How can you combine alcohol and exercise? This subject seems to be a typical struggle I hear from a lot of individuals … They want to get lean, but they do not want to quit drinking alcohol.

Now, I’m not discussing the alcoholic kind of drinking (THAT is certainly an issue) … we’re simply discussing moderate social consuming here.

Although some people could willingly choose to remove alcohol from their life completely, I still think most of us can easily consume in moderation, and still stay completely healthy and lean. There are a couple of tricks that can assist you in keeping off the pounds … and I’ll discuss those in a little bit.

As for myself, it boils down to picking exactly what I’m going to be meticulous about to keep up my physical fitness and just what I’m not going to be rigorous about.

I’m fairly strict about never ever consuming anything deep fried or made with trans fats, never eating white bread, and never consuming sodas or sweetened soft beverages of any type of kind … however I’ll acknowledge that one thing I’ve selected to not be rigorous about is consuming liquor.

I’m in my very early 30’s now and I most certainly don’t drink as regularly as I did back in my insane college days (guy those college days were fun!), however I’ll certainly enjoy some cool ones when hanging out with friends, going to a barbeque or dinner party, or during an evening out at the bars and nightclubs.

It’s about balance in your life, and not every aspect needs to be “ideal” in order for you to still get the body and wellness that you desire. You’ll drive yourself insane if you’re trying to perfect every little detail.

Of course, if you have no issue abstaining from alcohol and willingly make that choice, then that will certainly be the greatest thing for your wellness and your body.

Nonetheless, for the rest of us, that actually do like to participate in some social drinking, here are a couple of ideas that have helped me to remain single-digit bodyfat lean, while still drinking liquor every now and then.

IDEA 1. Naturally, alcohol provides you additional empty calories on the days that you decide to consume. Liquor has 7 calories per gram, compared to 4 calories per gram for carbs and protein, and 9 calories per gram for fats.

Unlike consuming carbs, protein, or healthy fats from a healthy food source, consuming alcohol offers you a huge amount of calories with incredibly little micronutrients.

On evenings that I know are going to include drinking some alcohol, it helps to ensure that dinner is based only around protein and vegetables. You’re going to absorb a ton of empty calories with the alcohol, so eating a hearty portion of appetite-satisfying protein along with nutrient-rich veggies can assist to control your cravings and provide your body with the nutrients it needs.

Plus, most significantly, there’s simply no room for a high amount of carbohydrates-rich foods if you’re also going to be consuming liquor. Carbs + liquor is a right recipe for expanding a beer belly! Attempt to keep that night meal a fairly low-carb dinner to save yourself from added empty calories.

IDEA 2. If you’re going to drink beer, you’re much better off choosing 1 or 2 dark beers rather than 5 or 6 light beers. Sure, dark beers have more calories than light beers, but dark beers also have more B vitamins and anti-oxidants than light beers, in effect giving you even more nutrition from the dark beer. As long as you keep it to 1 or 2 dark beers, you could still remain within 150-300 calories.

Normally, it takes additional time to drink a great dark beer compared with a watery light beer too.

IDEA 3. Try to engage in a high intensity full body training session prior to your evening of drinking. At the very least, you’ve revved up your metabolism and have your body processing calories a little faster.

Trying to get in some sort of exercise the early morning after your night out can also assist to get your body back to a good state of health. These probably won’t be your best workouts in regards to energy, however it can assist to simply get your body moving and break a sweat, and then return to a great homeostasis.

IDEA 4. Prevent the late-night munchies after an evening of consuming! This is where most people do the biggest damage to their waistlines.

As an alternative, ensure to have some lean protein and veggies readily available in your home (probably some pre-cooked chicken breasts, grass-fed meats, or even tuna fish and some veggie sticks) so that you can easily please your late evening post-party appetite with lean protein instead of carbs. Veggies and protein is the key here.

The worst thing for your body is loading up on pizza, ice cream, and other carb-rich junk after an evening out of drinking.

IDEA 5. Wine is just one of the healthier alcohol selections … if you just have to drink a beverage, you could also pick wine so that you are getting a really good dosage of anti-oxidants too. Red wine is most recognized for it’s antioxidants, however white wines contain some antioxidants too … white wines just aren’t very as high in anti-oxidants as compared to red wines.

Hey, if you can get a little resveratrol while appreciating your company, why not!

Like I discussed before, drinking alcohol adds on one more thing to your list of things that you have to work against in getting the body you desire.

Abstaining will always be the optimal choice, BUT we also have to be realistic and know that social consuming is not something that the majority of people are prepared to totally quit.