Ok the short answer is: no, one cocktail won’t ruin your weight loss progress…
BUT, there’s obviously more to the picture, so keep reading…
Ok, so you have probably read some version of the latest research that says NO amount of alcohol is good for you… which is in direct opposition to older research that said a glass of red wine per night might actually be a health benefit.
Allow me to clear up the confusion:
Alcohol is not a benefit in any form or amount.
Yes, it is “bad” for you, disrupts sleep & digestion, lowers inhibitions, and has zero nutritional value.
BUT…. and this is a big BUT:
I won’t go as far to say that you shouldn’t drink it.
Why?
Because when you’re making a choice to omit something from your life, you have to also look at the opportunity cost.
Does a single glass of wine on a Saturday night with your best friend, spouse, or co-worker act as a stress reducer?
It definitely could.
Does a cocktail on your birthday or a holiday contribute to the mood of the day?
Totally could be the case.
Fully omitting those things can have negative mental and emotional effects, too.
So you have to weigh the cost and benefits.
Now, I’ll be clear on one thing:
The more you drink, the worse it is for your health. So in no way am I saying to drink every day, or binge drink in any way.
[PS go look up what qualifies as binge drinking…. it ain’t much!]
So, I’m saying all of this with the caveat that it is 1 drink and not very often.
Lastly, here is something SUPER IMPORTANT to consider when it comes to your weight loss journey:
Making a choice to have a cocktail is neither right nor wrong, because it’s not the one drink that makes or breaks you.
The more dangerous thing is how you perceive yourself as a person based on the choice that you made to have a drink.
If you criticize yourself for having a glass of wine, you’re more likely to throw away subsequent decisions and set your progress back.
It’s never the 1 thing that does you in…. it’s what you think about what you did that could do you in. Understand that a cocktail is a cocktail… Choosing to have one is fine… and then move on. No judgement or criticism needed!
– Coach Michelle
