Drinking alcohol & MFP

2»

Replies

  • LilRedRooster
    LilRedRooster Posts: 1,421 Member
    It's probably more of a personal assessment than anything.

    I drink a few times a week, but I cut down my beer to one, or I just have a single mixed drink, and I'll make it something with diet soda to avoid the extra calories with regular sodas or juices. BUT I also don't tend to feel like I have to drink, so I don't tend to miss it when I cut back on it, and one drink doesn't put me over the edge into a bunch, and I RARELY eat more while drinking. I've never been a social drinker/eater much, but that's me.

    If you want to lose the weight but know you'll have issues keeping to one drink or two, don't do it. Everyone is different with alcohol, and you may be one of those that just needs to avoid it with your goals.
  • CajunCher2005
    CajunCher2005 Posts: 21 Member
    Most people who drink do not lose weight, but gain it. Not only does alcohol have a LOT of calories, but it makes one want to eat high calorie foods and definitely discourages one to move less as in falling asleep watching television instead of sprinting around the neighborhood for half an hour.
  • kgirlhart
    kgirlhart Posts: 5,160 Member
    CajunCher2005 wrote: »
    Most people who drink do not lose weight, but gain it. Not only does alcohol have a LOT of calories, but it makes one want to eat high calorie foods and definitely discourages one to move less as in falling asleep watching television instead of sprinting around the neighborhood for half an hour.

    This is not true. Some people who drink do not lose but gain, but you can't say that most people who drink don't lose but gain. Lots of people lose weight while still drinking moderate amounts of alcohol. They just fit it in their calorie goal. I drink occasionally and I don't have any problems losing weight. I can have one or two drinks and be fine though and I don't have any problems with overeating while drinking. And if you are drinking and say going out dancing then you will be burning some of those calories. I may not be sprinting around the neighborhood, but I don't fall asleep on the couch watching television after drinking either. If the OP has trouble controlling her eating while drinking or limiting herself to one or two drinks then she may be better off not drinking at all. But if she can fit one or two drinks into her calorie goal and be satisfied and stop there and not go over on what she eats then she can drink occasionally and still lose weight.
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    CajunCher2005 wrote: »
    Most people who drink do not lose weight, but gain it. Not only does alcohol have a LOT of calories, but it makes one want to eat high calorie foods and definitely discourages one to move less as in falling asleep watching television instead of sprinting around the neighborhood for half an hour.

    Weird. I got 41,000 steps last week on a long date with my husband where we walked around and had dinner, including drinks. When you say "most people," is that something you just randomly made up? Because where I live, people regularly do beer runs (run a 5K, have some beer) or find other ways to include alcohol in a lifestyle that also includes meeting fitness/weight goals.

    People who consume more calories than they burn will gain weight. People who don't move have a harder time burning calories.

    But one can certainly drink and maintain a calorie deficit. And one can drink and still move around. We own our choices, alcohol doesn't turn us into a different person.
  • Snipsa
    Snipsa Posts: 172 Member
    I usually log a whisky or brandy in the morning as an "in case" during the week so that I know it'll fit into my day. I remove it at night if I didn't consume it. Weekends I log 3 drinks per day, and again remove as needed.


    It's pretty rare that I would go over those limits, but when I do, I log it and go on with my life...
  • MiikeCholas
    MiikeCholas Posts: 70 Member
    While what happens when you drink alcohol your body identifies it as a toxin so it basically pushes a pause button on all burning of fat and carbs that are burned for energy to burn off the alcohol you are in taking. Plus the added of all the extra empty calories and the binge eating when drinking. Its okay to drink maybe once a week but over doing it is over doing it :( Good luck!
  • jmarschik
    jmarschik Posts: 1 Member
    I LOVE red wine. It's one of my most favorite things in the world. Its been my experience that, if I tell myself "I can't have that," I feel like I'm depriving myself (even if I'm not). So, I've decided not to deprive myself of anything. Instead of giving it up completely (which, in my opinion, is unsustainable long-term), I have red wine once a week (Saturdays) and now I look forward to it. I always try to create a healthy snack to pair with it like a fruit & cheese plate so that I'm not tempted to over eat. Drinking can be a slippery slope if you're not careful, but keep yourself honest while tracking and stick to your plan.
  • michellemybelll
    michellemybelll Posts: 2,228 Member
    i still partake on some weekends and vacay. No biggie.
  • rsclause
    rsclause Posts: 3,103 Member
    By running I can drink and lose weight so it works for me. I have scotch before dinner, wine during dinner and beer after diner daily. Its a stress reliever for me.
  • enterdanger
    enterdanger Posts: 2,447 Member
    I have a drink at least 3-4 times a week. Nothing light either. I like a nice craft beer.

    I try not to drink before eating though. Once I'm feeling it, I lose control if I'm hungry and eat whatever. I find it's best to have a drink with my dinner or after when I'm mostly full anyway. A decent DIPA always makes me feel very full so I likely wouldn't be able to have more anyway.

    I do struggle with wine, though. I'm the only wine drinker in the house and if I open a bottle it's like a feel compelled to finish it. Due to this, I only drink one in single serving situations or when I have other wine drinkers over.
  • kaaaayla
    kaaaayla Posts: 91 Member
    I quit having the after work beer, because it's a lot of calories to add so many times a week! I'll drink on special occasions now, like once every 2 or 3 weeks, because it doesn't set me back too much, and I generally just go to sleep afterward. For me, the problem is the hangover day when I want a whole pizza and a big mac and a cookie cake. But if I don't get totally wasted, i won't have that hangover day! So control yourself. Know your limits.
  • raishiwi
    raishiwi Posts: 56 Member
    Plan your drinks, drink in moderation, and be honest with your mfp app. I have had some serious binge drinking nights and when you honestly add 10+ drinks to MFP it's pretty good motivation to take it easy the next time. That said try to stick with lower calorie drinks if you can. There is a website called GetDrunkNotFat check it out!

Categories