Sober Curious: What's That?
"Sober curious" is everywhere right now. Celebrities are launching non-alcoholic spirits, your coworker is doing Dry January in September, and social media is full of people sharing their alcohol-free journeys.
But what does "sober curious" actually mean? And more importantly: is it right for you?
As The Healthy Weight Loss Coach, Coco doesn't believe in all-or-nothing approaches to anything - including alcohol. Instead, she empowers clients to make informed, balanced choices that work with their real lives and health goals.
What Is Sober Curious?
The sober curious movement encourages people to examine their relationship with alcohol without necessarily committing to complete sobriety. It's about questioning drinking habits, exploring periods without alcohol, and making more intentional choices about when and how you drink.
Unlike traditional sobriety programs that focus on addiction recovery, sober curiosity is more about wellness optimization and mindful consumption.
The Weight Loss Reality About Alcohol
Let's be direct: alcohol and weight loss don't mix well. When you drink, your body prioritizes metabolizing alcohol over burning stored fat - a process that can last 24-48 hours after your last drink, essentially putting weight loss on pause.
But here's where Coco's approach differs from typical weight loss advice: we're not telling you to eliminate alcohol entirely.
The Eat Shed Glow™ Strategic Reduction
We believe in sustainable changes that work with your real life. Instead of all-or-nothing thinking, try these practical strategies:
The Alternating Method: When you're out socially, alternate between an alcoholic beverage and water or a high-quality non-alcoholic option.
Non-Alcoholic Nights: Aim for at least 3 to 4 alcohol-free nights per week, especially on "boring nights" like Sunday through Wednesday. This gives your metabolism time to focus on fat burning while you maintain social flexibility on weekends.
Finally - Sophisticated Non-Alcoholic Options
For years, non-alcoholic alternatives were essentially sugar water in disguise. Finally, we have sophisticated options that are low in sugar and actually taste good.
Dealcoholized Wine vs. Grape Juice: The difference is huge. Dealcoholized wine is real wine with alcohol removed, maintaining complex flavors and minimal sugar. Grape juice is just sugar water.
Top Low-Sugar Options:
French Bloom - Zero added sugar, 1-10 calories per glass
Noughty - 2.9g sugar per 100ml, organic
Little Saints - Functional spirits with adaptogens, 5 calories
Avoid These Sugar Traps:
Virgin cocktails (often 300+ calories of pure sugar)
Grape juice-based mocktails (blood sugar nightmare)
Kombucha cocktails (high in sugar despite probiotic hype)
When You're Not Sober Curious
For those times when you do choose to drink, quality matters. Avaline offers clean, organic wines without added sugars, dyes, or unnecessary additives - exactly the kind of better choice that aligns with the Eat Shed Glow™ philosophy.
Use code AUGUST15 for 15% off your Avaline order - new Fall Code coming soon.
Smart cocktail swaps:
Dry martini (gin or vodka, minimal vermouth, no syrups)
Tequila with seltzer and splash of lime or lemon juice
Dry wines instead of sugar-loaded dessert wines
Finding Your Personal Balance
The beauty of being sober curious isn't that you have to choose a side. It's about developing awareness and intentionality around alcohol.
Some questions to ask yourself:
How does alcohol affect my sleep quality?
Do I drink out of habit or genuine enjoyment?
How do I feel the morning after drinking?
Am I using alcohol to manage stress or social anxiety?
Does drinking align with my health and weight goals?
The Eat Shed Glow™ Approach
Whether you drink, don't drink, or fall somewhere in between, the principles remain the same:
Make informed choices based on how different options affect your body and goals.
Choose quality when you indulge - premium wine over sugary cocktails, craft non-alcoholic spirits over juice-based mocktails.
Stay flexible - your relationship with alcohol might change with seasons, stress levels, health goals, or life circumstances.
Avoid the pendulum swing - don't go from nightly wine to complete restriction and back again. Find sustainable middle ground.
The Verdict :)
Being sober curious doesn't require you to take a stance on alcohol forever. It requires you to pay attention to how your choices affect your body, energy, sleep, health and weight loss goals.
Whether that leads you to drink less, drink better, or not drink at all is entirely up to you. The goal isn't perfection - it's about making better choices.
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Need an approach to nutrition that works with your real life?
Book Your Free 15-Min Consult with Coco, The Healthy Weight Loss Coach, to discover how Eat Shed Glow™ can be completely customized for your lifestyle and goals.
