Drop the Soda Habit, Drop Some Pounds

If you’re trying to lose weight, think about strategy.

What you eat plays the biggest part in how much you weigh.

So where do you start?

By finding something you can change that will have the most impact.

I’m a big fan of taking baby steps. Give up everything bad for you and you’ll probably be pretty miserable. You’ll most likely want to give up.

Why not begin with giving up soda.

This has to be one of the easiest ways to lose weight. Here’s where the math comes in: A 12-ounce can of cola has 140 calories. If you drink one per day, that’s 980 calories in a week. Remember, 3,500 calories equals one pound of weight gain. So, in one year, you could lose 14.5 pounds just by switching to water or unsweetened tea.

Now, if you drink more than one cola – and many people do – you will really be doing yourself a favor.

Giving up two daily sodas could leave you 29 pounds lighter.

Do you drink more than that? Your weight loss will be even higher.

If water is too plain for you, try herbal iced teas. Just make sure they are not sweetened with sugar or artificial sweeteners. Those can play havoc with your body, too.

Alice Warchol is a fitness instructor and freelance health writer.

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