2weeker: 2 weeks to change your life

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What's a 2weeker?

2weeker is a collaborative blog whose writers are trying to change their lives two weeks at a time. Join us as we try to add, remove, or change something in our lives over the course of two weeks.

Current 2week

Justin B. Evans

April 28th - May 12th, 2008
Do something creative every day for 2 weeks

Previous 2week

Molissa Farber

April 7th - April 21st, 2008
Drink nothing but water for 2 weeks

We suck.

Posted on 2008-05-09 @ 8:13 PM by fny21

No, really. We do.

Sorry for the lack of posting! It's the end of the semester/finals time/etc. After Wednesday, though, I'm freeee! Many (late) pictures will ensue.

Oh! My excuse for lack of pics: My camera broke :( So I'll be stealing my sister's old one (she just got a new one).

Tomorrow, I'll be participating in something creative and cool: Pangea Day!

The Pangea Day Event

Starting at 18:00 GMT on May 10, 2008, locations in Cairo, Kigali, London, Los Angeles, Mumbai, and Rio de Janeiro will be linked for a live program of powerful films, live music, and visionary speakers. The entire program will be broadcast – in seven languages – to millions of people worldwide through the internet, television, and mobile phones.

The 24 short films to be featured have been selected from an international competition that generated more than 2,500 submissions from over one hundred countries. The films were chosen based on their ability to inspire, transform, and allow us see the world through another person's eyes. Details on the Pangea Day films can be viewed here.

And you should too :)

Labels: 2week1: Drink only water for 2 weeks

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"We are the sole survivors of a world no one else has ever seen." - John le Carre

Posted on 2008-04-24 @ 9:29 AM by Mo Farbs

I read ^^that quote^^ today and couldn't help but notice how fitting it was for this little experiment we've got going. Our first Tweeker is over, and I feel as though we all came out of this with completely different battle scars. One of the things that first drew me to this blog was the idea of getting seven distinct perspectives on the same activity, and giving up non-water seems like the perfect example of what should happen on this blog - some of us struggled, some of us didn't even notice.

I think I did both. The first few days, as you know, were a struggle. I couldn't stay awake during the day, could barely form a sentence, and was angry and miserable without my morning cup of coffee. Then I turned a corner and got used to it. I realized that, beyond all doubt, I had a physical and psychological addition to coffee that was harder to break than I expected. For the next week and a half, I managed to get to work earlier than I had been for the last month, and I (surprisingly) felt more awake and focused. I managed to get my eating under control again, after a few days of compensating for caffeine with snacking.* Although I realize I'm just tempting fate here, I don't think anything tweeker could be harder for me than this one.

Given all this, it is upsetting on some level that I am back to drinking my beloved morning cup of coffee.

Throughout this week, my wonderful co-workers have been excitedly asking me whether I am relieved to be drinking coffee again. Two weeks ago, I truly would have given a noogie to a baby to have just a half a cup of coffee with a drizzle of Coffeemate. But when I actually poured myself that cup on Monday, I did it more out of obligation to my former self than out of desire or need. I remembered how much I loved coffee, so I had some.

The researcher in me is seeking alternative explanations for my improved performance over the last few weeks. Counfounding variables, if you will. A few:

Fewer nights of 2-5 hours of sleep, of which there had been quite a few before this Tweek
I cleaned my apartment during the first week, which always coincides with an improved state of mind
~~I stopped drinking coffee and cleared the caffeine from my system~~

I'm telling myself that I'll quit coffee again if I start to take a nosedive. We'll see how it goes. In the meantime, I'm starting to remember how nice it is to drink it.

So - what's next?!

* Incidentally, when I had my first cup on Monday at 10am (with a cup of Kosher-for-Passover "cereal"), I didn't even notice I was hungry until 2:30. Welcome back to the world of caffeine-induced appetite suppression...

Labels: 2week1: Drink only water for 2 weeks

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Sea Change

Posted on 2008-04-21 @ 7:39 PM by McChen

I admit, I was going to go back to coffee. But this morning, as I took my first sip, I discovered that the coffee tasted bad! Not the coffee itself, but the liquid; it tasted too thick, as if I was drinking gritty molasses. Plus, I felt a little jittery later that afternoon. I think, and this is brave, but I think I'm going off coffee. We'll see how long that lasts, but that 2weeker might end up being a life-changing event.

What's up next? Justin is working on a site redux, so prepare for massive changes. The poll for the next 2weeker will be up soon, but hopefully we'll hear from the other authors soon.

