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Will Alcohol Really Ruin Your Workout?

Will Alcohol Really Ruin Your Workout?

Will Alcohol Really Ruin Your Workout?
29 April 2015

We all know alcohol isn’t healthy – aside from fuelling 3am Chicken Cottage visits, it can affect training. We asked Joe Wicks of The Body Coach 90-Day ‘Shape Shift & Sustain’ programme (thebodycoach.co.uk) for his insight.

It stops fat burning

“Drinking alcohol puts the brakes on fat burning until it’s out of your system. When hungover, you’ll crave sugar and eat junk; if you make it to the gym you won’t smash a workout because you won’t have fuelled correctly."

It’s a waste of calories

“Calories from alcohol are useless; they can’t be stored or converted into muscle. I love food, so I think it’s a waste to drink calories when you could eat them. You could have a beer with 250 calories or a piece of salmon, which will help fuel your body.”

Its effects vary

“Some people drink loads and bounce back, but I am not one of them. If I have the odd boozy Saturday, I know Sunday is a write-off, and my workout on Monday won’t be as good."

But, if you insist…

“If you do get on it, avoid sugary cocktails and high-calorie drinks such as beer. Gin and tonic with lime is low calorie and you don’t get as much of a hangover."