The new year brings the best of healthy intentions, but by mid-January in Louisiana, king cakes start popping up and the Mardi Gras balls and parties begin. Ochsner Eat Fit invites you to restart your New Year’s resolutions by participating in the fifth annual Alcohol Free for 40 Challenge. The challenge, which begins on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 26) and concludes on Easter Sunday (April 12), encourages participants to make it their own self-experiment by tracking pre- and post-challenge metrics, including labs, body composition, hydration status, blood pressure, and a close-up photo to see face, skin, and eyes.
Those embarking on this wellness journey are encouraged to share their progress and connect with others via the #AlcoholFreeFor40 hashtag and its Facebook page.
To make it easier than ever to track these metrics before and after the challenge, Ochsner Eat Fit is offering kickoff events around the state that provide these metrics for just $25 (value of $400) in New Orleans, Covington, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and Shreveport. Advance registration is required via Eventbrite link at www.AlcoholFreeFor40.com. Participants are also encouraged to document changes in their mood, sleep, weight, and appearance throughout the process.
Although there are some health benefits associated with moderate alcohol consumption, there are also drawbacks, including weight gain, inflammation, and higher levels of anxiety. Alcohol also disrupts deep sleep, which can lead to low energy, difficulty concentrating, and foggy thinking. The #AlcoholFreeFor40 Challenge gives us the opportunity to see and feel the benefits of going alcohol-free, both inside and out.
Molly Kimball, registered dietitian with Ochsner Fitness Center, founded Eat Fit in 2013 to take the guesswork out of healthy eating. She has collaborated with some of the most iconic restaurants in the New Orleans region to create Ochsner Eat Fit, a program that encourages chefs to offer nutritious dishes for those who want to eat clean, watch their weight, and manage diabetes, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Ochsner Eat Fit is available at more than 300 restaurants across Louisiana, and includes regional programs in Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Shreveport, and on the Northshore.
Visit www.AlcoholFreeFor40.com to join the challenge.