Our recent warm weather put me in a summery state of mind. A few mornings in a row, the thermometer already climbing, I opted to pour my morning cups of coffee over ice. Of all the habits I have made and broken over the last 8 years, how I take my coffee is among the more significant changes.
Before we started losing weight my husband, Mike, made a daily stop at Starbucks for a Venti Java Chip Frappucinio and a pastry. Not only was this a costly habit, the drink alone was 2,800 calories per 5 day work week. Not to mention one more most weekends. My habit was not quite the same volume but it was pretty close.
In 1 year (let’s say 300 days) Mike was drinking 168,000 empty calories or the equivalent of 48 pounds of potential weight gain.
When we started to lose weight he was shocked by the number of calories he was drinking and immediately switched his drink of choice and stopped ordering a pastry in favor of bringing a yogurt and granola bar from home. He did not change the routine but made a couple simple swaps to reduce his calorie consumption.
Over time we both reduced our coffee purchases to a few a month, opting instead to brew a pot at home to fuel our daily habit.
Many people throw themselves into a weight loss plan. The changes are often jarring and restrictive. After a few days of feeling like you have given up everything familiar it makes sense that you will “fail.”
Instead of diving into a diet or exercise plan, look for ways to adjust your current routine. I believe the way to create an attainable, sustainable, forever change is to be mindful about what you are doing and why.
Healthy-ever-after is a life long commitment. I know how urgent it feels too see a dramatic change in your weight and how you feel. Trust me the change is coming. You will feel it. Some changes will be dramatic and you can shout them from the rooftops. But, don’t forget to celebrate the small changes, like tightening your belt by one hole, finding your collar bone, or suddenly realizing that it has been three months since your last blended coffee drink and you don’t even miss it.
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