Weight loss and alcohol

Mdistler92

So my weight loss journey is going quite well so far. I could not be any happier with my daily routine and the results I have seen so far.

My only setback seems to alcohol. Ideally I'd like to abstain from drinking completely, however I don't foresee this going as planned. I love wine and I have already spent this last weekend throwing back so much beer and whiskey lol.

Does anyone have any advice or experiences they'd like to share? Or diet friendly alcohol suggestions?

quiksylver296

I had to cut it out completely. It was derailing my weight loss. I'm trying to leave alcohol for special occasions only.

Others have found they can log and moderate their alcohol intake. Maybe that will work for you. For me, it had to be complete abstinence.

janejellyroll

I think it's possible to lose weight while consuming alcohol. I don't know if it is possible to lose weight while consuming "so much" alcohol, at least while meeting one's nutritional needs.

If you can log the alcohol you consume and stick to your calorie goal, it shouldn't be a problem. But if you can't stay within your goal or if it is crowding out other things that you need to stay healthy, it may be something to take a closer look at.

chel325

I lost the bulk of my weight (120lbs) after I completely quit alcohol. I think I had the drunk munchies a lot.

Alarae21

I was lucky in this respect in that I got all my drinking days out of me pre-18. Once it was legal, it wasn't fun anymore!

I prefer to waste my calories on chocolate nowadays, lol.

MiMi_5151

I've been logging my alcoholic drinks and am able to maintained my desired calorie deficit. What I find is really tasty, with low calories and carbs, is adding 6 oz sparkling water to 4 ounces of wine. I get the sparkling water that is fruit flavored (mango, grapefruit, passion fruit, etc) that has no sugar or artificial sweetener - just water, CO2, and natural fruit flavor. Reminds me of sangria but without all the sugar. A 4 oz serving of Pinot Grigio is about 97 calories and 2.5 carbs.

I love my beer too. I just don't drink it everyday anymore (trying to keep my carbs in control helps me to continue to lose weight). But when I do enjoy a couple of Stella Artois in the evening, I just log them as my snacks.

jessiferrrb

janejellyroll wrote: »

I think it's possible to lose weight while consuming alcohol. I don't know if it is possible to lose weight while consuming "so much" alcohol, at least while meeting one's nutritional needs.

If you can log the alcohol you consume and stick to your calorie goal, it shouldn't be a problem. But if you can't stay within your goal or if it is crowding out other things that you need to stay healthy, it may be something to take a closer look at.

^this. i have no problem measuring and logging 1 glass of wine per night and working within my calories. i have a serious problem consuming 12 miller lites and then deciding in alcohol infused wisdom that i don't need actual food i can just drink all the calories. or drinking the beer then deciding that i DO need food, and dear god let it be pizza! i don't have the answer but i try to limit the occurrences of this, bank up some calories for party days, and log everything no matter how much it hurts.

the more i focus on my nutrition and fitness though, the easier it is to say i don't want to go out and binge. mostly.

Terpnista84

I have struggled with this myself. I really thought that the alcohol was hindering my weight loss because I knew I was in a deficit. I eventually gave up and kept drinking. This time I still haven't been able to moderate my drinking as much as I would like but I have stuck with my plan long enough to finally see progress- the weight is definitely coming off. However I would still like to slow down on the booze. I consume up to 500 calories each night from alcohol but I still manage around a 1,000 deficit for the day.

bigbodybake

I went from January-April with no alcohol, lost 50 lbs. since then I have gone back to my old ways, just eating better and exercising daily, have gained 8 lbs back in 4 months. It's probably doable, but not the easiest thing in the world. Staying away except for special occasions is the way to go (in my opinion). Good luck

rosnz

I manage it within my logging and exercise. I've cut out a regular daily evening glass of wine and now just have a glass Friday and Sat nights and make sure I counterbalance it with extra exercise. I quite like 'earning' my treat and somehow enjoy it more now its a bit special.

kshama2001

Alcohol derails my weight loss. It's difficult for me to make those empty calories fit, and if more than a few drinks I get the drunken munchies, plus don't sleep well and then have sleep-deprivation carb cravings the next day and no motivation to exercise.

I have one or two drinks a few times a month and more a few times a year.

goldthistime

I have a couple MFP friends who incorporate alcohol into their diet seemingly easily. Not me. It reduces my food inhibitions I guess. Puts me in a let's celebrate with food mood.

txlady2566

I'm a keto girl (low carb high fat) and have finally given up the beer for spirits such as vodka and whiskey since they contain zero carbs. My favorite is 1ounce vodka a 12 ounce can of plain carbonated sparkling water with an 1/8 a teaspoon of crystal light powdered pink lemonade served over ice. I drank daily for more than 20 years now on most evenings I omit the vodka and just enjoy the fizzy lemonade.... never miss the vodka

Ricksh1000

rosnz wrote: »

I manage it within my logging and exercise. I've cut out a regular daily evening glass of wine and now just have a glass Friday and Sat nights and make sure I counterbalance it with extra exercise. I quite like 'earning' my treat and somehow enjoy it more now its a bit special.

