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Get Fit Families Get Fit Dads Six Packs
Get Fit Families Get Fit Dads Six Packs
We can have our beer, and our health too. If done right, the former can facilitate the latter!
First and foremost, I quote the philosophy of the ancient Greeks - "Moderation is best in all things". Just like with most foods (especially good foods) Beer has calories. If we do not burn those calories then our bodies will store them for future use. The key to having your beer without the "Beer Belly" is exercise. If you wish to keep your body in shape and enjoy a lifestyle which includes the occasional brew, you must also have a lifestyle that incorporates regular calorie burning exercise.
On the positive side, Beer contains no Fat or Cholesterol. Calories are the primary modifier to your overall shape and those can be battled by exercising.
Not all beers are created equal though. Some contain more calories than others. Just to look at a few, from "Does my Butt Look Big in This Beer?"
MGD 64: 64 calories, 2.4 carbohydrate grams, 1 Weight Watchers point.
Bare Knuckle Stout: 110, 7, 2.
Grolsch Blonde Lager: 120, 12, 2.
Abita Purple Haze: 128, 11, 2.
Budweiser: 145, 11, 3.
Coors: 149, 12, 3.
Yuengling Lager: 150, 12, 3.
Franziskaner Hefe-Weisse: 153, 10, 3.
Anchor Steam: 155, 16, 3.
Appalachian Peregrine Pilsner: 160, 16, 3.
Budweiser American Ale: 177, 17, 3.
Allagash Dubbel: 209, 19, 4.
Rogue Dead Guy Ale: 216, 22, 4.
Flying Dog Gonzo Imperial Porter: 269, 19, 5.
Three Floyds Dreadnaught Imperial IPA: 316, 32, 6.
Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Ale: 330, 32, 7.
Avery The Beast: 480, 41, 10.
Samuel Adams Triple Bock: 636, n/a, 12. *
If you average a six pack each week, you can burn most of those calories off in just 2 or 3 exercise sessions. You also stay fit by playing hard or even playing with your kids. Take a look at some of the following calorie burn rates for various activities:
| Activity (1 hour) | 130lbs |
155lbs |
190lbs |
| Basketball, game | 472 | 563 | 690 |
| Bicycling, stationary, vigorous effort | 620 | 739 | 906 |
| Football or baseball, playing catch | 148 | 176 | 216 |
| Football, touch, flag, general | 472 | 563 | 690 |
| Mowing lawn, general | 325 | 387 | 474 |
| Swimming laps, freestyle, fast, vigorous effort | 590 | 704 | 863 |
| Sitting-playing with children-light | 148 | 176 | 216 |
As you can see from this very short list, just about any activity you can think of will burn calories to some extent. In order to sculpt specific areas of your body (such as your stomach) you must seek out specific exercise routines that will focus on those muscle groups. Our online trainers and message forums should be a great source of information to help you define and reach your fitness (and appearence) goals.
You can live well and enjoy the food and drinks you love when they are balanced with moderation and appropriate activity.