The Skinny on Booze - JP Fitness Forums

FreeAtefeh · 01-23-2007, 07:54 PM

I had a quick peek through some other threads and didn't see anything that addressed my question, but if it has been discussed somewhere else, please feel free to just direct me to it.

I never really thought about how much I drank. This is probably because I've always hung out with people who drank more than me and my job revolves fairly heavily around social engagements and general partying. Rough life, I know.

However, since I started training more seriously and more over, studying for my personal training certification, I've really begun to note the toll that nights of drinking have on my mind and body. More specifically, my mind and as a result body.

I know that one of the main reasons too much drinking is a bad for your health is that your generally less motivated the next day. My question is, though, are there any other proven correlations between drinking and fat loss and/or muscle gain -- or lack thereof as the case may be.

After looking into it, I've basically came up with 6 of one half, half dozen of the other. Some seem to think it causes weight gain, some think not.

My drink of choice is vodka and water or diet coke, but I know vodka still carries enough calories to put a dent in an otherwise healthy lifestyle.

Essentially, I don't want to be kidding myself. If it's effecting me (in ways other than the subsequent lack of motivation) I'd like to know. I have a few goals I still want to reach and it'd be nice to minimize the hurdles -- or at least acknowledge them.

I appreciate any help or redirection.

emartin10 · 01-23-2007, 08:05 PM

Not only is it extra calories, but alcohol has a diuretic effect that will dehydrate you. Alcohol also converts more readily to fat, so it will hinder your fat loss goals. I have a drink or 2 a night for sanity's sake, but it's 99% of the time red wine - which I make room for in my diet. Someone more knowledgable can chime in now...

E

ParanoidAndroid · 01-23-2007, 08:11 PM

No ones gonna say that vodka is good for you. It's not terrible though, there are worse things you can drink.

But drinking once a week won't kill your progress given your diet is dialed in and your training hard.

FreeAtefeh · 01-23-2007, 08:13 PM

Haha - Oh my, if it were only once a week.

There may be one night a week when I don't drink anything, though...

Frank.S · 01-23-2007, 08:46 PM

Thats alcoholism, yes even if its only a couple.

Nothing else is digested with alcohol in your system is what I have read. Its going to have bad physique implications, also people tend to binge eat when they drink. Many people dont sleep well after drinking as well (dont get into rem sleep).

Plus liver, blood pressure, mental and even muscular effects (increased doms for many) are all horrible for your health.

I limit it to 1-2 beers a month.. Im a university student who likes to party, if I can do it, really, anyone can. Last year I was drinking upwards of 30 beers a week. My physique sucked badly and I was not healthy. I would seriously consider looking into it more.

Frank.S · 01-23-2007, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ParanoidAndroid

But drinking once a week won't kill your progress given your diet is dialed in and your training hard.

Drinking wont. Binge drinking will seriously limit your possible gains though.

ParanoidAndroid · 01-23-2007, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank.S

Drinking wont. Binge drinking will seriously limit your possible gains though.

yeah if you're binge drinking every week youre gonna get screwed. But I'm talking of a couple of drinks on the weekends, nothing crazy.

Terry Monk · 01-23-2007, 09:25 PM

Sounds like she drinks more than a couple more nights than not. That's alcoholism.
I'd consider trying to drink a non-alcoholic beverage if it's a must due to work. That or find another job. :p

Aoife · 01-23-2007, 10:22 PM

No, alcoholism is if you actually have a problem with it and can't stop. Otherwise it's just heavy drinking. I know alcoholics and I know heavy drinkers. BIG difference.

Kevin T. · 01-23-2007, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aoife

No, alcoholism is if you actually have a problem with it and can't stop. Otherwise it's just heavy drinking. I know alcoholics and I know heavy drinkers. BIG difference.

I'm no expert on this, but isn't that kinda like saying there's a difference between a person who is addicted to cigarettes and a person who spokes 2 packs a day? IMO, a heavy drinker is just a person who can't recognize the fact that they have an alcohol problem.