Labels: 2week1: Drink only water for 2 weeks, Admin Stuff

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Revelation

Posted on @ 8:06 AM by Mo Farbs

I attended a dinner reception last week at a nice Italian restaurant downtown. Without divulging too many identifying details, I'll describe the environment as one in which all of us in attendance were trying to impress a few key people and - on some level - each other. It was an innately uncomfortable kind of thing, eased only by the presence of free wine.

I've said it before: I'm not a big drinker. I do, however, love me some wine.* This was the kind of event where I would not have thought twice about having a free glass of red. In fact, I was sort of upset by the fact that I COULDN'T partake in the vino-rific festivities (although I couldn't tell if I was more upset by missing out on something free than by the wine itself).

As the evening wore on, however, it became apparent that stealthy sicilian ninja waiters had been refilling the wine glasses of those drinking without their noticing. Someone said something like, "Wow, how many have I had? This glass keeps getting more wine in it..."

To understand what happened in that moment, I'm going to pull out a reference from my Looney Toons bag 'o' tricks. Picture the moment when, in hot pursuit of that deliciously evasive Roadrunner, Wile E. Coyote gets a bit carried away and finds himself chasing Roadrunner off a cliff. Because everyone knows that roadrunners are sneaky flightless bastards, the bird has actually never left the ground and shows up, with a boing and a smug expression on its beak, behind the coyote as he runs into midair.

Now, Coyotes are, while wily, not this clever. But since this is a cartoon, Wile would have been just fine had he never looked down to notice that he was running (successfully) in midair. It was always immediately after looking down that our hero/villian** took a nasty fall.

That comment, "Wow, how many have I had?" was the real-life equivalent of looking down.

All of a sudden, everyone realized that they were quite tipsy and conversation plummetted from the expectedly uncomfortable kind of awkward to the almost-painfully embarassing form. Polite questions became more personal, jokes became more inappropriate, words slurred together, eyes drooped, and the important people had a few angry conversations with the Italian ninja boozehound-enabling waiters.

I realized then that I should never drink at these functions, for two reasons:

The risk of becoming unexpectedly drunk is high, and the consequences awkward and embarassing for all involved.

Whether I am stone-cold sober or have had something to drink, I tend to engage in unusual topics of conversation.*** Part of it is a need to mask the innate awkwardness I feel in these situations. Another part is the desire to talk about something more interesting things than my job or my hometown. I realized as I got on the bus to go home that having these same conversations with a glass of wine in me completely recontextualizes my naturally (and charmingly) absurd dinner reception personality. I'm no longer the kind of person with diverse conversational interests, I'm the girl who must be slightly tipsy. I'd much rather be perceived as the former.

I don't know if I'll stick to that now that this 2weeker is over, since free drinks are a vice I may never shake, but I'll definitely think twice before reaching for that glass of pino noir...

* And of course a pint of beer at a happy hour, maybe the occasional cocktail, and naturally some kind of bottle of something on poker nights, and maybe an oatmeal cookie shot if I'm out with the girls...

** Depending on your worldview, and maybe political affiliation.

*** Including but not limited to the sociology of seduction and the cross-generational success of the Nintendo Wii.

Labels: 2week1: Drink only water for 2 weeks

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Days 13-14: Um, yay?

Posted on @ 4:28 AM by Justin B. Evans

My excuse for not posting much is that I am working hard on 2weeker 2.0. What's yours? ;)

The hardest part about 2weeker came this past Sunday, the last day of the 2week. I went out with the wife for lunch at the Silver Diner. I got some pancakes... and had to eat them, with water. It was... awkward.

So far I have yet to have a meaningful revelation regarding water drinking. I already drink water 75% of the time, so there were no changes in health "benefits". Unlike Michael, there was no monetary significance; I maybe saved $2-3 by not buying a random Arizona tea every now and then.

I must thinking about this 2week further and have something meaningful to say in my upcoming "reflection" post.

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Days 7-12: MOOOOOOOO

Posted on 2008-04-19 @ 7:40 PM by Justin B. Evans

I'm really on the ball with this daily posting thing, aren't I?

12 days into this 2week and I've come to the conclusion that I really miss cereal. All day I craved a milkshake. Justin miss dairy. ...that's really all I've learned.

As a side note, I was watching Cops with the wife this evening, and there was a particular quote that caught my attention regarding the amount of drug baggies in some guy's car:

"We got a '2weekers' dozen here..."

Which I believe referred to 11(???)...

