The big 21.

Molly_234

I turn 21 this weekend! I used to drink alot (sounds bad considering my age) but this past year it has only been every few months. Since I've been on my weight loss journey I have barely had any drinks and now that I am going to be legal I have to say, I am pretty nervous about having self control since most of my friends go out to the bars frequently. Has drinking alcohol stopped weight loss for anyone and has it caused you to gain a significant amount? What types of alcohol have the least calories? I am already fearing the beer and cake !

FreyasRebirth

Alcohol is 7 calories per gram. Drinking it without 'watering' it down with other caloric beverages would reduce your total calorie count but might burn a bit, lol.

Molly_234

No thank you! Lol

ccsernica

First, remember that just one day of overindulgence isn't going to ruin you. It's how we eat in the long-term, not how we eat at an occasional party, that affects how we put on or lose weight.

Second, there's another thread around here somewhere with a discussion of how alcohol affects our weight loss. The answer is that as long as we're still running a calorie deficit, it doesn't. If you want to have a drink at the end of the day, as long as it fits into your calorie goals that's perfectly fine. And at special occasions, moderation is the key. Just because you're drinking, that doesn't mean you have to get drunk.

As for what kind of alcohol has the least calories, it depends on what you're doing. If you want to know what has the fewest calories with the most alcohol, that would be anything distilled. A glass of wine generally has about 125 calories. Beer varies quite a lot, especially if you're drinking craft brews. You'll need to look them up individually.

sammyliftsandeats

You can also pace yourself by alternating an alcoholic beverage with a glass of water. Helps you stay hydrated as well.

fitmom4lifemfp

Molly_234 wrote: »

I turn 21 this weekend! I used to drink alot (sounds bad considering my age) but this past year it has only been every few months. Since I've been on my weight loss journey I have barely had any drinks and now that I am going to be legal I have to say, I am pretty nervous about having self control since most of my friends go out to the bars frequently. Has drinking alcohol stopped weight loss for anyone and has it caused you to gain a significant amount? What types of alcohol have the least calories? I am already fearing the beer and cake !

Empty calories. I gave up alcohol completely when I lost weight back in my 20's. And yes, I went out to the bars with my friends, all the time. I simply drank water. And I still had a blast. I will have an occasional drink now - maybe once a month. When I do, it's something like a mojito, or rum and diet coke.

Spliner1969

Light. Beer.

ahoy_m8

samanthaluangphixay wrote: »

You can also pace yourself by alternating an alcoholic beverage with a glass of water. Helps you stay hydrated as well.

^^Amazing what a difference this can make when out with friends. Nominally, an average body metabolizes one drink an hour, so it helps to be aware of your pace.

I can gain weight from alcohol. I normally drink wine on weekends only, and save calories during the week for that, but on vacation DH and I easily put down a bottle every day. That's 300 extra calories a day, or two pounds/month just from what I consider to be pretty moderate alcohol. The real danger for me, though, is IDGAF if I have more than 2 drinks. there's always unplanned eating if I have more than 2. Always.

Molly_234

Spliner1969 wrote: »

Light. Beer.

Not enough flavor

Molly_234

ahoy_m8 wrote: »

samanthaluangphixay wrote: »

You can also pace yourself by alternating an alcoholic beverage with a glass of water. Helps you stay hydrated as well.

^^Amazing what a difference this can make when out with friends. Nominally, an average body metabolizes one drink an hour, so it helps to be aware of your pace.

I can gain weight from alcohol. I normally drink wine on weekends only, and save calories during the week for that, but on vacation DH and I easily put down a bottle every day. That's 300 extra calories a day, or two pounds/month just from what I consider to be pretty moderate alcohol. The real danger for me, though, is IDGAF if I have more than 2 drinks. there's always unplanned eating if I have more than 2. Always.

Yes I prefer wine and beer. My problem is that if I choose to drink that evening its never going to be just a couple drinks. It's usually much more and it always leads to bad food choices later to "absorb the alcohol."

ahoy_m8

Happy birthday, by the way!

JeromeBarry1

Happy Birthday. Before I was 21, I didn't drink alcohol. After I was 21, I didn't drink alcohol. I even tried once before and once after. Bleh.

sammyliftsandeats

Molly_234 wrote: »

ahoy_m8 wrote: »

samanthaluangphixay wrote: »

You can also pace yourself by alternating an alcoholic beverage with a glass of water. Helps you stay hydrated as well.

^^Amazing what a difference this can make when out with friends. Nominally, an average body metabolizes one drink an hour, so it helps to be aware of your pace.

I can gain weight from alcohol. I normally drink wine on weekends only, and save calories during the week for that, but on vacation DH and I easily put down a bottle every day. That's 300 extra calories a day, or two pounds/month just from what I consider to be pretty moderate alcohol. The real danger for me, though, is IDGAF if I have more than 2 drinks. there's always unplanned eating if I have more than 2. Always.

