You most likely know by now that drinking beyond 1-2 drinks of alcohol (in any form) each day is NOT good for you. Here's why:
* The body regards it as estrogen, which is your enemy
* Slows fat loss.
* Full of empty calories.
* Spoils the quality of sleep.
* It dehydrates your body
* Terrible for your liver.
My professional advice: Don't drink at all if you want to make maximum muscle gains and lose as much fat as possible.
Then again, let's admit it. This is the real world, and you probably like to drink as much as the next guy (the younger you are the more you probably like to drink). Therefore here's some tips to keep your muscle building and fat loss on progress when you decide to "indulge":
Drink Plenty of Water
A lot of the bad stuff that comes from drinking can be curbed with water consumption. Alcohol dehydrates you, so drink lots of water before, during (if possible) and definitely before going to bed. Alcohol also helps your body eliminate the massive amount of toxins you just doused it with in the form of alcohol.
Keep Away from Sugary mixers
Refrain from sugary mixers in your hard alcohol. Consuming sugar while drinking alcohol is the worse thing you can do for fat gain.
No carbs
If you're drinking alcohol don't eat carbs beforehand, during or after. To sum up: The carbs get turned to fat much easier because your body is trying to process the alcohol. And Protein will stay with you longer so you won't eat as much and the higher thermic rate makes it less likely to promote fat gain.
Follow the 1-2 drinks a day during weekdays
There's already enough evidence to suggest that 1-3 drinks a day is good for you. If you enjoy drinking a beer or two a day or glasses of wine or whatever, don't worry about it. Try not to binge EVERY night. If you're going to binge
Drink hard only a couple days a week.
Like Friday and Saturday, or something like that. Here's what to do: Don't eat much during the day if you're going to party it up that night. Then make sure you get some good protein into your system to help coat your stomach. Also, some foods high in fiber like beans is also good. It will stay with you and help you feel fuller, maybe absorb some toxins-definitely help flush them out the next day when you "eliminate".
Workout 2-3 hours before you get down
Since your muscles get used up of glycogen after you exercise doing this might make it easier for your body to turn even more of the empty calories you take in later on that night into muscle, in place of fat.
Don't pig out after getting drunk
Most people drink till they're really drunk, then get hungry and decide to eat a bunch of crap food. This is NOT going to help. Follow the protein tip above, and drink more water to help you feel full.
Have fun playing beer pong or other games
You may in fact burn 20-30 calories in a "Vigorous" game of beer pong. You'll most likely drink more though as a result. My advice: Drink a small amount to make your aim better - thus you drink less during the game (because you're winning) which overall leads to less drinking! Play "strip" versions of these games for even more fun.
Be disciplined if you just want to get drunk
It's not good for you (emotionally, mentally OR physically) to drink to "get drunk" but I realize this is why most people do it. They drink since they think it makes them more cool, more gutsy, or more admired. That's all bullsh*t, you really need to get your confidence issues handled, then again I realize most people still do it.
So if you're drinking for "effect" then remember: be efficient. Get a high alcohol spirit like Everclear or 151, cut it with ice and water, or do a couple shots, you'll get drunk faster. And you won't have to drink as much. (at least it's better than drinking 36 beers right?)
I can't believe I'm giving this advice, but I know people will still do it, so just be "efficient" about it and possibly it will help you not to go extreme next time.
Choose low calorie beers and wines
Low-calorie beers are the lowest. Dark stouts such as Guinness are next. Followed by the rest. Red wines are lesser in calories (and contain added resveratrol), followed by the rest.
Hangover help:
Here's some tips if you might be hangover in the morning:
* Stay away from NSAID's such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and all that because mixed with the alcohol it is tremendously bad for your liver and stomach, and the like...
* Drink water and Gatorade to replenish electrolytes, etc...
* Get a dose of multivitamins/multi-mineral supplements so as to further refuel...
* Eat eggs, bacon and the like. They are great sources of protein and it's good for you!
* Exercise moderately to sweat some toxins out (make sure you keep drinking water)
* Catch some z's...
You know you wouldn't though if you do
Decide to "over indulge" you should at least follow the guidelines I've set out here. The real issue you should address is:
"why do I feel the need to drink so much?"
You'll probably find out that it's an issue with your self confidence not being able to say "no" to your peer group or trying to "Fit in" or some other such nonsense. Or you don't like reality and you're just trying to escape from it by getting trashed. None of these things are healthy and you need to get these issues handled before you do some damage. - 15343
* The body regards it as estrogen, which is your enemy
* Slows fat loss.