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Frond

Posted on 2008-04-17 @ 7:50 PM by McChen

Okay, this isn't going badly at all! I actually feel pretty good. The main benefit of kicking caffeine is that my energy level is steady. Before, I'd be really productive midday, when my intake was highest. Now, I'm at a semi-energetic state all day, although it is lower in the morning when I wake up and when I get home from work. I think the choice of two weeks was fortunate, since it gives one week to kick/adapt the 2week and one week to really inhabit the adaptation.

My other benefits are monetary. So far, I've probably save $10 on coffee, $3 on soda, and $10 on wine or juice that was tempting me last night. $20ish dollars is nothing to sneeze at; if I did this every 2 weeks I could save hundreds. I feel like when this 2week ends, I'll still have it burned in mind "oh, never mind, I can't have that" in reference to the non-water, non-coffee stuff. That doesn't sound like a healthy drinking combination, but it's probably better than taking in alcohol, sugar, and other crap.

Despite the compensatory eating, I'm pretty happy, thus far, although I wonder how the other 2weeker authors have fared.

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The Followup

Posted on 2008-04-16 @ 2:21 PM by fny21

I'M ALIVE! Go me.

I downed like a liter of water with my coffee (is that cheating? I mean... it wasn't mixed in BEFORE I ate the coffee?) only because I didn't want to kill my liver (we have a fairly healthy thing going).

I did manage to stay up pretty late and wake up fairly early, though. If I actually did well on this exam (which I just finished up) then I'll consider that positive reinforcement for future procrasinatory efforts.

So much for detoxing!

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Desperate Times...

Posted on 2008-04-15 @ 10:54 PM by fny21

I have a test in 14.5 hours. I haven't studied. I'm having an Arrested Development marathon (side note: everyone should watch this show. everyone.).

The problem: I need to stay up. And I've never even attempted to pull an all-nighter without coffee.

The solution: I ate a teaspoon of instant coffee. Yes. Ate it.

Let's see how this goes....

Labels: 2week1: Drink only water for 2 weeks

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Backstabber

Posted on @ 2:59 PM by McChen

Ok, so I have a coke addiction. At least it's coca-cola and not cocaine, right? That's a plus, right? Anyhow, my labmate Daniella proved right in predicting that the caffeine-less fog wears off after a week. I actually felt pretty good yesterday and today, but I would like to point out that I've been sleeping more to compensate for the lack of coffee. That said, once next Monday rolls around I'll probably have a big steaming cup of joe in my hands.

But, in case someone out there wants long-term change, I'm quitting the coke in favor of water and coffee; the sugar and calories are probably worse than the caffeine. There, I said it, sorry Coca-Cola. Oddly enough, I had trouble donating blood last weekend due to low blood pressure, flattened veins, and "muscle-y arms," although that last bit could have been just some kind words from the nurse.

As for next Monday, we probably won't start the actual next 2weeker for a few days after to give us time to reflect (and re-caffeinate). There will be some sort of poll up, but we are always in need of suggestions. You (yes, YOU) should contact us and suggest a new 2week. Even if we don't use it next time, we'll add it to the pile of things to do in time. And soon we'll be debuting some site renovations. So stay tuned...

Labels: 2week1: Drink only water for 2 weeks, Admin Stuff

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boring beverages

Posted on 2008-04-14 @ 5:31 PM by Christina

I hate to continue writing about how easy and almost thoughtless this 2weeker is, especially given the struggles of the coffee addicts here....but I will anyway :)

case in point: I went to a potluck on Friday, showed up with my food and put my coat down. The host, like any decent potluck-host, offered me something to drink--they had white wine, red wine, apple juice, water, and sparkling water. In that moment I *completely* forgot about 2weeker (I am sad to say)....and asked for water without even thinking. I realized it the next day and had a good chuckle about it. But seriously--I'm not the kind of person who can eat a meal with wine alone--I need to have some water with it, just to stay hydrated. I also had driven there, and since I never know what my tolerance is these days I usually just play it safe with the alcohol. And juice? with dinner? Meh. Juice, like tea, is one of those things that I only have when I'm sick with a bad throat. I also hate sparkling water, so thumbs down there. So...basically I have a pretty boring taste in beverages.

