I recently read an article in Food & Wine magazine on the calorie content of wine. While I enjoy my share of wine, I am also not dillusional in thinking it doesn't take a toll on my diet. I know...I know. I am a powerlifter...who the hell cares? Well, old habits die hard, and honestly, most powerlifters - at least the good ones - do care about what they put in their body. That said, we have our vices and mine is wine. So everytime I see an article that alludes to wine's health benefits, I am quick to read it. This was one of those cases.
Before I begin, this article reeked a lot of the "Eat This, Not That" guy, so please take it in with the "no duh" factor. But even so, it was interesting.
First with the obvious. The amount of calories in a glass of wine is dependent - primarily - on the amount of its alcohol. Like carbohydrates with 4 calories and fat with 9 calories per gram, alcohol has 7 calories. So logic tells you, the higher the alcohol, the more the calories. Now comes the article...
A Krispy Kreme doughnut has approx. 190 calories. This is the equivalent to one and half glasses of pinot noir. Not so bad. Some of you may choose the doughnut...I mean, those things are pretty delicious. But man, a glass of pinot ain't bad.
Moving on...one large McDonald french fry equals 500 calories...this equals nearly 4.3 glasses of cabernet sauvignon. Wow. But here is a big kicker...a taco bell taco salad equals 775 calories, which, my friends, is the equivalent of a bottle and a quarter of chardonney. Hey, if I had the chose of drinking a bottle of wine or eating a fat laden taco salad, there is no question....oh waiter...
But before we break out the bourdeoux, in the famous words of college football's Lee Corso..."not so fast my friend." There is more to this story.
As we know, wine has its health benefits. Red wine has resveratrol; a known antioxidant tied to prolonging cell life and overall health. Wine - in moderation - also does a fine job reducing the stress of the day. Wine, however, lacks the macronutrients of some of the magazine's comparisons. For example, a taco salad may be high in fat...but that fat is also an essential nutrient your body can use. Also, and most importantly to the powerlifter, it has protein...and quite a good amount. In my own research, I learned your standard fiesta taco salad has 27 gms of protein. Yes, it comes with 42 whopping grams of fat. But considering alcohol calories are empty and basically worthless, it might be worth a second look.
So, what is the purpose of the entry? The purpose is to show that it is okay to drink a glass (or two) of wine; and enjoy life. But also realize that wine is not a substitute to food. The "Eat This, Not That" guy will use these comparisons like they are apples to apples. But if you have a hard workout, eat the fricking taco salad and save the wine for your social hour.
You can be strong and lead a happy life...neither wine or a burger will kill you. Just be smart about it.
About the editor
- PoliticalMuscle
- Sacramento, CA, United States
- I am a competitive elite powerlifter residing in Sacramento, CA and training at Supertraining Gym in West Sacramento. The blog will feature my training log (inc. videos), my favorite nutritional tips (inc. recipes), and competition information.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Making the move into multi-ply gear
When I first starting training with Supertraining, you never would have heard me say "yeah, I will give double-ply gear a try." Well, times have changed. With the Fit Expo done and the elite total achieved, I am going to give multi-ply a run. I have an elite total in raw (SPF) and an elite total in single ply (USPA)...so, of course, why not look into multi-ply?
To achieve a pro total in the SPF, I will need a 1650 total. If I can find the right gear for both my deadlift and squat, I should achieve this with little difficulty. However, to be competitive at this level, I will need a total near 2 grand. This, my friends, will take some serious time and effort, especially since my bench sucks so bad. My deadlift compares very nicely to rest of the folks, single or multi-ply. A squat in multi-ply gear should bump up a good amount. My bench, however, needs some work. I can barely stand a tight, uncut single ply...so moving into reinforced bench shirts will probably blow my mind. Your bench is your bench and I have to move it up if I think I have any shot of competing with the "big" boys.
As for my training this week, on Thursday, I did some quick bench work (basic reps and sets) and then today (Saturday) I box squatted with the buffalo bar, using a pair of my teammate's, Greg Buffington, metal ace briefs. I went up to five plates with a couple of chains on each side. The bar moved fast and I was able to achieve a fairly wide stance. As for the gear, the briefs fit a little big on the waist but snug on the legs. I am going to get myself a pair and, if necessary, have them taken in. As soon as I get comfortable, its go time.
To achieve a pro total in the SPF, I will need a 1650 total. If I can find the right gear for both my deadlift and squat, I should achieve this with little difficulty. However, to be competitive at this level, I will need a total near 2 grand. This, my friends, will take some serious time and effort, especially since my bench sucks so bad. My deadlift compares very nicely to rest of the folks, single or multi-ply. A squat in multi-ply gear should bump up a good amount. My bench, however, needs some work. I can barely stand a tight, uncut single ply...so moving into reinforced bench shirts will probably blow my mind. Your bench is your bench and I have to move it up if I think I have any shot of competing with the "big" boys.
