Is alcohol interfering with your goals?

Wondering if your nightly cocktail or night out on the weekends is affecting your training? It could be. Alcohol can have several negative effects on fitness and overall health, including:

Weight gain: Alcohol is high in calories but has no nutritional value.

Impaired workouts and recovery: Alcohol can interfere with protein synthesis, which is critical for building and repairing muscles.

It can also decrease glycogen storage, which is the primary source of energy for your workouts. This combination can cause slower recovery times and reduced gains from your workouts.

Dehydration: Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it dehydrates. If you do drink, be sure to alternate water between cocktails and consider adding electrolytes. 

Sleep disruption: Often, people drink alcohol to relax or help them sleep. However, alcohol actually disrupts sleep patterns and impairs sleep quality. If you want to improve your sleep, try journaling before bed, breathing exercises, a calming stretch routine, a magnesium supplement, and/or herbal tea. 

Do you notice that you are not as sharp or, maybe, a bit cranky or short-tempered the day after drinking? Alcohol can also cause brain fog, low energy, and "hangxiety," or increased feelings of depression and anxiety. 

Often, we reach for a cocktail out of habit or social pressure. If you want to reduce your alcohol intake, try swapping out the nightly cocktail for a mocktail. There are many fun options available, including non-alcoholic craft beers and botanical blends like Aplos.