holy grail, but it does help with focus and intensity. u might be feeling the withdrawal effects

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u/badformbutgoodvibes

you might just be going through a phase. my lifts dipped hard after dropping caffeine, but they eventually got back on track. keep pushing!

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u/veganpowerlifting

it can be a bit of a rollercoaster. when i cut back, my energy dipped, but i learned to love pre-workout meals. definitely helped with my lifts!

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u/squat_to_pizza

dropped caffeine? bro, you're basically lifting pizza slices now 馃槀. but for real, caffeine is like pre-workout in liquid form; it helps a lot with energy.

1
u/runninglateagain

honestly, caffeine is like my running buddy. dropped it once and felt like a slow turtle. how about easing off instead of going cold turkey?

1