Pro Tip: Just Don't Drink
JustinAnimal
Posts: 1,335 Member
While this may seem common sense to those of you who aren't compelled to drink on a nightly basis, this has been a gigantic source of success for me.
To begin with, I'd say I exercise pretty decently during the week. I'm currently obsessed with HIIT routines and do 4-6 per week. Other than that, I pretty much just chase around my two-year-old son, go on the occasional walk / hike, do yard work, etc. I wouldn't call myself any kind of fitness buff or fanatic. I'd do a halfway decent job of moderating my eating most of the time, but at least a quarter of the week I would not.
On top of that, I'd have (in the neighborhood of) 2-5 drinks per evening. Most of the time, this was craft beer (the true enemy of weight loss, sadly); the rest of the time, it was alcohol that is supposed to be easier for your body to process (e.g. clear liquor like gin or vodka, wine) and which are supposed to leave your body more quickly. I was once told that, as long as you have alcohol in your system, your body is unable to process fat (it just stores it). I'd go as many as one or two days without drinking, but then get back after it.
Since the start of this month, I've gone dry (both as a weight loss thing and to support my pregnant wife). I've had many, many nights where I did not control my eating so well; however, I've had a few successes recently and am riding that trend. I haven't even brought myself to weigh in at this point, but the loss in my waist line and in how my clothes fit is undeniable. I've finally gotten rid of all of the residual water I've been holding on to, and my mid-section looks a ton better (less jiggly and amorphous).
In case you've been in denial, like myself, for the last however many years, find the will power and stop drinking for a few nights. I'm sure there are many who CAN drink every night, but, for whatever reason, I am not one of those people. I can't wait to see what I look like at the end of this month, and I believe I'll try to extend it another month.
Thanks for reading. Feel free to confirm or deny what I've said. I always enjoy conversation.
To begin with, I'd say I exercise pretty decently during the week. I'm currently obsessed with HIIT routines and do 4-6 per week. Other than that, I pretty much just chase around my two-year-old son, go on the occasional walk / hike, do yard work, etc. I wouldn't call myself any kind of fitness buff or fanatic. I'd do a halfway decent job of moderating my eating most of the time, but at least a quarter of the week I would not.
On top of that, I'd have (in the neighborhood of) 2-5 drinks per evening. Most of the time, this was craft beer (the true enemy of weight loss, sadly); the rest of the time, it was alcohol that is supposed to be easier for your body to process (e.g. clear liquor like gin or vodka, wine) and which are supposed to leave your body more quickly. I was once told that, as long as you have alcohol in your system, your body is unable to process fat (it just stores it). I'd go as many as one or two days without drinking, but then get back after it.
Since the start of this month, I've gone dry (both as a weight loss thing and to support my pregnant wife). I've had many, many nights where I did not control my eating so well; however, I've had a few successes recently and am riding that trend. I haven't even brought myself to weigh in at this point, but the loss in my waist line and in how my clothes fit is undeniable. I've finally gotten rid of all of the residual water I've been holding on to, and my mid-section looks a ton better (less jiggly and amorphous).
In case you've been in denial, like myself, for the last however many years, find the will power and stop drinking for a few nights. I'm sure there are many who CAN drink every night, but, for whatever reason, I am not one of those people. I can't wait to see what I look like at the end of this month, and I believe I'll try to extend it another month.
Thanks for reading. Feel free to confirm or deny what I've said. I always enjoy conversation.
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Replies
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The problem I personally found is that I get the "drunk munchies." Not so much the alcohol as the terrible food I eat when my inhibitions are lowered.26
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I think alcohol is poison that makes me feel great and then bad the next day.
But I drink once a week usually with my friends and my boyfriend. I have steadily lost weight. The number one thing I have learned in weight loss is planning. Planning ahead has saved me many, many calories. I pre log my beer or my vodka soda with lime so I get an idea if I should walk to the bar or exercise more during the day before and after to accommodate. If I know we will get pizza, I ask who wants to split a slice with me? All of that is planned ahead of time and logged before going out.8 -
Moderation is key for me in regards to food and alcohol.12
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This is also something what I enjoy to do most nights but going to be testing my will power and will only have a drink one night a week now
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I stopped drinking, beer in my case as well, the end of January. Amazingly I don't miss it at all. What I found was I would sit and watch a movie, drink beer after beer and chow down on Pizza, Puffed Cheese Doodles, Doritos, Potato Chips, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Oreo Cookies, and basically everything that has lots of empty calories. Not watching TV while I eat has helped immensely with my weight loss goal.6
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I agree that drinking several drinks every night is not doing anyone any favors, weight or health wise.
I've cut my alcohol back to weekends, and I have to fit it in my calories, so it's generally just one. I still enjoy it, and I don't have any problems sticking to 1-2 drinks 1-2 nights a week. I'm generally a moderating type of person, though. I can also eat the same bar of chocolate 2 squares a day for a week.5 -
I stopped drinking, but I had maybe 3-4 drinks a year because I don't like the taste of most alcohol2
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I only drink a few times a year, I would die if I had to work in alcohol (and the crappy food choices I make after a couple glasses of wine) on the regular.5
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I agree with everyone who said that it ain't just the alcohol calories, but also the bad decisions being made after consumption. It's hilarious for me, because we can be totally out of junk food and I'll still find myself spooning peanut butter into my mouth and drinking milk out of the jug.
