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For so long, we’ve equated a cocktail at the end of the day with a way to wind down, connect with colleagues, or other moms or women like us; it’s a social norm, a staple at events and celebrations, but the tide is turning on social media these days, with more and more people, including celebrities, talking about why they aren’t drinking alcohol. Many people have ditched the regular nightcap or happy hour drink to feel better mentally or lessen anxiety or depression. Some even do it to get better sleep. But there’s another reason to scale back, or quit altogether, and that’s fitness. While an occasional glass of wine or cocktail may be enjoyable, it's essential to understand the potential impact alcohol consumption can have on your fitness goals, particularly when it comes to muscle growth and fat loss. Dr. Bill Campbell, a fat loss scientist at the University of South Florida, and Amanda Tress, founder and CEO of FASTer Way to Fat Loss, share insight on how alcohol can hinder your progress in several ways.
The Empty Calorie Conundrum
One of the primary concerns with drinking alcohol is the addition of empty calories, which can make it more challenging to reach your desired calorie deficit for fat loss. That’s the most basic reason and one you probably already knew. But, read on, because it’s so much more than that.
Interference with Muscle Protein Synthesis
For those dedicated to building muscle through strength training, alcohol can potentially undermine your efforts. According to Dr. Campbell, "A high level or even moderate level of alcohol works against your body's adaptation to the training stimulus. When we lift weights, we increase something called muscle protein synthesis, and alcohol seems to interfere with that pathway, so we're spinning our wheels a bit with our efforts."
The FASTer Way doesn’t ask clients to abstain completely from alcohol, but does encourage clients to save it as a treat for Leg Day, when the program allows space in its meal plan for a little something extra thanks to the fact the body’s largest muscle group is being worked that day.
The Bottom Line on Alcohol and Fitness
While occasional moderate alcohol consumption may be acceptable for some individuals, it's essential to be mindful of how it can impact your progress. As Dr. Campbell advised, "If you're investing time and energy into lifting weights, you probably don’t want to set yourself back just because you choose to have a daily drink. It makes sense when you think about, you’ve set goals for your health and wellness, you’re already fighting belly fat because of hormonal imbalances, you want to build muscle to help fight aging and keep you mobile, you’re changing what you eat to help make that happen, and putting in time for effective workouts, why not change what you drink too so that works in concert with your goals?
You may consider cutting it out for a period of time, maybe the first 30 days, and see how you feel; take note of the progress in your fitness goals, then consume a drink here and there and measure its impact. You can customize your fitness and nutrition plan around the effects alcohol has on you as an individual.
Mocktails are also popular right now and the FASTer Way Mocktail Guide has great recipes that satisfy the tastebuds and help you stay on track by staying away from alcohol.
By being aware of alcohol's potential drawbacks, you can make informed decisions and prioritize your fitness objectives. Remember, balance and moderation are key when it comes to enjoying alcoholic beverages while pursuing your health and fitness goals.
You can join the FASTer Way to Fat Loss next 6-Week New Client program by clicking here.
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For so long, we’ve equated a cocktail at the end of the day with a way to wind down, connect with colleagues, or other moms or women like us; it’s a social norm, a staple at events and celebrations, but the tide is turning on social media these days, with more and more people, including celebrities, talking about why they aren’t drinking alcohol. Many people have ditched the regular nightcap or happy hour drink to feel better mentally or lessen anxiety or depression. Some even do it to get better sleep. But there’s another reason to scale back, or quit altogether, and that’s fitness. While an occasional glass of wine or cocktail may be enjoyable, it's essential to understand the potential impact alcohol consumption can have on your fitness goals, particularly when it comes to muscle growth and fat loss. Dr. Bill Campbell, a fat loss scientist at the University of South Florida, and Amanda Tress, founder and CEO of FASTer Way to Fat Loss, share insight on how alcohol can hinder your progress in several ways.
The Empty Calorie Conundrum
One of the primary concerns with drinking alcohol is the addition of empty calories, which can make it more challenging to reach your desired calorie deficit for fat loss. That’s the most basic reason and one you probably already knew. But, read on, because it’s so much more than that.
Interference with Muscle Protein Synthesis
For those dedicated to building muscle through strength training, alcohol can potentially undermine your efforts. According to Dr. Campbell, "A high level or even moderate level of alcohol works against your body's adaptation to the training stimulus. When we lift weights, we increase something called muscle protein synthesis, and alcohol seems to interfere with that pathway, so we're spinning our wheels a bit with our efforts."