I think the only other item of note was that Saturday Michael and I went to grab dinner at Wahoo's Fish Tacos (DROOL)--and every time I go there I get a diet Pepsi with my food, so it was kind of a bummer to not get soda. It's sort of like having beer with pizza--such a great combo! But it was really not a big deal to have water. Michael seems to feel it much more acutely than I, and remarked sadly several times during the meal, "Man, I'd give anything for a Coke," often after expressing some frustration or unhappiness. Michael, maybe you could answer for us in your next post, since you haven't really commented on the absence of Coke in your life--does Coke fill some emotional void in your life, providing an escape from the problems of life, serving as an agent for which friends, lovers, even water fail to substitute? :)

Labels: 2week1: Drink only water for 2 weeks

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Confession Monday

Posted on @ 2:13 PM by Mo Farbs

Confession the First: I'm Okay

I still sort of miss coffee, but I'm physically fine. As a result, I realize now that I was very much addicted to the stuff and had been suffering actual withdrawal symptoms. I convinced myself that the distraction, exhaustion, and crankiness came from a place of psychological desire, but I started to feel the physical side-effects melt away before my mental craving for coffee was totally gone.

At this point, I'm able to wake up on time (I've actually been at work closer to 9am in the last three work days than I have in month leading up to this 2weeker). I don't miss my morning cup anymore. I'm not sure what to do with myself on this blog if I can no longer complain about this. The only bad thing is that I've still been eating and snacking much more than I should be. I'm buying a new pair of running shoes this weekend, so hopefully that will solve part of the problem.*

Given all this, it's kind of a shame that I will immediately pour myself a cup of coffee when I get to work next Monday.

* The old ones are worn out. Did I mention I ran a ten-miler?

Confession the Second: I Might Be a Teetoller at Heart

This weekend, I went to a reunion of a club I was in during undergrad, knowing full-well that I would spend the entire day declining traditional alcoholic beverage after traditional alcoholic beverage. Prog punch, Mory's Cups...how was I to resist?

In truth, I enjoy having a drink or two to grease the wheels of social interaction, but I've never enjoyed drinking in excess. I hate feeling gross in the morning, and I'm not a fan of acting like a different person (whether that person is better or worse). What I missed most about the weekend wasn't the alcohol, but the first drink.

It's a comaraderie + relaxation thing that I'm longing for when I think of alcohol, and I realize I don't need all that much of it. It was kind of nice to have a sort-of socially legitimate reason to opt-out of large-scale alcohol consumption.

Anyway, one of the Progs was nice enough to get me a gallon of water. It's not like anyone can see INSIDE those blue cups, anyway.

Confession the Third: I'm Already Stocking Up for Next Week

On our way back from New Haven, one of the passengers ("J" - in the picture) led me and the driver ("C") to some storage facility where dozens and dozens of surplus, unopened Odwalla juices are thrown away. Until trash pickup, they are left outside for the taking, most still cold.

I realize this is kind of gross, but I haven't had juice in SEVEN DAYS!! I'm desperate for anything.

C and I walked away with 11 bottles of Mango Tango between us. J, who was less picky about little details like expiration dates had a larger haul with greater juice variety.

In any case, the Mango Tangos don't expire until May, which will give me time to: a) finish this 2weeker; and b) see if my friend C suffers horrific side effects after she drinks hers.

Labels: 2week1: Drink only water for 2 weeks

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Days 3-6: asdjhwbrkfa

Posted on 2008-04-13 @ 8:27 AM by Justin B. Evans

My appologies for not keeping up with a certain daily posting quota. Work has been just oh so fun that I've been forgetting to add my thoughts here... *cough*

I ended up having an argument with the wife yesterday, very similar to the ongoing debate as to what constitutes a drink, and at what point water is corrupted. I had to continually deny getting smoothies ("You can use a spoon instead of a straw!") and a milkshake ("Use a spoon! It's not cheating!"). YES! Yes it is cheating! Must stick to the tap/Brita filtered/water cooler/plain ol H₂0...

Something I've found interesting though, when I was younger, drinking water with breakfast or earlier use to make me sick. I'd get very nauseous and just couldn't do it. Other beverages were fine, it was just water. I've always thought was weird so I've never drank water before 11am. That was my biggest worry with this 2weeker... but somewhere in my 24 years this "No water before 11am" rule was negated and I've been fine.

PS. This took about 30 minutes for Blogger to post... Stupid blogger.

Labels: 2week1: Drink only water for 2 weeks

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Dichotomy

Posted on 2008-04-12 @ 11:53 PM by McChen

It's clear to me what's going on-- those who are addicted to caffeine are suffering, slogging through the first 2weeker week with misery and pain, while those without a caffeine addiction are merely mildly annoyed. This makes me think 3 thoughts:

1) [too homicidal to post]
2) Wait until the "get up at 5AM every day" 2weeker (j/k)
3) At least I'm starting with a personally difficult 2weeker. In comparison, running a lot or talking to strangers or whatever we have coming up the Monday after next should be a breeze. At least... that's the hope.

