If you are in the process of alcohol recovery, then you will know how important it is to focus on your mental and physical health. Recovery is all about putting yourself first, while letting others be there for you during this challenging, but life-changing time. This can be hard to do if you have always had a fierce sense of self-independence, but it is possible for you to take back control of your life with more positive ways that don’t involve alcohol.
One of those ways is through fitness.
The Detrimental Effects of Alcohol Addiction
Alcoholism, or alcohol abuse will affect every single working system in the body.
The liver is affected the most, and this all comes down to the constant demand for toxic filtration. This essentially forces the liver into overdrive and it leads to alcohol-induced disease of the liver. When this happens, the overdrive then forces the pancreas to work harder, as it needs to produce insulin to regulate the sugar which comes from alcohol. This puts you at a higher risk of Type 2 Diabetes. This increased pancreatic activity will then impact the digestive system, giving you incontinence, IBS or gastric ulcers. The kidneys are then pushed harder to monitor electrolyte levels, giving you personality issues, heart problems and all while affecting your personality.
These issues, in combination, can result in erectile dysfunction, infertility and more. Lastly, alcoholism will have a huge impact on your skeletal system, as you won’t be able to absorb the right nutrients.
The end result?
Thinning bones, weakened muscles and loss of motor control. All of this information might seem scary and hard to process, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Every single person in the world has the ability to enter recovery, while also being happier and healthier. One way for you to reverse some of the damage that has been done would be for you to workout.
If you want to get help with your addiction then check out ourbook for some good reading material: “The Sobriety Success Method“.
Fitness- Speeding up your Road to Recovery
When you look at the body from an external standpoint, you will soon find that the body will increase muscle mass when you workout. This will lead to stronger and easier movements in the day. Weightlifting will increase your bone density, and if you implement a cardio routine, you will be able to make your heart healthy once more. The main reason why cardio is so great is because it lowers the low-density lipids in the body that stem from drinking too much alcohol. It’s these lipids which cause strokes and heart attacks. Believe it or not…
You don’t have to run or bike to do cardio.
That’s right. Cardiovascular exercise doesn’t need to involve biking or running. The only thing that you need to do is elevate your heart rate for a longer period of time. When you do this, the fatty blockages in your arteries will dissipate and the oxygenation will promote the healing process.
Your Immune System and Fitness
The immune system will become stronger, allowing you to remove any germs faster while also promoting a healthier lifestyle. Diabetes might not be curable, but exercise can help you to regulate your blood sugar which drastically lowers the need for medication.
Clearing Mental Fog
Mental fog that comes from prolonged alcohol use will clear after a very short period of exercise. Your brain will release endorphins which will boost your mood and you will also improve your brain function too.
It Doesn’t have to Be Complicated
Believe it or not, getting fit doesn’t have to be complicated. Working out can take so many forms. It can be something as simple as a low-impact workout, to training for a marathon. You can even take up competitive powerlifting if you want. Either way, the main point that you need to take away from this is that low impact doesn’t mean less effective. Extensive research has shown time and time again that if you work out for just half an hour a day, several days a week, you can easily reap the benefits.
The Benefits of Exercise
- Help avoid triggers
- Providing a structure to your day
- Regular workouts keep your mind busy
- Exercise heals the brain and body
- It’s an activity that the whole family can get involved in
Of course, having an alcohol problem can force you into isolation, where you struggle to open up, accept help and deal with the underlying issues that are taking over your life. Fitness is one way for you to take back control, so accept help, be proud of who you are and make yourself a bigger and better person overall. Studies have shown that those who workout during recovery go on to experience longer and happier lives, not to mention that it will work wonders for your energy levels.
Remember that every marathon starts with a single step, and we strongly believe that you are ready for that.
