We’re still in the midst of what has been the most unusual Mardi Gras season in recent history. But we wanted to put this on your radar: The sixth annual Ochsner Eat Fit #AlcoholFreeFor40 challenge kicks off Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021. If you’re interested in experiencing firsthand how nixing alcohol for 40 days affects your whole-body wellness, read on to learn more about the challenge and how to participate.

The challenge: Give up alcohol completely from Ash Wednesday (Feb. 17) through Easter (April 4). Join for free or pay just $25 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 better idea of the impacts of alcohol on your wellness. (The free version is for a personal challenge only and does not include pre- or post-challenge labs or other metrics. Sign up for pre-challenge metrics here in your region in Louisiana by February 14, 2021.)

The support: You don’t have to go at it alone! A number of local restaurants will be offering zero-proof cocktails throughout the challenge. You can also join the #AlcoholFreeFor40 Facebook group, where you can ask questions, follow the journey of others and share your own experiences, challenges, successes, zero-proof cocktail recipes and photos.

The benefits: Here’s a snapshot of just a few of the benefits that this extended detox will have on your mind, body and spirit:

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

The benefits aren’t limited to period of the challenge. Feedback from many past participants is that the Alcohol Free for 40 challenge is a reset that remains a part of a broader lifestyle change.

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!