You are now probably aware that drinking more than 1-2 drinks of alcohol (in any form) per day is NOT good for you. Here’s why:

* The body regards it as estrogen, which is your enemy

* Delays fat loss.

* Filled with empty calories.

* Affects quality of sleep.

* It dehydrates your body

* Real bad for your liver.

My professional advice: Don’t drink at all if you want to make maximum muscle gains and lose as much fat as possible.

But let’s face it. This is the real world, and you probably like to drink as much as the next guy (the younger you are the more you probably like to drink). So here’s some tips to keep your muscle building and fat loss on progress when you choose to “indulge”:

Drink Lots of Water

A lot of the bad stuff that comes from drinking can be curbed with water consumption. Alcohol dehydrates you, so drink lots of water before, during (if possible) and definitely before going to bed. Alcohol also helps your body eliminate the massive amount of toxins you just doused it with in the form of alcohol.

Avoid Sugary mixers

Avoid sugary mixers in your hard alcohol. Having sugar while drinking alcohol is the worse thing you can do for fat gain.

No carbs

Don’t consume carbs before, during or after if you’re drinking alcohol. In short: The carbs get turned to fat much easier because your body is trying to process the alcohol. Plus Protein will stay with you longer so you won’t eat as much and the higher thermic rate makes it less likely to promote fat gain.

Follow the 1-2 drinks a day during weekdays

There’s already enough evidence to suggest that 1-3 drinks a day is good for you. If you enjoy drinking a beer or two a day or glasses of wine or whatever, don’t worry about it. Try not to binge EVERY night. If you’re going to binge

Drink hard only a couple days a week.

Such as Friday and and Saturday, or something like that. Here’s what to do: Don’t eat plenty during the day if you’re going to whoop it up that night. After that make sure you get some good protein into your system to help protect your stomach. In addition, some foods high in fiber like beans is good as well. It will remain with you and help you feel fuller, perhaps absorb some toxins-definitely help flush them out the next day when you “eliminate”.

Workout 2-3 hours before you get down

Because your muscles get exhausted of glycogen after you workout doing this might make it easier for your body to turn even more of the empty calories you consume later on that night into muscle, rather than fat.

Don’t stuff yourself as soon as you get drunk

Nearly all drink up to they’re really drunk, then get hungry and choose to eat a bunch of crap food. This is NOT going to help. Go along with the protein tip above, and drink more water to help you feel full.

Amuse yourself with beer pong or other games

As a matter of fact, you could actually burn 20-30 calories in a “Vigorous” game of beer pong. You’ll almost certainly drink more though as a result. My advice: Drink a lesser amount to make your aim better - therefore you drink less during the game (because you’re winning) which overall leads to less drinking! Play “strip” versions of these games for even more fun.

If you just want to get drunk, be disciplined

It’s NOT healthy (emotionally, mentally OR physically) to drink to “get drunk” but I realize this is why most people do it. They drink because they think it makes them more confident, more brave, or more well liked. That’s all bullsh*t, you really need to get your confidence issues handled, but I realize most people still do it.

So if you’re drinking for “effect” then remember: be efficient. Get a high alcohol spirit like Everclear or 151, cut it with ice and water, or do a couple shots, you’ll get drunk faster. And you won’t have to drink as much. (at least it’s better than drinking 36 beers right?)

I can’t believe I’m giving this advice, but I know people will still do it, so just be “efficient” about it and perhaps it will help you not to go too much next time.

Choose low calorie beers and wines

Low-calorie beers are the lowest. Dark stouts such as Guinness are next. Followed by the rest. Red wines are lesser in calories (and contain added resveratrol), followed by the rest.

Hangover relief:

In the morning, you might be hungover here’s some tips:

* Avoid NSAID’s like aspirin, ibuprofen, etc because combined with the alcohol it is super bad for your liver and stomach, etc..

* Grab some water and Gatorade to restore electrolytes and all that…

* Take a multivitamin/multi-mineral to further replenish

* Proteins are great to comfort you such as eggs, bacon, and all that…

* Workout well enough to drip some toxins out plus make sure to it that you drink water all the time…

* Take a nap

You know you wouldn’t though if you do

Opt to “over indulge” you should at least stick to the guidelines I’ve set out here. The real issue you should take in hand is:

“Why do I feel the need to drink too much?”

You’ll probably find out that it’s an issue with your self confidence not being able to say “no” to your peer group or trying to “Fit in” or some other such nonsense. Or you don’t like reality and you’re just trying to escape from it by getting trashed. None of these things are healthy and you need to get these issues handled before you do some damage.