Imagine you are in a bar. There are dim lights, lots of laughter, and rosy cheeks. Last call comes and then the lights turn on, and suddenly you catch a glimpse of yourself in a mirror. You have smudged raccoon eyes, bright red cheeks, and a bloated belly. Sounds sexy right?
What if this was your life every night or every weekend? What kind of physical toll is staying out late and drinking taking on your body? There is a common misconception that it is specifically the alcohol that is to blame for that belly hanging around the middle. However, it is more than likely that the sugar in your cocktails or beer is what is causing the flat tire. With that in mind, there are a few things that a partier who wants to stay slim needs to be aware of.
First, what kinds of food are you eating before, during, and after drinking? Are you loading up on carbs so you don’t drink on an empty stomach (bad idea), or are you eating pretzels like a Dyson vaccuum at the bar? Is it so late at night when you get done that all you want is a burrito from Del Taco? Do these sound like good choices when you’re slinging back Captain and Coke all night? I say no.
The second thing to be aware of is the pure math associated with drinking. People who drink a lot will gain a lot of weight. Do the calorie count if you must, but I can’t think of a more simple way to say this than to say that lots of drinking will equal lots of fat.
Third, genes have a lot to do with how you metabolize sugar. Some people were just born lucky and have fast-acting metabolism and crazy energy. The rest of us have to watch what we eat and suck on vitamins for that extra kick. What this means for booze is that the rest of us need to watch what we drink because our bodies have a harder time digesting drinks that possibly have volcanic ash (true story) in them.
Fourth (all of my readers can probably chant this with me), alcohol is a depressant. It will take you down a notch by slowing down your brain activity. All of the science is boring, but it’s there and it’s been proven. People who are sad are less likely to be motivated to get in shape, thus the gut will be more likely to grow.
One fact that may not be very well known will come as bad news for guys and girls alike. Alcohol has been proven to increase sexual desire, but decreases performance and delivery. Also, the lack of sleep that normally accompanies the life of a partier causes a drinker’s immune system to become depressed, meaning that it won’t work as hard as it normally would. Not to mention all of the aging that drinking causes to your skin and vital body organs.
Drinking isn’t all bad though. There are some drinks that when taken in moderation can be okay, even good for you in some cases. Drinking a glass of wine a day can help with heart problems and boost your memory. If you ingest antifreeze accidentally, drinking a few shots of vodka will buy you more time as you go to the hospital.
Be smart when it comes to drinking. Don’t drink every weekend and then cry about the pounds that are ganging up on you. Be aware of what you’re putting in your body while you are drinking. And of course, don’t drink and drive.
