Physical Activity and Wine

There are a lot of people who suggest that alcohol and exercise don’t go together. Generally speaking, it’s not a great idea. Particularly when you’ve imbibed just a little too much, as it may cause you to think you look good in lycra. And run properly.

After you’ve been up early and done your 5km jog, however, there’s nothing wrong with a dabble in the evening. Why not make it a part of your exercise regime?

There are a number of ways in which you can do this. The easiest to incorporate the two is called Incidental Alcoholic Activity. This is where you are doing activity whilst holding a glass of wine and don’t even realise you are doing anything active.

Activities include holding a glass of wine in one hand while you stir the risotto with the other. This not only works on your core muscles, which work hard to maintain the balance of your body, but also work the left and right side of your brain. Drink with the left, whilst stirring with the right; it’s like patting your head and rubbing your tummy at the same time.

(Wine of choice for this activity: Mountadam Barossa Chardonnay 2008)

Another great activity for burning calories is the Search for the wine glass. This occurs when you remember pouring a wine, but can’t remember where you left it, and set about wandering around the house in search of it. Depending on the size of your house, this can burn a considerable number of calories, both in walking and in increasing stress levels.

(Wine of choice for this activity: Bethany Quarry Grenache Shiraz 2007)

You may also like to include the long walk as part of a specific, deliberate routine. This is where you ‘cellar’ your wine in another part of the house, a cellar or the fridge out the back. This then requires a walk in order to get your wine. To increase the level of activity, travel back and forth between glasses, rather than keep the wine at hand. Or not.

(Wine of choice for this activity: Peter Lehman Mentor 2004 (red) or the Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2008 (white))

Of course, strength (muscle) training and stretching are essential for a complete workout.

To work the arms, simply bend your arm at the elbow, raise your glass to eye level and peer, bleary eyed, into your glass. This works best after one too many. And with an Angus Brut Premium Cuvee NV.

The abdominals get a great workout when you lie on the couch, knees bent and feet firmly placed on the cushion in front of your bottom. Place your glass of wine on the coffee table, just out of reach. Raise your head and shoulders, taking care not to strain your neck, reach across and grasp your glass. To work the abs, keep your shoulders raised and abdominals tense as you take a sip and return the wine to the table. Just remember to change sides on occasion. Works best with a Geisen Sauvignon Blanc.

And, a final warm down and stretch, sit on the floor (or a beanbag), with your wine glass placed at your feet. With legs relatively straight, reach forward, grasp your glass, return to the seated position, sip, and return the glass. Advanced participants, or those with great flexibility, increase the stretch by leaving the bottle near the glass, reach forward and pour the wine into the glass. Then you may drink, returning your glass to your feet after each mouthful. A Katanook Estate Merlot 2004 is the perfect accompaniment for this exercise.

And … we’re done! Hit the showers and see you tomorrow!

Mad Cow (aka Amanda Cox) is an ex-personal trainer and aerobics instructor. Now, she is married with three kids, so she knows a fair bit about wine and no longer looks good in fluoro lycra. She has combined her skills and knowledge for your benefit and recommends the Real Mums Wine Club for all your exercise needs.