The Little Things That Will Help You Lose Weight

Justin Scharer
Jul 10, 2017 · 2 min read

There’s no getting around the fact that losing weight is a big endeavor. It takes motivation, forming healthy eating habits, and regular exercise. But, as daunting as losing weight might seem, we have a few weight loss tips about little things you can do every day to shave off calories.

1. Start Drinking Your Coffee Black

If you’re used to adding tablespoon after tablespoon of cream and sugar to your coffee(s) every morning, then this weight loss tip may seem insurmountable. But after a few black cups, you’ll be completely used to the stronger taste.

First off, think of the money you’ll save over a lifetime by not buying cream and sugar for your coffee every week. As for calories, one tablespoon of coffee creamer and one tablespoon of sugar in your coffee can be as many as 90 calories. Compare that to drinking a cup of black coffee — only two calories!

Try to stick to black coffee even when you’re out at a coffee shop. No matter what the roast, almost any Grande-sized black coffee is going to be less than five calories at Starbucks. But if you splurge and get a Grande Cinnamon Dolce Frappuccino instead, you’re looking at 350 calories.

2. Switch Up Your Milk

Try switching to skim milk or (although it’s a little more expensive) almond milk. One cup of whole milk has 150 calories. However, a cup of skim milk has 90 calories, and almond milk has just 30.

3. Swap Out Your Soda for a LaCroix

Fully disclosure: LaCroix is more expensive than soda. But the calorie difference is significant enough to consider making the switch. There are 290 calories in Mountain Dew and 140 calories in a can of Coke. LaCroix has no calories at all.

Diet soda can also be a lower-calorie alternative, but there are some health concerns associated with it. A recent study links diet soda with strokes and dementia.

4. Adding It All Up

So, let’s say that one day you drink a homemade cup of coffee, a Starbucks beverage, a cup of milk with your morning cereal, and a soda with dinner.

If you make the switch to black coffee, skim milk, and a LaCroix — that’ll add up to 97 calories. But, if you stick with your cream and sugar, whole milk, Frappuccino, and soda — that can be as much as 880 calories.

That’s a 783 calorie gap — definitely worth following our weight loss tips and making some simple changes.

For more tips on health and how to lose up to 1 pound every day, visit Wausau Weight Loss for a free consultation.

Justin Scharer

Written by

I am a practicing doctor in Wausau and Eau Claire, WI. I help my patients lose weight quickly and safely, without dieting.

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