I always tell my athletes that they should not drink because it works against the results they could be achieving. There are various reasons for my opinion, but the most important is based on the fact that when you drink your will power decreases. Also, there is a physiological reason that also supports my opinion.
You have to look at what are your goals for working out. Most people want to develop a strong and defined body, regardless if they are trying to lean out or bulk up. So, let me go through my rationale for staying away from alcohol if you’re working out.
If you’re trying to bulk up or lean out, I advise staying away from alcohol. This advice is more important if you’re trying to go for that six-pack or defined muscles. Even one drink a night, will work against your goals of leaning out or having defined muscles. So my advice, is getting rip will not help you get ripped.
First, alcohol is basically liquid calories that help you develop fat which usually goes to the middle of your body (i.e., your stomach), or the sides of your body (i.e., your love handles). So view alcohol as liquid food.
Second of all, when you drink alcohol your will power to stay with good calories disappears. So when the chips, dips, pizza and burgers come along, watch out. These food choices sound good at the time, but generally cause a spike in insulin, and in a previous post you know what that means…..fat!
Third of all, alcohol will dehydrate you. It is a diuretic and, therefore, it dehydrates your muscles. And with alcohol, the more you drink the thirstier you become so you drink more alcohol. It is a vicious cycle. Therefore, your muscles will be smaller because they are dehydrated long term.
But muscles that are dehydrated also are less active. Dehydrated muscles won’t fire correctly, causing your workouts to be less productive. They don’t burn fat efficiently, causing you to store more fat.
So, if alcohol does mean so much to you that you’re willing to sub-optimize your results at the gym, here is my advice:
Drink alcohol that has fewer calories. For example, opt for lite beers versus those that aren’t. However, a thick microbrew might be more filling than a lite beer and, therefore, you may consume less.
If you’re drinking a mixed drink, get a diet version of the tonic water or soda they put into it.
Also, while you’re drinking alcohol make sure that you drink more water than alcohol. The water will fill you up and you will drink less. Also, the water will rehydrate you.
So in conclusion, you have to decide what is right for you and what are your goals. I have opted to not drink and recommend it to all of my clients. You have to determine what are your priorities and act accordingly. We are all adults and must live with our choices.
