A creamy Caffé Latte, a yummy Caffé Mocha topped with delicious whipped cream, a decadent Caramel Macchiato, they TASTE so good, those frothy and creamy drinks blended to perfection.  The smooth taste of decadent chocolate melting on your tongue, with every heavenly sip. Followed by that jolt of electric energy zinging through your body once your drug of choice hits your veins.

But what exactly is your heavenly morning fix doing for you besides giving you the extra burst of energy and alertness you think you need and can’t create on your own without it? 

We’re always in either of two modes – ‘fight or flight’ or ‘rest and digest’. When we’re in rest and digest our body is able to work effectively – burning through excess fat stores, cleaning our house of disease, and making our body a balanced, efficient place to live. When we’re in ‘fight or flight‘, we are prepared to survive war, famine, running from a tiger, or fighting a bully. As caffeine is a stimulant, it stimulates us into our ‘fight or flight’ response. When in this mode, our body is too busy worrying about supplying blood and energy to our muscles so we can respond quickly, that it’s not digesting, preventing disease, or metabolizing excess fat. Because that excess fat may be what gets you through the famine.

Caffeine stimulates us to release excess cortisol – one source says for up to 18 hours after one cup of coffee. If that one-cup of morning coffee can put you into fight or flight for most of your waking hours, no wonder the belly fat is still hanging around. Decrease your caffeine intake (coffee, black tea, chocolate, colas, energy drinks, etc) to allow your body to rest and use up the excess belly fat.

I was coaching Jackie as she worked through the MindBody FX Program and she decided to eliminate coffee completely. Other than coffee her eating habits were already pretty good. With just eliminating this one habit, she lost 14 lbs in one month and dropped two dress sizes.

Now for you coffee drinkers, you don’t need to give it up altogether, but at least make the effort to reduce your consumption. I know it’s easy for me to say, as I have never been a coffee drinker, I love the smell but can’t stand the taste. I much prefer my cup of rooibos tea!

One last benefit of cutting back, think of all the money you will save when you reduce those trips to Starbucks! You can start saving up now for a wonderful new wardrobe when you reach your ideal weight.

Stay tuned for Tip 4 coming soon!


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