Question about losing weight while still drinking alcohol?

Altagracia220

Have any of you had any luck or success with regularly keeping track of the calories in alcohol you drink while staying within your calories ?

I am somewhat of a heavy drinker. I'm having issues completely cutting it out or even cutting down on my alcohol intake to lose weight. I work in an environment where drinking is commonplace. So I'm just wondering if there's anyone here who has had success with losing weight while regularly drinking.

Thanks in advance!

janejellyroll

Yes. I lost over 40 pounds while drinking just about every night and just staying within my calorie limit. I've been maintaining for almost two years using the same strategy.

The tricks: if you have trouble stopping drinking once you start, hitting your calorie goal is still going to be a challenge. You have to plan somewhat more carefully (depending on your calorie goal) in order to meet your nutritional needs. And if you're the kind of person who eats more when you drink, it can be really hard to do this (I'm not, but I know lots of people report this issue). These are all reasons to be careful, but once these are taken into account, there's no reason why someone can't drink and also lose weight.

CassondraKennedy

I have no problem fitting in a beer with dinner or a couple tequila shots on the weekends. Any more than that would probably leave me pretty hungry during the day. Not sure how you define "heavy drinking," but it might be necessary to budget your alcohol consumption if you find you're going hungry during the day or not hitting nutrient goals.

SezxyStef

I don't personally have experience with it no...as I am not a regular drinker...maybe 2 or 3x a month.

But I see it all the time...it's about calories so if you stay in goal regardless of how you get the calories you will lose weight.

But that being said...if you "can't" cut it out or cut down it might be time to get help.

vespiquenn

I live in Wisconsin, so beer is basically a staple in my diet.

I just make sure to fit it into my calorie goals. Haven't had a problem yet.

If you're concerned, switching to low-calorie options could be a possibility. But I would keep an eye on you're inability to even cut back. That's a bit of a red flag that should be monitored.

lorrpb

Alcohol doesn't prevent weight loss per se. The issue is that it consumes a lot of calories with no nutrition. I suggest you set your loss rate for about .5 lb per week, so you can drink but still eat enough calories for proper nutrition. Also watch your intake of bar food/junk food while drinking or that will also blow through your calories without much nutritional value. Nutrition is important for long term health. Even though you may feel it's not causing you problems right now, poor nutrition can catch up with you over the years (not to mention heavy drinking).
Finally, remember to take personal responsibility for your drinking and eating habits. Don't put it on your work environment or anyone else, the choices are still yours to make. You can alternate alcoholic drinks with water, consume less caloric drinks, and lots of other tips I'm sure people will share.
I'm not judging you, just sharing some facts.

Altagracia220

janejellyroll wrote: »

Yes. I lost over 40 pounds while drinking just about every night and just staying within my calorie limit. I've been maintaining for almost two years using the same strategy.

The tricks: if you have trouble stopping drinking once you start, hitting your calorie goal is still going to be a challenge. You have to plan somewhat more carefully (depending on your calorie goal) in order to meet your nutritional needs. And if you're the kind of person who eats more when you drink, it can be really hard to do this (I'm not, but I know lots of people report this issue). These are all reasons to be careful, but once these are taken into account, there's no reason why someone can't drink and also lose weight.

Thanks ! Everything you've said makes sense. I guess now I'm concerned because lots of times I start to drink and then I get comfortable with eating more junk food. Of course once I sober up I start self loathing over it. I just have to learn to have self control if I'm gonna have cocktails

pacingoamy

I am a big craft beer drinker and as I get closer to my goal, my allotted calories and TDEE rate have dropped making it more difficult. But, there are some basic calorie counts I use when I know I want to indulge (a porter vs. a kolsch) and when I can't fit in a beer I either exercise so I can or go to something lighter in calories (rum and diet coke). Alcohol is a part of my diet as much as yogurt and I just try not to do either in excess.

I will say I am struggling now not only due to allotted calories, but the heat of a Southern summer. There's nothing like a cold beer (or 3) some days and I periodically do a 1-2 week stoppage just to keep my thirst satisfied at smaller quantities.

