Okay, I'm a university student in my third year. I have a part time job that keeps me 'til ten or eleven at night. By the time I get home, eat dinner and relax, it's pretty darn late! Then, I have to get up at seven or eight to be in class on time. And, I'm telling you, I've been exhausted. I don't remember having this problem last year, but I'm ridiculously tired the majority of the time. For the longest time, I'd just buy a coffee at the Tim Hortons and try to start my day. The only thing is, I think the caffeine is bad for my stomache. I have a very sensitive stomache and I get terrible aches after consuming caffeine or dairy. So, the obvious solution is to cut the coffee out but... I still need something to wake me up. (I'm also trying to shed a few extra pounds, so nothing high in calorie content, please...) Can anyone recommend a drink and/or food that would be quick and easy to make and consume before dashing off to class? Any advice would be welcomed. Thanks everyone.
yea I think most students go through this, I did for awhile when I was taking a very heavy workload (7 different chemistry and math classes) I was drinking about 10 cups of coffee a day, and I do not think it was just the caffine but the sugar in my coffee that was burning me out. I switch from coffee to green tea which might help with your stomach problems. my favorite flavors are lemon ginsing and jasmin. but now I am back on coffee and cola, I go through phases. have you thought about taking less classes and going to school for a extra year? maybe you just need to drop that morning class.
I have four morning classes! LoL I'm taking psychology and I can't afford to drop any courses, as I had to do that last year and it's already put me behind. Tea is yummy and everything, but it has to be the caffeine because I drink it without sugar and it makes me ill. I'll drink the de-caffeinated for pleasure, but it does nothing to wake me up...
Hmmm, maybe you could try making a smoothie with orange juice and a frozen banana before classes? Usually those tend to perk me up pretty good! Plus they're good for you!
eating a big breakfast will jumpstart your day and increase your metabolism. breakfast should be the largest meal of the day. try eating 5-6 meals a day. not big meals. this will keep you up and your metabolism going. coffee in the morning won't cut it if you're looking to lose some fat and starving yourself won't aid in healthy fat loss.
oh poor baby! i can't imagine waking up before 12! but yeah i know what you mean, coffee is a no-no for me too... Grapefruit! it's the best, i eat grapefruits cos they're really good for skin and i do feel they give me extra energy. maybe you should start your mornings with grapefruit juice. btw it also burns lots of calories! as i have heard.. model secret (though that's not the reason i'm such a fan... i'm naturally skinny and i would love to gain some weight. but i can't give up grapefruits) and whenever i have really hard time waking up (like after a party) i have some warm water (almost hot) with lots of lemon and maybe some honey. that's my hangover drink. my hairstylist promiced to get me some haircare stuff with menthol, she said it's like magic, so refreshing i'll let you know if it works
you can skip the grapefruit and go straight to the niacin, that will almost certainly give you a boost, make sure you have food in your stomach first. Do you eat before drinking coffee, like a cookie or anything? because coffee is roughest on an empty stomach.
Yeah, I'm bad for skipping the morning meal and heading straight for the coffee! I hate the taste of a grapefruit, but oddly enough, I can drink the juice, so I'll have to try that. Thank you all so much for the replies!
I tell you this ,eat fruits an vegetables,fresh not cooked. If you really can't, drink fruit and vegetable juice,fresh not canned. Make this your main diet and stay away from eating large meals of "dead food". Small ones are fine, don't want to shock your system. I assure you after a couple of days,you will feel your energy rise and after about a week or two, you will think your "SUPERWOMAN"! Not to mention shed some pounds!
Eat a good breakfast! Simple as that... I guarantee you will feel infinitely better every day when you have a good breakfast. Not only that, but it will help you lose weight. Eating 5 or 6 meals a day, as opposed to 2 or 3 large meals, increases metabolism. If you want to shed some pounds and feel better, have breakfast with a coffee, then eat frequently throughout the day.
Ginseng? Or....exercise to improve your sleep quality. That would help if you want to shed pounds as well. Remember water, though. It helps, even if it's a pain in the arse!
the best thing that worked for me when I was in college was to drink only a cup of coffe in the morning before noon. Also if you have 5-10 minutes between classes just close your eyes for a couple of minutes. It helps alot just to let them rest and to clear your head.
Drink a sugar-free energy drink...if you don't mind the taste, it takes getting use to. I find 2 of those helps me but then again they have around 200mg caffeine per 16oz drink but there's lots of vitamins n shit. I dono. I tend to drink alot of caffeine whether it be energy drinks or coffee but I have a tolerance now. And that sucks.
Here's a thought...I drink herbal teas (without caffeine) and I LOVE that they keep me hydrated, cozy, and satisfied. I'm sure you've heard before that caffeine just dehydrates you, so after the initial buzz wears off, your body slows down and you feel even more tired. I could drink 10 cups of coffee a day, but then I just feel crappy...so, I usually have one or two coffees a day, and four or more herbal teas, plus I'll drink water & milk, maybe juice, and the occasional pop (soda). I swear, herbal teas helped me quit smoking. Not because of some magic ingredient or anything, but just that they really help satisfy my oral fixation and they make me happy!! Hydration is good for feeling your best AND will help you shed those extra pounds, so you can't lose. I know they aren't quite as delicious as a Timmie's double double (my personal preference) but they're still pretty damned good!!!
effexor is also pretty zippy, it's considered an antidepressant but they gave it to her for energy (she takes a antipsychotic that zaps her energy.)