Booze and your workouts
troytroy11
Posts: 180 Member
Those of you who choose to drink, how do you time it with your exercise programs, workouts, and training? Of course when you are counting calories a few drinks can throw the whole thing off if you are not careful so that should always be a consideration. One single drink can be 100 to 400 or even more calories. Carefully considering what, when, and how much to drink is a wise thing to do. Aside from the caloric load, how are you noticing the affects of even one have on your training? Is it worth it? Is there anyone who has figured out how to use a moderate amount of drinks to their benefit as in possible help with sleep, relaxation, etc? Or is it just a bunch of non beneficial empty calories detrimental to your particular program?
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troytroy11 wrote: »Those of you who choose to drink, how do you time it with your exercise programs, workouts, and training? Of course when you are counting calories a few drinks can throw the whole thing off if you are not careful so that should always be a consideration. One single drink can be 100 to 400 or even more calories. Carefully considering what, when, and how much to drink is a wise thing to do. Aside from the caloric load, how are you noticing the affects of even one have on your training? Is it worth it? Is there anyone who has figured out how to use a moderate amount of drinks to their benefit as in possible help with sleep, relaxation, etc? Or is it just a bunch of non beneficial empty calories detrimental to your particular program?
I'll have a drink on Sundays when I don't count calories. But if I wanted a drink during my calorie counting days, I would check the calories of the drink I would want beforehand and then prelog it. See if you can subtract a few calories from a snack.0 -
I drink whiskey every night and get at 430 every morning to run...0
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DH and I enjoy fine wine and belong to several wine clubs and attend events frequently to taste. I limit myself to weekend indulging and plan for it by cutting back calories during the week.
I do notice that my resolve to not nibble on treats that often go along with wine - cheese, crackers, etc. - can be weakened with each glass.
I try to be careful and drink a lot of water.
It has not impacted my training. I do not drink to excess (to the point of feeling hung over).0 -
I'm drinking a bourbon rocks at the moment and will probably have a few of these tonight...I will be up bright and early tomorrow morning to rock some snatches in the gym. I'm sure my performance is somewhat better if I had not consumed any alcohol...but it's Friday, so that aint happening...and it's not like I'm trying to break world records here or anything.0
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I suppose it's like anything else...moderation!-1
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Moderation is right and Pre Logging is key.0
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I cycle for wine! I'm riding 44 miles tomorrow. Carb loaded tonight with pasta and wine.0
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RWCrayons best of luck on your cycle tomorrow it is awesome you are able to use the wine as part of your carb load!
SkinnyC and CraftN I agree about the moderation.
WolfM I know exactly where you are coming from that is partly why I posted this.
DaneanP that is very sound advice not drinking to the point of being hungover and lots of water. I also cut back during the week but wonder how healthy that really is the calorie roller coaster so to say. With each drink I am less likely to nibble, not more but it also depends on the company!
LWolf that is hardcore waking up at 4:30 every morning to run after whiskey at night but I guess it does depend on the quantity.
MButt there is always a sacrifice somewhere huh?
Thank you for the replies everyone!0 -
I drink on Friday nights. It's like my turn up night. Usually vodka as it has less calories. I don't count the alcohol in my diary tho. I'm off Saturdays & sleep in a bit, then workout. All things in moderation but be sure to still have fun.0
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Hey there, i figured this might help influence you in your desire to refrain from alcohol consumption while trying to improve in the gymr...
The remnants of alcohol stays in your system 96 hours.
remnants of alcohol don’t allow your skeletal muscles to utilize carbohydrates effectively, which are primary source of fuel (energy)
Also, the remnants of alcohol don’t allow the liver to keep blood glucose levels between 70-110 mg/deciliter, thus leading to a greater perception of exertion and negatively impacting performance...ie less weight lifted and therefore less *GAINS*0 -
Typically after my workout and i usually drink vodka soda. So far i havent noticed it really impacting weight loss.0
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I love a good glass of wine but most days I don't feel like sacrificing food to fit it in my goal so it's rare for me to indulge.0
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Gunnfit that is excellent information, thank you. I wonder what levels of alcohol will cause the effects you mentioned. There is a big difference between a glass of wine a day, one day a week binge, and your fifth of liquor a day use.
Phoenix I concur that it is not worth it to sacrifice food.
Foursirius you are the first person to mention after the workout. Do you mean soda as in club soda or do you mean sugary drink? I met a body builder one time that swore on tonic water after a workout. Do you feel the calories in that concoction help with recovery?
Asara, Friday and Saturday are my nights. When you work out the next day are you hungover and does it help?0 -
Keep it relatively moderate and you'll be fine. I budgeted 20% of my calories (about 500/day), every day, and it did not affect anything.0
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I think it all comes down to balance. Just like we hear it is valuable to have a good work/life balance, it is important to have a good diet/life balance. Eat (and drink) to live, not the other way around. With that mindset, you can look at your goals, life events, etc. and decide what is best for you. Maybe it is periods of abstaining from alcohol to meet a fitness goal. Or maybe you know that Saturday with the guys is going to involve more than two beers and you cut back calories throughout the week to compensate.0
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I was getting a little crazy with the drinking last year, but I never missed a workout. Frankly, it made the hangover pass quicker. It was much harder to get a great workout TBH, but I did it. I think maybe once or twice I barfed but kept going. That might have been the heat though.
