Do you find yourself dragging (out of energy) a lot and in a continuous search for a good quick pick-my-up?  Legal or otherwise.

Do you HAVE to start  your day with a giant sized cup of sugar ladened coffee?  Because if you didn’t people may take you for an extra in a George A Romero movie?

I hear to motivate the actors they deprive them of coffee.

Does the coffee give you the energy you need to get your butt in gear only to cause you to crash a few hours later?  And when this happens do you reach for more coffee or the latest “energy” drink to get yourself back to full speed?

Have you tried giving up your coffee (many times) before, only to harbor murderous thoughts due to the terrible headaches and other withdrawal symptoms.

Well it’s time you stopped “fueling” yourself with all that sugar, caffeine and useless (and possibly) harmful chemicals.

It’s time that you started taking better care of yourself and give your body the fuel it needs naturally.

What can possibly replace your precious, a gift from the gods coffee?

Glad you asked.

So here, just for you coffee fiends, are a few ways that you can kick your habit for good.  They also work for everyone else.

1.)  Alway eat breakfast. -  And no a bowl of sugary cereal will not do for your most important meal of the day.  You have to break your fast with foods  that contain a good dose of protein, fiber and healthy calories.  Eggs and fruit, a smoothie with some protein powder, non-instant oatmeal with some breakfast turkey sausages are all among the many healthy options available to you for breakfast.

Does the Italian Frittata look yummy.  Click on it for the recipe.

2.)  Switch to tea.  - Any type of tea, except for herbal, will do.  Just make sure that you brew it yourself.  That stuff that comes in a bottle is just as bad for you as the aforementioned “energy” drinks.  Avoid them at all costs.

The lower caffeine levels in the tea will prevent the dreaded crash later on.  Tea is full of antioxidants that have been shown to reduce the risk of certain cancers and even help you lose weight.  And on the weight loss front, since you (hopefully) won’t be loading your tea up with sugar you will be taking in less useless calories.

Drinking tea also makes you look sophisticated.

And no it doesn’t have to be green tea.  Green tea gets all the hype because that is the predominant tea people drink where (China) most of the studies are done.

3.)  Make sure every meal and snack you eat contains protein. - Protein helps you maintain your energy levels by slowing down how quickly you digest your food which in turn keeps your blood sugar levels more stable.  You won’t crash from low blood sugar.  Also, protein will help burn more calories that if you just ate carbs alone.

Keeps you going.  And going.  And going….

So quit the java.  Follow the above 3 tips.  And take home that pillow and blanket you keep stashed under your desk.  You won’t need them for emergency naps anymore.

Your friend and trainer,

Paul F. Sweatt

Wellesley’s Best Weight Loss Expert