Alcohol???

So I work for a beer distributor and we get free beer non-stop.  So I drink a few every night.  My question is how much will drinking alcohol effect my gains/cutting?  I have a feeling that if I cut out the drinking that I could make some serious progress.  Thoughts, comments, and suggestions all welcome.  Thanks.

A few everynight is probably OK but none is better. Are really having a few or are you having like 10? I would try and cut it back to a few nights a week.

beer and any alcohol lowers your testosterone and raises estrogen.

Someone can be in great shape and drink occasionally but they would be in even better shape if they didnt drink at all.  Its up to you and how important getting drunk vs. getting in shape are to you.

working on explosive phase
vertical: 35
weight: 206

Big 3: 300/440/515

Strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle.

RollingStone


...beer and any alcohol lowers your testosterone and raises estrogen...

Case closed.  For me, at least

But there's another, extremely detrimental effect that you left out, 'Stone: Alcohol (even moderate amounts) depletes the glycogen stored in your liver.  Oops!  There go all those carbs I've been beating up my pancreas trying to metabolize into muscle fuel!  D'Oh!!!  Not to mention, the increased load on your liver pulls water away from other metabolic processes, so it accelerates dehydration.

And then there is the reduced inhibitions that make you more prone to make bad decisions (like grazing on junk food when you're trying to cut).

My home away from DBB

To be 100% in all aspects of the sport, I'd suggest dropping all bad habits.

I can't say anything really because I smoke and I drink once or twice a year with the family, but I am throwing away the smokes and I won't touch the alcohol again until my wedding day.

Perrynaytor

 I won't touch the alcohol again until my wedding day.

Wow, that's dedication man.  I applaud you for it.  (so when's the special date??)

IMO, a few every now and then (say, a few times a month) won't hold you back too much.  But a few every night is excessive, and you should probably cut it out.  It's not easy to turn down free beer though!  

We will probably be wed in early 2011.. Hopefully in the snow. No real set time yet, it's just coming soon, thats for sure.

But yeah, on topic, a few times a month is good if you absolutely have to bro.

snatchula


IMO, a few every now and then (say, a few times a month) won't hold you back too much.  But a few every night is excessive, and you should probably cut it out.  It's not easy to turn down free beer though!  

At the risk of revealing myself to be a Jillian Michaels fanboy, I was just reading about alcohol in her book Master your Metabolism.  It's mostly geared toward women trying to lose weight, but there's a lot of interesting info in there for guys too about how our environment and food choices affect our hormonal health.  She lists alcohol as an "antinutrient", and is more strict about it than most trainers (did anyone see the way she blew up at Helen on last season's Biggest Loser for boozing it up on their one night away from the ranch?  Oh my god, I thought she was going to have kittens.)

The good news for us guys, however, is that we handle all those detrimental effects only slightly better than women, and she acknowleges that red wine in moderation can reduce inflammation and promote health, etc. etc. (you've heard it all before).  BUT, she is quick to point out, the benefits pretty much max out at one drink a day.

Normally, when I'm going balls crazy with the exercise and dieting, I just naturally prefer to avoid alcohol, because it exhausts me and screws with my sleep.  But just that bit about liver glycogen made me feel a lot better about skipping the sauce.

My home away from DBB

I thought a lot of what these guys are telling you was exaggerated when I first looked into the same thing. So I took measurements and continued drinking for about 6 weeks, then stopped drinking and did 6 weeks drinking nothing but coffee(black) and water and there is definitely a large difference.

Also now that I am down in the 11% BF range if I go out for a weekend with buddies and end up drinking for just that weekend you can really tell in the mirror just how bloated you get.

edit: I am also in my 30's and that may have an effect on how my body handles it, you should just take 6 weeks off and record the changes. I think you will be surprised.