These next couple of weeks I thought I’d do a little something different and answer YOUR questions personally. I get tons of questions coming in all the time so I thought it was time to give you my thoughts.

Now remember, I don’t know it all. I can only speak from my 40+ years experience of being in the health and fitness industry and what has worked for me and my community. That said, I am still learning a lot myself and that’s one of the reasons why I created my latest program PowerSync 60™.

So here’s the answer to one very important question that came in from Andrea:
”Besides your guaranteed hangover, how else does alcohol affect your health? I always thought if you do everything in moderation there were no long term effects (excluding drug use and nicotine of course). But I had dinner with you back in November and one of your other guests Gina had cut out all alcohol intake. You were very impressed and gave her a high 5. Knowledge is power and I would like to learn more on the benefits and negative impacts it has on the body.”

Thanks for this VERY important question Andrea, as I think a lot of people struggle with alcohol and don’t really understand the negative long-term effects it has on the body:

Now, I know we all like to let loose and have a good time, but it's essential to understand these negative effects.

First off, let's talk about the impact alcohol has on your liver. Your liver is like your body's detox center, and alcohol puts it into overdrive. Excessive drinking can lead to liver inflammation, fatty liver disease, and even cirrhosis.

Even small amounts of alcohol can make your liver work harder than it needs to. Because the liver is the main cleansing system of the body, the last thing you want to do is overload it. It has enough to do every day without adding alcohol.

Now, how about your waistline? You work hard to stay fit and healthy, but those extra calories from alcohol can really sneak up on you. Alcohol is calorie-dense, and those sugary cocktails, glass or two of wine a night, or extra beers can pack on the pounds. If you are trying to lose weight or maintain your current weight, alcohol will not be your friend.

Alcohol is also a depressant. A lot of people use alcohol to relax or wind down at the end of the day. There’s nothing wrong with that if it’s not a NEED. If it is, then you might want to take a deeper look at your relationship with alcohol. Most people don’t know but alcohol is actually a depressant and depletes all the feel good chemicals in the brain.

And let's not forget about dehydration. Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it makes you pee more. Dehydration can leave you feeling sluggish, affect your workout performance, mess with decision making abilities, and even dull and dehydrate your skin, which can age you.

Oh, and the impact on your sleep! Quality sleep is essential for recovery and overall well-being. While a nightcap might seem like a good idea, it can actually disrupt your sleep cycle, leaving you feeling groggy and less energized the next day. Alcohol prevents us from having our full cycle of REM sleep. I don't know about you, but I love waking up ready to crush the day.

Lastly, alcohol can mess with your fitness goals. It can hinder muscle recovery and growth, making it harder to see the results of all your hard work in the gym. Plus, it impairs coordination and reaction time, increasing the risk of injuries during workouts.

So, team, while I'm all for having a good time, let's be mindful of how alcohol can impact our bodies. You have to find what works for you!