Ditch The Coffee
Ok I'm not going to be friends with many people after this blog, but it has to be said...
There. I've said it.
How many coffees do you have during the day? Or other caffeinated drinks (I'm looking at you fizzy drink)?
Why is it that you reach for the caffeine? For most people, it is for an energy boost. A little pick me up first thing in the morning, or at 3 o'clock in the afternoon.
If you weren't aware, coffee is a stimulant. We reach for coffee when we're feeling a bit slow and need a boost. So it stimulates our minds and gives us the boost we need to carry on through our day.
What else does coffee do?
When we drink coffee, our bodies produce the hormone CORTISOL —the same chemical that we produce when we’re stressed or scared.
Permanently elevated cortisol then leads to increased blood sugar levels which in turns lead to a propensity to store fat especially around your belly.
Cortisol is the same hormone that gets released during times of stress. It is our fight or flight hormone.
This is why we tend to store fat when our cortisol levels are permanently raised. Our bodies do not have the capacity to digest our food properly if it always believes that it's got to run from the bear.
Our bodies believe that food is going to be hard to come by, so it holds onto our fat for safe keeping.
We're stressed enough already don't you think?
We try to fit so much into our day, that our cortisol levels don't need any extra help in becoming elevated. So why not give our bodies some nourishment rather than extra stress?
I know, I can hear you groan from across the internet. However, if you want to lose weight, you must listen to your body and make sure it knows that their is no reason to store that fat.
Cutting out on coffee and other caffeinated drinks are the way to do that.
(sorry not sorry)
or you can have hot water and lemon or a glass of water with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar.
Both of which have so much more going for it (nutrient wise) than a coffee.
Which leads me to the 3pm slump.
What you eat for lunch can make or break your day. Keeping a healthy snack for 3pm will also help to keep you from the coffee machine.
Try to have a balance of whole fruits, vegetables and protein to give keep your meal as nutrient dense as possible.
You don't have to do this all at once, but for the first week I would like you be mindful of exactly how many coffees or caffeinated drinks you do have. Including tea, green tea, energy drinks and fizzy sodas.
Also, write down how you are feeling before and after you have your coffee.
The next week I would like you to figure out a substitute and halve the amount of caffeine (average your weekly total and halve it).
See, it's doable if you break it down.
So, what do you think? Should I be expecting hate mail, or are you going to give it a try?
I'd love to hear your feedback!
Have a great day!