I'll liken the not drinking alcohol to not totally digging CICO (let's not argue about that). Folks say eat what you want, as long as CICO, right? Well, this is where I'll have to agree that alcohol is a poison. I don't JUST think it's the calories from alcohol (especially craft beer, which must be worse than milkshakes in this regard), but also intangibles or unseen factors, like the inability to process fat. I think there must be some genetic factors, because I have a friend who can drink four or five pints of good, craft beer every day and he has a something akin to a six pack (and I work out A LOT more than he does). So it might be that my body and/or my genetics doesn't do alcohol well.
On a related note, for those who aren't totally aware: alcohol is literally a poison. It's why it makes us feel funny. Psilocybin (hallucinogenic mushrooms) are poisonous, hence the trip. I don't think it's just the calories (going back to CICO), because folks can lose weight eating junk food (whatever your definition). It's that they also need nutrients from their foods. Comparing this to booze, it's not just the calories, but the stress on my body and liver and whatever else. I cannot be healthy or natural to drink alcohol every day. Just my opinion.7 -
My weight loss campaign includes a "beer a day" rule. Exactly one craft beer (no more, no less) every day. And I've enjoyed my share of success.
Yes: I've found 2-5 beers to be problematic too. And I'm not big on hard liquor--I just don't trust it.
But in my experience, 1 beer doesn't lead to "drunk munchies" (obviously it doesn't lead anywhere near "drunk", period), plus it helps me unwind.6 -
I would never give it up completely, as I enjoy a glass of wine with dinner a few nights a week.
But, I've never been a big drinker anyway, so didn't feel the need to cut back.
Unless you have a problem with alcoholism, I would think that most people would not have to cut it out completely, just cut back...maybe from three beers to one. That alone would make a huge difference, calorie-wise.3 -
Agree. I gave up drinking several years ago. Once I truly got fit and lost all of my weight my body just legit couldn't handle it any longer. I swear I'd have a few sips of wine and I'd be completely trashed and feeling sick! So... not worth it. I don't miss it at all.4
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I like to have a glass of wine with dinner most nights. It helps me slow down, savour and enjoy my food more. But whatever works for you and helps you reach your goals. I think if I was at 1200 cals or if I was trying to get ultra lean (<14%) and I didn't have room I would probably cut it down or out.. but it would really only be temporarily.1
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I'm not giving it up, but watching hockey at the pub last night does kinda prove your point. Couple of beers and I wanted a steak sandwich with half fries and half ceaser. Yeah, it put me over for the day. Probably killed half my weekly deficit.
And Edmonton lost.
I'll still half a glass of wine or a beer when it fits in, but I'm thinking I might not hit the pub with those buddies for a bit.6 -
I'll do wut I want. :drinker:
It has not stopped my goals at all.8 -
Tacklewasher wrote: »I'm not giving it up, but watching hockey at the pub last night does kinda prove your point. Couple of beers and I wanted a steak sandwich with half fries and half ceaser. Yeah, it put me over for the day. Probably killed half my weekly deficit.
And Edmonton lost.
I'll still half a glass of wine or a beer when it fits in, but I'm thinking I might not hit the pub with those buddies for a bit.
Off topic, but sorry about the Oilers. I was rooting for them all the way from Chicago. Can't stand Anaheim.
But, yeah to get back on topic, I have never been able to control myself in a pub atmosphere and stay within my calories. Too much good food and drink.2 -
I still drink most nights while cutting, I just don't drink beer (except a few on Saturday)...usually a couple vodka and diet tonics in the evening. The beer always gets me when I'm cutting.2
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Moderation with everything is my rule. This being said there are a lot of people that have a hard time stopping at one drink so for those it might make more sense to cut it out completely.I enjoy a glass of wine a few nights a week and have lost 62 pounds.3
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I can relate to this. I rarely drink. I have no desire to. If I drink I wont be able to train early the next day.
I lot of people say MODERATE it. You have to KNOW YOURSELF. If you cannot moderate it, then say no.
THis is what I'm doing with chocolate. I didn't know it was so good. I've been hoarding it. Buying lost of it and eating some of it but buying it in boat loads. I never really liked chocolate before now I need all of it. So I'm saying no. Plus its giving me terrible gas. I Know myself and so chocolate is something I will have to do without.2 -
Chef_Barbell wrote: »I'll do wut I want. :drinker:
It has not stopped my goals at all.
this is me...
I drink when I want and how much I want...keep in mind I don't want to every night...never got that...exercise does my stress relief.
But to your point yes drinking less alcohol would result in easier weight loss unless you filled those calories with food.2 -
Molson 67 IPA (the non India Pale Ale tastes like carbonated water
) 3% alcohol and only 70 Cal 
It's kind of like synthahol, when you stop drinking it you get sober right away! LOL! I do agree that the more I drink the less willpower I have to avoid snacking. 2 -
just where is the "Pro Tip" in this...your a pro? jus curious.2
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Tomk652015 wrote: »just where is the "Pro Tip" in this...your a pro? jus curious.
