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I’m back! And after 2 weeks of partying in much warmer climates I’ve managed to put on 4kg…mainly because I wasn’t following this month's tip!

This month I have decided to talk about alcohol and its impacts on reaching your fitness training goals. Now before you delete this email…I am not so naïve as to recommend total abstinence (because that would make me a hypocrite), but I thought it would be good to at least know how drinking can affect what you are trying to achieve with your training and what options there are.

Alcohol impacts on body fat composition…in a bad way

When you drink alcohol, it is the first fuel the body uses. This means that while there is alcohol in your system your body will not burn fat, which isn’t great news for those who have this as a training goal. Alcohol increases your appetite for fatty food Ever wondered why you have a craving for a kebab, crisps, some wedges, or bacon and eggs the morning after for that matter? Alcohol tends to have an appetite stimulating effect as it provides little in the way of nutrition, leaving a craving for other foods, which are most often of the fatty* and salty* (*tasty) variety. It is often the case that it is not the alcohol that makes you gain weight but the food that you eat with it.

Alcohol can lower your motivation

Ever tried training on a hangover? Although it helps remove the headache by releasing endorphins, cardio training with a hangover can also be potentially dangerous as you are often dehydrated.

If you are going to drink, you should consider the following
  • They don’t call it a “beer belly” for nothing! Beer generally has the most kilojoules of common alcoholic beverages. Thankfully there are a few low carbohydrate alternatives now available on the market which contain about the same kilojoules as a glass of wine.
  • Wine contains about half the kilojoules of full strength beer, and the antioxidants in red wine are good for your heart (in moderation of course).
  • Straight spirits contain the lowest kilojoules (with Vodka being the winner) but ensure that the mixer is sugarless, this means avoiding soft drink, juice and cordial. Vodka, Fresh Lime and Soda is the lowest kilojoule option (thanks for the sponsorship dollars Mr Smirnoff)
  • Avoid binge drinking as much as possible. This causes an increase in appetite for fatty foods and means you will be less likely to be able to exercise the next day.
  • Drink water between alcoholic drinks to avoid dehydration.

Til next month,

Chris

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