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Today was much, much better

Posted on 2008-04-11 @ 11:42 PM by McChen

Today I felt much better, but it's because I got an outrageous amount of sleep, supplemented by caffeinated cookies (yes they make such a thing) called "Buzz Strong." I highly recommend it.

I hope everyone else is having fun. I know I am. But I also know that I would probably give my left arm for a 2 liter bottle of coke right now.

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2water - Day 4 & 5

Posted on @ 12:55 PM by RJLucero

Day 4: Continued cups of water at my office. The stack of cups that I have at my desk is over 15 now. Also, getting on a plane and ordering 'just water' is super lame and makes you feel like you're not maximizing your flight value. Especially when they give you a little 5 oz cup filled to the top with ice.

Day 5: I'm proposing a question to the current 2week kids. How are you consuming your water:

Old Fashioned Glass and tap water
Old Fashioned Glass and filtered water
Reusable, nalgene like bottle and tap water
Reusable, nalgene like bottle and filtered water
Bottled water
Glass bottled water that has come from the Alps
Styrofoam cups

Currently it is about 60% Styrofoam cups filled with tap water and the other 40% is old fashioned glass and tap water. I don't believe in this filtered water crap because I need my fluoride. I just want to find out if 2weeker is a green beacon of hope that Al Gore/Captain Planet would be proud of or a group that would burn tires to heat our homes.

Labels: 2week1: Drink only water for 2 weeks, heart, lock-box, nuke the wales

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Late-night television is full of lies

Posted on 2008-04-10 @ 10:00 PM by Mo Farbs

Just FYI, this commercial is complete effing BS.

"Drinking water makes you feel better!"

I lol-ed on my couch. And then I contemplated how miserable I am.

Truly, I like drinking water. I just hate the fact that I can't have anything else. Something about that absolute restriction messes with my mind and amplifies whatever desire I feel for non-water.

In all fairness, today was the first day I was able to make it through the morning without wanting to snort a line of coffee grinds and curl up in the fetal position...although I attribute that mostly to the residual excitement from a first place finish in my poker game last night, and not to a decreasing need/desire for coffee.

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You can't spell "water" without "ate"

Posted on @ 6:31 PM by McChen

The debate of the day seems to be "what comprises 'water' anyway?" Well, beyond chemically, the idea is that some water might be "purer" than other. For instance, how "pure" is mineral water? Does that violate this 2weeker? What about carbonated water? Water with lime/lemons? Water with a slightly smushed cherry inside?

I've opted for tap-only, which is kinda stringent but eliminates waste from bottled water as well as fruit-related confounds. As for the "funny business" of cereal, soup, etc., I've determined that anything where "drink" is the verb damns the product into the forbidden zone. You don't typically drink soup, right?

Today I calculated how much water I drank from about 7:45AM to 6:45PM (rough work hours including commute). So far I would say around 2800ml., which is a whole lot of water. If there's one appearance-related change due to this 2weeker, it's that I feel (and look) bloated all the time. This obviously isn't ideal, but it's probably not the end of the world.

Finally, thanks to everyone who has visited and supported us. We really encourage you to tell your friend about www.2weeker.com. It won't be long before you and your friends can directly participate too! The more the merrier...

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Yep....

Posted on @ 7:52 AM by fny21

I gotta agree with Christina that this is the easiest 2weeker, ever (not being addicted to coffee/soda definitely helps). Though I did have a bit of a coffee craving yesterday, a scoop of coffee ice cream cured it pretty fast (and nothat'snotcheating,stfu)

And I'm also with Laura, in that I have no real amusing stories and yes, I, too, have to be like, all the time.

Honestly, I know this won't be difficult until I go to a wedding next week. In the meantime, I think I'll devote a few posts to random water-related musings/research.

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Water-licious Day 3

Posted on @ 6:30 AM by RJLucero

I think that this entire 2weeker has gone quite well so far, except for the constant yawning due to lack of coffee, the quart of milk that is going to go bad because I can't drink it, and now physical desire to drink a coke or something...

Anyway....

Today in spin class our instructor told us we should be going through a full bottle of water during class. He said that dehydration takes away your strength over time. Some might find it ironic that I didn't have my water bottle with me when I went to spin class. This is how I felt at the end of the class.

Labels: 2week1: Drink only water for 2 weeks, coffee, deserts

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Posted on @ 4:42 AM by laura

I don't have any funny stories so far, just stories of my calmly turning down delicious beverages. But I do have to pee, like, all of the time. What's up with that?

