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17/1/2023 Do Alcohol & Fitness Go Along Well?Are you a gym goer who loves to party?
At first glance, these two lifestyles may seem like they don’t mix. With one known for promoting the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and the other being perceived as potentially damaging. But is it true that alcohol and fitness can't possibly coexist peacefully? Let's break down this complicated relationship between working out and drinking so you can make an informed decision about how best to combine your two passions. The Traditional Fitness Paradigm It's no surprise that gym goers take their training and nutrition practices very seriously. Whether they're striving towards a healthy lifestyle or aiming to achieve impressive results, many are willing to go to drastic lengths to reach their goals - including giving up other habits like drinking. It seems that in order to build muscle and shed fat, most gym enthusiasts have cultivated an all-or-nothing outlook when it comes to their training regimens and diets. Of course, the real question is whether ignoring all other habits without engaging in any moderation can genuinely lead one down the path of success quicker. To dig deeper, let’s have a look at the effects of alcohol. The Fun Part Getting drunk is a universal pastime, with millions of people around the world reaching for the bottle to take away their worries or make any given night a bit more interesting. But why do we celebrate with alcohol? Some say it's to relieve stress, while others say it's simply because it tastes good. Regardless of why we get drunk, the end result is the same - a loss of inhibitions in an effort to dance like nobody's watching and let loose for a night! Side-Effects Of Alcohol Though alcohol is often lauded in pop culture and social settings, and it is fun, to say the least, it has far-reaching implications on bodily health. Long-term, heavy drinking can have a negative effect on nearly every system and organ in the body. Extended exposure to alcohol increases risks for liver damage and certain cancers, as well as a range of heart and nerve issues. Drinking can also exacerbate existing illnesses or lead to related problems, such as mixing medication with alcohol - an often overlooked issue in many medical discussions. Fortunately, reducing or abstaining from alcohol consumption usually leads to improved overall health over time, so being cognizant of one's drinking habits is essential to maintaining both mental and physical well-being. A Bad Habit It is well-documented that those who abuse alcohol are often part of a bigger problem: an addictive personality. Research suggests that this type of person not only has a drinking problem but they may also smoke cigarettes or engage in other behaviors that increase their risk for health problems. Individuals who struggle with addiction will usually turn to one substance or behavior as their primary means of coping. They avoid addressing the root causes of their challenges and instead use these substances or activities to self-medicate and attempt to feel better. While it is common knowledge that alcohol can have damaging effects on a person's physical health and mental well-being, those with problematic drinking habits may have additional issues beyond just misuse of alcohol. Moderation Is Key It's hard to deny that there are some rather conflicting messages out there when it comes to the subject of fitness and alcohol. While many health professionals advise us to stay away from drinking altogether, the fact remains that some people simply enjoy an occasional tipple now and again. The key is striking a balance between moderate, responsible drinking and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. As long as it’s done in moderation - and without any impairing effects on your physical activities or nutrition intake - one drink every now and then can do no harm. After all, a little bit of what you fancy won’t hurt... right? Conclusions So there you have it, everything you need to know about how alcohol and fitness affect each other. If you drink in moderation and focus on good habits, enjoying a drink every now and then it won't have a huge impact on your health. Just remember to exercise, stay hydrated, get enough sleep, and eat healthily! And as always, if you have any questions or concerns, be sure to consult with your doctor or dietitian. Thanks for reading! Going to the gym can seem like a daunting task — between finding the motivation and getting into a consistent workout routine, there’s already enough on your plate.
But add in fretting over dieting trends and nutritional culture, snacks included (or excluded), and it might seem like too much of an uphill battle! Dieting is no laughing matter – we all want to be our healthiest selves – but sometimes taking yourself too seriously can keep you from making progress. But do you really NEED to diet? Let's have a look at the different facets of nutrition to give you insight into a mindset change regarding nutrition. Shall we? The Dieting Pandemic Dieting is the practice of limiting one's food or beverage intake for a period of time, usually for health or weight-loss purposes. Oftentimes, dieting can be a difficult journey as it requires great discipline and determination. While dieting can result in fruitful outcomes such as improved health or achieving that desired body image, many find the dieting mindset to be baffling. This is because it poses difficult challenges, such as sacrificing the taste of your favorite desserts and meals, decreased energy levels due to limited nutrition intake, and those pesky cravings. All in all, the dieting mindset implies the acceptance that you have to go through a time of restriction to achieve a certain goal with your weight and/or fitness. The Flip Side: Habit Cultivation For anyone with weight loss goals, extreme or short-term dieting strategies can often be counterproductive. Instead of maintaining a rigorous eating plan and feeling like it's impossible to adhere to it, making new and lasting habits is an easier and more effective way to achieve long-term success. Implementing healthier habits that are tailored towards individual needs and activity levels provides a much more sustainable lifestyle, leading to successful and sustained weight loss results. Taking the time to focus on developing a lifestyle change not only leads to better physical results but also boosts confidence levels in taking ownership of one's own health journey. Your Relationship With Food Now, with the above-said in mind, a question may pop up - why look at eating as culture, rather than a diet plan with a start and end date? Well, because making changes to your eating habits is an important step in cultivating a healthy relationship with food. Eating healthy and balanced meals on a regular basis can be beneficial to your overall well-being. Instead of resorting to restrictive diets, focus more on eating nutritious foods, such as fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats. Making simple adjustments like reducing added sugar consumption and avoiding processed foods will have as much (and even more) of an impact on health outcomes as adhering to a restrictive diet or 'cleanse.' Implementing good eating habits creates positive long-term effects instead of short-term results that come from other methods. It helps create real change for the betterment of physical and mental health and does not leave you feeling deprived or ashamed from having to restrict certain types of food away from your diet. Instead, it celebrates mindful, enjoyable eating that is focused on all-round nutritional value. So, yes! The "secret" is to create a healthy relationship with food, first and foremost. Start Small Making small, manageable changes is often the best way to create a healthy eating habit that can last a lifetime. For example, replacing sugary snacks with healthier alternatives such as fresh fruit or nuts can be done gradually and does not require big alterations. Getting in the habit of eating slowly has been proven to help individuals feel fuller for longer and can be practiced without having to make drastic changes. Additionally, incorporating more nutritious options in meals gives you the benefits of higher energy levels, more satiation, and better overall mental and physical health. No matter your individual dietary requirements, making small modifications to your diet is the key to sustaining a healthier lifestyle. Start off small! Final Thoughts The next time someone you know tells you they’re “going on a diet,” stop them right in their tracks. Yes, dieting is a real thing and it may have some benefits – but that doesn’t mean we should just accept it as the only option. There is so much more that can be done to create better eating habits without having to resort to fad diets or other extreme measures. If we all work together to shift the paradigm, maybe – just maybe – we can finally break free from the cycle of yo-yo dieting and poor nutrition once and for all. What do you think? Are you ready to make a change? |
AuthorI have been weight training, running and cycling for 38 years and I have gained a vast amount of experience in fitness both as a Soldier in The British Army and in the past 22 years having been involved in the fitness industry. Archives
February 2023
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