The 80/20 Rule in Real Life: How to Enjoy Wine and Still See Results
If you’ve been around here for a while, you know we are BIG believers in balance. We love a good workout, we love a nourishing, protein-packed dinner, and… we love a glass of wine with friends and a cocktail on a Friday night.
So how do we keep the balance without feeling like we’re “messing up” our goals? Enter our favorite mindset: the 80/20 rule.
What the 80/20 Rule Really Means
You’ve probably heard it before, but let’s break it down in plain English:
80% of the time → You’re fueling your body with nutrient-dense foods, staying active, hydrating, and prioritizing your health.
20% of the time → You’re enjoying the fun stuff—your favorite wine, cocktails, dessert, chips and queso, or a night out at your go-to restaurant.
It’s not about perfection. It’s about consistency. When the majority of your choices are supportive of your health, the little indulgences won’t derail you.
Why Wine (or Cocktails) Can Absolutely Fit
We both love wine nights and dinners out with our husbands, and we’re not about to give that up. Here’s the truth: if your plan feels too restrictive, it’s not sustainable.
Instead of saying “no” forever, we’ve learned to make it fit:
We budget for it. Just like you budget for a splurge in your finances, you can budget for a glass of wine in your week.
We slow down. Sipping slowly and really enjoying each glass means we often stop at one or two instead of mindlessly pouring more.
We hydrate. A glass of water between drinks helps us pace ourselves and feel better the next day.
Real-Life Examples
Here’s how the 80/20 rule looks in our actual lives:
Weeknights: We keep dinners simple—protein, veggies, maybe some rice or potatoes—and skip the alcohol most nights.
Weekends: Friday night cocktails on the porch? Yes please. A Saturday dinner out with wine? Absolutely. But we don’t make the whole weekend a free-for-all.
Travel or special occasions: We go in knowing we’ll indulge a little more, but we balance it with walks, water, and smart food choices the rest of the time.
The Secret Sauce: Mindset
The best part of living 80/20 is the freedom. You never feel like you’ve “blown it,” because you’re not trying to live at 100/0. And you never feel deprived, because you can have the things you love.
It’s not about being perfect—it’s about being consistent. And consistency adds up way faster than perfection ever will.
Our Challenge for You
This week, try leaning into the 80/20 rule. Plan a couple of nights where you enjoy your favorite glass of wine or a fun meal out. Then keep the rest of your week simple, balanced, and supportive of your goals.
You’ll be surprised how freeing it feels to stop aiming for perfect and start living with balance.
We’d love to have you join us in our 3-week nutrition and fitness challenge! Inside, we’ll walk you through balanced nutrition, macro tracking, carb cycling, intermittent fasting, and simple at-home strength workouts that fit your lifestyle. It’s all about helping you burn fat, build muscle, and feel your absolute best—without giving up the things you love (like wine and cocktails)!
Click below to grab your spot in the next round—we can’t wait to cheer you on!
https://www.girlgangwellness.com/coaching
And hey—if you need cocktail inspiration for that 20%? We’ve got you covered!
