Every now and then you may want to enjoy an alcoholic beverage. Just as with the food you eat, make wise choices, drink in moderation and consume alcohol responsibly.
Here are 5 Tips to Consider When Drinking:
- Try to avoid drinking if: a) you have aggressive or strict weight loss goals, b) binge drinking is or has been a consistent problem for you, or c) you are an athlete, physique competitor or model with an upcoming event. Remember the benefit of a small sacrifice now!
- Try to drink at least 16oz water for every alcoholic beverage you consume since alcohol tends to dehydrate you. Doing this will help to keep you going to the bathroom which in fact can be a distraction and deterrence from over drinking. And in the event you are "over-served," drinking plenty of water may help mitigate the risk of having a nasty headache the next morning.
- Perform some form of exercise or activity the following day. This is to help those that may need a reminder to get back on track to accomplish their fitness goals. Nothing extreme – even a nice long walk will do. But just do something to remind yourself that the night before "was a treat."
- No drinking & driving. Drink responsibly.
- Opt for plain drinks with fresh fruits like oranges or strawberries over mixed, carbonated drinks. Mixed drinks tend to be loaded with sugars and preservatives. Some lower calorie options "on the rocks" or plain include vodka, red wine, gin, tequila, whisky and even some rums. Enhancing with freshly squeezed fruits – whenever possible – will help keep the calories low. And sorry bro, I did not include beer because it tends to be on the higher side; however, more beer companies are offering lower calorie beers.
- BONUS: Log out of or stay away from posting on social media properties. And technically, this one is not health related, rather "food for thought." Because there's nothing like waking up the next morning to find embarrassing pictures of yourself in compromising positions, or reading drunken rants on Facebook about "the one that got away and that you'd do anything to get her back…" (insert cricket noises here) Plus, it's good to just "be in the moment" with your friends and family.
Actress KJ Smith's inspiring journey within the entertainment industry is a testament to how believing in oneself and trusting in divine timing can pave the way for success.
Over the years, Smith, whose acting career began in 2009, has appeared in various television shows and films before landing her leading role in BET's Sistas in 2019.
Since then, the 38-year-old's success has skyrocketed as she starred in other projects, such as Fatal Affair alongside Nia Long and Omar Epps, The Family Business, and Power Book III: Raising Kanan. Smith recently opened up about her experience during Black Love's The You Retreat discussion panel.
KJ On Success
In the panel last month, Smith revealed that despite her past achievements, she doesn't consider success to be a linear path but rather a continuous process.
The star shared that she gained this logic through the numerous times she auditioned for roles and has either received rejections or landed job opportunities. During that process, Smith added that she learned that if something was ordained in her life, that said thing would come to her.
"I think the phrase ‘made it’ is a little deceiving. It's a process of continuing to make it. How you know it's for you is when it's undeniable," she said.
KJ On Divine Timing
As the conversation continued, Smith recalled a particular moment when she didn't land an undisclosed role she thought was destined for her and expressed how heartbroken she was.
Still, the actress preserved and ultimately got the next gig she auditioned for a day after reading for that role.
"Actually, my first pilot, it was written for a white male, and at the time, I had just lost out on a role I had tested for. For something that I was like, 'This is actually me!' I tested for it, didn't get it. At the time, I was so heartbroken, " she explained.
“The next thing I booked... it was the quickest audition I had ever done. I literally went into the room. I did one scene, and then the next day, they were like, 'You're booked. We need you to fly to New Orleans.'"
Later, Smith mentioned that since that moment occurred in her life, she had shifted her mindset about not receiving certain things and that divine timing plays a role in "everything."
"That was mine, and no one else could have had that. That belonged to me, so now I'm like, 'No, it's going to be good thing, after good thing, after good thing, after good thing. Because nothing happens to me, everything happens for me," she said.
Smith continues to inspire her fans by using her social media platform to spread the message about trusting God's plan for one's life.
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Feature image by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images
The Great Report
2020 Global Report Sheet