Many of Friday nights I will partake in the consumption of alcohol with friends. I usually only drink on Friday (or Saturday nights), but usually only once per week. I know it’s not in the recommended safe range, but usually 5 or 6 drinks is normal. I also usually train on Friday after work and as soon as my workout is done, I’m getting ready and then consuming alcohol. Is this bad in terms of recovery from my workout? Would it be better for gainzzz to consume alcohol on a non training day?
I don’t think the timing matters much at all compared to the amount, since many of the effects of training are long-term plays vs short-term. For gainzZz, I’d try to reduce the amount a little over trying to put it on a different day.
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A follow up question. I typically drink to get drunk or catch a decent buzz, which I usually consume at least 5 drinks. This amount can even have negative effects next day (tired, brain fog, I eat like crap, etc…). But also, if I were to consume say only one drink I also say what’s the point, I might as well drink water or a soda. If one were trying to maximize fun from consuming alcohol without too many detrimental effects, what would that range be? I’m pretty black and white thinking, so I toggle back and forth with 1) you only live once, so might as well have fun…to 2) I’m gonna totally stop drinking, get in shape, get my diet in check, etc…
Assuming you’re young and that we’re both around the same age, I can definitely relate with the sentiment about drinking to get drunk vs. not drinking at all, lol. Tbh, going out clubbing/to a bar and drinking is definitely going to be taxing on your body regardless of what you do. Anecdotally, what I find works best for reducing overall groginess is eating a ton of diverse food either while already drunk or immediately after. Because I have to study for law school, I don’t really have the luxury to take a day off to be hungover, so I find this to be a better balance for the time being. Just gotta keep an eye on what you’re eating too!
Realistically though, it sounds like you have anxiety around the weight gain from drinking (very real). I think you should definitely wrestle with that feeling and come up with a compassionate but realistic plan. What I found to be helpful was allowing myself one fun, all-out drinking session w/ friends per week, while acknowledging that yes, I’ll most likely be bloated the day after and that’s a consequence I am willing to accept.
If one were trying to maximize fun from consuming alcohol without too many detrimental effects, what would that range be?
Zero to two drinks would be the recommendation, which is what many dietary guidelines previously recommended. I think the “healthiest” amount of intake with respect to physiology is zero, but I also don’t think infrequent, small to moderate exposures really do much harm. I also think it’s fine to not health- or gainzZz-maxx everything in life provided we accept the known risks.
FWIW, I drink a few times a month, usually a couple cocktails while I’m with friends and I don’t think anything of it. I feel bad enough the next day if I have more than one or two that I don’t do that often.