Who has had to completely give up alcohol for weight loss?
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I have never given up alcohol, but have lost over 100 pounds. It was a discussion with my trainer in one of our first sessions. There are times when it slows progress or I temporarily gain weight over the weekend, but not enough that it is a real problem. However, it sounds like you don't care about drinking, so why not give it up? If you are worried about what your friends think when you don't drink, or worry about them harassing you, that is another story. My friends could care less if I drink or not, so that is rarely a problem. There are times when I don't want to answer the questions of why I am not drinking, so I drink club soda, diet soda or water and make it look like a drink.0
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I work hard, so I can play hard. I workout so I can eat and/or drink what I want...within reason of course. Portion control, whether it's food or drink is the key. IMO!
I can achieve my goals and still have a few adult beverages each week.
Tip: Vodka & lemon/lime flavored water with a fresh twist of lemon/lime is a great low-cal option. About 65 calories.0 -
The reason I work out is to eat and drink what I want (in moderation, of course). I have a large glass of red wine (6-8 oz) a night (or every other night) and I track them everytime. It's all about calories in vs. calories out.0
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everyone is going to have their own reasons for action taken on booze intake - or even removing it. this will depend on your habbits when drinking (on top of the additional cals). for me, I want to eat while drinking for the most part. when I was over-weight I would not only over-consume booze but I would add food cals to it too.
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- Yes there was times I said f it i'm not drinking at all but this was when I knew nothing about eating healthy
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- I now only drink socially (which I'll limit the amount I consume and how much per week), this also helps u avoid those hangovers so you dont waste the next day
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- whats helped me stick to this is being consistant and not drinking everyday like I used too. when those occasions come about to go out more then your "limit" a week, enjoy a non-alcoholic mixer. I've gone to bars or other places plenty of times and didnt drink. it was a big mentality change for me as it does suck when your friends are drinking and you're not but hey - u have goals right?!?!?1 -
I have mostly given it up - mostly due to timing of when I prefer to drink.
I really enjoy have a drink when I get home, which is where the majority of my problem is. I can have just one, but why do I have to? After all I am home and once I drink, I won't go anywhere. This is my problem.
My preferred workout time for most of my life is evenings. Mornings are evil, rushed, and a painful time period for me. When I started drinking more, it impacted my fitness activity and of course changed my calorie intake as well.
So no, I really can't drink regularly and maintain an active lifestyle. And yes, I know others can, but I personally can't.1 -
I hear you on this one so I planned a little experiment for myself. I've been a weekend warrior on the party front pretty much since I graduated college four years ago. 2 weeks ago decided to go cold turkey on beer for one month to see how it affects my weight loss progress. It's not the calories consumed during drinking that bother me so much as the completely lethargic and binge prone state I am in the day after. Anything greasy becomes almost irresistible to me haha.
Socially my big test is Friday evening at a birthday bbq for a college buddy. I'm sure there will be temptation and a little peer pressure but the goal is to prove to myself I can still have fun at such an event while sober and then workout first thing Saturday morning.
Pending the results of this experiment, I plan to add some partying back in but find an acceptable limit...probably reduce to once a month.0 -
All I know is when I gave up wine for 8 days my weight did not change. When I gave up cookies for 8 days I lost. A doughnut has about 300 cals. I'd rather use that for a few nice glasses of Pinot Noir.1
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I've basically had to give it up - I make terrible food choices when alcohol is involved (especially the day after) and stay up later than I normally would which makes me tired and more inclined to skip work outs. I have taken more enjoyment lately out of seeing results on the scale and in the gym. I will still have the occasional drink, but it is at a point where I more so do it so that whoever I'm with doesn't feel uncomfortable drinking by themselves (can only order so many diet cokes!).0
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I like you.
I work out for wine and peanut butter.
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This is a tough one, I am a big wine drinker and I know the sugar and carbs is my down fall however I just limit myself because lets be honest I am never going to stop drinking
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bevhillsilly wrote: »A doughnut has about 300 cals. I'd rather use that for a few nice glasses of Pinot Noir.
Ha ha, I LOVE doughnuts. I would rather eat the doughnut! To each their own
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SuperSleepySchro wrote: »I hear you on this one so I planned a little experiment for myself. I've been a weekend warrior on the party front pretty much since I graduated college four years ago. 2 weeks ago decided to go cold turkey on beer for one month to see how it affects my weight loss progress. It's not the calories consumed during drinking that bother me so much as the completely lethargic and binge prone state I am in the day after. Anything greasy becomes almost irresistible to me haha.
Socially my big test is Friday evening at a birthday bbq for a college buddy. I'm sure there will be temptation and a little peer pressure but the goal is to prove to myself I can still have fun at such an event while sober and then workout first thing Saturday morning.
Pending the results of this experiment, I plan to add some partying back in but find an acceptable limit...probably reduce to once a month.
Good Luck!
