Fitness Simplified - Is Alcohol Killing Your Progress?

Now I’m not going to sit here and tell you to give up alcohol completely because that would be hypocritical as I enjoy a glass or two of red wine or a beer from time to time but over the last 6 months I have reduced even further my alcohol intake. I found the times I was drinking was when I NEEDED it, not just when I wanted it and that’s not a good place to be but I’ve definitely noticed some benefits.

It’s a familiar story, making fantastic progress in the week only to get to the weekend and all of it is undone when you’re 10 beers down and face deep in a kebab. But it’s not only the calories which will harm your progress..

How Alcohol Impacts Your Progress

1. Slower Recovery

Alcohol can interfere with muscle recovery by reducing protein synthesis—the process that helps your muscles repair and grow after a workout. This means more soreness and less progress.

2. Dehydration and Fatigue

Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it dehydrates you. Since hydration is key for muscle function and endurance, you may find yourself feeling sluggish and weak in your next gym session.

3. Increased Fat Storage

Your body prioritises breaking down alcohol over burning fat, which can slow down weight loss or even lead to fat gain if you’re regularly drinking.

4. Disrupted Sleep

Good sleep is essential for muscle recovery and energy levels. Even though alcohol might make you feel drowsy, it actually disrupts deep sleep, leaving you feeling tired and less motivated to train.

How to Minimise Alcohol’s Impact on Your Fitness

Stay Hydrated – Alternate alcoholic drinks with water and drink plenty of fluids before bed to reduce dehydration.

Eat Well Before Drinking – Having a high protein meal before drinking can slow alcohol absorption and reduce muscle breakdown.

Time Your Drinks Wisely – Avoid drinking right after an intense workout when your body is in recovery mode.

Limit Intake – Try to stick to lower-calorie drinks (like spirits with soda) and avoid excessive binge drinking.

Prioritise Recovery – If you do drink, give yourself extra time to rest and recover before pushing hard in the gym again.

Finding Balance

You don’t have to cut alcohol out completely, but moderation is key. Making small adjustments can help you enjoy social drinks while still making progress in the gym.

Your goals will thank you!

NORWICH FITNESS FESTIVAL RETURNS

I am super excited to announce that the Norwich Fitness Festival will be returning for it’s second year on the 7th June 2025!

We’re changing things up this year by moving to Sprowston High School so we can have the majority of the classes indoors whilst still having the benefit of the outside area for all weather conditions (it was bloody wet setting up last year!) but it will still bring the same energy of fantastic classes, talks and workshops as well as our NFF Market for you to browse plus even more for kids to do to make this the ultimate family friendly fitness event of the year.

Right now early bird tickets are on sale, although these are selling fast, and you can grab yours for just £15 plus booking fee, head to www.norwichfitnessfestival.uk to get yours today!