I blame that double espresso I had at 3.30 yesterday afternoon.
It’s 3.30am…again…and I am awake again! Not helping my weight loss journey at all (OMG I sound like a Biggest Loser contestant…they all say “my journey”…I will feel like a big loser in a few short hours when I am supposed to be at my perky best, all bright eyed and bushy tailed ready to greet a new day...I feel more like I am "tripping", than journeying). However, I digress…
It is 3.30am and therefore it is now 12 hours since I had that delicious, aromatic double shot espresso in my little white espresso cup...my reward for a hard day’s work, and a little boost to help me cope for a few more hours . I need to have serious words about coffee...
Caffeine is the most popular and widely used drug in the world. It is a substance found in the leaves, seeds or fruit of a number of plant species, such as coffee and tea plants. Caffeine is a stimulant which acts on the central nervous system to speed up the messages to and from the brain. Caffeine takes 5–30 minutes to circulate in the body after it has been consumed. Its effects will continue as long as it is in the blood, which is usually around 12 hours.
Hear that ? 12 HOURS!!!! 12 Hours: 3.30pm to 3.30am = TWELVE HOURS!!! Who knew 100mls or so of black liquid could be so powerful. It’s left me stressed, sleepless and cranky. I am worrying about worrying. I am worrying about worrying about worrying. I am worrying about not sleeping and I am trying not to feel resentment towards Sleeping Beauty upstairs, burrowed under a soft, warm featherdown quilt, snoring away, oblivious to my pain. I am also worried about the following:
Caffeine is a stimulant – and here’s what it does:
It elevates heart rate, increases blood flow, and raise body temperature. Caffeine enters the blood stream where the brain detects and stimulates the adrenal glands to release adrenalin. Adrenalin will increase heart rate. The liver is then stimulated where glucose is released into the blood stream. As a result blood glucose levels go up and the pancreas then releases insulin to regulate blood glucose levels…and therein lies a slippery slope, people.
So, I am flooded with adrenalin when I should be relaxed and enjoying my REMs…it’s making me fat, I am panicking, I can feel it! My body is panicking: “Head for the hills! The famine is coming, hang on to that f a-a-a-a-a-a-a-t!!!”
Where was I? Right, yes. But wait, there's more. Research (yes, yes I found it on the net!) has shown links between heavy use of caffeine and osteoporosis, high blood pressure and heart disease, heartburn, ulcers, severe insomnia and infertility.
The major behavioural problems associated with heavy caffeine use are anxiety and depression. ..which as we have previously discussed can make us fat!
 |
| Credit for this drawing goes to a blogger called "Psychosheep" or somesuch |
On top of all that the Grehlin Monster (remember that pesky hormone that tells us we are hungry in the wee small hours when we haven’t had enough sleep, or haven’t gone to sleep?) is raging around my body…this night is doomed and that’s how I feel. Caffeine withdrawal required.
But wait: here are the symptoms of caffeine withdrawal: irritability, nervousness, headache, anxiety, adrenal signals switched on, FAT programs activated…
We are all doomed
