While drinking alcohol and exercising doesn’t seem to be two things that go together, a surprising number of people consume alcohol before or after a workout. Many bars have happy hours that coincide with the time most people finish up at the gym. If fitness is your goal, then drinking before or after exercising can negatively affect your overall health. If you’re battling the connection between alcohol and exercise, contact Red Oak Recovery® today at 866.457.7590.
Drinking Can Impair Your Judgment and Coordination
Alcohol gets absorbed into your small intestine and works its way into your bloodstream. From there, it travels to your brain and starts interfering in various functions. Too much alcohol can affect the decisions you make in the gym and your ability to maintain equipment control.
Imagine getting on a treadmill and accidentally pushing the wrong speed because you’re under the influence. What if you end up putting too much weight on a bar and end up with an injury? You put yourself and others at risk by drinking alcohol before going to work out.
If you do a lot of heavy drinking the night before, you can still feel the effects the next day. It’s a good idea to avoid working out entirely if you believe you still have too much alcohol in your system. It might also be a good idea to get checked out by a doctor.
Drinking Can Leave You More Dehydrated
Another reason you should avoid combining alcohol and exercise is that it can act as a diuretic. That means you can end up sweating even more than usual, leaving you without vital fluids. You could end up feeling exhausted and fatigued by the end of your workout.
Dehydration also worsens the effects of a hangover. You can also experience more muscle soreness. Your muscles don’t heal as fast because you’re secreting hormones important to maintaining your workout intensity. The more you drink before a workout, the less effective they will be, which can impair any health goals you set for yourself.
Drinking Can Hamper Weight-Loss Goals
Alcohol abuse can cause you to consume a lot of empty calories. If you’re trying to lose weight, combining alcohol and exercise can set you back. Alcohol slows the process of post-workout recovery and muscle building. If you add a sugary drink like juice to improve the taste, you’re just making things even worse. Too much alcohol can also deprive your body of vital nutrients.
Try switching out alcohol for water in your drink bottle. If you find it difficult to get through a workout without consuming alcohol, you’re likely dealing with an alcohol abuse problem. If this is the case, you might benefit from professional help.
Recognizing If You Have A Problem
The best way to recognize if you have a real problem with alcohol is by having yourself evaluated by a mental health or substance use professional. Some signs that you may need help for alcohol abuse include:
- You find yourself having blackouts
- You’ve suffered from short-term memory loss
- You can’t get through any activity without relying on alcohol
- You’re constantly feeling hungover even when you are not drinking
- You feel irritable and experience mood swings
- You’re constantly making excuses for how much you drink
- You separate yourself from friends and family
- You prefer drinking to taking care of other obligations
Get Treatment For an Alcohol Addiction
Do you struggle with the idea of exercising without drinking alcohol? Have you had problems getting through the day without a drink? If so, it may be time to get some help. Red Oak Recovery® can help you overcome your dependency on alcohol. We also offer other programs and services to help you manage other issues, including:
- Men’s addiction treatment
- Dual diagnosis treatment
- Addiction Therapy Services
- 12-Step Addiction Recovery
- Alcohol Rehab Program
Find out more about the programs at Red Oaks Recovery by calling 866.457.7590.
