How do I K- Balance alcohol?
I have been asked this question quite a bit lately. 'Tis the season to be jolly right? With all the parties, celebrations, shopping, and stress that pile up this time of year so does the desire to imbibe. You might be thinking, "what's the harm in a glass of wine every night?" Indeed, after all a glass of wine every night is actually good for you, thank-you California Grape Association.
Before you head home to pour your self a tall one, you might want to think about how and why alcohol disrupts your progress on Kinetix, and why we do not suggest an attempt at K-Balancing it.
First let me blind you with a bit of science........
Yes, alcohol starts out as a member of the carbohydrate family. Grapes, grains, potatoes, corn and rye all end up as alcohol AKA ethanol, technically speaking. And just as carbs and proteins contain 4 calories per gram, and fat contains 9 calories per gram - alcohol contains 7 calories per gram!!
So what?
Well before you head down the road of "I'll just add more protein and fat to the mix" or worse, "I'll just do extra cardio," you might want to read on.
Alcohol has a special way of being metabolized. Alcohol is digested in two primary locations: the liver and the muscle. Once alcohol begins digestion it forms acetic acid, a substance that the body needs to burn through and be cleared out of the system. Unfortunately, your body needs to burn through this acetic acid BEFORE it can start burning free fatty acids or stored glycogen. Fat gets put at the back of the line as a fuel source during activity.
On top of that, the more your drink, the more acetic acid your body will have to burn through before it can begin burning fat as fuel.
As if that weren't enough, because alcohol is a toxin it requires major amounts of B-vitamins and water for elimination in your urine and sweat. B-vitamins are a key player in creating powerful bursts of energy during strength training and endurance activities.They unleash the energy in carbohydrates. This is one of the main reasons professional athletes do not drink, it interferes with performance BIG TIME.
You will decide for yourself what is best for you and how it will play out.
I do know that there are no free lunches when it comes to nutrition. At the end of the week you need to be accountable for what choices you make, how many targets you met and how many you didn't.
Luckily every week is a new opportunity to do better than the last. The holidays will pass and you will return to your "normal" Kinetix routine.
Before I sound too self righteous here or classify myself in a false way, I do enjoy a glass of wine or two, every week without fail.
However, I have learned to keep it as a cherished free target.
And once again I will join my family in toasting to life, love, and health this holiday and every holiday, with a glass of my favorite all time drink Champagne.
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to you all!
Before you head home to pour your self a tall one, you might want to think about how and why alcohol disrupts your progress on Kinetix, and why we do not suggest an attempt at K-Balancing it.
First let me blind you with a bit of science........
Yes, alcohol starts out as a member of the carbohydrate family. Grapes, grains, potatoes, corn and rye all end up as alcohol AKA ethanol, technically speaking. And just as carbs and proteins contain 4 calories per gram, and fat contains 9 calories per gram - alcohol contains 7 calories per gram!!
So what?
Well before you head down the road of "I'll just add more protein and fat to the mix" or worse, "I'll just do extra cardio," you might want to read on.
Alcohol has a special way of being metabolized. Alcohol is digested in two primary locations: the liver and the muscle. Once alcohol begins digestion it forms acetic acid, a substance that the body needs to burn through and be cleared out of the system. Unfortunately, your body needs to burn through this acetic acid BEFORE it can start burning free fatty acids or stored glycogen. Fat gets put at the back of the line as a fuel source during activity.
On top of that, the more your drink, the more acetic acid your body will have to burn through before it can begin burning fat as fuel.
As if that weren't enough, because alcohol is a toxin it requires major amounts of B-vitamins and water for elimination in your urine and sweat. B-vitamins are a key player in creating powerful bursts of energy during strength training and endurance activities.They unleash the energy in carbohydrates. This is one of the main reasons professional athletes do not drink, it interferes with performance BIG TIME.
You will decide for yourself what is best for you and how it will play out.
I do know that there are no free lunches when it comes to nutrition. At the end of the week you need to be accountable for what choices you make, how many targets you met and how many you didn't.
Luckily every week is a new opportunity to do better than the last. The holidays will pass and you will return to your "normal" Kinetix routine.
Before I sound too self righteous here or classify myself in a false way, I do enjoy a glass of wine or two, every week without fail.
However, I have learned to keep it as a cherished free target.
And once again I will join my family in toasting to life, love, and health this holiday and every holiday, with a glass of my favorite all time drink Champagne.
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to you all!
Comment
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Comment by Brandon Emerson on May 29, 2009 at 5:53pm - Amanda, really great explanation on alcohol and its affects our bodies. Also encouraging to hear you wrap your post up with the fact that you enjoy some wine/champagne on your free targets. Thanks!
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Comment by Coach Emily on December 22, 2008 at 1:39pm - Thanks for shedding some light on this topic. Lots of my clients have had questions about alcohol and how it fits in to the kinetix lifestyle. Great blog :)
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Comment by Marisa Tomlinson on December 22, 2008 at 12:33pm - Amanda, you always make me laugh! "let me blind you with a bit of science", hysterical! thanks for the reality check. I'm a serious wine lover and we always have some on hand. My friend is an amazing winemaker in Oregon and he generously shares with us! 2 glasses a week it is...
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Comment by Coach Heather on December 18, 2008 at 1:27pm -
Did my group inspire this one? Ha! Your comment, "Irish in the house", still has me smiling.
Cheers to you beautiful.
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Comment by Coach Terry on December 18, 2008 at 12:11pm - Meagan...thanks for the clarification...LOL!! And Amada...thanks for the great blog.
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Comment by Meagan on December 17, 2008 at 10:33pm
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Ha!! Ya, I guess I should have clarified that I didn't last the entire month -LOL!!!
I think I pushed myself to just over 2 weeks and then I had to throw in the towel. It was awful!!!
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Comment by Coach Gerry on December 17, 2008 at 7:31pm - Great blog for the holidays AS...However, I missed the part about how much christmas ham I can have with my Pinot Gris. :-).
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Comment by Coach Gerry on December 17, 2008 at 7:27pm
- Lisa--What happened to our 3 month agreement?
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Comment by Coach Danielle on December 17, 2008 at 6:49pm -
Amanda, you are so right.
There is no free lunch in fitness, huh?
free targets are here to stay, but that little glass of wine at dinner on a nightly basis just isnt worth undoing all the good we do!
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Comment by Coach Lisa on December 17, 2008 at 5:08pm -
I had a crazy month in the summer of experimenting with Taco Thursday and Mac and Jacks..
Didn't do a darn thing for me except give me an extra unplanned Free Target.
I love this blog because it is a reality check! Wishing it can be balanced , does not equal truth. Thanks for the truth as unfriendly as it is! Twice a week... GOT IT!
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