Sore muscles

dlom2257
dlom2257 Posts: 1 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Can anyone offer any information as to why my muscles are SO much more sore now that I quit drinking?

I was working out at the same intensity for about 4 months but I was drinking 2-3 beers daily. I quit drinking 2 weeks ago and I never got nearly as sore as I do now after working out. It is getting better now, but that first week, I was crazy sore! Any idea why that is?

Replies

  • jessef593
    jessef593 Posts: 2,272 Member
    Have you changed your routine at all, less rest, more stress, different diet?
  • Jthanmyfitnesspal
    Jthanmyfitnesspal Posts: 3,522 Member
    Are you drinking 2-3 x 12oz of something else (e.g., water or electrolyte solution)? And, are you getting all your vitamins? Things to consider.
  • Jthanmyfitnesspal
    Jthanmyfitnesspal Posts: 3,522 Member
    PS Drinking kills my workouts!
  • Cat3141
    Cat3141 Posts: 162 Member
    edited December 2017
    As mentioned above, changes in fluid intake, and whether the fluids being consumed contain electrolytes seems like a likely explanation. As do the questions above about any other changes you might have made about the same time (e.g. stress, longer workouts, less sleep). You might also look at whether the number of calories you're consuming has changed, or if the source of those calories (carbs/protein/fat) has changed.

    Personally, I'd avoid explanations that rely on things like the presence of phytoestrogens--there are a lot of simpler potential explanations that have more scientific backing.

    ETA: Sheer coincidence is also a possible explanation.
  • Cat3141
    Cat3141 Posts: 162 Member
    Jthanmyfitnesspal wrote: »
    PS Drinking kills my workouts!

    Mine too. :(
  • robbyh501
    robbyh501 Posts: 20 Member
    Cat3141 wrote: »
    As mentioned above, changes in fluid intake, and whether the fluids being consumed contain electrolytes seems like a likely explanation. As do the questions above about any other changes you might have made about the same time (e.g. stress, longer workouts, less sleep). You might also look at whether the number of calories you're consuming has changed, or if the source of those calories (carbs/protein/fat) has changed.

    Personally, I'd avoid explanations that rely on things like the presence of phytoestrogens--there are a lot of simpler potential explanations that have more scientific backing.

    ETA: Sheer coincidence is also a possible explanation.

    The theory I put forward is far from being 'avoidable' because all muscles have hormone receptors within them. Correcting (what may have been) a prior hormone imbalance due to the ingestion of an estrogenic substance such as beer might very well enable a working muscle to perform better when a load is placed upon it, enabling for a higher degree of contractile force to be generated. I don't know this for sure, but as I said in my previous post, this theory definitely has some logic behind it. Of course, there may also be other factors causing the extra soreness as well.
  • Jthanmyfitnesspal
    Jthanmyfitnesspal Posts: 3,522 Member
    The phytoestrogen content of beer is probably rather low and it isn’t at all clear what role they play (good, bad, or none) despite significant research. Whatever it is, it is subtle, or it would have been sussed out by now.
  • giantrobot_powerlifting
    giantrobot_powerlifting Posts: 2,598 Member
    edited December 2017
    Just a guess, but all the extra carbs in the beer you were consuming was aiding in your recovery and now that you removed them, you are in a greater calorie deficit.

    Add the missing calories back in by other sources and see how you feel and pass me your unwanted beers.
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