One topic that comes up a lot with my clients is the consumption of alcohol. Basically, people want to know how to balance enjoying a couple of cocktails, cold beers or glasses of wine with a healthy lifestyle. The warm weather definitely brings out everyone’s celebratory spirit. As we move into those months full of backyard barbecues, pool parties, and hanging out on the patio, the opportunities to enjoy (and over-enjoy) our drinks seem to increase exponentially.
Those of you who know me know I enjoy a little wine from time to time -- which is a big switch from when I was in my 20s and was, like many of us, in party mode a lot more often. Older and wiser today, I took a hard look at my relationship with alcohol, and made the decision to get smart about its presence in my life. That was the topic of conversation on my first Instagram Live. You can check it out when you have a few minutes, but these were some of the more compelling questions and thoughts:
-How do I live a healthy lifestyle and still enjoy a cocktail or two?
Remember that it’s all about balance, baby! Drinks aren’t calorie free and alcohol is a depressant, so really think about whether or not that buzz will be worth the bother!
-What are great alcohol alternatives?
There are so many alternatives to hard drinks now! Mocktails and alcohol-free beer are readily available (but again, NOT calorie free) and there’s no shortage of sparkling waters (raspberry-lime for me, please ;-) My husband’s favorite booze-free cocktail is a Charger: take a glass of club soda on the rocks, then give it a squeeze of fresh lime and a couple dashes of bitters.
-How does alcohol impact weight loss and health?
Remember, it’s a depressant, and drinks definitely deliver calories that can mean more pounds. Most of us probably already know that it can mess with your sleep, and of course make the next day miserable, especially if you’ve been “overserved”.
Here are a few other things to keep in mind when you’re thinking about drinking:
Go easy: Try to limit alcohol consumption to just the weekends or special occasions, and keep the drinks themselves to a minimum. As the old saying goes, “Enjoy the first, skip the second, and refuse the third!”
Choose lower calorie drinks: Opt for light beer, wine, or spirits mixed with low-calorie, low-sugar mixers like soda water or diet tonic water. Beware, a lot of cocktails have crazy amounts of sugar, so try and avoid some of those fancy juice filled concoctions.
Stay hydrated: Alcohol dehydrates your body, so aim to drink at least one glass of water for every alcoholic drink you consume.
Drink with a meal: Your body digests calories better when they are consumed as a well-balanced meal. Plus, you know drinking on an empty stomach is just an express pass to getting shmammered.
Get some exercise: Thirty minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, such as brisk walking, a jog, or riding your bike, can help clear your head and get your body back in balance. And if you exercise regularly, you already know it’s no fun to work out with a hangover, so there’s more incentive to move more and drink less!
Take breaks from alcohol: Step back from the bar and give your body a chance to recover. How would you feel if you took a week off from drinking? How about a month? Something to think about and definitely try!
And in all seriousness, we all know plenty of people who have had their lives and the lives of their loved ones devastated by alcohol abuse. If you are concerned about how much you or someone you care about drinks, there are resources that can help you start the conversation and get help.