The power of the muffin
I took a stroll down the hill this morning to grab a coffee and a muffin—something I haven't done in quite a while. The only reason I ventured out was that my current health regimen, stitched up and scarred as I am, doesn't allow for gym workouts. So, walking it is.
As I handed over $10 for my delightfully naughty breakfast, I realized it’d been ages since I'd indulged in this routine—a routine that was once daily. I even wrote a column about it once, tallying up the annual cost of my coffee and muffin habit. It was an eye-watering sum. I couldn't help pondering the other costs too, despite the emotional comfort I derived from all of that banana and chocolatey goodness.
It got me thinking about the habits we fall into. Over my later years, I really leaned into my comfort eating, necking elephant calories and spending about $10,000 annually, mostly on muffins, cappuccinos, and nighttime wine. Cutting out muffins, reducing the wine, and dialing back on the creamy coffees probably accounted for at least half of the weight I've lost over the last couple of years. I like to tell myself while I’m at the gym, grinding through those heavy sets, that this is what makes the difference. But, honestly, I think that underestimates the awesome power of a fully operational chocolate and banana muffin.
Hells yes. This.
Switch to black coffee and fruits or some carrot and celery for snacks. Switch to vodka/soda instead of beer.
Has it helped? Well, I dunno. But it's gotta be better than the active harm of muffins, milky coffees, beers and chips. And it makes those occasions when I do have those things all the more enjoyable.
so glad i didnt develop a taste for coffee and sweet stuff (although savoury is my weakness). Helps when i walk past the local hole in the wall cafe that is run by a french pastry chef around the corner from my new place. The smells are pretty darn good but ultimately they stay that way. In the old days walking down enmore road on the stroll home i found it hard to resist a samosa from the local pakistani shop with the family eating up the back (felt a bit guilty when someone had to get up to serve me!)