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Getting in Shape
Coffee vs. 5 Hr. Energy vs. Espresso?
Can anyone offer any insight on this?
I do not get enough sleep. H and I have been trying for the last year to go to bed earlier, and it just doesn't work. We have almost 1 hr commutes to work, work 40hrs+/week, then a 1 hr. commute home to all the chores of homeowners with dogs, horses, and an ongoing project of tearing down an old farmhouse and filling in its basement.
CN: We have a lot of shiite to do when we get home and don't get to bed early enough.
This leads to me absolutely needing caffeine in the morning and sometimes at lunch just to not fall asleep at my job (I sit at a desk in front of a computer doing drafting work).
My usual is a tall thermos of coffee in the morning with a Tbsp of sugar and about 1/2 a cup of heavy whipping cream. It's delicious and soothing, but it's ridiculous that I'm drinking about 200+ calories in my morning coffee! I've tried using half & half, milk, almond milk, and it's just not the same. I should also note I buy pretty cheap coffee.
I can't do black coffee, at least not 16 oz. of it. But maybe I should try Espresso in the am with a small dollop of heavy cream? That would cut out most of the 1/2 c. I usually drink, and i don't have to "suffer through" as much unsweetened coffee.
Another option is the 5 hr energy shots. I don't know enough about them to form an opinion on how they affect my health. Obviously I would watch the caffeine amount, but is there anything else to be concerned about? They just seem so... hokey? Diet pill-esque? In a so-easy-it-can't-be-good-for-you kind of way. Also kind of expensive.
I would appreciate any input. I love my morning mug of blonde and sweet, but it's killing my calorie count. I am a water drinker all day, I just need something first thing to wake me up, and something post lunch to beat the mid-day slump.
Sorry this is a novel. I'm known for being verbose.
I do not get enough sleep. H and I have been trying for the last year to go to bed earlier, and it just doesn't work. We have almost 1 hr commutes to work, work 40hrs+/week, then a 1 hr. commute home to all the chores of homeowners with dogs, horses, and an ongoing project of tearing down an old farmhouse and filling in its basement.
CN: We have a lot of shiite to do when we get home and don't get to bed early enough.
This leads to me absolutely needing caffeine in the morning and sometimes at lunch just to not fall asleep at my job (I sit at a desk in front of a computer doing drafting work).
My usual is a tall thermos of coffee in the morning with a Tbsp of sugar and about 1/2 a cup of heavy whipping cream. It's delicious and soothing, but it's ridiculous that I'm drinking about 200+ calories in my morning coffee! I've tried using half & half, milk, almond milk, and it's just not the same. I should also note I buy pretty cheap coffee.
I can't do black coffee, at least not 16 oz. of it. But maybe I should try Espresso in the am with a small dollop of heavy cream? That would cut out most of the 1/2 c. I usually drink, and i don't have to "suffer through" as much unsweetened coffee.
Another option is the 5 hr energy shots. I don't know enough about them to form an opinion on how they affect my health. Obviously I would watch the caffeine amount, but is there anything else to be concerned about? They just seem so... hokey? Diet pill-esque? In a so-easy-it-can't-be-good-for-you kind of way. Also kind of expensive.
I would appreciate any input. I love my morning mug of blonde and sweet, but it's killing my calorie count. I am a water drinker all day, I just need something first thing to wake me up, and something post lunch to beat the mid-day slump.
Sorry this is a novel. I'm known for being verbose.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Coffee vs. 5 Hr. Energy vs. Espresso?
My Fat Chick Blog
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPGkTfo7cso
Talks about how 5 Hour Energy can become dangerous!
I love gas station coffee haha. UDF's is the best. 20 ounces of that with 1 creamer (40 calories) and I'm good to go. The flavor of the coffee is fantastic. If you find an actual coffee that tastes good you probably won't feel the need to put so much of the extras in there.
Have you tried reducing your sugar intake slowly? Just like salt we can bulid up tolerances to sugar and it takes more for us to taste it.. It would take some time to reduce, but it can be done!
Definitely NO to the 5hr energy!
I am currently on a whole foods nutritional suppliment called Shakeology. You would be surprised how much energy you get from getting better nutrition. It is not a cheap soy shake, the base is whey protien isolate and all whole foods- no added vitamins or minerals or fillers etc. I'm not the only one that has gotten higher energy levels from it either..
Just my to cents.
Good morning,
I was never able to drink my coffee black, but my SO introduced me to really high quality coffee (I prefer a good dark roast, but you may prefer a light roast) and I always drink it black. So, I say up the quality. Bad black coffee just takes like crap
If I want a little treat, I usually add some chocolate almond milk. It makes for a rather tasty coffee.
Good luck!
Honestly, i can do without the sugar, (sometimes I forget it anyway), but the creaminess must be there without "watering down" the coffee too much.
I LOVE the TAZO green tea and that is a common lunch time pick me up for me, with just a spoonful of honey or nothing. But tea in the morning gives me stomachaches. No clue why, and I'm not getting enough caffeine.
I think I will keep a few "emergency" 5 hr energy shots on hand since it seems they are not completely the devil, but may be a little intense for a daily thing.
I think I'm going to try a better coffee that doesn't taste like "burnt butt hair" (H's description. ha!) and start backing off on my cream. If I brew it super strong I think I could add just plain milk without it feeling too "watery."
I do love my coffee, but I would like most of that 200+ calories to come from a snack or something because I am currently readjusting my calories and I'm starving.
Thank you all for the suggestions! And for dedicating so much time to helping me out here!
Now... where do you buy "nice" coffee?