Alcohol & Wellness: Let’s Talk About It (For Real)

When the view is epic but the drink might be holding you back… 🏞🍷

A coach friend recently asked me something that stopped me mid-scroll:

“Do you struggle to get clients to stop drinking?”
My answer? Ehhh… sometimes.
But honestly? That’s not really the right question.

Because this conversation isn’t black and white. It’s not as simple as “just cut it out” or “you can drink and still crush your goals.”
The real answer is way more layered, and way more human.

There was a time when I believed you could drink as much as you wanted and still hit your aesthetic or performance goals if you just “trained hard enough.”

Then I swung completely the other way, into full abstinence and rigid black-and-white thinking.

I live in the nuance.

Because alcohol does affect performance.
It does impact recovery, sleep, fat metabolism, inflammation, hormone balance, and mental health.

But also? The decision to drink (or not) isn’t just about biochemistry.
It’s about goals, culture, identity, coping, and connection.

A few quick facts:

• One night of drinking can reduce REM sleep and increase cortisol levels the following day (Roehrs & Roth, 2001).
• Alcohol impairs muscle protein synthesis, even after just moderate intake (Parr et al., 2014).
• Long-term, even “moderate” drinking has been associated with increased cancer risk and cardiovascular strain (Lancet Public Health, 2018).
• The CDC now recommends zero alcohol for optimal health, but also acknowledges this is a personal and complex decision.

So yeah, it counts. Even “just one.”

But zero might not be the answer for everyone either.

Let’s get real, if you live in a mountain town, alcohol is everywhere.
It’s social. It’s cultural. It’s marketed as freedom, fun, connection, and reward.

We’ve been taught that alcohol = relaxation, beauty, belonging.

But what if the real flex is knowing your limits?
What if wellness looks like making choices that feel good later, not just in the moment?

I don’t tell my clients to quit drinking.
I ask better questions:

• What’s your goal? What does success look like to you?
• What role does alcohol play in your day, your week, your relationships?
• How do you feel the day after? And the next one?
• What do you want more of? What’s getting in the way?
• Does this still serve you?

And if the answer is, “I want to cut back,” or “I’m not sure this fits anymore,” then we explore that, together.

You don’t have to label yourself.
You don’t have to quit forever.
You just need a start point.

Try this:

• Track your intake for one week with zero judgment.
• Swap in an alternative like hop water, kombucha, or a fancy non-alcoholic cocktail.
• Notice how your sleep, mood, and energy shift.
• Check in weekly: Is this working? Do I want to keep going? Adjust?

Wellness isn’t about perfection. It’s about awareness and alignment.

Alcohol affects your performance. Your body. Your recovery.
But the decision to drink (or not) is yours, and it deserves respect, compassion, and context.

If you’re ready to take a closer look without shame or pressure, I’m here for the conversation.

✨ Want more honest, practical coaching tips like this?
Visit the Summit Stronger newsletter at coachchristine.net/blog

You don’t have to do it alone, and you don’t have to go to extremes to make progress. Just start paying attention and asking yourself and answering the right questions!

Warmly,
Coach Christine