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Being healthy but still drink alcohol…mutually exclusive?
Posted on 3/18/25 at 4:48 pm
Posted on 3/18/25 at 4:48 pm
This is a topic that most posters have huge issues with in either direction…but what are your thoughts and what do you “know” about it?
Personally, my thoughts are:
If having a good time occasionally with a couple drinks doesn’t negatively impact your fitness/gains, great! You do you!
If it gets in the way of you meeting your goals, ahhhh…you aren’t that serious about your goals.
But as far as your knowledge of the impact of drinking alcohol, what do you know? Does the impact of alcohol increasing inflammation prevent strength growth? Hypertrophy? Recovery? The answer may be YES universally, but what is your experience if you are a drinker and work out regularly…
Sorry for offending those of you that I’m sure will be offended by the question, but I’m honestly looking for anecdotes/feedback based on personal experience or what you’ve come to learn from research or other anecdotal evidence.
I’ll hang up and listen…
Personally, my thoughts are:
If having a good time occasionally with a couple drinks doesn’t negatively impact your fitness/gains, great! You do you!
If it gets in the way of you meeting your goals, ahhhh…you aren’t that serious about your goals.
But as far as your knowledge of the impact of drinking alcohol, what do you know? Does the impact of alcohol increasing inflammation prevent strength growth? Hypertrophy? Recovery? The answer may be YES universally, but what is your experience if you are a drinker and work out regularly…
Sorry for offending those of you that I’m sure will be offended by the question, but I’m honestly looking for anecdotes/feedback based on personal experience or what you’ve come to learn from research or other anecdotal evidence.
I’ll hang up and listen…
This post was edited on 3/18/25 at 4:55 pm
14
Posted on 3/18/25 at 5:06 pm to TigerReich
I usually have a frozen margarita during my cooldown. Very refreshing.
Posted on 3/18/25 at 6:30 pm to TigerReich
quote:
But as far as your knowledge of the impact of drinking alcohol, what do you know? Does the impact of alcohol increasing inflammation prevent strength growth? Hypertrophy? Recovery? The answer may be YES universally, but what is your experience if you are a drinker and work out regularly…
There’s no point in anecdotes. Alcohol, even in limited quantities affects deep sleep. Deep sleep is when virtually all growth hormone is created.
So alcohol affects any kind of fitness gains because it affects your sleep. Everyone’s. That doesn’t mean you can’t drink at all and not make gains, but you are stunting them bigly any time you drink. Full stop.
Posted on 3/18/25 at 6:43 pm to Mingo Was His NameO
All of that and if I lean in to one I’m not 100% for two days. So even if I force myself to run or go to the gym it’s a half arse effort.
Did dry January and have just stayed with it. Feel better, look better, better sleep blah blah.
So for me yes it makes a big difference.
Did dry January and have just stayed with it. Feel better, look better, better sleep blah blah.
So for me yes it makes a big difference.
Posted on 3/18/25 at 7:39 pm to TigerReich
It def affects your overall health in a negative way. Degree depends on consumption amt.
Posted on 3/18/25 at 9:05 pm to TigerReich
Don't listen to Mingo, there's plenty of points in anecdotes.
It sounds like you've probably got a pretty good grasp of the reality of the situation. What you're saying is pretty spot on.
Your physical health without alcohol in your diet > your physical health with alcohol in your diet. Yep, no doubt.
That being said, no they aren't mutually exclusive. Just because you aren't the best possible physical version of yourself if you tip a few back with some frequency doesn't mean you can't be a physically impressive and healthy person. I drink a bunch when I'm not on prep. Like a bunch. And I'm bigger and stronger and look better than teetotaling Mingo. There's an anecdotal evidence point for ya.
And I'm only trying to bash on Mingo 'cause he rubs not drinking in people's face as much as vegans spout off about not eating meat. I have loads of respect for folks who don't drink. Just not Mingo.
It sounds like you've probably got a pretty good grasp of the reality of the situation. What you're saying is pretty spot on.
Your physical health without alcohol in your diet > your physical health with alcohol in your diet. Yep, no doubt.
That being said, no they aren't mutually exclusive. Just because you aren't the best possible physical version of yourself if you tip a few back with some frequency doesn't mean you can't be a physically impressive and healthy person. I drink a bunch when I'm not on prep. Like a bunch. And I'm bigger and stronger and look better than teetotaling Mingo. There's an anecdotal evidence point for ya.
And I'm only trying to bash on Mingo 'cause he rubs not drinking in people's face as much as vegans spout off about not eating meat. I have loads of respect for folks who don't drink. Just not Mingo.
Posted on 3/18/25 at 9:09 pm to Fe_Mike
quote:
And I'm only trying to bash on Mingo 'cause he rubs not drinking in people's face as much as vegans spout off about not eating meat. I have loads of respect for folks who don't drink.
I got frickin hammered this weekend baw
Posted on 3/18/25 at 9:11 pm to Mingo Was His NameO
I stand corrected. I'm proud of you.
Posted on 3/18/25 at 9:18 pm to Fe_Mike
From my understanding, the ideal amount of alcohol to consume is zero, with no exceptions. Just because a poison provides some anxiolytic effects does not make anything other than a poison. Having said that, some people can still be mostly healthy while having a few drinks a week but the closer you get to zero drinks the rest of your life the better.
