I know the title of this post may seem a little backwards to some people. Alcohol has calories and those calories have next to zero nutritional value. Why then, should someone that drinks, continue to drink if their goal is to lose weight? Won't stopping help them actually lose weight?The short answer to that question is yes, it will help if you cut out all alcohol. The long answer is why I wanted to write this article.
Laura and I really believe in creating a lifestyle that is healthy and sustainable for the long run. For us that means creating habits that are healthy and easy to repeat. Some habits for example would be: drinking lots of water, eating protein with every meal, eating lots of veggies, cooking meals at home, reading nutrition labels, and working out. We also believe that a healthy lifestyle can and should incorporate a few treats. Alcohol and desserts would fall into this category.
I would encourage you to be super honest with yourself and figure out why you drink?
- Is it because you like the taste?
- Is it because of social situations?
- Is it to calm down after a stressful day?
- Is it to help you sleep?
- Is it to fit in with your friends?
- Is it because you've always done it and do not know a different way?
- Is it as a treat used to celebrate events?
- Is it because you like to pair alcohol with food?
- Is it because you like the way you feel when you are drinking?
- Is it because you are addicted?
That would probably be my biggest takeaway for you with this article:
Do Your Actions Match Your Goals?
Earlier I mentioned creating a healthy lifestyle and building healthy habits. I would recommend that alcohol consumption (and eating desserts) SHOULD NOT become habit. If you think about it, habits are things you do mindlessly, they don't take any decision making skills. I believe that treats should be conscious decisions that you choose to incorporate into your life. If alcohol is a healthy part of your current lifestyle and your actions match your goals than by all means continue what you are doing. Cutting alcohol out during your weight loss journey only to re-add it once you hit your goal weight will only cause issues at that point. I encourage you to learn how to "healthify" your alcohol decisions so that if you are going to drink, the lifestyle you create is one that you are happy with during your weight loss and after, because frankly once you get on the road to becoming healthy it never stops!!