Editor's Note: This is a common question asked by several guys trying to get fit. As always, Tom Venuto has the answer!

Dear Tom,

What do you think about drinking beer on the weekends? How much does it slow your down your progress?

Beer and other alcoholic beverages may certainly be enjoyed on occasion, but only in moderation. My definition of moderation would be one or two drinks per day and even then only occasionally (like on the weekends). The trouble with drinking "in moderation" every single day (even just a drink or two), is that whatever you do every day becomes habit forming and difficult to stop.

Some studies have shown that there are protective health benefits from drinking small amounts of alcohol, particularly red wine. However, drinking excessively can definitely interfere with your muscular gains, decrease your energy and prevent the loss of body fat.

One problem with all alcohol, regardless of what form it's in - wine, beer, or liquor - is that the calories add up so quickly. At seven calories per gram, alcohol is the second most calorically dense nutrient behind fat, which contains nine calories per gram. When you're trying to lose body fat, all those extra calories certainly don't help you maintain your caloric deficit.

In addition, alcohol suppresses the body's ability to burn fat. When your liver is metabolizing alcohol, fat burning in the body stops altogether!

Editor's Note: Christian Finn, a certified personal trainer, wrote an excellent article detailing what goes on in the body after drinking beer - or any alcohol for that matter. It explains how alcohol stops your body from burning fat. The article is titled, Why Alcohol Calories are More Important Than You Think.

Alcohol also dehydrates you, it interferes with the absorption of many nutrients and excessive consumption has been linked to health problems such as liver disease, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, cardiomyopathy, abnormal heart rhythms, cancer, decreased resistance to infections, gout and hypoglycemia. Alcohol is also a great testosterone suppressor.

The key in developing a successful nutrition plan for yourself is to find a happy medium that you can live with. You'll have to make some sacrifices to develop a great body, but on the other hand, you don't need to deprive yourself completely either. Let's face it, eating and drinking are two of life's greatest pleasures so it's important to find a balance.

If you try to be too strict by completely abstaining from alcohol, that might not be realistic for some people; it depends on what your goals are and on how serious you are about achieving them. Most people just want to be fit and lean, not necessarily huge and "ripped" like a body builder.

If that's the case, then a drink or two is not likely to have much impact on your progress However, if you are serious about getting maximum results in the minimum amount of time, or if you are a on a strict fat loss program, then I would advise you not to drink at all... until your "celebration meal" after you reach your goal!

Read other articles by Tom Venuto

About the Author

Tom Venuto is an NSCA-certified personal trainer, lifetime natural bodybuilder, certified strength & conditioning specialist (CSCS), and author of the #1 best selling diet e-book, "Burn The Fat, Feed The Muscle." Tom has written hundreds of articles and has been featured in IRONMAN, Natural Bodybuilding, Muscular Development, Exercise for Men and Men's Exercise. To contact Tom or get information on his e-book, visit www.BurnTheFat.com