So now that summer fun is (mostly) over and you are re-setting your weight-loss/fitness/health goals (delete the non-applicable one/s) coming into September, what do you think is one of the easiest way for you to improve all of those parameters? For most people, it’s reducing their alcohol intake, surprise! The Government Guidelines state that “The government’s unit guidelines state that there’s no safe level of alcohol consumption. Unit guidelines are the same for men and women and both are advised not to regularly drink more than 14 units per week.” My personal opinion is that if you want to lose weight (especially belly-fat) and improve your health then 14 units is still too much
I’m not one for much alcohol myself, I’m not completely teetotal but over the years I’ve realised that (along with not particularly liking the taste of alcohol and not needing it as a social lubricant) I don’t have the stomach capacity for both alcohol and food – I really like food, so prefer to eat! What has been interesting to note with my clients who habitually have 1-2 glasses of wine when they get home after work (to relax, sound familiar?), that when they do change that habit, the stubborn ‘muffin-top’ magically disappears. They are also surprised at how much better they feel in the morning, only then realising that they were regularly waking up with a slight hangover. I’m not against alcohol completely, it does have its place and can be part of the fun but occasionally is the takeaway message here.
The Top 5 Reasons to Cut Back on Alcohol
1. Lose (or maintain) weight:
Not only does alcohol have unnecessary calories that only lead to weight gain (and actually slow down your metabolism over time) but it also makes you crave junk food on the way home after a night out – when you’re trying to maintain or lose weight you don’t chomp down on pizza and burgers. Your body cannot store alcohol, so it metabolises it right away. When alcohol becomes the priority, your body can’t break down other fats and sugars as efficiently, over time, this leads to a slower metabolism and weight gain.
2. Keep your organs happy:
Drinking too much over time or in one sitting can take a serious toll on your body’s organs. While drinking moderate amounts of red wine may protect you against developing coronary heart disease, drinking too much can lead to stroke or high blood pressure. The liver takes the biggest beating, one out of every three liver transplants is a result of liver disease from alcohol consumption. The brain, pancreas, and kidneys are also impacted, and alcohol is thought to lead to certain forms of cancer and weak immune systems.
3. Save cash:
How many times have you complained that you can’t afford to take that dream trip to New Zealand? Now think about how much you spend each week on drinking when out and bottles of wine etc to drink at home. Big nights out aren’t cheap and neither is good quality alcohol (I hope if you’re going to drink, it’s the good stuff!). Cutting back on drinking means more money in your pocket for things you really want.
4. Reclaim the day after:
One of the worst things about drinking too much is that the next day becomes a write-off, feeling lethargic and hungover the whole day – hangovers get worse as you get older too! Now the occasional vegetating on the couch and doing nothing after a hedonistic night of drinking isn’t always a bad thing but if it’s every weekend, then what a waste of your life. If you moderate your drinking and hydrate before bed you will wake up the next day feeling refreshed and free of any hangovers.
5. You’ll sleep better:
While you may swear that a drink helps you sleep better, that’s not really true. While it may help you fall asleep faster, excessive alcohol use disrupts sleep by negatively impacting brain function and the chemical processes responsible for proper rest. A solid night’s sleep is essential for overall health, but feeling fatigued during the day, a foggy memory and wakening up multiple times a night are just some challenges you can experience when relying on alcohol to “help” you sleep (or when simply overdoing it every few nights).
These are the kind of things my clients learn when working with me, so contact me today “here” or email jackie@age-drop.com to learn more about how I can help you look fabulous, feel fantastic and love the body you are in!
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