Ochsner Eat Fit Challenges Acadiana to Go #AlcoholFreeFor40 and Measure the Benefits

LAFAYETTE – Parades, parties and celebratory drinks make Carnival season in Louisiana a magical time of the year, but all of the revelry can take a toll on our personal health. To encourage Louisianians to take a break from alcohol, Ochsner Eat Fit is kicking off its eighth annual Alcohol Free for 40 Challenge powered by Lyre’s Zero Proof Spirits on February 23, the day after Ash Wednesday.

Alcohol Free for 40 is launching statewide with kickoff events in six cities. The Lafayette event will take place from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the lobby of the Ochsner Lafayette General Orthopedic Center, located at 4212 W. Congress St.

Cutting out alcohol even for just 40 days can significantly improve whole-body wellness. This challenge provides participants with the resources, education and support needed to abstain from alcohol and benefit from a “wellness spring cleaning.” Data from past Alcohol Free for 40 challenges have shown that this single lifestyle change can lead to better sleep, increased energy and improved focus within days of starting.

• The challenge: Stop drinking alcohol completely for 40 days — from February 23 until April 6.

• The Benefits: On average, participants in the challenge lose 4 pounds of body fat, reduce cholesterol by 13 points, lower triglycerides by 28 points and improve systolic blood pressure.

• How to join: Register at AlcoholFreeFor40.com by clicking on the button for your city or region. The deadline to sign up is midnight on Sunday, February 19.
• What’s included:
  • Sign up for $40 to receive in-depth pre- and post-challenge metrics including labs, body composition analysis, weight, blood pressure and before-and-after photos to get a clear picture of the impact of alcohol on overall wellness (a $400 value).
  • For more information and to register, click here.
• Get support: Join the #AlcoholFreeFor40 group on Facebook. Send messages, ask questions, follow the journey of others, and share your own experiences, challenges and successes.

• Keep the party going! The Eat Fit team collaborates with local restaurants to offer Eat Fit zero proof cocktails throughout the challenge, and provides recipe inspiration throughout the challenge with their latest book, Craft: The Eat Fit Guide to Zero Proof Cocktails, along with recipe demos powered by Lyre’s and local bar experts.

“Almost all of us have personal health goals ranging from weight loss to reduced inflammation to improved mental health. Forgoing alcohol for 40 days is one practice that improves the mind, body and spirit at once,” said Molly Kimball, RD, CSSD, founder of Ochsner Eat Fit and Alcohol Free For 40. “The Alcohol Free For 40 Challenge is an opportunity to see and feel the benefits of going alcohol-free, both inside and out.”

Kimball created 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 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 600 restaurants across Louisiana, and includes regional programs in Baton Rouge, Acadiana, Shreveport, Monroe and on the Northshore.

Visit www.AlcoholFreeFor40.com today to join the challenge. To make 2023 your healthiest year yet, visit www.ochsner.org/healthyyou.

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About Ochsner Lafayette General

Ochsner Lafayette General has more than 5,500 employees and serves 220,000 patients per year. The organization includes Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center, Ochsner Lafayette General Orthopedic Hospital, Ochsner Lafayette General Surgical Hospital, Ochsner St. Martin Hospital, Ochsner University Hospital & Clinics, Ochsner Acadia General Hospital, Ochsner Abrom Kaplan Memorial Hospital, Ochsner American Legion Hospital and a number of clinics, urgent cares and professional centers. Ochsner LGMC is the only Level II Trauma Center in Southwest Louisiana. Both Ochsner LGMC and Ochsner UHC are major teaching hospitals, providing graduate medical education across many disciplines.