The Effects of Combining Alcohol with Physical Exercise

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Do you ever wonder, if it is okay to drink alcohol before exercising?

Every time you ingest alcohol, a spectrum of physiological changes gets initiated.

First, it gets to your stomach through your mouth, then the small intestines; where absorption takes place, and later transported to the bloodstream.

Once in the bloodstream, hormones, protein synthesis, and even the major parts of your brain get affected; just to mention a few.

Common awareness

It is no news, that most people know, and understand some side effects of alcohol namely, gastrointestinal issues, flushed skin, impaired judgment, and/or coordination, but guess what?

There is even a more serious effect that some people might know about. 

Reality check

Yes, alcohol affects the cardiovascular system, people!

It does not only cause high blood pressure, but it exacerbates it! In some cases of chronicity, heart failure could even become inevitable.

Did you know that your body’s physiological activities depend on several factors?

Examples of these include your weight, sex, and nutrition.

However, have you ever wondered about what could be happening to your body when you engage in physical exercise while under the influence of alcohol?

Effects of drinking and exercising

Besides balance, judgment, coordination, and cognition, alcohol lessens inhibitions, and negatively affects your brain’s chemistry.

The implication of this goes further than you could begin to imagine.

Are you aware, that you could be seriously injured, yet still think you are, okay?

Yes, this could happen regardless of how much quantity of alcohol you might have consumed.

After a night of heavy drinking, the likelihood of risks associated with physical exercise cannot be undermined.

It would not be a good idea, to engage in physical exercise, in case you are tipsy or feeling physically drained after a night of drinking, because you might inadvertently drop some heavy weights on yourself, or even fall!

Rather, it would be safer, if you could take some time off, and get some rest; during which I suggest you stay hydrated by drinking lots of water to flush out possible residues.

When you drink alcohol, it spurs up your need to urinate, because it is a diuretic.

Therefore, there is a possibility of becoming dehydrated when you combine it with physical exercise which causes you to sweat.

After a serious night out, most people complain of dehydration and fatigue. In instances of chronic use of alcohol or heavy binge drinking, heart arrhythmia is a potential risk.

Alcohol has the potential to slow you down, and that is because it is a depressant.

There is a likelihood for your aerobic capacity, endurance, strength, and even reaction to being impeded, and this certainly affects the quality of your physical exercise.

Understandably, It takes some time for one to begin feeling the complete effects of alcohol.

Sometimes, you might not feel it immediately, but once you are fully engaged in your physical exercise, there is a potential risk for very serious injuries.

What I am saying

I am not suggesting, you skip your physical exercise because you drank alcohol.

I am rather advising, that you:

1. Consider checking yourself properly to ensure, that you have fully recovered from all the effects of the alcohol of the previous days to not exert further stress on your body.

2.  Drink lots of water, because it will prevent potential muscle cramping or even “blacking out.”

Keep in mind, that alcohol has the potential to adversely affect your body in unimaginable ways. Therefore, it would be safer, to not drink it.

If you are planning on engaging in any form of physical exercise, consider doing so on the following day.

“I cannot skip my workout, yet I need my booze”

How about getting your physical exercise before going for your booze?

Does it not sound better?

Many experts oppose combining physical exercise with alcohol anyways.

However, should you choose to do the reverse, consider the following suggestions:

• Create large intervals between drinks and exercise.
• Do your workout for a shorter time, and drink lots of water to stay hydrated.  This will reduce your chances of injuries.
• Eat something (preferably a balanced meal) before drinking, because the food will curb the absorption of alcohol. Coupled with the drinking, this might even make you feel heavy, and you might end up not working out after all…LOL!

  

• Avoid high-intensity exercises, and take it easy on yourself.

  

What I will do

If I were faced with a similar situation, I would consciously skip a day of exercise, recover from any form of a hangover, and stay hydrated, before considering getting back on my physical exercise routine. I would not like to do otherwise.

Hey, Healthy Primers! Remember, that no one can ever love you, more than you do yourself.

The power is in your hand! Keep staying healthily primed!