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Bounced

Posted on 2008-04-09 @ 8:46 PM by McChen

I was okay until about 3:30PM. I had to stop at an office building to pick up a paycheck, and I think I almost passed out on the way there (it was only 1.5 miles away). But this morning I felt much, much better compared to yesterday. That's still pretty crappy compared to normal days, but I might be turning a corner.

In other news, how great is sugar? My officemates theorize that the sugar is a "buzz" replacement, which might be possible. I'd like to calculate, like Bob, how much water I'm drinking exactly but it's probably on the scale of trillions of gallons. I wonder if my kidneys will resign at some point?

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Day Three

Posted on @ 8:57 AM by Mo Farbs

In case you needed more proof that the universe hates me:

I went into a Cosi on day one of this stupid thing and attempted to order a sandwich for lunch. I say attempted because I've noticed that, while my written communication skills are mediocre as usual, my ability to express myself verbally has taken a nosedive since giving up coffee. I'm not sure exactly what I said to the man at the register, but it did not resemble English and did not contain the phrase "Buffalo Blue Sandwich,"* which is what I ordered.

He looked at me sadly, perhaps trying to assess my learning disability, as I self-consciously explained that I hadn't had my morning cup of coffee. I declined getting anything to drink, but the guy reached for a coffee cup and headed for the big carafe.

"I'm giving you some coffee. It's on me."

I almost cried. "No, I can't have any. I'm giving it up."

Him: "Oh, okay. Well, what else do you want? Lemonade? Soda? You can have it."

Me: [whatever sound a soul makes when it shatters]

Why. WHY, I ask you. Strangers seem to know what's best for me while this blog continues to torture me. WHY?

---

Incidentally, this thing still sucks. I see no turnaround. I do not feel hydrated. I feel angry at people for no real reason and I feel groggy until about 5pm. I don't think this is caffeine withdrawal, I think this is my body telling me to have a freaking cup of coffee. My new goal is to get through this without invoking the "livelihood endangerment" clause.

I had an oatmeal at ABP yesterday with FOUR TABLESPOONS of brown sugar. FOUR. It wasn't the same.

I also discovered that coffee and not alcohol will be my true nemesis. Went out with some friends last night and didn't hear my brain screaming for the beer that was being offered to me. I did order a glass of ice water with a few cherries in it...which instantly sparked a heated debate** about whether cherries count as adulterating the water. On the one hand, I'll admit that some cherry syrup did mix with the water, purely by virtue of the cherries soaking in syrup before joining the party in my water glass.

On the other hand, the cherries were CLEARLY serving as a garnish to make the water feel more Midori Sour-like, and were EATEN during the process of drinking the water. And I swear to you on this two-faced baby that the flavor effect of the cherries on the water was negligable. However, as always, I defer to the judgment of the blogosphere.

* I don't recommend this one. Go for a TBM.
** This is an enormous exaggeration.

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Day 3: CRISIS

Posted on @ 4:36 AM by Justin B. Evans

I have no syrup for my new 2weeker breakfast (waffles)! But it's ok, I know I'll get through this because I have my good friend with me; Mr. Big Glass of Water.

I have replaced my waffles with toast and strawberry jelly and a strawberry Kashi bar.

...

I'm going to be starving by 10.

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100% Hydration Day 2

Posted on 2008-04-08 @ 9:34 PM by RJLucero

I've kept true to this 2weeker so far. I'm averaging about 8-9 cups of water per day so far, but after reading Christina's Post I'm not so sure I should be drinking so much. Really, I'm not expecting any life changing results from this first 2weeker but drinking more water per day has to put you closer to this. That isn't to say that I'm not going to get anything out of it. I have a feeling I'll be a little less dependent on caffeine when this is all said and done.

I've started collecting the individual cups that I've been using to drink water on my desk. I'll take a picture of the total amount consumed at work and post it at the end.

Labels: 2week1: Drink only water for 2 weeks, ex-post-aqua, waterworld

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Day 2

Posted on @ 8:26 PM by Justin B. Evans

Another day of water and waffles for breakfast. Another day being ready 10 minutes early (Woo, not a fluke). Not much else to report in terms of water, other than my last brita filter cartridge is on its last leg...

As mentioned in my previous post, a couple years ago I had stopped drinking soda. I went almost 2 years before breaking my streak to celebrate, y'know, getting married. I don't drink, so soda is my replacement? Whatever.

But regardless, a couple notes about that initial soda-stop. The first 2 weeks were horrible. I would crash halfway through the day and would just feel generally horrible and "fuzzy". Then there was a day, about 2 weeks later, when everything felt clear again. I felt better throughout the course of a day without any carbonated help.

