Chapter 1: The Struggle with Sobriety and Exercise

Working out while hungover might seem harmless, but I can attest it turns you into a red-faced, blotchy, dehydrated version of yourself.

Photo by Anton Shuvalov on Unsplash

If you've followed my journey, you know I've battled with being a people pleaser, constantly anxious about others' opinions of me. When I first embraced sobriety in 2010, my desire to get fit led me to a hot yoga class, encouraged by a health-conscious friend. Initially, the idea of sweating profusely in a hot room was unappealing, but her enthusiasm won me over.

That experience ignited my passion for hot yoga, and for the first time, I genuinely felt healthy. Through these classes, I formed friendships with some remarkable individuals, bonds that continue to this day.

However, as I faced repeated relapses despite my commitment to yoga, I still showed up for classes. Many times, I was nursing a severe hangover, but I wanted to keep up appearances. I had perfected the art of pretending to be fine, even when I wasn’t.

In my mind, I thought that attending yoga could somehow balance out my self-destructive habits. I dreaded the possibility of friends inquiring about my absence, so I saved my days off for when my hangovers were at their worst.

The irony? I can’t tally the countless mornings I forced myself to go. After restless nights—thanks to alcohol’s theft of my sleep—I would gather the strength to dress up, mask the smell, and head out the door.

Once I entered the hot, humid studio, a place that usually felt rejuvenating, I would instantly start sweating the moment I sat on my mat.

Sweating It Out: Myths and Realities

We often hear the phrase "sweating it out," but is it genuinely beneficial? While it sounds appealing, I strongly advise against it. Even before the class began, I would feel dizzy and lightheaded. Hot yoga is already demanding, and adding a hangover into the mix only exacerbates the challenge!

There were days when I couldn’t complete the class, lying on my mat until it ended. I would leave looking like a ripe tomato, utterly spent.

Let’s be frank: you cannot sweat out a hangover. All you're doing is further dehydrating yourself, which only leads to greater fatigue. If you're feeling that poorly, your body is signaling you to rest. I wish I could go back and tell my younger self to embrace that advice, alongside the mantra to stop drinking altogether. My lifestyle choices weren’t in harmony, and ultimately, I chose to give up alcohol.

Chapter 2: Embracing Sober Workouts

The joy of working out sober is unparalleled. Walking into a yoga class with confidence, knowing that real endorphins are about to flow, is a transformative experience. Gone are the days of nausea and potential injuries; instead, I bask in the post-class yoga glow, filled with gratitude.

Spare yourself the agony of exercising while hungover. My recommendation? Either sleep it off or take a break from drinking altogether. Try committing to a month of workouts without alcohol and see if you don’t feel as empowered and strong as I do now—free of hangovers during exercise!

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Thank you for reading!

Much love, Michele

In this video, we explore whether it’s advisable to exercise while dealing with a hangover.

This video offers tips and strategies for working out effectively when you’re feeling the effects of a hangover.