The holiday season often conjures images of festive gatherings, joyous celebrations, and, inevitably, alcohol. For many, these moments include a glass of wine, a cocktail, or a beer to toast the occasion. However, an increasing number of people are becoming "sober curious," re-evaluating their relationship with alcohol. This movement isn't about outright abstinence but about mindfulness and understanding how alcohol impacts our bodies, especially concerning health and fitness goals. Let's explore how alcohol affects our health, particularly in the realms of fat loss, sleep, and overall wellness.

It’s a brand new year and we usually head into it with big aspirations and lofty plans for the year ahead. Sometimes our renewed motivation is paired with new challenges, and it seems like Dry January (or a self-commitment to no alcohol for the month of January) is often a common part of that. Personally, I’m a huge fan of Dry January (or any temporary pause in drinking) as it gives us an opportunity to assess if a short period of sobriety has us feeling any different - in mood, appetite, energy, or in any other area of life.

Alcohol is fine for most diets in moderation.  However, if you are on a fat loss diet and already struggling with compliance, that lower inhibition after a drink may make it very hard to stay on track.  If that’s the case, it may be wise to cut alcohol consumption as much as possible, at least until you’re comfortably able to stay compliant without it feeling like a struggle.

Believe it or not, alcohol is actually a macronutrient! But unlike the other macros, alcohol can be a bit tricky to track. Learn how to accurately track alcohol so that your drinks aren’t compromising your goals.