From post-work drinks to getting stood up on a blind date, there are countless occasions when it’s socially encouraged to have an alcoholic beverage—trust me, I’m Scottish.
But with well-documented health complications, there’s a lot to be said for giving it up, even if just for the short term. Here’s our round-up of the top 5 reasons why quitting alcohol can improve your life.
Better Sex
Surprise your lover (or yourself) by giving your body the chance for better, hotter sex.
While you may feel that alcohol gives you more confidence between the sheets, keep in mind that there are quite a few negative aspects to consider before ordering another round.
Penis owners, beware! Erectile dysfunction is a common side effect of alcohol consumption. Numbness and difficulty climaxing are also potential pitfalls. And a dehydrated vagina? No thanks!
So, how exactly can cutting out booze enhance your sex life? You’ll have more strength and stamina to go longer, making it more pleasurable. You’ll also experience the joy of being more present, which enhances stimulation during sex.
Plus, that fake confidence you once felt after a night out boozing ain’t got nothing on the real confidence gained from being comfortable in your own skin. Virgin mojito, please!
Weight Loss
Drinking booze can be fun, but it comes at a cost—in the form of extra calories (boo)! I hate to rain on your parade, but all alcohol—even my personal fave, a skinny bitch— contains liquid calories, which if consumed even semi-regularly can lead to unwanted weight gain.
On the flip side, giving up drinking may result in rapid weight loss. Considering the average glass of wine contains between 100 and 160 calories, you could find that even a couple of drinks with your dinner can pack on an additional 200 to 320 calories.
The bottom line: Cutting out alcohol can do wonders for weight loss.
Related: 4 Reasons to Stop Drinking Alcohol Right Now
Save Those Pennies
All that money you spend buying a round for your buddies, chipping in for a bottle of wine at dinner or stocking up the fridge with beer adds up.
If you’re serious about quitting alcohol, then why not incentivize it? Save the money you would usually spend drinking and watch it grow. Everybody loves a bit of extra cash, and you can treat yourself to something nice with what you’ve saved.
Sleep Better
Picture this: You’ve just had a few drinks at a party and you’re feeling on top of the world. But just hours later, you wake up in the middle of the night with “hanxiety” (hangover anxiety), worrying over something you might have said or done.
Or maybe you sleep right through ‘til the morning, but when you wake up, you still don’t feel rested. Would it surprise you to know that although alcohol might make you feel like the life of the party, it can negatively impact your sleep once the party’s over?
Studies have shown that even with a small consumption of alcohol, you’ll experience reduced REM (rapid eye movement sleep), which is the deepest stage of sleep. Not only that, your circadian rhythm will be disrupted, which may cause you to wake up frequently. Top it off with having to get up in the middle of the night to pee and you’re in for a hellish nightmare!
The bottom line: Quitting alcohol leads to deeper, better quality sleep, and best of all, no hangovers when you wake up! That’s something money can’t buy.
Up Your Game
Coming from someone who once did a spin class on a hangover, it’s not a good idea to work out if you’re feeling rough from the night before. Mixing alcohol with exercise isn’t only unsafe, it hinders your performance, increases your risk of injury and makes it much harder to recover post-workout.
Removing alcohol from the equation results in better, stronger workouts and helps you stay on track to reach your fitness goals. You’ll quickly start to notice that you’ll make better progress with your workouts sans alcohol. Living your best life, pushing yourself and looking and feeling strong—what’s not to love?
Related: Dear Alcohol, Why Are You Messing With My Fitness?
The Last Sip
Next time you find yourself reaching for the bottle, remind yourself of all the wonderful things that saying no to booze can do. Better sex, increased confidence, deeper sleep, weight loss and stronger workouts are just a few of the many benefits of sobriety. Whether you’re cutting it out completely for the short term or committing to a whole new alcohol-free lifestyle, the benefits will far outweigh any drunken night out.
Are you ready to commit to your health and well-being? Start your free trial with Gymondo today and explore a huge variety of training programs, workouts and recipes perfect for your fitness level and goals.
