If the festive season has been a very merry one why not start 2015 with a drier January?
It is estimated that more than 40,000 adults in Liverpool drink more than they should do – with around 11,000 at a high risk of harm.
As well as the health risks, many people may not be aware of the number of calories in their favourite tipple. For example, drinking 3 large glasses of wine is equal to eating three donuts whilst three pints of beer has the same calorie content as two burgers. In highlighting these facts, Public Health Liverpool is sending out a challenge to reduce the drink you sink and drop a shirt or dress size.
Councillor Roz Gladden, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Lead for Adult Social Care and Health said: “Our message is clear – if you drink fewer units you will have more happy hours.
“We want to encourage people to consider where they might be able to cut down on their drinking in a typical week and in doing so realise for themselves a range of simple health benefits such as having more energy, feeling less stressed and possibly dropping a drink size”.
A range of useful tips are being provided to support people towards a drier January.
These include:
- Having two alcohol-free days a week
- Alternating alcohol with soft drinks
- Choosing drinks with fewer units
- Not keeping lots of alcohol at home
If you feel able to step up to the challenge to take part you are invited to sign up to a drier January at http://www.fewerunits.co.uk/ and in doing so if you are a Liverpool resident get access to some free local Lifestyles leisure centre taster sessions.
The website also has lots more hands on hints and tips on how to reduce your drinking.
You can also download a FREE ‘fewer units’ app to help you keep track of how much you’re drinking, the calories involved and to set weekly and monthly targets.
Visit http://www.fewerunits.co.uk/ and “Drop a Drink Size” through a drier January.
