I just got over a really bad cold. For over a week, my only source of calories other than juice came from Tim Horton’s iced cappuccinos. I was having 1 or 2 of them a day. They were soothing for my sore throat. It also didn’t upset my stomach. But as soon as I was able to eat regular food again, as much as I love the iced coffees, I ditched them pretty fast.
High-calorie coffee drinks are something I enjoy, but I realize that my long-term goals are more important than having them on a daily basis.
I’ve had a personal lifelong struggle with weight. Part of my problem have been some unrelated health issues. Part of it has been that like many other people, I easily fall into the trap of letting life get in the way. It’s easier to opt for easy solutions – the unhealthy ones. I’m no different than the average person in this respect. Where I am different than many is that I try to be aware of the consequences of the things I do and focus on making small changes.
Over the years, I’ve helped a lot of friends battle their own issues with weight. I’ve always suggested them to start off by looking at their daily habits and seeing how small changes can make a big impact.
For some people, it could be a daily high-calorie coffee (or two or three). For others, it could be a daily chocolate bar. Some may have soft drink as their calorie demon of choice.
Even if we are “good” the rest of the time, we often don’t consider how calories from the little things – like a fancy coffee – can add up over time.
Since many people aren’t familiar with Tim Horton’s, I thought I’d use my preferred beverage from Starbucks – the evil, yet incredibly delicious caramel macchiato.
When ordered with whole milk, a caramel macchiato will run anywhere from 230 to 280 calories a shot. Having one daily, adds up to over 80,000 calories a year or between 25 and 30 pounds per year!
You don’t need to give up your caramel macchiato or other high-calorie coffee but consider making it a treat rather than a daily indulgence.
As a side note – if you are struggling with finances in any way, consider how habits like a daily visit to Starbucks can add up. A daily caramel macchiato will add up to almost $1500 a year. For most of you, that could mean paying off a credit card bill in full. It could mean taking an extra vacation.
If you’re struggling with your weight, have a look at your routine habits like a daily coffee and see where you can make improvements. It doesn’t take major changes to see significant results over time!
Photograph of Starbucks coffee by MyLifeStory