* Full of empty calories.
* Spoils the quality of sleep.
* It dehydrates your body
* Terrible for your liver.
My professional advice: Don't drink at all if you want to make maximum muscle gains and lose as much fat as possible.
Then again, let's admit it. This is the real world, and you probably like to drink as much as the next guy (the younger you are the more you probably like to drink). Therefore here's some tips to keep your muscle building and fat loss on progress when you decide to "indulge":
Drink Plenty of Water
A lot of the bad stuff that comes from drinking can be curbed with water consumption. Alcohol dehydrates you, so drink lots of water before, during (if possible) and definitely before going to bed. Alcohol also helps your body eliminate the massive amount of toxins you just doused it with in the form of alcohol.
Keep Away from Sugary mixers
Refrain from sugary mixers in your hard alcohol. Consuming sugar while drinking alcohol is the worse thing you can do for fat gain.
No carbs
If you're drinking alcohol don't eat carbs beforehand, during or after. To sum up: The carbs get turned to fat much easier because your body is trying to process the alcohol. And Protein will stay with you longer so you won't eat as much and the higher thermic rate makes it less likely to promote fat gain.
Follow the 1-2 drinks a day during weekdays
There's already enough evidence to suggest that 1-3 drinks a day is good for you. If you enjoy drinking a beer or two a day or glasses of wine or whatever, don't worry about it. Try not to binge EVERY night. If you're going to binge
Drink hard only a couple days a week.
Like Friday and Saturday, or something like that. Here's what to do: Don't eat much during the day if you're going to party it up that night. Then make sure you get some good protein into your system to help coat your stomach. Also, some foods high in fiber like beans is also good. It will stay with you and help you feel fuller, maybe absorb some toxins-definitely help flush them out the next day when you "eliminate".
Workout 2-3 hours before you get down
Since your muscles get used up of glycogen after you exercise doing this might make it easier for your body to turn even more of the empty calories you take in later on that night into muscle, in place of fat.
Don't pig out after getting drunk
Most people drink till they're really drunk, then get hungry and decide to eat a bunch of crap food. This is NOT going to help. Follow the protein tip above, and drink more water to help you feel full.
Have fun playing beer pong or other games
You may in fact burn 20-30 calories in a "Vigorous" game of beer pong. You'll most likely drink more though as a result. My advice: Drink a small amount to make your aim better - thus you drink less during the game (because you're winning) which overall leads to less drinking! Play "strip" versions of these games for even more fun.
Be disciplined if you just want to get drunk
It's not good for you (emotionally, mentally OR physically) to drink to "get drunk" but I realize this is why most people do it. They drink since they think it makes them more cool, more gutsy, or more admired. That's all bullsh*t, you really need to get your confidence issues handled, then again I realize most people still do it.
So if you're drinking for "effect" then remember: be efficient. Get a high alcohol spirit like Everclear or 151, cut it with ice and water, or do a couple shots, you'll get drunk faster. And you won't have to drink as much. (at least it's better than drinking 36 beers right?)
I can't believe I'm giving this advice, but I know people will still do it, so just be "efficient" about it and possibly it will help you not to go extreme next time.
Choose low calorie beers and wines
Low-calorie beers are the lowest. Dark stouts such as Guinness are next. Followed by the rest. Red wines are lesser in calories (and contain added resveratrol), followed by the rest.
Hangover help:
Here's some tips if you might be hangover in the morning:
* Stay away from NSAID's such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and all that because mixed with the alcohol it is tremendously bad for your liver and stomach, and the like...
* Drink water and Gatorade to replenish electrolytes, etc...
* Get a dose of multivitamins/multi-mineral supplements so as to further refuel...
* Eat eggs, bacon and the like. They are great sources of protein and it's good for you!
* Exercise moderately to sweat some toxins out (make sure you keep drinking water)
* Catch some z's...
You know you wouldn't though if you do
Decide to "over indulge" you should at least follow the guidelines I've set out here. The real issue you should address is:
"why do I feel the need to drink so much?"
You'll probably find out that it's an issue with your self confidence not being able to say "no" to your peer group or trying to "Fit in" or some other such nonsense. Or you don't like reality and you're just trying to escape from it by getting trashed. None of these things are healthy and you need to get these issues handled before you do some damage. - 15343
