As a high level athlete I am obviously aware about the negative effects alcohol consumption has on muscle/ strength/ conditioning gains, and overall performance. However, through all the googling I have done. Most of the studies just address how binge drinking negatively effects athletes.

I dont binge drink though. I drink maybe once a week at the most when I go out. Even then i'll only have 3-6 beers tops. And most of the time im drinking light beer anyways. What I've been trying to figure out though is how this will effect me as a high level athlete?

Right now Im in training so its obviously a very critical time for me in terms of making my gains for the upcoming season. But I also like to go out and pickup girls and have a couple of beers while I do it. I never ever go overboard. I dont drink to get drunk. I just like to have a couple of beers to relax and take the edge off after a long week of training. I might be looking for answers in the wrong place, but Im wondering how bad is this for me? Should I cut it down to maybe 1-2 beers tops? Or should I eliminate drinking completely? But to be honest I feel that it could negatively effect my game. So clearly im in a tough spot. If I had to choose my sport or drinking. Obviously Im choosing my sport. But Im hoping someone here will have enough knowledge to give me a clear answer. If I have to eliminate drinking completely then so be it.

EDIT: I should note that I train in the gym 5 days a week. 3 days Weights. 2 days Cardio. I also practice my sport about 1-2 times a week right now since its the offseason.

I think you train too much but thats another story. If your performance is really important to you dont drink it can only hurt. Putting toxins (congeners) in your body that dont belong.

well if you are over 21 your brain has been fully grown, the beers won't influence you body that fast and because your are working out enough you wont even notice...


However you might lose a few braincells but how cares?

What sport? Just curious

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I'd say yes, of course it has an affect on your performance. I always avoid training the day after drinking, and if I train it's always focused on technique. Training the day after is no good at all, just a waste of time, you won't gain any muscle or cardio as long as you've still got alcohol left to neutralize, as your body will focus on that instead of rebuilding your body after the workout.

However, as you say you only drink 3-6 beers one night a week, I'd say no biggie, it won't ruin you completely, just try to avoid hard training the day after

- Trices

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I play rugby, and all we do is drink, and we are all in good shapes

Simple answer is yes it does affect your gains but 3-6 beers isn't much I drink 10+ drinks on a weeknd and can still make gains obviously not as quick as I would. I've found if you go out drinking follow it with an intense session of supersets cos u burn fast as well.

U have to weight it up do u want to enjoy urself while your still young or would u rather stare at urself in the mirror all day lol. If your games at your peak when u drink 3-6beers keep doing it think of being an athlete as your secondary objective.

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Is 3-6 beers considered binge drinking?

From a getting and staying in shape point of view I read that Daniel Craig had one night on the beer programmed into his diet plan when he was training to play 007. It didn't seem to do his physique any harm.

If you are going to go drinkin' one night a week you might as well do it the night before your rest day so you can recover in every sense of the word.

Keep us posted o what you're going to do

QFT

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I used to train 15 hours / week and raced internationally as a triathlete (non-professionally). I typically would drink 1 night per week up to about 10 drinks. I was very fit - 5'11" 170lb with 5% bodyfat. Perhaps I could have been faster if I didn't drink at all, but I have no regrets!

how much do you care?
it will effect you as a athlete

Usain Bolt drinks a lot more than that, even in the regular training season. I wouldn't be too worried about 3-6 drinks mate. I'd have in excess of 50 drinks a week and I still run several kilometers a day. You should be fine.

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Usain Bolt drinks a lot more than that, even in the regular training season. I wouldn't be too worried about 3-6 drinks mate. I'd have in excess of 50 drinks a week and I still run several kilometers a day. You should be fine.

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One night a week isn't too bad. Drinking every night is though; it impairs your sleep. Sounds like you're fine though.

depending, what athlete. because just one beer F**ks your anabolic cycle for the next 24 hours. thats why e.g going on roids and drinking is pointless besides torturing your liver even more xD