Resolutions are great if they are realistic. However, isn’t resolving to always or never do something setting one up for failure? The best advice that I have is to set some goals that are achievable, trackable, can be broken down into smaller steps and have a time frame. Year after year, one of the top resolutions people make has to do with weight loss and exercise.
As a practicing registered dietitian I fully support this. Involving a friend or partner not only may help you stay motivated but it also will make you accountable. I have always been a gym rat. This has not been an obsession but rather a decision to make my physical strength a priority. Yes, I want to look good, but not because I want attention. I want to feel comfortable in my own skin. I have a group of female friends who workout where I do. I call us the “skulks.” That’s a term for a group of foxes. We all have insecurities. We all have a past of being body shamed. Despite this, we all push through it and focus on our commitment to be fit. There are challenges of course and especially if you are a craft beer lover.
I asked my friend Helen Bingham, a craft beer lover who is in amazing physical shape, how she balances the two. “How I balance staying in shape and being a craft beer lover is more of a what if game for me. What if I did not drink craft beer? Would I be in better shape with a more sculpted body? Would I not need to work out as hard as I do? Would it make getting up easier in the morning to work out?” Ah, these questions that boggle the like-minded. Bingham went on to add, ”Clearly I have not considered giving up craft beer, not for a hot second. Life is short, and I truly believe it is meant to be enjoyed. I love going out to a brewery and talking to my person about our days. I enjoy talking to the bartender to learn about a new beer and taking that first sip, fully enjoying all 16 ounces of pure heaven. It is about moderation. Move your body to clear your mind and stay young. The icing on the cake is your ability to enjoy some IPAs.”
This was so well stated and I hope it motivates you all. I laughed asking if Bingham would ever consider dry January. I have done this in the past and never cried so much in my life! Bingham replied. “Dry January is not something I want to do, so I don’t, my choice. Luckily as a 56-year old I can make my own choices and I don’t need to justify them to anyone but myself.” Hell, yes my friend, preach! Whatever you decide, remember that when you follow the trend of a dry month it hurts local breweries.
How about some perspective from a male point of view? Tim Taylor, friend of mine and active member of the RI Beer Group on facebook started working out a year ago. In that time he has lost 29.1 pounds! He said this was from pure hard work. He hasn’t dieted or given up craft beer, and spent this past year traveling as often as possible. “I don’t know how to balance it! I over drink on weekends and then spend the next 5 days at the gym trying to undo everything I put into my body over the weekend! It is difficult as I am aware of the calories I take in through beer.” Cheers and congrats to you my friend!
Mirror, Mirror on the wall, what is the healthiest beer of all? You know the answer, right? A little self-discipline is the key. Although beer isn’t a healthy drink, it actually has antioxidants and B vitamins. It is not the best dietary intervention and of course it has calories and carbohydrates. Here’s a chart that may help you decide what you may want from your pint glass. The calorie range is estimated based on style per 12-ounce serving.
NA/ Ultra Light (90-120 calories)
Notcha NA rotating styles non alcohol beer from The Tilted Barn
Final Approach APA 3.4% ABV from Pivotal Brewing Company
Holy Rhythm Light Lager 3.8% ABV from Rejects Beer Co.
Champagne du Proc Berliner Weisse 3.9% ABV from Proclamation Ale Company
Light Lager/Pilsner (110-130 calories)
Striker Light Lager 4.3% ABV from The Guild
Thirst Aid Czech Pilsner Lager 4.2% ABV from Taproot Brewing Company
Lager/ Pilsner (140-160 calories)
Bohemian Pilsner 5.2% ABV from Narragansett Brewery
Vienna Lager 5.1% ABV from Lops Brewing
Pale Ale/ Brown Ale/ Wheat Ale(150-200 calories)
Rise APA 5.5% ABV from Whalers
Neopolitan Brown Ale 5.2% ABV Brown Ale Crooked Current Brewery
Easy Company Hefeweizen Wheat Beer 5.1% Bravo Brewing Company
IPA (180-240 calories)
Logee Street IPA 6.2% ABV Lops Brewing
877 Hops Now NEIPA 6.3% ABV Moniker Brewing
Drunken Horseman IPA 7.4% ABV West Passage Brewing Company
Stouts/Porters (180-250 calories)
Peanut Butter Raincloud Porter 5.7% ABV Foolproof Brewing Company
Gingabread Porter 6.5% ABV Canned Heat Craft Beer Co.
Morrigan Irish Stout 5% ABV Trágmar Ale Works
It’s Not Complicated Vanilla Stout 5.5% ABV Crook Point Brewing Company
DIPA (200-300 calories)
Captain’s Daughter DIPA 8.5% ABV Grey Sail Brewing
Liquid Hugs DIPA 8% ABV Ragged Island Brewing Company
Megustalations DIPA 8% ABV Origin Beer Project
Crested DIPA 9% ABV from Apponaug Brewing Company
Imperial Stout (250-400 calories)
Big Dumb Stout Imperial Stout 12% ABV Narragansett Brewing
Physical/Spirtual/Mental Oyster Stout 10.5% ABV Buttonwoods Brewery
Barley Wine (250-400 calories)
Hypernova American Barleywine 11% ABV Phantom Farms Brewing
Aged To Perfection Barleywine 11% ABV Tower Hill Brewing Co.
Dessert Sours (300-400 calories)
The Queen Fruited Sour 5.6% ABV Ravenous Brewing Company
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sour Fruited Sour 5.6% ABV Vigilant Brewing
Mr Wine Fruited Sour 4.5% ABV by Union Station Brewing & Proclamation Ale Company
TIPA (300-500 calories)
3 Lives Triple NEIPA 10% ABV Long Live Beer Works
Anniversary IIIPA Triple NEIPA 10.7% ABV from Crafted Hope Brewing
Pastry Stouts (350-500 calories)
Marshmallow Small Joys Imperial Double Pastry Stout 13% ABV Long Live Beerworks
Friendsgiving Pastry Stout collab from Long Live Beerworks and Oak Bakeshop
Mirror, Mirror on the wall who’s the fittest of them all? Progress is achievement no matter how small. This is your life and you are in control of what the future holds. Try making small changes. Don’t drink during the week. Add in more steps to your day. Eat healthier and avoid fast foods.
What am I going to change in 2026? I am going to quote my friend Kamila Podolecki’s resolution “To continue being the fucking legend that I already am!”
Happy New Year, happy new beer, happy new rear! Cheers to local craft beer!