As we gear up for our Golden Habits Challenge, starting this Monday, January 13th, let’s take a closer look at one habit we’re encouraging participants to break: alcohol consumption. Whether or not you join us for the challenge, we want to shed light on how alcohol affects your body, mind, and fitness goals—and how eliminating it can help you feel your absolute best.
What Does Alcohol Do to Your Body and Mind?
Alcohol might be a staple at social events or a way to unwind after a long day, but its negative effects can outweigh any temporary pleasure. Here’s how alcohol impacts you:
Sleep Disruption:
- Alcohol may initially make you feel drowsy, but it significantly interferes with deep sleep cycles, the crucial stage for physical and mental restoration.
- It suppresses REM sleep, the phase where dreams occur, and memories are consolidated.
- This leads to frequent awakenings, lighter sleep, and ultimately, poor-quality rest.
- Consequently, you wake up feeling fatigued, groggy, and less focused throughout the day.
Decreased Energy Levels:
- Alcohol dehydrates the body and disrupts energy production, leaving you feeling sluggish and unmotivated to work out or stick to your fitness goals.
- It can also interfere with the body’s ability to effectively utilize glucose for energy.
Impaired Recovery:
- Alcohol slows muscle recovery, reduces protein synthesis, and increases inflammation—all of which are crucial for those trying to build strength or improve performance.
- It can also lead to increased muscle soreness and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).
Mental Fog:
- Regular consumption can impact cognitive function and mood, leading to reduced clarity, focus, and emotional well-being.
- It can contribute to anxiety, depression, and difficulties with decision-making.
Weight Gain and Hidden Calories:
- Alcohol is high in empty calories with no nutritional benefit.
- A single glass of wine can contain 125 calories, a pint of beer upwards of 200 calories, and a margarita can pack over 300 calories, not to mention added sugars and gluten in many beer varieties.
- This adds up quickly, derailing calorie control and fat-loss goals.
How Alcohol Derails Your Fitness Goals
For many of us, the goal is to look and feel better, perform well in workouts, and maintain a healthy weight. Alcohol can be a major roadblock:
- It lowers inhibitions, making it easier to overeat or indulge in unhealthy food choices.
- It reduces endurance and strength, making workouts feel harder and less effective.
- It disrupts metabolism, as the body prioritizes metabolizing alcohol over burning fat.
The Power of a 30-Day Break from Alcohol
We’re not here to tell you that you can never enjoy a glass of wine or a beer again. Instead, we’re inviting you to explore how you feel when you take a break.
By eliminating alcohol for 30 days, you might notice:
- Improved sleep quality and increased energy levels
- Better focus, productivity, and overall cognitive function
- Enhanced recovery and improved workout performance
- A sense of clarity and control over your habits
- A boost in mood and a reduction in anxiety
Why Habits Are Hard to Break—But You Don’t Have to Do It Alone
Habits like drinking alcohol can feel ingrained, especially after the indulgences of the holiday season. The good news? Change is possible—and we’re here to help.
Our Golden Habits Challenge is designed to guide you through this process, giving you the tools, support, and accountability you need to make healthier choices and stick to them.
How to Join the Golden Habits Challenge
Our challenge kicks off this Monday, January 13th, and it’s not too late to join!
👉 Click here to register for the Golden Habits Challenge.
👉 Click here to book a free intro to meet one-on-one with a coach. We’ll help you create a personalized workout and nutrition plan to crush your New Year’s goals!
Whether you’re joining our challenge or not, we encourage you to take this opportunity to explore how amazing your body and mind can feel when you eliminate alcohol. You might be surprised by the results—and how much better you’ll feel.
Let’s kick off 2025 with healthy, sustainable habits that help you thrive!
