The Hangover......Workout

It's no secret that alcohol can be a significant contributor to weight gain, which is why most diet plans out there will tell you to cut it out completely.  But what happens when you do go out, and you do end up drinking.....A LOT?  The damage is already done, so you can really only do one of two things:  Either sit on your ass and watch it get bigger, or get off your ass to help repair and minimize the damage.  Does the thought of working out while hungover make you cringe?  Well, unless you're throwing up into a toilet, which is also an effective form of weight loss although not condoned by Body Jakeover, working up a good sweat will actually make you feel better both physically and mentally, and thus, help you to get over your hangover, while also helping you to get over the shame of the mistakes you made while you were drunk.

So, for those of you who have what it takes to drag yourself to the gym despite last night's booze binge, here are some workout tips that you'll want to keep in mind while hungover:

1.  Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate - This is the most important thing that you want to make sure that you are doing while hungover, whether you are working out or not.  One of the main reasons our bodies feel like crap after drinking is because alcohol leaves our bodies dehydrated.  Hydrating is the best way to help cure a hangover, and is especially important when working out, since you are going to sweat and dehydrate yourself even more.  Sports drinks such as Gatorade are a good option because of the electrolytes, but to avoid processed sugars, I prefer going all natural and drinking coconut water for maximum hydration.  And of course, plenty of water, ALL THE TIME.

2.  Take it easy - Yes, you are working out, but you are still hungover, so no need to push yourself too hard.  Light to moderate weights or an easy run should do the trick.  Something steady is best, without the intense intervals.  I typically do some moderate weight lifting and core training, or run about 3-5 miles or so after a night of partying, depending on how bad my hangover is.

3.  Replenish - People swear by the next day greasy hangover meal, thinking that a family serving of pad thai or a double bacon cheeseburger with fries is the key to overcoming a hangover.  In actuality, while it may taste good and temporarily relieve your stomach, it isn't doing much to help you recover, and is only going to make you feel worse in the end, not to mention add on to your overall weight gain.  Your body needs to replenish itself with nutrients after a long night out, so fruits, veggies, whole grains and lean proteins are what you should be eating to make you feel better and restore your energy levels to fuel your workout.  For those of you who feel that you must have something a little greasy, try having an omelette with some chopped veggies inside.  Eggs take on a bit of a greasy feel when cooked, but are also rich in protein and essential nutrients.

4.  Realize - Realize that while working out after a night of drinking may be the last thing on your mind, ultimately, you will feel better.  Sweating will release the alcohol toxins from your body, and the endorphines from exercise will help lift your mood, as your endorphine flow is typically pretty low while hungover.  

Sure, there may be those times when you drank so much that you literally can't move, but if you are able to move, then move your ass to the gym and make up for some of the damage you did the night before.  It's not easy, but as long as you stay hydrated and eat right, it's a small price to pay to look and feel good, and a great way to make a good decision after a night of bad ones.

~ Body Jakeover - Have you Jaked off today?

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You Don't Have to Trade in the Six Pack for a Six Pack

So I've been getting a ton of inquiries lately about how to party and still stay fit. Most diets will tell you, "NO Drinking". I'm a little more realistic, so I know that this is never an option, at least not for me. And what better time for a quick boozing lesson than right before NYE? So here goes, the Jakeover guide to drinking. NOTE: This is NOT a ticket to go drinking all the time and not gain weight. This is just a way to minimize the damage done, so that you can bounce back fairly easily with a few good workouts.

Beer:
If you need to have a heady beer or a Guiness, etc., make it the first/second one. Maaaayybe even the third one. But just realize that these types of beers contain tons of carbs and calories. So, if you're going to binge drink this NYE, you'll want to switch it to light beer, because after a certain point, you're just drinking to get drunk right?

- Michelob Ultra - This is your best bet, coming in at only 2.6 carbs per serving. Guys, you may get made fun of by other guys for drinking one, but when the girls are caressing your abs on the dance floor, they won't make fun anymore. Trust me on this one.
- Miller Lite - If no Michelob Ultra, Miller Lite is your next best bet, coming in at only 3.2 carbs per serving. Served everywhere and you don't have to be embarassed to drink it.
- Coors Light/Amstel Light/Heinken Light - These all come in at 5.0 carbs per serving. If you're one of those people that need a really good tasting light beer that's not too watered down, go with Amstel Light or Heineken Light. They have the same amount of carbs as a Coors Light, but much better taste in my opinion.
- Bud Light - AVOID. This "light" beer comes in at 6.6 carbs per serving, which means that only one Bud Light already contains more than DOUBLE the amount of carbs as a Miller Lite. I don't care if there is a happy hour special on Bud Lights, spend the extra dollar and buy a Miller, because a couple of love handles are NOT worth a couple of saved bucks.

Liquor:
Rule of thumb - You want to keep it clear. Clear liquors like vodka and gin are your best bets here, as they contain the least amount of calories, with none of the sugars that other liquors have. However, the most important thing to remember is not so much what liquor you're drinking, but more so, what you're drinking WITH the liquor. The juices, sodas, sour mixes, and yes, even tonics, contain high amounts of sugar and calories, and are the culprits when it comes to weight gain after drinking mixed drinks. Man up and drink it straight, or mix it with club soda and put in a lime or lemon twist. It may be rough at first, but this right here is the difference between wearing skinny jeans, and ROCKING skinny jeans.

Wine/Champagne:
Wine is good because it contains antioxidants, but just realize that wine and champagne contain a substantial amount of calories. I generally don't have that big of a problem with these because a couple glasses of wine from time to time is not a big deal, and champagne is usually only brought out on special occasions, such as NYE. Even yours truly will indulge in a little champagne this New Year's. Of course, I make up for it in the gym, and so should you. Otherwise, the daily glasses of wine at night could be why your ass needs to take up two seats on the subway.

So there you have it, the Jakeover guide to drinking. Keep it light, keep it clear, keep it clean, and keep it up at the gym to compensate for these empty calories. IMPORTANT: While this may alleviate some of the guilt caused by binge drinking, it will not alleviate any of the guilt caused by hooking up with someone who is far less attractive than you in a drunken stupor ;) Happy New Years!

~Body Jakeover

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