Effects of alcohol on muscle gain

[kingdamo]

What do you guys think about the effects of alcohol on muscle gain? i've read that getting drunk once at the weekend can set you back as much as a week's worth of training in terms of building muscle ... seems a bit extreme for just one night! i'm quite good with my alcohol consumption, like ill tend to drink one night then if im out other nights that week just get water.

Also, what would you say the least damaging alcohol is? i tend to go for spirits rather than high volume drinks like beers and alcopops .. does this seem like a better idea? obviously the best idea is to not drink at all ever, but im trying to be realistic lol

[NotNowChief]

I think straight spirits would be a better option that the sugary drinks (inclu beer) so long as you didn't just end up drinking more.

Just from my personal experience I used to keep a similar part schedule to you, one big binge night a week on average and the rest of the week pretty healthy. I found I got bigger and stronger living like that, up to a point, then hit a plateau where I just stopped getting bigger. I could get a little bit stronger but no muscle was going on.

At that point, to get over the plateau I began tracking and paying attention to factors like food, rest etc alot closer. I noticed that when I skipped the party night for a little while, I made gains.

I think this is going to be pretty individual for most people- i used to always see massive guys out drinking- and that age/amount drunk would also play large parts. For me anyway though yeah, after a while I had to give up the getting wasted drunk every week to progress. Not that I never drink, just a much more moderate night, or if I do have a massive one, just once a month/few weeks or so.

[thefinalsql]

I just read this article a day or two ago. This looks like an opportune moment to post it.

http://www.askmen.com/sports/bodybuilding_200/218_fitness_tip.html

[MidLifter]

hops are bad for T levels too