Alcohol and cutting up

[Sauerkraut]

I'm trying to lose some weight and I was wondering how big a role alcohol plays in weight gain.

I'm going to give up beer for a period of 8 weeks or so cry: ) but I really wanna keep having my glass of scotch when I get back home from work every day.

How much does alcohol contribute to weight gain? I know beer is mostly just carbs, but things like scotch and bourbon probably cause weight gain because people eat a lot when they drink.

What do you guys think?

 

[Quagmire911]

Cut it down to once a week, no more than 8 units. See how you get on. This still isn't a good protocol though. Ideally 4-5 max and better yet none at all.

 

[Throttle]

alcohol throws off your hormones & blood sugar in ways that are more than 'just carbs'. it's not just that people eat when they drink.

can you lose bodyfat while consuming alcohol? if everything else is in order, yeh probably. i lost bodyfat eating mcd's three times a week a few years ago. that doesn't mean that a daily scotch or mcd's every other day is good for you, or optimal for weightloss.

one guy who tried it:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/117772/best_new_diets_scotch_and_salad_revisited.html

 

[splinterkb]

If you work out and drink after.. it pretty much stops the production of testosterone and puts all your bodys effort into metabolizing and getting rid of the alcohol. Cutting out the beer will definitly help.. having a glass of scotch won't kill ya. Eating healthy is more important than cutting out alcohol though.

 

[JohnnyIrish]

If you work out and drink after.. it pretty much stops the production of testosterone and puts all your bodys effort into metabolizing and getting rid of the alcohol. Cutting out the beer will definitly help.. having a glass of scotch won't kill ya. Eating healthy is more important than cutting out alcohol though.

How long after a workout would be optimal to minimize the impact of the alcohol?

Also quagmire, when you say units.. do you mean 8 drinks?

 

[Quagmire911]

Assuming one drink= One 25ml spirit measure.

Ideally you wouldn't drink at all. Obviously this doesn't happen for most.

If I workout on Friday afternoon, then I would try and wait until at least Saturday night. Is this optimal to minimize the impact? I have no idea.

I try to limit drinking to once a week and not get completely hammered. I have found that I can do the above and still train well. Being on a two day helps.

From a fat loss standpoint I would think most people would get away with once a week and not getting completely hammered. Of course there are an insane number of variables, and what I can do and what you can do are two different things. Same applies for everyone.

Just keep it sensible and do something like the above, once a week-not getting hammered. If your training is getting no where and you aren't getting any leaner, it is time to cut it in half, or take it away altogether. This is assuming diet and training are on point.

 

[JohnnyIrish]

Assuming one drink= One 25ml spirit measure.

Ideally you wouldn't drink at all. Obviously this doesn't happen for most.

If I workout on Friday afternoon, then I would try and wait until at least Saturday night. Is this optimal to minimize the impact? I have no idea.

I try to limit drinking to once a week and not get completely hammered. I have found that I can do the above and still train well. Being on a two day helps.

From a fat loss standpoint I would think most people would get away with once a week and not getting completely hammered. Of course there are an insane number of variables, and what I can do and what you can do are two different things. Same applies for everyone.

Just keep it sensible and do something like the above, once a week-not getting hammered. If your training is getting no where and you aren't getting any leaner, it is time to cut it in half, or take it away altogether. This is assuming diet and training are on point.

I'm fortunate and have a low tolerance so I get a buzz from 2-3 beers so I don't drink more then 5 at a clip or I'm toasted.

Also I recommend if your planning on going out partying/drinking to make a protein shake ahead of time sitting in a cooler in say your car so when your done (on your way home) you can drink it down so you won't be so long with out a proper meal.

I've been doing this the past 3 times I've went out (eggs, broccoli, and whey). Might also help prevent hangovers.. :rock:

 

[Sauerkraut]

Thanks for the advice lads.

Now that you mention it, the testosterone loss concerns me more than the potential weight gain.

Think I might lower my consumption drastically or stop all together.

Was wondering why I've been feeling like a p*ssy lately.

 

[BMX]

Alcohol can impair protein synthesis. So if you are lifting, try not to drink alcohol during your workout days I suppose. Johnny Walker will mess with the benefits of a protein shake and the metabolism basically.

 

[splinterkb]

48 hours is a safe bet.

 

[Ricky]

I'm fortunate and have a low tolerance so I get a buzz from 2-3 beers so I don't drink more then 5 at a clip or I'm toasted.

Also I recommend if your planning on going out partying/drinking to make a protein shake ahead of time sitting in a cooler in say your car so when your done (on your way home) you can drink it down so you won't be so long with out a proper meal.

I've been doing this the past 3 times I've went out (eggs, broccoli, and whey). Might also help prevent hangovers.. :rock:

Low tolerance, are you really IRISH! :crackup:

My tolerance varies alot too. it's nice to get a buzz from only a few beers and economical!

 

[JohnnyIrish]

Low tolerance, are you really IRISH! :crackup:

My tolerance varies alot too. it's nice to get a buzz from only a few beers and economical!

Yeah I know.. I don't fit the drunken Irish stereotype.
Economical FTW!

 

[mrRuckus]

I deadlifted on monday, squatted a new 3RM max on friday, played a softball tournament and got drunk (twice) on saturday, and went into the gym deeply sore in my hips and added 2 reps to my deadlift on monday.

shrug.

 

[Quagmire911]

I deadlifted on monday, squatted a new 3RM max on friday, played a softball tournament and got drunk (twice) on saturday, and went into the gym deeply sore in my hips and added 2 reps to my deadlift on monday.

shrug.

Aren't some of us lucky