I'm similar.
On a night out where i know i'll be drinking beer, i'll be hitting the cardio to earn it. Recently i have been unwell and couldn't do cardio, but still managed to include alcohol infrequently and maintain weight loss. You just have to be meticulous with your logging and ensure over the week you're at a deficit.

CSARdiver

I drink regularly and keeping the weight off. You just need to keep track of it and ensure it is within your limits.

z4oslo

drunkorexia is real.

CasperNaegle

Here is the deal with alcohol.. 1 it is calorie dense, both with carbs and alcohol itself is a macro often forgot. Two it slows down your metabolism. You can have it, but it will make your journey harder depending on how much and how often you imbibe.

GauchoMark

I think it depends on your body fat goals. If you want to be really lean, you are almost certain to be forced to leave alcohol alone except for rare occasions. I think alcohol can be acceptable if your goals are fairly moderate, but I don't know many people that are ripped that drink often.

Pattycake755

My suggestion is moderation and maintaining a caloric deficit. I drink moderately on occasion. I do not drink everyday or every week. I prefer good vodkas and tequilas because I am a low carber. I chase them with water and lime. This is just my opinion and my suggestion. Since I eat fairly healthy, I allow myself to drink on occasion. Moderate alcohol consumption has not derailed my weight loss efforts. I am 65lbs down, and I want to lose weight slowly since I am eating the way that I will be eating for the rest of my life. I am of a certain age, and was over 280 a year ago. I need to lose slowly so that I can form good habits (eating and drinking), and I am losing slowly hoping that my skin will snap back into place. So far so good, but I fear elasticity issues in my tummy area.

If it is a problem, don't drink until you have lost weight. If it is not a problem, drink in moderation, occasionally, or fit it into your daily calorie goal. It is your choice to drink or not to drink.

Sloth2016

Glass of wine daily with dinner. Sometimes a larger drink on the weekend after a lot of activity (e.g., 6 - 10 mi run).
(Been at this 3 years since having heart surgery, down about 95 lbs or so.)

TeresaB12345

Sparkling water with the flavors and no calories with vodka added is really low calorie.

Aaron_K123

I mean you certain can drink alcohol and lose weight but it will make it harder. Alcohol has a lot of calories, no nutritional value and if you consume enough it lowers your inhibitions in a way that could trigger a binge.

A glass of wine here and there not gonna kill you buy alcohol is one of the very few things I'd agree are better to avoid for weight loss.

That said I had a 20oz Guiness last night so I'm not saying you have to be a puritan about it.

Mdistler92

Thanks everyone for the responses. Drinking has not had any noticeable effects on my weight loss but I am shooting to abstain. For now, I'll just incorporate drinking in my diary.

Mdistler92

Alarae21 wrote: »

I was lucky in this respect in that I got all my drinking days out of me pre-18. Once it was legal, it wasn't fun anymore!

I prefer to waste my calories on chocolate nowadays, lol.

I thought I got drinking out of my system but I still have my weekends where I get wild lol

Mdistler92

rosnz wrote: »

I manage it within my logging and exercise. I've cut out a regular daily evening glass of wine and now just have a glass Friday and Sat nights and make sure I counterbalance it with extra exercise. I quite like 'earning' my treat and somehow enjoy it more now its a bit special.

'Earning' it seems to be my best option for now honestly.

Mdistler92

z4oslo wrote: »

drunkorexia is real.

Drunkorexia?

sgt1372

Weight loss and alcohol do not go well together.

I have a large wine collection but haven't opened a bottle or taken a drink while dining out in months and I don't miss it.

bexilashious

I'm a cider drinker
But all the sugar was causing me to maintain weight (not gain, not lose).

So I'm now drinking vodka but found that carbonated drinks are making me feel sick now I'm only drinking water.
Plus it's causing me to hold water. Which is effecting my weight loss.

So I'm giving up completely for a little while to see how that goes X

skyhowl

I don't drink alcohol but i think if you can fit it in your day then it's fine just don't drink too much that you don't have much calories for anything else

garygse

bexilashious wrote: »

So I'm giving up completely for a little while to see how that goes X

Best of luck!

I was a heavy drinker for years, and finally made an effort to cut back last December. I started by only allowing myself to drink if I didn't have work the next day, and then in January, I realised that I had also stopped drinking during the weekends too. Today, it's been almost eight months without alcohol, and to be truly honest, I don't actually miss it one bit.

Sweet_Heresy

Mdistler92 wrote: »

z4oslo wrote: »

drunkorexia is real.

Drunkorexia?

I didn't know it was a real thing either, lol. I used to cut back on food so I could 1. Have more of an allowance for alcohol and 2. Get drunk alot faster. This is not healthy and I don't advocate this at all...and currently a recovering alcoholic so I guess that's all you really gotta know about that behavior. Lol.