Every victory in your weight loss journey doesn’t reside in the number on the scale. Getting back into your favorite black dress that’s been pushed to the back of the closet or feeling good in the new skinny jeans you just bought are worth celebrating!
How can you reach the goal of slimmer, trimmer, version of yourself?
The simple answer is – Give up the sugar! Sugar has no nutritional value. What. So. Ever.
When you eat too much sugar, your body stores these extra calories as fat. This unwanted fat is what’s keeping you from getting back into the clothes that you love and putting you at risk for health conditions.
Giving up your favorite drinks is one of the simplest ways to get rid of the sugar and get you in your most confident size!
1. Just Say No to Soda.
Is a trip to the convenience store or drive thru for your favorite soda a part of your daily routine? You know it’s not good for you, but you love the taste and it gives you feel it gives you a much needed boost.
Well, with each gulp that you take, you are adding inches to your body that are keeping you from looking and feeling as good in sundress.
It’s no secret that soda has no nutritional value. What. So. Ever. Soda is filled with sugar and things that are hard to pronounce (a big sign that it’s not good for you).
Let’s take a look at how much sugar and calories are in your favorite sodas:
Coke Classic 12 oz can
140 calories
39 grams of sugar
Pepsi 12 oz can
150 calories
41 grams of sugar
Sprite 12 oz can
140 calories
38 grams of sugar
Mountain Dew 12 oz can
290 calories
77 grams of sugar
A&W Root Beer 12 oz can
170 calories
45 grams of sugar
To put this in perspective, if you drink a can of soda in the morning to get you going, one with your lunch, and one with your dinner, here’s what you’re consuming:
36 ounces of soda
400 to 800 extra calories (depending on which soda you drink)
100- 230 grams of sugar
Every 12 grams of sugar is equal to 1 tablespoon. To give you clearer picture, if you drink 3 cans of soda a day, you are drinking 10 – 20 tablespoons of sugar! One large soda from the drive-thru is triple the amount of soda that’s in a can -There’s no wonder why your dress is skin- tight!
If you give up drinking sodas, you can lose 5 to 10 pounds a month! Without the extra sugar, it’s a lot easier for your body to shed fat. Ten pounds of weight loss will make a significant difference in the way your clothes fit. You may even need to go down a size.
2. Special Coffee Drinks, Won’t Help You Shrink.
Coffee has been around forever and has been a part of the “get up and go routine” for many. Today, there are soooo many options for getting your morning cup of sunshine. BUT, there’s something about ordering your favorite coffee drink that makes you feel like a V.I.P. (especially when they write your name on the cup). However, magical feeling and taste of your favorite coffee can be adding extra inches to your waistline. Let’s take a look at some of your favorites:
Starbucks Caramel Macchiato (venti)
420 calories
51 grams of sugar
Starbucks Caffe’ Vanilla Frappuccino Blended Beverage (venti)
510 calories
83 grams of sugar
McCafe’ Caramel Macchiato (large)
370 calories
53 grams of sugar
McCafe’ French Vanilla Cappuccino (large)
310 calories
47 grams of sugar
Dunkin’ Hot Caramel Swirl Macchiato w/ whole milk (large)
320 calories
64 grams or sugar
Dunkin’ Mocha Swirl Frozen Coffee w/cream (medium)
790 calories
126 grams of sugar
If these numbers still haven’t wowed you, consider this: You can eat 3 donuts and it still won’t amount to the sugar that’s in one of these coffee drinks!
These drinks are loaded with calories that do not provide your body with the daily nutrients it needs, but will add unwanted inches and pounds. You can lose up to 5 pounds a month by giving up your special coffee on Monday -Friday.
Instead, make your coffee at home and your special drink will be a once-in-a-while treat to look forward to. This way, you can control what goes in it and you can save enough money to buy the new wardrobe you’ll need once you lose weight.
If you can’t give up the drive thru, order a plain cup of coffee so that you can add your own sugar and creamers.
3. Alcoholic Beverages, Won’t Give You Leverage
Whether it’s a celebration, a night in, or a girls’ night out, your favorite wine or cocktail can livin’ up any event. BUT, before you raise your glass, let’s see if your favorite drink will have you busting at the seams – literally:
Stella Rosa Red Wine (10 - ounce glass) *one serving is only 5 oz
200 calories
28 grams of sugar
Miller Genuine Draft (Two, 12-ounce bottles)
280 calories
24 grams of carbs
Margaritaville Margarita (Two, 5-ounce cocktails)
220 calories (margarita mix)
200 calories (Tequila)
52 grams of sugar (margarita mix)
0 grams of sugar (Tequila)
Pina Colada (Two, 4.5-ounce cocktails)
490 calories
64 grams of sugar
Bacardi Rum and Coke (Two – 5.5 ounce cocktails)
200 calories (Bacardi Rum)
100 calories (Coke)
20 grams of sugar (Coke)
0 grams of sugar (Bacardi Rum)
Crown Royal Apple (Two, 5-ounce drinks)
680 calories
30 grams of sugar
As you can see, there are lots of hidden calories and sugar in your cocktail glass. A weekend of drinks can show up in the way your clothes fit.
The next time you’re having a girls’ night out, think of selecting a drink with less sugar and calories like dry wine, light beer, or diet mixers and soda for cocktails.
Remember, drinking too much alcohol is not good for your health. According to the CDC, women should not have more than one drink (one serving size) per day.
Drinking calories is quick way to slow down your weight loss goals. Giving up your favorite drinks may not be easy, but you will reap the benefit of better health and more confidence when you look in the mirror.
Consistently accomplishing small steps, will not only get you to the finish, but it will create lifestyle changes that keep you healthy and happy for years to come.