Ochsner kicks off Alcohol Free for 40 Challenge

To support Louisianians in prioritizing healthy habits after Mardi Gras, Ochsner Eat Fit is kicking off its 11th annual Alcohol Free For 40 Challenge on February 19, the Thursday after Mardi Gras.
 Eliminating alcohol intake, even temporarily, can lead to better sleep, increased energy and improved focus within those 40 days. On average, participants in the challenge see measurable health improvements, including a four-pound loss of body fat, a 13-point reduction in cholesterol, a 28-point drop in triglycerides and improvements in systolic blood pressure.
 This challenge provides participants with the resources, education and support needed to abstain from alcohol and benefit from a “wellness spring cleaning.”
  “Forty days without alcohol is one focused habit change, but it creates valuable insight into sleep, energy and overall health that many participants have never seen before," said Molly Kimball, RD, CSSD, director of Ochsner Eat Fit and Alcohol Free For 40. 
The Alcohol Free For 40 Challenge is open statewide with events in six regions: New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Covington, Lafayette, Shreveport and Monroe.
How to join: Enroll on AlcoholFreeFor40.comf or for $59. Make sure to click on the correct button for your city or region to register. The general registration deadline is Sunday, Feb. 15.
What’s included: 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 $450 value). The lab panel includes a variety of tests that aren’t routine, so even if you have annual blood work done it’s likely that many of these are not included.
For more information and to register, www.AlcoholFreeFor40.com
Get support: Join the #AlcoholFreeFor40 group on Facebook click here. You can send messages, ask questions, follow the journey of others and share your own experiences, challenges, successes, zero-proof cocktail recipes and photos.