Alcohol/Exercise buffer period?

[Britalian]

What is an acceptable period of time to wait between these two activities, in either order, assuming it is different?
For example if I have a glass of wine with lunch, the period I should wait before doing any weights etc. Obviously I'm not talking about drinking which affects coordination, but the time after which a beer or glass of wine would have no deleterious effect on the physiological activity going on with muscles etc.

 

[Ludeykrus]

I'll have a beer or two immediately following my evening workouts

 

[greg_atlanta]

Since it worries you, just don't drink.

 

[xchen]

I agree with Greg, mostly. However, I'll add that when I was working in a gym, I knew some competition bodybuilders who would follow an extremely strict diet prior to competition. In the last day or so before the competition they'd not eat much but have a glass of wine with dinner because the wine makes the muscles look more defined I think during the competition. I don't know whether or not it does affect the muscles at all, but just recalled him talking about how it had helped him.

 

[ken]

There have been times when I've lifted weight a little drunk. There have also been times when I've done cardio a little drunk. Weights are much easier.

 

[Tarmac]

I don't really worry about it. I've gone to the gym immediately following a post-work social event, a couple of drinks in me.

As long as you aren't at risk of running into a weight rack from drunkenness, you should be okay. We aren't exactly world class athletes where every 1/100 second counts.

 

[Eason]

Why are you exercising? If it's to lose weight, you shouldn't be drinking alcohol, period. Drinking alcohol hampers your metabolism of fats for up to 4 days after it's consumption. Metabolically, your liver will process the alcohol at a rate of 1 drink per hour.

 

[greg_atlanta]

Originally Posted by Eason

Drinking alcohol hampers your metabolism of fats for up to 4 days after it's consumption.

So true. I've lost weight the last few months largely by cutting out alcohol, and every time I have 3-5 drinks I gain 5 pounds and it takes a week to get back to my pre-drinking weight. One night of drinking can ruin a whole week of exercise and healthy eating.

 

[Mblova]

If you drink water in between your alcoholic beverages, the next morning you should be fine to workout. I actually feel great after a workout the next morning. Esp after a night of drinking beer, all those carbs provide some good energy.

 

[Britalian]

Originally Posted by Eason

Why are you exercising? If it's to lose weight, you shouldn't be drinking alcohol, period. .

Not quite. I have the height and physique of a male model but without the definition. So my main goal is to bulk up arms abs thighs and shoulders. I was just curious about the muscle tissue repair and strengthening process in relation to booze.
I find it incredibly difficult to put on weight.

 

[Ludeykrus]

Originally Posted by Britalian

I find it incredibly difficult to put on weight.

You and me both. I drink like a fish and couldn't gain weight if my life depended on it.

 

[ronmill]

I have the height and physique of a male model but without the definition

So I guess you don't have the physique of a male model.
Well, I guess that's like me. I have the wealth of the likes of Oprah, but without the money.

 

[chronoaug]

Umm... Most male models are tall and rail thin. Not a lot of buff bodybuilder guys going down the runways. I'm assuming he's talking about more male runway model than say, abercrombie shirtless gym guy.

 

[Britalian]

Yay.
The physique of a male runway model (height, bodily bone structure etc, unfortunately not in the face dept...) but want the physique of something approaching a Men's Health cover model type; quite a bit more definition in arms, back, abs etc.

 

[CarllraC]

If you want to gain weight, don't worry about having a glass of wine or two. Just eat like a ******* pig.

You won't gain muscle without gaining some fat too, but with your metabolism it should be easy to cut the fat afterward.

Just beware...for skinny guys, diet is 90% of the issue, what you do in the weight room barely even matters as long as you do squats. You need to eat like a HORSE to gain.