Multimillionaire fitness star Kayla Itsines, who hasn’t drank alcohol for more than 11 years, has revealed her top tips for staying sober during the Christmas period.
The 30-year-old trainer, from Adelaide, has been famously teetotal since the age of 19 after having nothing but negative experiences with hangovers and sickness, as well as losing someone ‘very close’ to her to drug and alcohol addiction.
The co-founder of world famous exercise app SWEAT, who is worth an estimated $209million (AUD), addressed how she was planning to see out the end of the year in style – without a drop of booze.
‘I’m going to be open and honest here for someone that doesn’t drink alcohol, sometimes I can’t help but feel anxious going to all the end of year events and having to match other people’s energy,’ she wrote on Facebook.
Multimillionaire fitness star Kayla Itsines, who hasn’t drank alcohol for more than 11 years, has revealed her top tips for staying sober during the Christmas period
‘As soon as I’m around new people and I’m the only one not drinking it feels uncomfortable. Everyone else’s energy starts to shift as people start to celebrate and I’m the opposite.
‘Don’t get me wrong, I’ve always been confident in these situations but I don’t always find it easy to show up and attend these events. But I have been trying to tell myself that just because I don’t drink, it doesn’t mean I should feel like I have to miss out.’
In order to make the silly season more sober-friendly Kayla reminds herself that she made the decision for herself alone and other people’s opinions shouldn’t count, brings a friend she can rely on for support and doesn’t judge those who do drink.
In October Kayla revealed that her 13 million fans are often surprised to discover she doesn’t drink
‘So to anyone else that is reading this and also won’t be drinking at this time of year good on you! Stay strong. Socialise with people that will support you and don’t feel you need to change for anyone,’ she said.
‘And to everyone else that will be drinking, firstly – enjoy yourself and drink sensibly. But also, if you find out someone has decided not to drink for whatever reason… please don’t try to convince them otherwise.
‘It’s hard enough for people to make the decision in the first place, so they definitely don’t need anyone to pressure them into it.’
In October Kayla revealed that her 13 million fans are often surprised to discover she doesn’t drink.
‘I’ve seen the bad things that can come from alcohol and I made my decision not to drink at a very young age,’ she wrote.
Multimillionaire fitness star Kayla Itsines (pictured) hasn’t drank alcohol for more than 11 years because she ‘never liked the taste’ or the way it made her feel
The 30-year-old trainer from Adelaide (pictured) has been famously teetotal since the age of 19 after having nothing but negative experiences with hangovers and sickness
‘I can’t see my decision changing any time soon, but that doesn’t mean that I’ll never have a drink in the future, but I don’t know when that is and I wouldn’t want to put a timeline on it.’
The mother-of-one, who shares two-year-old daughter Arna Leia with her ex fiancé, Tobi Pearce, threw her support behind those choosing to live sober lifestyles, urging them to ignore the judgement often passed by friends, family, and wider society.
‘I know from personal experience that when you don’t drink, people are often really confused by your choices. Sometimes they look at you like you’re strange or different,’ she said.
‘I’m here to tell you that if you don’t want to drink, you do NOT have to. I feel like I’m a role model for lots of young girls, and I’m proud that I can spread this message and let you know you don’t NEED to feel pressured to drink alcohol if you don’t want to.’
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The world renowned trainer has always been open about her decision to stay sober.
The mum-of-one (pictured) urges anyone living a sober lifestyle to ignore the judgement often passed by friends, family, and wider society
Kayla (pictured) assured fans there is nothing ‘weird’ with choosing not to drink
In a previous Instagram post from 2015, Kayla went into emotional detail about a loved one who lost their life after a long battle with substance abuse.
After watching their ‘downward spiral’, she vowed she would never drink again.
‘I don’t like alcohol. I don’t like the taste. I don’t like what it does to people. I don’t like how people abuse it and I hate what it did to someone I loved,’ Kayla wrote.
‘I don’t mind if people drink it. I’m not one of those “anti alcohol, alcohol is the devil”, people, I just don’t drink and I never will. I hope you can all respect my reasons why.’
The super-fit star is one of almost two million Australians now living an alcohol-free lifestyle.
Recent figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveal more than a quarter of Australians (28.9 per cent) are mostly abstaining from alcohol, while a further 9.5 per cent are drinking less than they were this time last year.
Kayla (pictured) has been candid about the agony of losing a loved one to alcohol addiction
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