Eliminating alcohol can improve wellness

It’s Carnival season here in Louisiana, so we know what that means -- king cake, parades, parties and seasonal cocktails. While this is an exciting time for celebration, it can also take a serious toll on personal health. That’s why, each year, Ochsner Eat Fit issues an annual Alcohol Free for 40 Challenge across the state.

The challenge is simple: Give up all alcohol starting Ash Wednesday, March 2, until Easter, April 17, 2022. Pay just $35 to receive in-depth pre- and post-challenge metrics, including labs, body composition analysis, blood pressure, weight and before-and-after photos to capture a clear visual of the impact of alcohol on overall wellness (a $400 value).

How to join: Register at AlcoholFreeFor40.com by clicking on the link for your city or region. Registration closes at midnight on Sunday, Feb. 27.

Get support: Sticking to a challenge or resolution is always easier with some support. Anyone is welcome to join the Alcohol Free for 40 Facebook group for support and camaraderie. This page is available for participants to ask questions, share personal experiences, challenges and successes, and follow the journey of others. Encourage a friend or family member to take the challenge with you this year.

Why take this challenge? We all know that excessive drinking isn’t healthy. Eliminating alcohol even for just 40 days can significantly improve whole-body wellness. Most people experience deeper sleep, increased energy levels, brighter skin, improved focus within one week; and healthier hair and nails, and better digestion after one month. Data from past Alcohol Free for 40 challenges reveals substantial health improvements, including a significant drop in blood pressure, weight and body fat, along with improved cholesterol, triglycerides and liver enzymes. Taking a break from alcohol is likely to save us money, which is always a bonus.

The bottom line: Giving up alcohol may not be a long-term commitment, but depending on the results of this self-experiment, it may be worth dialing it back a notch over time. The Alcohol Free for 40 challenge is an opportunity to see and feel the benefits of going alcoholfree, both inside and out.

Anna Walter, RDE, is the operations and marketing specialist for Eat Fit Shreveport, a nonprofit initiative of Ochsner Health. Visit www.EatFitShreveport for more information, follow @EatFitShreveport on Facebook and Instagram for the latest Eat Fit updates, and sign up for the Eat Fit Wellness Bites weekly newsletter, here.