So, I used to find that I had all the energy I needed to get through my entire day. I'd go to school for 4-7 hours, go get my lifting and cardio in, and go home/hang out with friends.
Unfortunately, I believe perhaps as time goes on it's become more and more difficult to keep that kind of lifestyle up (especially with my recent transfer to UCLA.) As such, I've started drinking coffee to help get me through my day. I always drink it black, often with a shot of espresso. I've been drinking it for maybe two months now, and I've noticed a significant amount of muscle loss (fat loss too.)
I know that stimulants can increase one's metabolic rate. I was just curious about how many calories the world at large thinks I should up my diet by to offset the shrinkage. :] (I currently ingest 2750. I'm trying to maintain a fairly lean yet defined figure.)
Seems I remember reading somewhere that caffiene (and alcohol) can interfere with muscle recovery/rebuilding after workouts. It can screw up your blood sugars, making you crash & as part of a vicious cycle, you then want more caffiene to rebound from the drop---its very addictive.
As you mentioned, there might also be the added issue of metabolic increase from it too.
I've read articles about using caffeine in order to stimulate fat loss. But this should be no more than 400mg a day. However, one should start with only 200mg and after some time up it to 400mg given in two separate doses of 200mg.
You may be burning more calories since you upped your caffeine so you may want to increase your calories. Make sure you get enough protein and simply increase your calories by about 500. That's basically an extra small meal a day or an extra protein drink. I'm sure you can do the math and adjust it accordingly.
The best way I've read to increase calories while not getting fat is to increase them by roughly 400-500 a day. Give it a week and if you still feel you need more increase yet another 400-500 a day for a total of 800-1,000 a day to your existing caloric figure.
I think I will start taking caffeine again too. I simply take it in pill form as I can't stand the way coffee tastes.