Would you prefer "Life Hack"? It's just a title.10 -
First, let me just say that if you were feeling like you needed to drink every night, 2-5 drinks (especially if it was often closer to the 5 than the 2), then I think not drinking was a great decision, at least for a while to see what a different it makes for you.
Second, I don't drink (stopped in Jan 2010) and it's certainly something that makes weight loss/maintenance easier, since one source of extra calories is just gone (and yes, bad decisions or extra eating that went along with it or, bigger issue for me back in the day, an absence of motivation for working out or caring about what I ate). Also, when I was drinking I wasn't likely to be all that accurate about what I ate or how much I drank in many cases, which means more calories than I even realized. That said, I don't agree that there's something about drinking that leads to weight gain/interferes with weight loss beyond these (potentially significant) factors.JustinAnimal wrote: »I don't JUST think it's the calories from alcohol (especially craft beer, which must be worse than milkshakes in this regard), but also intangibles or unseen factors, like the inability to process fat. I think there must be some genetic factors, because I have a friend who can drink four or five pints of good, craft beer every day and he has a something akin to a six pack (and I work out A LOT more than he does). So it might be that my body and/or my genetics doesn't do alcohol well.
You will process the fat at another time even though the alcohol gets processed first.
I was actually at my very thinnest when drinking quite heavily (mostly wine, but whatever). This is not because I process it in a special way (at other times, like when I was quitting and relapsing repeatedly for a few years after that), it clearly was leading to weight gain, because I was overconsuming it plus eating poorly.
But at one point I was obsessively tracking what I ate, working out a ton, and drinking a lot. A lot. My personal justification (since I was following a US food guidelines kind of plan) was that alcohol (again, wine, dry) was basically a replacement for grains or maybe fruit, so I was probably low carbing without realizing it, LOL, but the main reason I was able to lose and then maintain at a low weight for me was that I was not eating that much. Drinking to some extent was replacing eating for me, and although it's high cal, it wasn't that high, comparatively.
Not recommending this, it was horribly unhealthy and my nutrients weren't great.
But that it was awful and unhealthy didn't result in me not losing weight or maintaining it.
Ugh, I am so much happier now, though. So even though you probably weren't doing the kind of drinking I was, good for you!6 -
Tomk652015 wrote: »just where is the "Pro Tip" in this...your a pro? jus curious.
Yeah, no need to get accusatory. It was a title. I guess we can agree to call it a bad title. Call it life hacks, as was suggested. Or, every time you read my stupid title, rename it "advice from that non-pro idiot who doesn't know what he's talking about." Thanks for the input...
As I tried to make abundantly clear in my initial post, it's just a recent revelation and something that works well for me. I had no intention of telling anyone else they can't "do wut dey wantz." Honestly... I feel like folks could take offense to a compliment on an internet forum. Oh, well.
Something I did NOT make clear is: since I stopped drinking, I can be a little reckless with my eating (like not counting calories) but still lose weight (or at least waist size, so I presume [read: hope] fat loss).
Another thing I need to make really clear: I am by no means done drinking. Christ's sake, I have a tattoo of hops and barley on my shoulder. Beer is life, damnit! This is more like a solid realization that, both for my weight loss and my general health, I need to drink less frequently.
lemurcat, thank yous o much for sharing your personal experience and for the encouragement at the end. This has been hard for me, like when I gave up smoking. Like smoking, I have this constant feeling that I'm missing out on something fun, although I couldn't name or describe what that was. My addiction to alcohol (I'm happy to call it that... I stare at the vodka bottle... I've shut myself in the pantry to take a slug of bourbon... all this, even though I wasn't drinking to get drunk) is probably a mental thing, but it is real. Anyway, I wanted to thank you also for your encouraging words.
Thanks to everyone for chiming in, regardless of how you feel about my post.8 -
I think your post is true for you, and it's true for some other people too. And like most things, mileage may vary. Don't apologize to the post title police.9
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Tomk652015 wrote: »just where is the "Pro Tip" in this...your a pro? jus curious.
It's a common phrase. No need to get panties bunched.
To OP: Couldn't agree more. The main difference between me bulking and me cutting is protein powder and about 3 extra 6-packs per week.8 -
I have to agree with the OP here. It does not matter if I factor in my alcohol calories to my daily goal or not, when I drink alcohol, it temporarily slows my rate of weight loss. I can feel the bloat the next day, a little more sluggishness and I invariably will see the scale edge up for the next couple of days. I can drink a couple of nights a week while in maintenance mode if I am working out five days a week and not see a gain overall, but while trying to lose weight, drinking is a real detriment for me.1
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I don't know all the science behind it - but the group of RD's that I work with has us log alcohol as a combo of carbs and fat because of how your body metabolizes it
so instead of those empty calories) that aren't accounted for by the carbs, convert those calories to fat - it was an eye-opener for me1
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