Over the last few months of having a random can here and there, I haven't felt the same withdrawal effects. So apparently moderation is the key!

All you coffee drinkers are suckers.

Labels: 2week1: Drink only water for 2 weeks

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water tweaker

Posted on @ 4:33 PM by Christina

alright, not gonna lie--this 2weeker is super-easy :) sorry Mike--I'm sure I'll be suffering next time around! I turned down my roomie's offer of tea last night and explained tweaker to her, but that was about it. I also had to resist the urge yesterday to get a jamba juice after a crazed bike ride to the undergrad-riddled central campus...but it wasn't that strong an urge.

Michael and I were remarking about how cool it was that Justin used 2weeker to switch breakfast routines and subsequently gain time in the morning...maybe something like that will happen to everyone at some point during this project--I think that's certainly the hope! Alternatively everyone could be overwhelmed with the realization that frozen toaster waffles are a superior breakfast food :)

I also felt the need to address the thought that more water improves one's skin complexion--I actually just saw an article debunking all these myths circulating about all the great things water does--here it is (and I promise I'm not rickrolling you!!) In any case, drinking more water is certainly not *bad*, and could potentially be more healthy for all you caffeine addicts out there (especially since caffeine is a diuretic--makes your body lose more water) :) alright, no more nerdy science!

Labels: 2week1: Drink only water for 2 weeks

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A Special Place

Posted on @ 3:27 PM by McChen

Okay, so today was a little worse, but I can see the turnaround. 24 hours without coffee have let me see the light of this 2week. Here it is:

Pros:

I'm very well hydrated, almost to a silly point. I'm getting up and moving around better because I have to go get water. I've also discovered that a lot of junk-food tandems, like donuts-coffee, don't work as well anymore; the 3 donuts I ate yesterday were a bad idea, and I ate some salmon and rice as a make-up for lunch. I'm also saving money (water is free!) and the environment (all those bottles and cups).

Cons:

No coffee. I enjoy it for more than just caffeine, and I've become very very cranky in the past two days. Also have had a lot of sweets for some reason; maybe because I'm not getting that sugar from juice / other drinks? I've been better today on that front. Can't have tea, which is very healthy and which I've been craving recently. I always feel bloated from putting so much water in me (don't worry, I've been counterbalancing with sodium...that makes sense right?).

Conclusion: I think the first few days will be the worst. My friend Daniella tells me that a week after going cold turkey is when the lucidity kicks in. I'll look forward to that day. Until then, I look forward to the benefits of this somewhat crazy detox. I hope the people having an easy time with this one get to suffer for the next 2weeker.

Labels: 2week1: Drink only water for 2 weeks

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Okay, I know I suck

Posted on @ 9:38 AM by fny21

But in my defense, the reason I haven't yet written anything is because I was busy drinking water. Lots of water. Hence, really really busy.

Okay, I lie. So Vitamin Water counts as water right? I mean, it's got water RIGHT IN THE NAME! Nevermind the 13 (x2.5) grams of added sugar.

I'm generally pretty good on the water bit anyway, but I do enjoy the occasional (heavily sugared) coffee, vitamin water, or (watered down) orange juice (do you know how much sugar juice has?! Man, if I'm downing THAT much sugar in a go, I'll make it worth my while, thanks. Caramel frappucino. Mmm...).

My biggest issue lately has been remembering that I'm doing this 2weeker. I almost bought Vitamin Water from Target yesterday (they're on sale for a buck! A BUCK! Stock up, people... because I surely can't), but resisted the temptation cuz I knew I'd drink it.

On a completely unrelated note, did you know my state has drinking water in my toilet?! This is the worst 2weeker idea, ever.
f

Labels: 2week1: Drink only water for 2 weeks

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Hydration Project Day 1

Posted on 2008-04-07 @ 8:07 PM by RJLucero

Cup 1: 8:20am, I wanted coffee but got water... this is a bad start already. I'm usually halfway through my first cup of coffee at this point. Finished first cup at 8:50.

Cup 2: 9:35am, Had to walk by the coffee machine to get my water. This is not going to be easy. I'm sleepy and that aroma is tempting me... Second cup done at 10:15.

Cup 3: 12:10pm, Lunchtime... Third cup done at 12:30pm.

Cup 4: 2:30pm, I need an afternoon pick-me-up. Instead, I grabbed a cup of water. Forth finished at 2:45pm.

Interesting fact learned on the drive home (thank you All Things Considered...): Prohibition was repealed today.

Cups 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 were at home.... but that's normal because I usually just drink water at home. Well, I guess that drinking this much water will make my skin glow-y... or something.

