The Weightlifters Thread

Lol I am one of those "New Year's resolutionists"

Kinda. I've been trying to get back in the gym. I used to work out over lunch at my old job and fell out of habit. A new $15/mo. gym just opened within 2 blocks of my work, so I signed up. They just happened to open just before the new year.

Keep at it, man. It's not about being a resolutionist, it's about whether or not you are still in the gym in May.
 
Lol day 3 and I'm so sore and tense that I'm getting a headache just trying to sit at my desk and not die. I guess that means its working.

I hate week 1.
 
I was gonna pour a glass of Maker's and hop in the ice bath, then maybe a hot bath to return to normal body temp. before the UT bball game.
 
I was gonna pour a glass of Maker's and hop in the ice bath, then maybe a hot bath to return to normal body temp. before the UT bball game.

I pour a shot of shine, drop 2 aspirin in it and shoot it. About 10 minutes later I'm good to go. My great grandfather taught me that.
 
My advice would be to avoid alcohol altogether during the first few weeks if you're new to the gym or returning after a long absence. It's going to slow your gains fairly drastically and make recovery that much more painful and achy.
 
My advice would be to avoid alcohol altogether during the first few weeks if you're new to the gym or returning after a long absence. It's going to slow your gains fairly drastically and make recovery that much more painful and achy.

Mostly true. "altogether" is a bit hyperbole, 1 drink will have no negative impact. Daily consumption of even 1 beer or binge drinking one day will set you back pretty bad.
 
Yeah. I realize that just one can turn into a few more for many people, so I just say avoid it altogether for a little while. But you're right, if you can limit it to one or two a week then you'll still be okay.
 
My advice would be to avoid alcohol altogether during the first few weeks if you're new to the gym or returning after a long absence. It's going to slow your gains fairly drastically and make recovery that much more painful and achy.

As a general rule, significant amounts of alcohol do not mix with muscle.
 
After a hard ride on my bike I usually down a good dark beer. I've heard a Guinness is supposed to actually be good for you after a cardio workout.
 
Cardio is entirely different. It's not about expanding muscle fiber so much as being able to endure long term ATP production in the lower body. Generally speaking, once you're done with a cardio workout, so is your body. When you're done with heavy lifting in a prescribed number of sets and reps (standard 5x5, 4x8, etc.) your body continues to work for up to 96 hours.

So, you could finish a big run and go for a pint. It's not ideal but it wouldn't screw you over. It most definitely would with a weight lifting regimen.
 
Cardio is entirely different. It's not about expanding muscle fiber so much as being able to endure long term ATP production in the lower body. Generally speaking, once you're done with a cardio workout, so is your body. When you're done with heavy lifting in a prescribed number of sets and reps (standard 5x5, 4x8, etc.) your body continues to work for up to 96 hours.

So, you could finish a big run and go for a pint. It's not ideal but it wouldn't screw you over. It most definitely would with a weight lifting regimen.

Hm... so I should do cardio on Tuesday $2.50 pint nights instead of lifting?
 
Maybe if the only consumption you had was alchoholic beverages.

That has nothing to do with it, consumption of alcohol in any amount precedes catabolism, i.e. muscle atrophy and general weakness. The two hours following a workout are very critical in the anabolic process, consumption of simple carbohydrates and protein is essential. Basically, even one beer closely following a weight lifting workout can nullify the whole thing. You can get by with a beer (maybe two depending on tolerance) 8 or 12 hours after a workout, but it's not totally advisable. If you get totally ****housed, the effects can last in your system up to five weeks.

A while back, roughly a year after I became a weight room rat, I worked out my legs then about four hours later to the bar around the corner from my house and got blacked out drunk. I think my tab was around $80. I literally lost the ability to walk the next day and had little control over my muscle movements. This is an exaggerated effect but still indicative of what alcohol does to the anabolic process.
 
That has nothing to do with it, consumption of alcohol in any amount precedes catabolism, i.e. muscle atrophy and general weakness. The two hours following a workout are very critical in the anabolic process, consumption of simple carbohydrates and protein is essential. Basically, even one beer closely following a weight lifting workout can nullify the whole thing. You can get by with a beer (maybe two depending on tolerance) 8 or 12 hours after a workout, but it's not totally advisable. If you get totally ****housed, the effects can last in your system up to five weeks.

A while back, roughly a year after I became a weight room rat, I worked out my legs then about four hours later to the bar around the corner from my house and got blacked out drunk. I think my tab was around $80. I literally lost the ability to walk the next day and had little control over my muscle movements. This is an exaggerated effect but still indicative of what alcohol does to the anabolic process.

Sounds like quite the challenge the next day.
 

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