This post was edited on 3/19/25 at 8:05 am
Posted on 3/18/25 at 10:46 pm to TigerReich
quote:
Being healthy but still drink alcohol…mutually exclusive?
The truth of it is this. Alcohol negatively effects your gains/physique/sleep/etc... There really is no disputing that, at all.
But your question was about "Being Healthy". One of the few things overlooked about this question is stress. My take is that stress, and what I'm talking about is distress, is more detrimental to a person's health.
Drinking in moderation a couple of times a week will have negative effects on your athletic performance. But, it may have positive effects on your stress management, which in turn will decrease the sympathetic nervous system's output on the body. Leading to...Less metabolic stress and a general increase in being healthy.
Of course this all depends on the "Drinking in moderation" part that I said. Excessive drinking will provide a negative effect on health.
Posted on 3/19/25 at 7:21 am to TigerReich
I'm fully aware that alcohol is a poison and the only reason I drink is because I want to drink.
Depends on what your goals are. Mine are to feel good and look good naked. Having a 6 pack on the weekend doesn't really mess those goals up for me. I'm not trying to be sub 10% bf shredded. 2 or 3 beers on the weekend puts me in a state of deep relaxation. I'm sure there are probably some minor benefits to that but yeah, I like it so I do it.
ETA: if you're drinking a case of coors light per week that's 2450 empty calories per week. If you're trying to lose weigth that can easily be the difference between losing/gaining weight.
quote:
If it gets in the way of you meeting your goals, ahhhh…you aren’t that serious about your goals.
Depends on what your goals are. Mine are to feel good and look good naked. Having a 6 pack on the weekend doesn't really mess those goals up for me. I'm not trying to be sub 10% bf shredded. 2 or 3 beers on the weekend puts me in a state of deep relaxation. I'm sure there are probably some minor benefits to that but yeah, I like it so I do it.
ETA: if you're drinking a case of coors light per week that's 2450 empty calories per week. If you're trying to lose weigth that can easily be the difference between losing/gaining weight.
This post was edited on 3/19/25 at 9:53 am
Posted on 3/19/25 at 9:34 am to Mingo Was His NameO
For lent I gave up drinking during the week. What a difference! I find that I'm definitely getting better sleep. And if I drink on the weekends, it is 1-2 glasses of bourbon and that is it.
Posted on 3/19/25 at 10:01 am to TigerReich
I take my health very seriously. Only do carnivore diet. Calisthenics 6x/week, very low body fat....
I sip on some scotch 2-4x a week. No beer
I sip on some scotch 2-4x a week. No beer
Posted on 3/19/25 at 10:31 am to TigerReich
quote:
Does the impact of alcohol increasing inflammation prevent strength growth?
I notice immediately after a night of drinking that my elbows and knees hurt considerably more.
quote:
what is your experience if you are a drinker and work out regularly
This has been an incredibly hard lesson for me to learn, I love to drink but it doesn't work for me. I have cut back considerably in my alcohol intake and my bf% has steadily decreased, sleep vastly improved, mood is 10x better and my energy levels are high even after waking in the morning.
For me, I have to drink with a purpose. I will drink if I know that I have a day to blow on recovery and feeling at 50% for the next 24-48 hours. Mixing in some pedialytes will help but I am still very tired the next day.
Posted on 3/19/25 at 11:08 am to TigerReich
It's all about life balance.
I like the gym, I like beer.
Gym during the week, beer on the weekend.
Problem solved.
I like the gym, I like beer.
Gym during the week, beer on the weekend.
Problem solved.
Posted on 3/19/25 at 12:01 pm to tke_swamprat
quote:
And if I drink on the weekends, it is 1-2 glasses of bourbon and that is it.
But how late were you staying up previously, and how late are you staying up now that alcohol intake has been adjusted?
Posted on 3/19/25 at 12:12 pm to LemmyLives
I’m in bed for 9:30-10 either way.
Posted on 3/19/25 at 12:19 pm to tke_swamprat
Ah, ok. The aftermath for me is always related to how late it keeps me up, not necessarily the booze itself.
Posted on 3/19/25 at 1:11 pm to Mingo Was His NameO
quote:
So alcohol affects any kind of fitness gains because it affects your sleep. Everyone’s. That doesn’t mean you can’t drink at all and not make gains, but you are stunting them bigly any time you drink. Full stop.
This is 100% true and the hardest thing for people to swallow.
One drink won't kill you. One drink will affect your sleep. This is true for humans because as a human being, once alcohol is metabolized, there’s a rebound in glutamate activity, causing restlessness and frequent awakenings.
LINK
I drink. I drink knowing that during that night's rest, I won't get good sleep and the next day will be tougher to get through than if I had not drank. You must be realistic. You can't be perfect.
Sometimes it's okay to do something even if you know it isn't good for you. There's no moral referendum on you if you decide to not do the healthiest thing because you want to have a drink, either alone to relax or with friends.
Posted on 3/19/25 at 2:49 pm to LemmyLives
Latest I'll stay up is 10:30 and that's usually only if I'm waiting on my wife. 
Other than that, I may even be in bed for 9.
Other than that, I may even be in bed for 9.
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