Healthy Body AND Happy Hour
Sacrifice comes before success. If you don’t sacrifice for what you want, what you want will be the sacrifice.
We’ve all seen this type of inspirational quote plastered across the internet or on a poster at our local gym. These quotes say that you can’t have it all when trying to create the most fit version of yourself. You can be strong or drink beer at your next cookout. You can get lean or have a mimosa at brunch. It implies you can’t have both.
Better Drinking Culture embodies the belief that life isn’t black and white, especially when it comes to consuming alcohol. It’s our choice to drink better and live healthier. Lucky for us, science is backing us up on this one.
In fact, research is showing that drinking in moderation, rather than excess, can actually make room for you to live a healthier version of yourself.
The essential element that comes up in all of this research is moderation. For research purposes, light drinking is commonly defined as an average of 1.2 drinks per day, with moderate consumption being 2.2. Heavy and abusive drinking categories begin at 3.5 drinks per day. (1)
If you don’t want to do the math, for moderate drinking, according to this resource, we’re talking about 7-14 drinks each week.
Moderate drinkers exercise more.
A 2009 study found that there’s a correlation between people who consume alcohol and the amount of exercise they perform. In fact, they discovered that people who drink perform 10% more vigorous workouts than those who abstain. (2)
Moderate drinkers don’t cheat on their diets.
In 2017, researchers found that people who drink wine as part of their diet are less likely to over-consume sugar. (3) Additionally, people are more likely to stick to diets based on eating in moderation over diets that eliminate some foods entirely. (4) So, this implies that you’re more likely to be successful on your path to becoming the most awesome you when you decide to drink better instead of not drinking at all.
Moderate drinkers are happier and live longer.
Both moderate amounts of alcohol and exercise create endorphins within your body. (5) Endorphins are often called the “feel-good chemicals” of the body. They reduce anxiety and increase happiness. Happier people have been shown to live longer. As a bonus, both moderate alcohol consumption and exercise lead to lower cases of dementia.6
Don’t forget! I’m not a medical professional or your personal trainer. This post should not be considered medical or fitness advice. It’s merely a gathering of research that advocates for moderation. We’re kidding ourselves if we think we can get away with drinking excessively and still be in the same physical, mental, or emotional shape. We don’t have to live in absolutes, but we also won’t be able reach our peak fitness if every workout is undone with a heavy helping of alcohol. Talk to your doctor, nutritionist or certified fitness professional before making alcohol-related choices for the sake of health.
That said, it’s exciting to know that living a BDC lifestyle won’t distract from the life we deserve to enjoy! I can now smile extra as I drink my beer still sweaty from my run. We’re suckers for a good post-workout selfie (with or without your drink of choice in hand), so don’t forget to tag @BetterDrinkingCulture in your posts.
About the Author
Jenn McAmis is a digital nomad who lives with her two rescue dogs in a 1984 Toyota Sunrader camper. She spends most of her days barefoot searching for the next outdoor adventure, drinking too much coffee and dabbling in all things woo-woo. You can follow her journey on Instagram @travelinglovefairy and subscribe to her shenanigans on her website.
Resources:
1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9726266
2) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2747097/
3) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26646673
4) http://ninacheriefranklin.com/live-well/preach-moderation-opposed-elimination-good-health/
5) https://www.livescience.com/36084-alcohol-releases-endorphins-brain.html
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