The FASTer Way doesn’t ask clients to abstain completely from alcohol, but does encourage clients to save it as a treat for Leg Day, when the program allows space in its meal plan for a little something extra thanks to the fact the body’s largest muscle group is being worked that day.
The Bottom Line on Alcohol and Fitness
While occasional moderate alcohol consumption may be acceptable for some individuals, it's essential to be mindful of how it can impact your progress. As Dr. Campbell advised, "If you're investing time and energy into lifting weights, you probably don’t want to set yourself back just because you choose to have a daily drink. It makes sense when you think about, you’ve set goals for your health and wellness, you’re already fighting belly fat because of hormonal imbalances, you want to build muscle to help fight aging and keep you mobile, you’re changing what you eat to help make that happen, and putting in time for effective workouts, why not change what you drink too so that works in concert with your goals?
You may consider cutting it out for a period of time, maybe the first 30 days, and see how you feel; take note of the progress in your fitness goals, then consume a drink here and there and measure its impact. You can customize your fitness and nutrition plan around the effects alcohol has on you as an individual.
Mocktails are also popular right now and the FASTer Way Mocktail Guide has great recipes that satisfy the tastebuds and help you stay on track by staying away from alcohol.
By being aware of alcohol's potential drawbacks, you can make informed decisions and prioritize your fitness objectives. Remember, balance and moderation are key when it comes to enjoying alcoholic beverages while pursuing your health and fitness goals.
You can join the FASTer Way to Fat Loss next 6-Week New Client program by clicking here.
Subscribe to our blog
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique.
The Fitness Cost of Alcohol: How It Impacts Muscle Growth and Fat Loss
For so long, we’ve equated a cocktail at the end of the day with a way to wind down, connect with colleagues, or other moms or women like us; it’s a social norm, a staple at events and celebrations, but the tide is turning on social media these days, with more and more people, including celebrities, talking about why they aren’t drinking alcohol. Many people have ditched the regular nightcap or happy hour drink to feel better mentally or lessen anxiety or depression. Some even do it to get better sleep. But there’s another reason to scale back, or quit altogether, and that’s fitness. While an occasional glass of wine or cocktail may be enjoyable, it's essential to understand the potential impact alcohol consumption can have on your fitness goals, particularly when it comes to muscle growth and fat loss. Dr. Bill Campbell, a fat loss scientist at the University of South Florida, and Amanda Tress, founder and CEO of FASTer Way to Fat Loss, share insight on how alcohol can hinder your progress in several ways.
The Empty Calorie Conundrum
One of the primary concerns with drinking alcohol is the addition of empty calories, which can make it more challenging to reach your desired calorie deficit for fat loss. That’s the most basic reason and one you probably already knew. But, read on, because it’s so much more than that.
Interference with Muscle Protein Synthesis
For those dedicated to building muscle through strength training, alcohol can potentially undermine your efforts. According to Dr. Campbell, "A high level or even moderate level of alcohol works against your body's adaptation to the training stimulus. When we lift weights, we increase something called muscle protein synthesis, and alcohol seems to interfere with that pathway, so we're spinning our wheels a bit with our efforts."
The FASTer Way doesn’t ask clients to abstain completely from alcohol, but does encourage clients to save it as a treat for Leg Day, when the program allows space in its meal plan for a little something extra thanks to the fact the body’s largest muscle group is being worked that day.
The Bottom Line on Alcohol and Fitness
While occasional moderate alcohol consumption may be acceptable for some individuals, it's essential to be mindful of how it can impact your progress. As Dr. Campbell advised, "If you're investing time and energy into lifting weights, you probably don’t want to set yourself back just because you choose to have a daily drink. It makes sense when you think about, you’ve set goals for your health and wellness, you’re already fighting belly fat because of hormonal imbalances, you want to build muscle to help fight aging and keep you mobile, you’re changing what you eat to help make that happen, and putting in time for effective workouts, why not change what you drink too so that works in concert with your goals?
You may consider cutting it out for a period of time, maybe the first 30 days, and see how you feel; take note of the progress in your fitness goals, then consume a drink here and there and measure its impact. You can customize your fitness and nutrition plan around the effects alcohol has on you as an individual.
Mocktails are also popular right now and the FASTer Way Mocktail Guide has great recipes that satisfy the tastebuds and help you stay on track by staying away from alcohol.
By being aware of alcohol's potential drawbacks, you can make informed decisions and prioritize your fitness objectives. Remember, balance and moderation are key when it comes to enjoying alcoholic beverages while pursuing your health and fitness goals.
You can join the FASTer Way to Fat Loss next 6-Week New Client program by clicking here.
