Today I’m sharing three ways alcohol sabotages your fitness goals.

Did you ever wonder if alcohol affects the time you put in at the gym? Well then today’s blog post is for you!

[Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and purchase.] 

I’ve always loved, loved (and loved) to work out. I love running, circuit training and yoga. Lately, I’ve been doing the 21-Day Fix Extreme Videos. I’ve definitely seen some great results and am excited to move on to 80-day obsession!

I really love anything except cycling or riding a stationery bike. And I’m amazed at how much easier it is to have incredible workouts without also asking my body to try to rid itself of the wine.

How alcohol sabotages fitness goals

It’s really no surprise that alcohol absolutely sabotages workouts. But here are three interesting things it does, which work against fitness goals.

#1 It packs on fat

According to Jillian Michaels in her book Making the Cut, alcohol releases estrogen into the bloodstream. “Not only does estrogen promote fat storage and inhibit muscle growth, but frequent estrogen spikes in the body have been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer.”

#2 – It disrupts recovery

From an article in the Active Times: Alcohol depletes important minerals that are important to the recovery process.

“It encourages yeast overgrowth which has a whole spectrum of symptoms. It depletes the body of vital minerals such as magnesium which is an important electrolyte for muscle recovery and muscle health for those exercising and seeking fitness,” explains Dr. Carolyn Dean.

#3 – Sleep quality suffers

This quote comes from an article from Shape Magazine. “A few glasses of wine before bed may help you drift off faster—but the zzz’s you log won’t be deeper, says Haas. “Alcohol can prevent restorative deep REM sleep, which is needed to feel rested.”

Lack of sleep can impair muscle recovery, and even if you manage to drag yourself to the gym after a night of tossing and turning, your workout will suffer.

So, if you’re ready to take a break from alcohol, why not start now? I’ve written about some amazing tips on how to rock the weekend sober. Go ahead and try them on for size. I guarantee you’ll have more energy when you hit the gym!

{Kim Banks RESET is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.}

The post 3 ways alcohol sabotages your fitness goals first appeared on Waking Up The Ghost - Alcohol Recovery.