I;ve stopped drinking like that, and I feel sooo much better. My workouts are great again, and I'll probably lose a little extra chub. But I miss the crazy nights. Maybe I'll go for it again this summer lol0 -
Wow you guys thank you so much for the replies. It is good to hear all the different ways of dealing with the ability to have fun in combination with staying fit.
Sunglasses I will always miss the crazy nights but my body is not missing the abuse. Now when I wake up sore it is not because I took a tumble but because I pushed it the extra mile. And that is awesome you never missed a workout.
Allan I could not agree more about balance. That is exactly what I am doing to keep the calories consistent. It is a constant equation to equalize but I enjoy the challenge.
Dopeitup that must be about 3 to 4 drinks a day?
So you all volunteered what you drink and I should do the same. For me it is IPA or dark beers or wine. Hard liquor gets me in trouble. On Fridays it is 3 to 4, Saturdays 6 to 12, and Sundays 3 to 4. I only drink during the week if I am at a conference and others are drinking with the meals. I am not driving those days anyway and still kick my own *kitten* at whatever fitness center the hotel has where I am staying. Otherwise I skip it Monday through Thursday. And like what some of you said, I take into account the total calories in a week and deduct if I have to. I rarely drink anything before a workout but when I do, it always feels too funky so I dislike it.
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Beer and wine make me feel like crap.... I just drink Irish whiskey neat and I am never hung-over or plagued with headaches and get a decent night's sleep.0
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I only drink vodka and patron with lime and water. I think it gives the most bang for your buck at only 69 cal per oz (typical shot is 1.5 oz) but I do miss beer!
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Hey there, i figured this might help influence you in your desire to refrain from alcohol consumption while trying to improve in the gymr...
The remnants of alcohol stays in your system 96 hours.
remnants of alcohol don’t allow your skeletal muscles to utilize carbohydrates effectively, which are primary source of fuel (energy)
Also, the remnants of alcohol don’t allow the liver to keep blood glucose levels between 70-110 mg/deciliter, thus leading to a greater perception of exertion and negatively impacting performance...ie less weight lifted and therefore less *GAINS*
The list is endless.
It stops vitamin absorption too.
I've actually 'forgotten' all the other crap it does too because
I LOVE WINE
But the year I try out for my countries AG triathlon team I am giving that Kryptonite up.
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log it all but it has an effect on how i workout the next day so have to be careful. one glass of wine can make me feel crappy. a far cry from my younger days0
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I'm in a calorie deficit right now. If I go out and have a few (too many) beers like I do on occasion, then the main workout-related issues for me are dehydration for my next morning run (which is easily managed if I can just remember to do it) and not having enough fuel (actual food) from the evening before to perform well on my run.0
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I only drink a couple times a month, so when I do, it's only 2-3 drinks and I'm done (and I still might even feel mildly hung over the next day!). So I never drink the days before really long marathon training runs. However, warm spring days and summer are right around the corner... and post-run shandy is a shining beacon of hope in the last miles of an 18 mile run.
But generally, I find that alcohol isn't really worth the calories nor the headache (literally). 0 -
I enjoy a good heavy calorie beer every night.....usually about 200 calories or thereabouts. I will drink it maybe an hour or two before bedtime. I love my beer and just fit it in my calorie count.0
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Every evening for me. Beer and whiskey. Never to the point that I can't get up for my morning workout though.
After a hard long ride or run, invariably I will "rehydrate" with a nice beer.0 -
I drink beer and switched over to corona because it *seems* lighter. But since the holidays, I've been enjoying wine and champagne. I have to be careful with the latter because it goes right to my head.
I will state however, that I lost definition in my abs from all the drinking. I was probably going out 3-4x week.0 -
Personally I find drinking stalls my weight loss and as another user wrote makes me less careful about what I put in my mouth. I drink Malibu and diet pepsi or wine. Wine seems to slow me more because of all the sugar. I gave up margaritas and daquaris or any cream liquors. So it all depends on my goals. If I'm serious I might drink one drink in a week. If I'm not so serious I still count it. My weight will stall for three days after consuming more than 2 drinks. No matter what the poison.
Good post. Thank you. I've enjoyed what others are saying.1 -
My diary is open. More than welcome to see the amount I drink and how often. I have been very open in multiple threads about my consumption. I like it. I won't give it up. And I fit it into my calories.
NORMALLY I do not see a change in my performance at the gym. If I have a heavy late night... I will be sluggish and I must rehydrate and wait until the afternoon to workout. But that is so seldom that I don't worry about it.
Usually I drink 1-2 glasses of wine or 2-3
Double rum and sprites. I'm about to test out the rum with a different mixer to see if I can shave off 100 calories. Cheers0 -
You and I must have shopped at the same liver store. Sometimes I swear I am immune to alcohol...Every evening for me. Beer and whiskey. Never to the point that I can't get up for my morning workout though.
After a hard long ride or run, invariably I will "rehydrate" with a nice beer.
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LoneWolfRunner wrote: »
You and I must have shopped at the same liver store. Sometimes I swear I am immune to alcohol...Every evening for me. Beer and whiskey. Never to the point that I can't get up for my morning workout though.
After a hard long ride or run, invariably I will "rehydrate" with a nice beer.
Mine is well trained, that's for sure 0
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