I'm thinking of giving up... gulp... beer!

[Legion]

So I'm trying to get into shape for summer and I want to put on about five kilos of lean muscle in the next couple of months to bring me up to my fighting weight. I've been hitting the gym more regularly and I've got creatine monohydrate coming out my ears. It's going OK and I'm getting there.

Here is the problem. According to the guys at the gym one of the keys to muscle mass increase is the rate your body produces testosterone. Now I don't want to be increasing my testosterone the way they do (if you know what I mean ) but apparently excess alcohol consumption really reduces your testosterone production.

Not only that, but the hops used in beer production is an excellent dietary source of ESTROGEN! Ahhhh! Say it ain't so! Beer's turning me into a lady-boy!!!

So there it is. I've checked on the net, which we know never lies, and it seems to be true.

I just wanted to share this with you because I really love a beer (or six) and I needed a bit of a cry and maybe a hug.

Must be all the estrogen.

 

[Ru4scuba?]

Good luck bro!

I once gave up beer for four months while training for my first marathon. I'll never do that again! LOL

Now I just run alot so I can drink and eat too

 

[joto]

Now you can move to wine which apparently has lots of good anti-oxidants, or just go straight to hard likker!!

 

[Legion]

Now you can move to wine which apparently has lots of good anti-oxidants, or just go straight to hard likker!!

Waaay ahead of ya....

 

[ogopogo]

Not only that, but the hops used in beer production is an excellent dietary source of ESTROGEN! Ahhhh! Say it ain't so! Beer's turning me into a lady-boy!!!.

Good luck.

 

[rm71]

I gave up beer once. It was the worst 20 minutes of my life

Seriously, alcohol is a major factor in weight gain. Maybe try switching to the low alcohol type?

 

[TimmyBoston]

I don't think you need to give it up entirely, just drink it much less often. That's what I've been doing to help my working out and weight loss.

 

[Legion]

I don't think you need to give it up entirely, just drink it much less often. That's what I've been doing to help my working out and weight loss.

Yeah. my problem is basically a lack of self control. If I have a six pack in the fridge I'll drink it. If there's a case, well, I'll give it my best shot.

I think the only solution is to not have it in the house. Pretty much like when I quit smoking. I need to remove myself from the problem. Out of sight, out of mind.

 

[SRock]

I don't think you need to give it up entirely, just drink it much less often. That's what I've been doing to help my working out and weight loss.

Yeah or he can do like one of my troops and factor the calories into his daily total. That knuckle head will eat less on Fridays so later that night he can go out and have a sixer.

 

[ratcheer]

Give up beer? That is the craziest thing I have ever heard of!

Tim

 

[DS/B MCS]

If I have a six pack in the fridge I'll drink it. If there's a case, well, I'll give it my best shot.

If you are drinking like that...You Need to Quit.

 

[Cmaster03]

What Chris said, just run more or do what you have to do! Seriously, moderation works pretty well for me.

And scotch. Doesn't seem to put the weight on as much.

 

[sero-sed-serio]

squats! best things ever and ive read that thay can help jumpstart your body into producing more testosterone. and creatine monohydrate is old school. go to creatine ethyl ester and kre alkalyn if you can theyre much better. I would say figure out your total caloric intake and try to reduce it. i have cut out most of the caloric drinks and it has been great for me. no soda/powerade/gatorade/whatever. if you cut out all the other drinks im sure you could find room for beer. best of luck

 

[strat1117]

In all seriousness, if you drink all the beer that you have available in the refrigerator (I can't tell if you are being facetious or not), you should try giving it up for a while. Beer, like everything else, is great as long as you control it. If it is controlling you, better to stay away.

Trust me, I'm the last guy to get preachy for preachiness sake -- I've tried just about everything there is to try and I don't regret any of it -- but I've had some professional personal experience with substance abuse/addiction (not me, but someone in my immediate family, and many of my clients), and the best thing you can do is stop before it gets out of control altogether.

Good luck!

 

[Bushranger]

reduce, or replace the beer with something else (red wine) as beer is known to reduce testosterone levels (plant oestrogens). Also avoid high stress or work to reduce it, and lastly, start wearing boxers.

 

[The Nid Hog]

Start doing some heavy duty squats too. Supposed to be pretty good for testosterone production.

 

[Legion]

squats! best things ever and ive read that thay can help jumpstart your body into producing more testosterone. and creatine monohydrate is old school. go to creatine ethyl ester and kre alkalyn if you can theyre much better. I would say figure out your total caloric intake and try to reduce it. i have cut out most of the caloric drinks and it has been great for me. no soda/powerade/gatorade/whatever. if you cut out all the other drinks im sure you could find room for beer. best of luck

Yeah, I've heard that. I've also heard that you should do them at the start of your routine so the available testosterone can be used by the other muscles when you work them.

I'm not really too worried about the calories in the beer so much. I'm not overweight, about 200 pounds but I am 6'3. I'm more worried about the oestrogen's stopping me from reaching my goal weight of 220 by summer.
I'm never going to get as big as the guys I train with, I'm built more for AFL than Rugby (Translation, more of a quarterback than a linebacker) But I just want to bulk up a bit more since I am doing more contact sports with guys a fair bit younger than me.

Plus the beach...

 

[Wendy]

I don't think you need to give it up entirely, just drink it much less often. That's what I've been doing to help my working out and weight loss.

So what you are saying is. Going all out a couple times a week is better than a few beers every day.

 

[Monkeydad]

I did it. I have not had a drink for 9 years. It just wasn't worth it. I made bad decisions and could not be there for my wife (wasn't married to her yet when I gave it up, but still looked at the long-term) when I was all loopy from the drink.

You will get to a point where you won't miss it and could never imagine going back.

If you give it up COMPLETELY, you won't be tempted to go overboard. Trying to just limit yourself would be a losing battle.

 

[Monkeydad]

Yeah. my problem is basically a lack of self control. If I have a six pack in the fridge I'll drink it. If there's a case, well, I'll give it my best shot.

I think the only solution is to not have it in the house. Pretty much like when I quit smoking. I need to remove myself from the problem. Out of sight, out of mind.

This is how I was...weddings and parties...watch out.

I don't miss those days at all.