Aoife · 01-23-2007, 10:34 PM

Unless, of course, they can and do stop with no problem what so ever. In which case, you're judging someone based on nothing more than "I drink often." Not even things like "I stash alcohol all over the house" or "I drink alone" or "I drink from dawn till dusk."

Just sayin... Drinking a lot isn't what makes one an alcoholic... maybe potentially on that road heading to it, but there's much more to it than that.

Cynic · 01-23-2007, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin T.

I'm no expert on this, but isn't that kinda like saying there's a difference between a person who is addicted to cigarettes and a person who spokes 2 packs a day? IMO, a heavy drinker is just a person who can't recognize the fact that they have an alcohol problem.

I think the real difference is if it dominates your life and adversely affects other aspects of your life (marriage, job, etc).

Aoife · 01-23-2007, 11:16 PM

And the fact that nicotine is inherently physically addictive, whereas alcohol is not...

ParanoidAndroid · 01-23-2007, 11:49 PM

Agree with what Aoife said...
Smoking to drinking isn't a great comparision.

I know plenty of people who just drink heavy on the weekends but who can stop. People who most usually can't do that.

Frank.S · 01-23-2007, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aoife

And the fact that nicotine is inherently physically addictive, whereas alcohol is not...

Thats debatable.

Take a heavy drinker away from alcohol and they dont just get mental symtoms. Shakes, convultions, hallucinations... Thats physical addiction.

Gaba is so powerful in your brain that is what scares me about heavy alcohol use. Constant downregulation of gaba is what many neuroscientists are predicting/studying scary stuff. In short, the more you drink the lower your life quality will be. Even been links now to light drinkerrs (but constant.. few a week) having higher rates of depression at an older age due to gaba downregulation.

Its true if you not addicted your not truely an alcoholic.

Any actually one point they usually say for alcoholism is-
"Alcoholics have little or no control in frequency of drinking"

Blame work, blame other people, say your not addicted, drinking several times per week is asking for problems. Go a month without drinking even a sip. I bet you cant.

Lost Dog · 01-24-2007, 12:35 AM

What Frank said about alcohol being preferentially processed, is a key. Your body does everything it can to remove the booze from the body. While it's doing this, no fat loss can occur. Plus, any extra calories will be stored.

As to alcoholism, it can take many forms and exist in varying degrees. You can be a weekend binge drinker, who can't stop once he starts. But, the rest of the week, he's dry. Or, you can be physically or mentally addicted, or both. Or, you can drink to escape from reality. Whether this is alcoholism, is debatable. It's a problem, either way.

I think it's strange to call alcoholism when people ask booze questions. I once asked if a non-alcoholic beer had a kind of carb that would be good, post workout, with my dinner. Apparently, I'm an alci because I needed beer so badly that I'd resort to non-alcoholic ones. That I liked the taste of "beer" but didn't want to get sleepy wasn't good enough.

Cynic · 01-24-2007, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aoife

And the fact that nicotine is inherently physically addictive, whereas alcohol is not...

Oh, that's simply not true. My mother is a recovering alchoholic. She definitely had the DTs and withdrawals and delusions.

Jimbo · 01-24-2007, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lost Dog

"What Frank said about alcohol being preferentially processed, is a key. Your body does everything it can to remove the booze from the body. While it's doing this, no fat loss can occur. Plus, any extra calories will be stored."

"I think it's strange to call alcoholism when people ask booze questions."

What LD said. Alcohol is between a carb and a fat so lots of calories. But worse..slows down your metabolism. So it works against your goals. Keep that in mind.

And I second LD...I think it's a bit over the top to start telling someone they are an alcoholic..perhaps a mild warning about the addiction was in order but to just say..oh..you have alcoholism. Sheesh

She has 4 post here..and BOOM...we tell her she's an alcoholic. I just think that's a bit strange myself.

Now I'm gonna go get drunk. Excuse me...