(Genetics... another monster of a rant for another time.)

If you're a subscriber to the NarkSide message board, you will have come across some of my previous articles...and some of the arguments raised therein. One such argument is that people eat a lot worse than they think they do. In addition, people underestimate just how impactful liquid calories are.

Ergo this article:

Tell me... Do you frequently consume juices, smoothies, coffee concoctions, 'energy drinks', or soft drinks with or between meals?

(Yes... I lumped juices in there with soft drinks, though many fail to make this distinction. Studies show that this is erroneous, as sweetened juices are just as likely to cause weight-gain as non-diet soft drinks.

The answer is probably 'yes'... and you'd be in the company of millions of failed dieters around the world.

Yes... millions.

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Well...Weight-loss revolves around a relatively simple mathematical equation:

For argument's sake, let's say that the above equation is true regardless of where the calories come from.

What we drink matters because liquid calories, like all calories, matter.

Unfortunately, we tend to forget to count these calories.:

The sodas, juices and teas;

The cream, creamer and sugar in our coffee;

It all adds up.

Adding up... as inches around the waist.

Every calorie you consume affects your weight-loss goal.

With regard to Gatorade and the like: nobody consumes an 8 oz serving... Let's be real with ourselves.

8 oz isn't satisfying (though studies do argue that liquid calories aren't 'satisfying' period

The average beverage intake is 16-20oz per meal.

Putting this all in perspective, what we are looking at is the consumption of basically 1-3 meal's worth of calories in liquid form in addition to a solid meal.

The average daily calorie requirement is 1920kcals and 1680kcals for a male and female respectively.

The indiscriminate ingestion of these beverages can easily result in an aggregate calorie intake double or triple that required for the maintenance of one's body weight.

Like I said... It all adds up.

...Usually around the waist.

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Good luck.