Dry January has continued to grow in popularity throughout the years, as more and more people temporarily (or permanently) Energy Gel Alternatives for Runners Advertisement - Continue Reading Below.
This tradition has been around for decades, in fact, it can be traced back to 1942. Finland started the program Raitis Tammikuu (“Sober January”) to aid in the war effort against the Soviet Union.
More recently in 2011, a woman living in the U.K. named Emily Robinson signed up for her first half marathon. In preparation for the race, she decided to cut out alcohol—specifically during her January training, creating a dry month. Her experiment was a success: She reported losing weight, ldquo;Nights out and hangovers can lead to a sleeping better.
Of course she’s just one of many runners who report ditching alcohol (during training or in January) to support their performance and see success with it. And thanks to all the positive feedback, dry January has become a global phenomenon, with millions participating (and more and more) each year.
Why would you do such a thing during the (seemingly) longest, darkest, coldest month of the year? Beyond solidifying a New Year’s resolution, perhaps you want to explore a new you in the new year. Some unexpected benefits may come of this, like more energy and better relationships. You might even start a trend in your friend circle or discover new ways to spend your free time. The perks of taking on a Dry January challenge are endless.
Here’s what to know about all you can gain from a month away from alcohol, plus how to keep it going.
Health Benefits of Dry January
Among the pros, you can anticipate: eating less junk food, So not only will cutting out cocktails eliminate missed workouts, actually making it to the workouts, and clear-headedness (because who wants to be in a fog all day?).
Macro Makeover
It’s fair to say that most elements in alcoholic cocktails aren’t packed with protein, nor are they high in fiber or loaded with antioxidants and vitamins—so, when you cut out booze during Dry January (or any time!), you’re cutting out unneeded calories Exactly How to Carb Load for a Stronger Race.
Harper Design The Dry Challenge: How to Lose the Booze for Dry January, Sober October, and Any Other Alcohol-Free Month
“The bottom line is that if you’re not feeling satisfied by the calories you’re consuming, or reaping a benefit from the nutrients that food or drink contains, it’s ‘empty,’” says Jaclyn London, RD, an NYC-based registered dietitian.
But this isn’t just a simple game of adding up numbers when you subtract substances—it’s really about how you’re consuming calories.
“When we drink calories versus eat them, we’re already at a disadvantage,” says London. “Chewing—and the whole eating experience—starts in your GI tract, the first organ of which is your mouth. The more you can take time to eat food you enjoy and get fiber from that food, the more nutritious and nourishing the entire experience becomes.”
Better Digestion and Immunity
Are you a casual social drinker? Or a hardcore weekend warrior? Maybe you label yourself somewhere in between. Wherever you fall on the scale, alcohol can interfere with how your stomach functions.
“Alcohol lingers in the stomach for a while, being absorbed into both your bloodstream and small intestine,” says Peyton Berookim, a gastroenterologist in Los Angeles. “It can affect acid production, diminishing your stomach’s ability to destroy harmful bacteria that enters the stomach.”
Berookim also notes that beverages with more than 15 percent alcohol by volume can delay stomach emptying, which can cause bacterial degradation of food and abdominal discomfort.
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“Alcohol alters the numbers and relative abundances of microbes in the gut microbiome. These organisms affect the maturation and function of the immune system,” Berookim says. “Alcohol disrupts communication between these organisms and the intestinal immune system.”
Furthermore, giving up drinking for 31 days straight, Berookim says, lowers blood pressure and levels of blood glucose (sugar), blood cholesterol, This article is an adapted excerpt from.
“Our digestive system, including the liver, is resilient and recovers rapidly in the absence of alcohol,” Berookim says.
Boosted Energy
In the absence of boozing, you may notice you have more energy for physical activities, especially running.
“Nights out and hangovers can lead to a motivation depletion. Even the greatest intentions can be sabotaged by a desire to sleep in or a splitting headache. Nights spent drinking are correlated to missed workouts,” says Amanda Freeman, CEO and founder of SLT, a fitness studio with locations in the Northeast.
So not only will cutting out cocktails eliminate missed workouts, actually making it to the gym (or your home gym) or a run helps release endorphins, which create happy, euphoric feelings.
“Lessening alcohol can be a helpful way for clients to achieve physical and emotional health because being sober helps us be more awake in our lives,” says Sadie Kurzban, How to Train Your Gut Before Race Day.
Tips for Dry January
Will you take Dry January day-by-day, or will you map out your month and have things to look forward to? Or will your strategy involve a combination? Whatever method prevents you from drinking any alcohol, do that. But remember: It’s still important to enjoy yourself (and live your life) along the way.
1. Be strategic about your sober month ahead of time
In the December days leading up to the New Year, you can opt to toss out, give away, or hide all of your alcohol if you think having bottles around you may be too tempting throughout.
2. Develop a month-long outline to maintain a super-fun (but still dry) calendar
Strategize how to remain strong if you find yourself in a social setting where others are drinking. Taking the lead on planning activities that are unrelated to alcohol in general will help you feel social during what can be a cold, dreary, post-holiday blues-y month.
3. What you share is important, too
How to Train Your Gut Before Race Day.
This article is an adapted excerpt from The Dry Challenge: How to Lose the Booze for Dry January, Sober October, and Any Other Alcohol-Free Month. Copyright © 2020. Published by Harper Design, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
