Photo by vwb5

One of the first things I did this year to make the switch to healthier living was changing what I drink.

Before: I would drink coffee every day 3-4 cups with a good dose of hazelnut creamer. I would also frequently have a soda each day, usually a coke. Drinking these beverages, I didn’t find much need to add any other drinks. I would maybe have milk with dinner. Water would be one of the last options I would choose.

What has changed: I stopped buying pop for myself. I don’t have any pop in my home anymore, besides the root beer that my husband drinks. I occasionally get a coke if we go out to eat, which is maybe once a month. I have slowly stopped having coffee every day. I went down to 2 cups a day and now I still drink it, but not every day. I have switched to fat free creamer, which probably isn’t that good for me either, but I like my creamy coffee.

I fill my water bottle constantly. I especially make sure it’s filled at night before I go to bed so I can have a full refrigerated bottle of water ready to drink from when I exercise in the morning. I keep a pitcher full of water in the fridge, so I can just fill up my water bottle throughout the day. I am amazed out how much water I drink now. I never thought drinking 84 oz. daily was a feasible goal. Now I’ve done it quite a few times. It is something I have to work at but definitely doable.

Benefits:

• The cravings for the caffeinated drinks are almost gone.
• Drinking water makes me feel like I’m flushing my system regularly instead of continually filling it with toxin after toxin.
• It’s cheap. Water is available everywhere and it usually doesn’t cost anything.
• It’s healthy, no calories or fat.
• I feel more alert, even on the days I don’t have coffee.
• I don’t feel bloated anymore.
• I can tell when I’m thirsty now.

Weight last week: 167.5 lbs.

Weight this week: 167 lbs.

Total weight loss this year: 17 lbs.

What have you done this week to keep your body healthy?