Day 4 - Finding balance with alcohol

Perhaps one of the hardest things at this time of the year is limiting your alcohol intake! 

Christmas is typically a time when we gather to celebrate and celebrations call for alcohol, am I right?

Enjoying a glass to celebrate Christmas is not a major issue but mindlessly drinking out of habit is.

When I ask my clients why they drink more alcohol than they should, the top response is stress, and God knows that this time of the year tends to get stressful, especially this year!

The second most common response is peer pressure and the third is habit.

All of these reasons are valid and ones I can relate to myself but I also know that you have the power to change your relationship with alcohol.

Our drinking is set in deeply engrained habits and this time of the year is more challenging then ever as we´re all expected to drink and be merry.

Rather than telling you not to drink so much (I know you already know this), I´m going to invite you to ask yourself WHY you reach for a drink even though you know it's going to make you feel crappy the day after?

I want you to consider what you're numbing, trying to escape or not ready to face by reaching for a drink?

Many people crave alcohol when they are lacking supportive relationships. Take a look at the people you surround yourself with – are they providing you with the love & support you need right now?

I regularly tell my clients that while what they eat & drink is important, healthy relationships, regular physical activity, a fulfilling career, and a spiritual practice can fill their soul and satisfy their real hunger for life. 

When these areas of your life – your primary foods – are balanced, your life feeds you, making what you eat & drink secondary.

TRY THIS EXERCISE

Next time you find yourself reaching for a glass of wine at the end of a long day, consider these primary foods:

• relationships
• physical activity
• career
• spirituality

Rate each one personally on a scale of 1 – 10, 10 being completely satisfied and 1 being dissatisfied.

Make a list of non food or alcohol treats to indulge in when your primary foods get out of balance. Some good ideas are journaling, meditating, doing a workout, having a bubble bath, or going for a long, luxurious walk with your best friend.

It's by addressing the root causes to why we do what we do that we can create real change.

P.s: Beat The Bloat is a 21 day challenge starting on January 3rd where I help you transform your relationship with food, fitness & alcohol to get lean, strong & full of energy in a way that is sustainable, enjoyable & easy! All it takes is setting your alarm clock 30 minutes earlier for 3 weeks!