Alcohol, a total disaster for training results?

The spring is here, the sun is shining and it's now, more than ever you would like to drink a cold beer in the sun, or in example some ice cold white wine together with shrimps and tasty sea food! yummy!

BUT! also, this is often the time people are working towards the summer body of 2013 - what influences has alcohol on Fat loss? Strength gains? Endurance? Hypertrophy?

Well, I don't have all the answers, but I can give you some facts about alcohol! :)

The reason why I'm writing about this now, is because as you might know: I've been a little slack when it comes to the food and beverages chosen lately: And you know what? the training has never been harder!! I usually stay away from alcohol, and now I remember why: I feel terrible! The training has literally been a nightmare the last week, after I had 1 or 10 drinks too much last weekend! And it still feels bad, no energy, no strenght and every workout has been a mental test (pushing myself through every single exercise)! One week after! :-O Noooo good!



So, What is alcohol?

- A legal sedative drug
- A normal ingredient in social happenings

- Calories per gram = 7
(But lack the nutritiens beneficial for healthy metabolism --> hasten fat storage) - and don't forget calories coming from what the alcohol is mixed with/developed from.

1 gram	Calories
Carbohydrates	4
Protein	4
Fat	9
Alcohol	7

Alcohol has well-documented effects: like: diminished performance, metal impairment, possible addiction, diabetes and liver disease.
(Sounds pretty bad huh?!)


BUT of course, everything is related to the extent of consumption.

We get alcohol from different sources, but did you know that:

* Beer contains estrogen (female hormones)
- Estrogen causes man boobs and beer belly

* Slows fat loss
Alcohol is the first fuel to be used when combined with carbohydrates, fats and proteins - wich means the body burns alcohol until it gets rid of it - before it uses the other nutrition's. Which means it is postponing the fat-burning process, and thereby contributing to a greater fat storage.
Meaning: You don't burn fat as long as you have alcohol in your body, and if you are adding alcohol to the food you normally need, you will also gain fat.

* Contains empty calories
= No nutritional value, opposite to ie. proteins which is the building blocks of the body. 

* Affects the quality of sleep
- bader quality of sleep --> poorer restitution --> less energy --> stress --> more hungry -->-->

* Dehydrates the body (Hangovers)

* Bad for you liver

A little summary:

Yes, you got me!! I kind of summarized all the badest sides from alcohol!! - mostly to remind myself of the bad effects, because I want to stay away from it during my diet.. maybe it also helps you, if you have something you want to achieve?


And for the others of you, I don't think is too unhealthy to have a glass once in a while, but everything in moderation ;)
There is also science saying a glass of red wine everyday, makes you okey ;)



Sources:
http://stronglifts.com/alcohol-strength-training/
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/drobson194.htm