No Alcohol for 40 Days: Take the 2026 #AlcoholFreeFor40 Challenge

If self-care is on your list for 2026, consider taking the Alcohol Free For 40 Challenge. Reduced anxiety, better sleep and increased energy and productivity top the list of benefits that participants typically experience, not to mention significant improvement in weight and body composition, blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides and liver enzymes.

The 11th annual Alcohol Free for 40 Challenge starts after Mardi Gras (Mardi Gras 2026 is Feb. 17), and Ochsner’s Eat Fit team makes it easier than ever to go alcohol-free, complete with before and after metrics to make it your own personal self-experiment on the true impact of alcohol, inside and out. Registration opens Jan. 1, 2026. You can also join the Alcohol Free for 40 Facebook group at any time.

What is the Alcohol Free for 40 Challenge? 

Give up all alcohol from Ash Wednesday (Feb. 18, 2026) until Easter (April 5, 2026). Establish the pre-challenge metrics and repeat again at the end of the challenge. Do this on your own or sign up Jan. 1 or after to do your pre-challenge metrics at one of our Alcohol Free For 40 kickoff events across Louisiana that will occur Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. For just $59, you’ll receive valuable insight and support, including in-depth pre- and post-challenge metrics (a $450 value). 

What's included in the Alcohol Free for 40 Challenge?

• In-depth pre- and post-challenge metrics including:
  • labs
  • body composition analysis
  • weight
  • blood pressure
  • before-and-after photos  

What support is offered for Alcohol Free for 40?

• #MindfulMondays to start each week on the right foot
• Zero Proof Cocktail demos
• Local restaurants will offer Zero-Proof Cocktails
• Social support at Alcohol-Free For 40 Facebook Group (follow @EatFitOchsner on social media to stay in the know)

What are the benefits of giving up alcohol?

Giving up alcohol means less inflammation, better sleep, reduced anxiety, improved mood and energy, healthier-looking skin, and potential weight loss. Here’s a snapshot of the many benefits that this extended detox will have on your mind, body and spirit:

• Within days, you’ll typically notice improved energy, sleep and clearer eyes with reduced under-eye circles
• Within one week, you’ll notice less fluid retention and can start to see brighter skin. You’ll also likely notice fewer cravings, mental clarity and an ability to focus.
• Within a month, you can start to see and feel the changes in weight, particularly if alcohol was contributing a significant bit of excess calories.

The bottom line

This isn’t an all-or-nothing proposition. Giving up alcohol may not be something that you choose to continue long-term but depending on the results of your own little self-experiment, you may decide that it’s worth it to dial it back a notch over the long term.

What are you waiting for? Commit yourself to this personal challenge and get ready to start seeing (and feeling) changes in how you look and feel!