How you don't have to give up alcohol to stay healthy

A personal trainer has revealed how you can still enjoy alcohol even if you’re trying to lose weight and get fit.

Max Lowery, 27, admits he had a ‘terrible relationship’ with booze for about 10 years before changing his habits.

Leaving the days of downing a bottle of vodka in a nightclub behind him, the former broker, of London, now drinks far less than he used to.

However he still indulges in a beer from time to time – and says that you don’t need to give up the booze entirely even if you want to become lean and healthy, he reveals in a new blog post on his website.

Max Lowery used to spent his nights binge drinking copious amounts of alcohol when he worked in the City in finance. But he’s since cleaned up his act after becoming a personal trainer – but says you don’t need to ditch the booze entirely

Max advises that drinkers try a refreshing soda and lime instead of always opting for alcohol in the pub – and to savour any alcohol beverage you do buy

Max, the founder of the 2 Meal Day plan, has revealed his top tips for enjoying alcohol while sticking to your health and fitness regime.

He advises to only drink beverages you truly enjoy, such as wine or beer, and to savour them rather than have several in quick succession.

He also recommends staying away from calorific cocktails and high-percentage shots that could encourage you to binge drink.

Max, who has 33,400 Instagram followers, wrote on his blog: ‘I strongly believe you don’t have to give up alcohol to lead a balanced lifestyle.

Max still indulges in beer from time to time as he enjoys the taste but never binge drinks anymore

How to keep losing weight and getting fit while still drinking booze

1. Go out intending not to get drunk

Have you ever tried repeating ‘I will wake up at 7am’ before going to bed? You’d be surprised by how often it works. Equally, try saying to yourself ‘I am not going to get drunk’ multiple times to yourself. You’ll find you are far less likely to get drunk.

2. Give yourself an excuse to say ‘no’ to another drink

Plan a workout with a friend the next morning, make an early-morning commitment, such as a work meeting or exercise class, or just make something up! Anything to give you an ‘out’.

3. Quality over quantity

Find an alcoholic drink that you genuinely like (I find spending more money helps!) Sip it slowly and savour the flavours. This one completely changed the way I drink; I learned to appreciate alcohol, rather than using it as a means to an end.

4. Drink water

Get into the habit of drinking one glass of water for every alcoholic drink. Not only will it sober you up, but you will be so thankful for it the next day! You may even realise that you don’t want alcohol, but just want the feeling of a drink in your hand. I now often use soda water and fresh lime juice as a non-alcoholic alternative.

5. DO NOT DRINK SHOTS!

Another game changer for me. I was able to stay in control just drinking beer or wine, but as soon as shots entered the equation that was the end of it.

‘You shouldn’t have to put your social life on hold to reach your goals; in fact, trying to do that can make it much harder. The more you obsess about your diet and workouts, the more likely you are to mess it up or lose motivation.’

He added: Socialising can be a problem if we fall into bad habits.

‘For five years, I drank my way through a career in the City, suffering horrendous hangovers, damaged relationships and a general feeling of complete s***ness.

‘Now, I’ve formed new habits so I can drink – I still love beer! – without doing untold harm to my body.’

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk

How you don’t have to give up alcohol to stay healthy

How to keep losing weight and getting fit while still drinking booze