Things I've learned: I have a caffeine dependency. Maybe after this is all said and done, I won't need so much caffeine.

Labels: 2week1: Drink only water for 2 weeks

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Day 1

Posted on @ 7:17 PM by Justin B. Evans

After dinner, around 9pm-ish, I was looking for something to satisfy my sweet tooth. I thought hot chocolate would help this cause. So I poured some Ghirardelli into a bug was about to turn on the ol' Keurig when I realized, "...Damnit! 2weeker!"

So now I have a Ziploc bag filled with cocoa powder. Thanks, 2weeker!

With that anecdote out of the day I can get into the meat and potatoes of my first day as a 2weeker. I already drinking water all day so this wasn't a problem. The biggest change came in my morning routine. Cereal was out of the question, so I broke out some Kashi waffles I had purchased on Sunday in preparation for all of... this. Normally I'd just pour my cereal and run off to check email and stuff before going to work. No, this breakfast required actual labor.

While my waffles toasted I got quite bored. I realized I could use this time to pack my lunch. So I packed up lunch and finish preparing my breakfast, and went off to the computer. So I finished eating and checking my sites when I realized, I was done 10 minutes earlier than I usually am.

By taking longer to make breakfast, I was able to multi-task and get more stuff done.. I find this interesting, because the quick and easy breakfast option, cereal, results in a more one track approach, thus spreading out a series of tasks.

Could 2weeker be the secret to time travel? Or has cereal been the downfall of mankind? I must develop this theory further... ...or not.

PS. The blueberry Kashi waffles I had were pretty good.

Labels: 2week1: Drink only water for 2 weeks

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A Matter of Interpretation

Posted on @ 5:49 PM by McChen

This sucks. Stupid me and my stupid blog ideas. Stupid Molissa and her stupid "water." Ugh... the lack of coffee has made me cranky. Not tired-- cranky. I ate like 3 donuts to make up for it (don't ask, it works like that).

The main question that has come up has been interpretation. Does mineral water or sparkling water count? My answer has been given to me ("no, that counts as fun, and the goal is to take away all your fun."). What about freezing something just to have it (popsicling some coca-cola, for instance?)? Again, that's pretty-much cheating, I think. But what about boiling a single sprig of mint in your water? I'm going to abstain. I should try to be the most vigilant, no?

Right? What other non-drink products have caffeine...

Labels: 2week1: Drink only water for 2 weeks

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Day One

Posted on @ 7:03 AM by Mo Farbs

The need to have a cup of coffee right now is crushing, but mostly psychologically so. My morning cup is how I signal to myself that the day is starting, and even more, catching up with Facebook and Perez Hilton is just not the same without a little warm kick in the brain.

I talked with a few friends yesterday about this Tweek, and two comments seemed worthy of repeating:

Cutting out non-water drinks is good for the complexion
Caffeine exists in solid forms...like chocolate-covered espresso beans.

I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for changes in my skin, but I'm worried about the tendency to substitute food for liquid satisfaction. My natural tendency is to eat A LOT. Coffee has always been a great appetite suppressant for me, and I'm concerned that getting rid of it will cause me to compensate with food - either because I'm hungry or because I'm psychologically stressed by the process. I've already had a toaster scramble, and I'm cautiously eying the Thin Mints in my desk drawer.

Last night, co-Tweeker Laura and I went out with a friend for Tapas, and we marked the occasion with Sangria. Honestly, I'm not sure that either Laura or I really wanted Sangria, but we felt like we should drink it anyway, as a "goodbye for now" kind of thing.

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2week 1, Day 1: Drink only water for 2 weeks

Posted on 2008-04-06 @ 10:01 PM by McChen

Here are the rules for the first 2weeker:

Drink nothing but water every day for two weeks.

Pretty simple, no? Of course, make exceptions for the rules of 2weeker; although I'm pretty certain drinking only water during happy hour assuredly does not count as an endangerment to one's livelihood.

Also, many of you may be wondering how you can participate. This too is pretty simple: just do the 2weeker like we are, and share your thoughts! For now, we are limited technically to having people comment on posts, rather than writing their own directly, but in the future we will have a more regular system for authorship and contribution. Until then, I look forward to hearing everyone's experiences with this first 2weeker. Tomorrow I can go into details about why we chose this particular one.

I really encourage you to A) Try it! and B) Tell a friend! Make it competitive if you have to (who will break first?), make it a club! Join the Facebook group. 2 weeks to change your life.

Labels: 2week1: Drink only water for 2 weeks

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