How to Drink Beer and Stay Fit!

Firestone_Walker_805_12OZ_CAN_1024x1024How many beers do you drink in a day? In a week? Research confirms that moderate beer consumption is  a healthy component of longevity.  Moderate consumption of alcohol, including beer, has been proven to reduce the effects of high cholesterol, heart disease, some forms of cancer and even impotence. Now before you go crack open that six pack, let’s focus on the key word here- moderate.  In this article, we will evaluate what constitutes “moderate beer consumption”, as well as review the basics of caloric intake and caloric expenditure. We’re determined to help you have your beer and drink it too!

Anything done in excess is naturally unhealthy. “Moderation” is defined by most doctors as 1-2 beers a day. And NO, you cannot save up through the week and catch up on the weekend drinking 10-12 beers in an evening. That is NOT moderation.

The average can of beer has over 150 calories. Drinking one beer is equivalent to eating a chocolate chip cookie. Drinking four is equal to eating a Big Mac hamburger. In order to lose weight, you have to burn off these extra calories, as well as all the other calories that you ate for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Even the lightest of beers (we’re looking at you, Miller 64!) has the empty calories of alcohol. The solution to losing (or better yet, preventing) your beer belly lies in this simple formula:   Calories In < Calories Out (burned through exercise) = Weight Loss.

If you can add exercise into your schedule for 20-30 minutes a day, your daily consumption of alcohol (1-2 beers) will not have any additional impact on your gut. To lose your beer belly, you REALLY have to watch your food and beverage intake, drink 2-4 quarts of water a day, and fit exercise into your routine.  The exercise and workout ideas below can get you started on your calorie burning plan:

Workout #1: Full Body Calorie Burnsquat
Walk, run or bike 5 min.
Squats x20
Pushups x10
Crunches x20

Repeat 3-5 times

Workout #2: Swimming and Elliptical Cardio Combo

(This workout can burn up to 1,000 calories in one hour!)

Swim 20-30 minutes non-stop
Elliptical  20-30 minutes

There is no reason why you cannot have six pack abs and still drink a six pack a week. Once again, excessive beer drinking is not recommended by anyone in the health industry. If you are serious about your health, then moderation in drinking alcohol, and eating nutritious, wholesome foods combined with habitual daily exercise is your ticket to reaching your goals. Cheers!

 

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