As for my training this week, on Thursday, I did some quick bench work (basic reps and sets) and then today (Saturday) I box squatted with the buffalo bar, using a pair of my teammate's, Greg Buffington, metal ace briefs. I went up to five plates with a couple of chains on each side. The bar moved fast and I was able to achieve a fairly wide stance. As for the gear, the briefs fit a little big on the waist but snug on the legs. I am going to get myself a pair and, if necessary, have them taken in. As soon as I get comfortable, its go time.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Fit Expo Weekend
Well alright. The Fit Expo has come and gone and the American Cup was a success! While I came in second to a strong ass 148 pounder, I finally...FINALLY...got me Elite total and two personal records at 165 lbs.
The day started off kind of shaky. For whatever reason, I was very nervous. It's funny that you spend all this time training, but when it comes to game day, all confidence goes out the window. During my squat warm-ups, I was just not feeling it. So to be safe, I dropped my opener from 551 to 540. Although it was only 11 pounds, it was enough to settle my mind. I promptly went out and squatted. I followed with a second and successful attempt of 573 lbs...this was a personal best at 165 lbs. For my third attempt, I had 600 lbs. on the bar. While I went down and came back up with it, I cut the depth and was red lighted. I knew it too; the weight came up way to easy.
The next event was the bench press. Again, my mind was all scattered. I went into my opener of 330 and completely it succesfully. I jumped to 352 which ties my personal best at any body weight. I needed this press because it would basically seal my Elite...requiring only 606 lb deadlift. While I did press the weight, it was far from easy...felt heavy and my body was very shifty. I put 363 on the bar next and only managed to move it off my chest...I was just not feeling it. Besides, the bench press is the time I relax between the squat and deads right? Ha!
On to the Deadlift. Long story short....I went 3 for 3. To officially seal my Elite total, I opened with 606 lbs...brining my total to 1531. I entered a second attempt of 622 and then a third attempt of 633 (personal record at 165 lbs). This brought my Elite total up to 1560. This was the highest total I ever completed at 165 lbs...and it felt great!
Still, I have much improvement. My next two goals are a 1600 lb total and a 372 lb bench press. I may just enter a bench only meet to try and focus on that event. The only way I can safely secure a 1600 lb total is if my bench press improves. I can get a 600 lb squat; I can get a 650 lb deadlift BUT I don't want to have to rely on it. My bench is embarrassing and it needs to improve.
Also, while my deadlift is my bread and butter, my coach, Mark Bell, reminds my that my deadlift is good because I am strong...not because I am a master technician. If I can seal my technique and be consistent with it, why not pull 700 lbs? Seriously.
Anyway, that is the meet report.
Also, I have actually already squeezed in a quick workout. I pulled conventional tonight just to get a feel of the weights. Here is my workout for tonight.
February 1, 2011
Conventional Deadlifts
375 x 8 x 4
Pull Ups
BW x 12 x 1
BW x 10 x 1
BW x 8 x 1
Dumbell Rows
80 x 10-12 x 3
Next meet could be as early as March...if it is, it will be a bench only. Good times.
The day started off kind of shaky. For whatever reason, I was very nervous. It's funny that you spend all this time training, but when it comes to game day, all confidence goes out the window. During my squat warm-ups, I was just not feeling it. So to be safe, I dropped my opener from 551 to 540. Although it was only 11 pounds, it was enough to settle my mind. I promptly went out and squatted. I followed with a second and successful attempt of 573 lbs...this was a personal best at 165 lbs. For my third attempt, I had 600 lbs. on the bar. While I went down and came back up with it, I cut the depth and was red lighted. I knew it too; the weight came up way to easy.
The next event was the bench press. Again, my mind was all scattered. I went into my opener of 330 and completely it succesfully. I jumped to 352 which ties my personal best at any body weight. I needed this press because it would basically seal my Elite...requiring only 606 lb deadlift. While I did press the weight, it was far from easy...felt heavy and my body was very shifty. I put 363 on the bar next and only managed to move it off my chest...I was just not feeling it. Besides, the bench press is the time I relax between the squat and deads right? Ha!
On to the Deadlift. Long story short....I went 3 for 3. To officially seal my Elite total, I opened with 606 lbs...brining my total to 1531. I entered a second attempt of 622 and then a third attempt of 633 (personal record at 165 lbs). This brought my Elite total up to 1560. This was the highest total I ever completed at 165 lbs...and it felt great!
Still, I have much improvement. My next two goals are a 1600 lb total and a 372 lb bench press. I may just enter a bench only meet to try and focus on that event. The only way I can safely secure a 1600 lb total is if my bench press improves. I can get a 600 lb squat; I can get a 650 lb deadlift BUT I don't want to have to rely on it. My bench is embarrassing and it needs to improve.
Also, while my deadlift is my bread and butter, my coach, Mark Bell, reminds my that my deadlift is good because I am strong...not because I am a master technician. If I can seal my technique and be consistent with it, why not pull 700 lbs? Seriously.
Anyway, that is the meet report.
Also, I have actually already squeezed in a quick workout. I pulled conventional tonight just to get a feel of the weights. Here is my workout for tonight.
February 1, 2011
Conventional Deadlifts
375 x 8 x 4
Pull Ups
BW x 12 x 1
BW x 10 x 1
BW x 8 x 1
Dumbell Rows
80 x 10-12 x 3
Next meet could be as early as March...if it is, it will be a bench only. Good times.
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