Yes I prefer wine and beer. My problem is that if I choose to drink that evening its never going to be just a couple drinks. It's usually much more and it always leads to bad food choices later to "absorb the alcohol."

This is me too. When I overdo it, I eat like crazy. It becomes a no holds barred eating fest.

It's your 21st birthday...have your beer or wine, eat something beforehand because drinking on an empty stomach is never fun, and get a safe ride home. Maybe have a bottle of water by your bed handy because when I wake up from a night of heavy drinking, my mouth is crazy dry and I feel gross.

Happy birthday!

gdsmit1

All things in moderation. It doesn't hurt to go out an indulge on occasion. Back when I turned 21, I found that it wasn't a big deal to go out drinking because I could do it any time I wanted. Hopefully it doesn't become the norm.

Someone on here posted this site. It shows how to get the best bang for your caloric buck out of alcohol.
http://getdrunknotfat.com/

Need2Exerc1se

I drank alcohol daily while losing weight. Back when I was your age I drank quite a bit more than now, and went out to bars every weekend. Yet I was very thin back then. My advice is to dance.

lulalacroix

I have consumed wine and lost weight. However, I have a hard time not eating everything when drinking.

So for now, I have given up all spirits and wine until. It's been 2 months. The weight loss has been easier for the simple fact that I have more calories to spend on food.

Lounmoun

I never got into going to bars or drinking alcohol regularly. I drink alcohol maybe once a year. I just like other drinks better. No one ever dumped me as a friend over it.
Expand your friendships, hobbies and interests so you can socialize in other ways.
You don't have to drink as much alcohol as your friends even if you go to a bar. Decide your limit and stick to it.

kenyonhaff

OK, here's another thought. Maybe it's crazy. But JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE TURNING 21 DOESN'T MEAN THE CELEBRATION HAS TO BE ALL ABOUT ALCOHOL. When eating out in general, ordering alcohol is an easy way to bomb your calories for the day...that's true for anyone.

But if you have any say in your celebration, just pick a venue that isn't all about the alcohol. Seriously, you can go to the movies or a basketball game or whatever and just not have that be the focus of the party.

Molly_234

Thank you for the birthday wishes and advice!

Unknown

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marrrisa

1. Happy birthday! Turning 21 is so fun.
2. OMG TOTALLY GO BANANAS (safely) FOR YOUR 21st. You only get to turn 21 once, and the fun of drinking and partying with your friends will only decrease with each year (from what I've experienced). A year or two from now you won't look back on your birthday and think 'man if only I hadn't gone 1,000 calories over for one day' but instead you'll think 'what an amazing time I had with all my friends' (hopefully it is amazing at least!)
3. Don't be worried about calories at all for your birthday. As my mom says, 'calories don't count on your birthday.. or any holiday' because seriously, one day doesn't matter.
4. BUT, wine is 600ish calories a bottle, and you can get drunk off of a bottle. In my opinion, going 5-600 over your daily intake goal is not a big deal at all if infrequent. Just walk 2k steps each day extra the next week if you're super worried about it. And as far as hard alcohol goes, they do have some vodkas that are considered 'light' and are 60-80 calories per shot (oz). Just be sure not to mix them with sugary, high-calorie beverages! And try to stay away from beer - some cans can have around 200 calories, and usually you need 3-4 to be having a 'great' time. Adds up and makes you really bloated/full (at least for me)

I personally indulge in wine during the week. Never has stopped my progress, nor do I care really. I'll just work out a little bit harder if unwinding with a glass of wine makes me happy


Obviously, all of these are of my opinion, others may not agree.

Anyway, have so much fun!!

RAxB

Happy Birthday! I live in a big city and the majority of my social functions involve alcohol which doesn't bother me at all. I fairly often will do happy hours, birthdays and other events at bars. I have been able to lose 45 pounds all while drinking, just in moderation (a drink or two... or three a night in those events) and use water as a filler to not get drunk hungry.

That being said, it is your 21st birthday and people will be buying you drinks and shots and you should expect to get drunk and eat late at night. Have fun! One day will not deter you, just don't make a habit of it. 21 is still when hangovers aren't that bad.

But otherwise I drink vodka/soda water as I can sip those for a while and pace myself better. Or red wine as it stains my teeth and I really then have to pace that out to not get red wine mouth! Also, those drinks tend to be more expensive than beer so it keeps me in budget by only having a few.

Have fun and as other posters have said, please make sure you have someone who will stay responsible so you and your friends get home safe!

aneedforchange

I gained alot of weight at that age but I wasnt watching it at that time. I think you'll be fine because you have a goal in mind already!

patslitzker

If you find that you can't stay away from it just have one day a week or one day a month where you just do it. Better than cutting it out and binging regularly.