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bevhillsilly wrote: »A doughnut has about 300 cals. I'd rather use that for a few nice glasses of Pinot Noir.
Ha ha, I LOVE doughnuts. I would rather eat the doughnut! To each their own
And right there is what IIFYM is all about and why it works so well for people. Choose what you like and go for it. No one has to give up their favorite things.
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I haven't HAD to quit drinking, but I simply prefer not to take in those calories in place of food. I do recall a time where going without alcohol may have seemed difficult, but I guess times have just changed.0
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With me it's not so much the booze but my appetite after drinking. I eat like a rooting hog!
I just decided that drinking does not line up with my health and fitness goals, so I totally gave it up.
AND SO SHOULD EVERYBODY...well, not really.
It's a personal choice, and to each his own... 0 -
I have a glass of beer or wine with dinner several nights a week. Did not affect my weight loss results. Not sure about its affect on muscle gain though so hope I'm not messing myself up with that now. Just be mindful of the calorie load.0
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I could never give up wine :P everything else is out except on very rare occasions0
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I used to drink ALL.OF.THE.TIME. I started doing Atkins way back when and would cheat with vodka/soda but honestly I no longer drink for the buzz. Now I drink wine and IPA because I like the taste and if I get a little tipsy because I had one too many so be it. When I had to switch to vodka/soda I realized it wasn't worth it. I don't even LIKE vodka/soda so wth. I have restarted Atkins a million times over, and usually do a good job giving up alcohol for the Induction period ( 2 weeks) and then add it back in ( I am into Bourbon now!). I don;t count calories, just net carbs, so it works - but yeah it definitely slows me down, but not completely.
I do need to stop drinking as much as I do as I feel it impacts my life in negative ways. I am going to work on only allowing drinking on weekends ( it's a lot harder to drink 8 bourbons than it is to drink 8 beers!) and then hopefully one I am closer to target weight, older, wiser and more on the wagon it will be periodic and I won't lok forward to weekends just so I can have that glass of pappy van winkle0 -
I am a social drinker. I only ever really drink on special occasions and events, u sually with food. For me, alcohol is sort of a hobby. I took wine classes and chemistry for wines and liquors. So I drink occasionally.
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I think it's a personal choice. I am day #8 of a 2 week no alcohol challenge. I can feel benefits - not so sluggish, better rest, more energy for working out, etc. I am hoping that by then end of 2 weeks that I will see benefits - like on the scale. I was drinking far to much and it was affecting me and others negatively. I am happy that I made myself quit - knowing that I still can. Now I want to make it a lifestyle change. Perhaps not cutting it out entirely but definately reducing. I do recognize though, that others may be in a different place, have different opinions and not have to give it up entirely. So I don't think you have to give it up entirely for weight loss but I do think it's worth a good look at as it fits into your own lifestyle and goals.2
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I've pretty much given it up. I can't do anything in moderation, so if I have a drink, I'll have 20 of 'em and then I'll have to buy a pack of smokes (because who can drink without smoking) and then I'll have to go get White Castle at 4:00AM and get one of everything on the menu because you need variety!!!!.... So you see where this is going.1
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What??? Give up alcohol you say???
No way in H. E. double hockey sticks would I give up my beer or vodka!!!
I just make sure it fits into my calories for the day. (Insert emoticon lifting a beer glass HERE....since I can't FIND the old emoticons anymore..... 
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Edited to add: If you give up alcohol and don't plan on giving it up for the REST OF YOUR LIFE....you're setting yourself up for failure. Once you get to your goal weight and you start drinking again, you'll just start packing on the lbs again.1 -
I have had any alcohol since July. It wasn't a big deal to me because in the past I've gone long periods of time without drinking. But I have fitness goals I am trying to reach and alcohol doesn't fit into those plans. Hasn't change my social behavior at all. I still go out to Happy Hour, get togethers and parties. It's more about the company to me. I just order a sparkling water with a splash of cran. The holidays are coming up so I'm not against celebrating on NYE, etc., but at this point I'm really not missing it.0
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Some people can drink and lose weight. But I cannot. Yes, you can fit it into your calorie limit. But once I start imbibing, it all goes out the window. So I've decided not to drink at all, because I don't have the ability to restrain myself once I start.
This ^ happens to me too.
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Nope. Dropped 25 lbs and maintaining there without giving it up a beer (or two) with dinner.0
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I haven't! I know it can hinder progress, but you shouldn't deprive yourself completely. Have a few drinks every now and again, I think its fine to spoil yourself like that every now and again, so long as youre not drinking every day! 0
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It depends on your level of self control. Personally, I can't be drinking and achieve any sustained weight loss. I can maintain my weight but I cannot lose.
I go on brief periods where I do not drink at all for 2-3 weeks at a time. This slows my progress down but if I want to lost it is what ~I~ have to do.
There's people in this thread that say you shouldn't have to give it up, and there are people in this thread who will tell you you absolutely should.
I say, figure out what ~you~ need to do to be successful... and do that.0
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