Chadxx

I don't personally like to spend my calories on drinks but I have seen others do so because they accounted for the calories and maintained a deficit. It is pretty much that simple.

janejellyroll

jazmin220 wrote: »

janejellyroll wrote: »

Yes. I lost over 40 pounds while drinking just about every night and just staying within my calorie limit. I've been maintaining for almost two years using the same strategy.

The tricks: if you have trouble stopping drinking once you start, hitting your calorie goal is still going to be a challenge. You have to plan somewhat more carefully (depending on your calorie goal) in order to meet your nutritional needs. And if you're the kind of person who eats more when you drink, it can be really hard to do this (I'm not, but I know lots of people report this issue). These are all reasons to be careful, but once these are taken into account, there's no reason why someone can't drink and also lose weight.

Thanks ! Everything you've said makes sense. I guess now I'm concerned because lots of times I start to drink and then I get comfortable with eating more junk food. Of course once I sober up I start self loathing over it. I just have to learn to have self control if I'm gonna have cocktails

Only you know if this will be feasible for you, but I know just from hanging out around here that people who tend to eat more (or eat things they wouldn't otherwise eat) when they're drinking do tend to find it a real challenge to regularly drink and lose weight. Sometimes the bar or party food can add up faster than the drinks sometimes.

Bry_Fitness70

The difficult part for me was not actually the calories in the alcohol itself, but the associated eating habits. The pre-bar, bar, and post-bar eating was terrible, with everything cooked in grease, fried, and/or breaded. No one who has been drinking for 5-6 hours is looking for a place that serves grilled chicken breast, rice pilaf, asparagus, and a side salad at 3:00am! The same with hangover food, no one is looking for healthy options the next morning.

My binge drinking days are infrequent anymore, and I don't see how you can maintain a reasonable level of fitness unless you are able to somehow make good eating decisions despite the alcohol. I have a few drinks here and there but it usually isn't to the point where I veer off of my generally healthy eating habits.

nowine4me

I was a heavy drinker (wine) and cut it out completely to lose weight. It wasn't just the calories from the wine itself, but more the bad judgement after I drank it. I now have a glass or two with a nice dinner out once in a while. I never drink at home. In day-drinking situations, I ask the bartender for a half shot of Titos and club soda and stretch it out for a while. 4 of them is still under 200 cals.

piperdown44

I have to limit to 1 or 2 (spaced an hour apart) otherwise I get ravenously hungry and will tear into anything available.
If I don't space them out, then drink 1 and 2 are like "hey 3rd drink, come on down there's a party", then drink 3 invites drink 4 and the next thing you know the whole roll of summer sausage is gone.

brittyn3

I enjoy drinking. I previously cut out alcohol during the week. On the weekends, I made sure to do more cardio to allow for the added intake. I am not one to eat more when I drink, but the meals I picked, I just pick the healthiest I can and log as I go. It helped. And I rarely went over my calories that way.

Now, I've added alcohol back in during the week because, it's wonderful. I try to plan for it during my day and again, pick the healthiest option for food.

To be honest, I had a hard time the last month cutting out alcohol during the week. Nothing beats a nice glass of wine or mixed drink after a stressful day. And, a bottle of champagne or wine is around 500 calories. Not bad at all. I'm not sure how much you drink, but that usually sends me off to the races.

Just be conscious, even if you are tipsy, make yourself log, be conscious of what you are consuming. You'll find it becomes easier the more you do it. Eventually, you'll order that salad or grilled chicken vs. greasy burger etc.

kimny72

I would also say it depends on how much is "a lot" and what kind of calorie goal you have. My goal is 1500 cals. If I have two beers that's 300+ cals and only leaves me 1200 to eat. I just can't do that very often. If you re drinking 500 calories worth of alcohol every day and that leaves you eating too little, it will catch up to you. It's all about the maths

Slimpossible007

choose a low cal option is best

a vodka sodawater and lime is one of the lowest cal drinks that I know of .. but, if you are drinking at a party (not proper pub measures) then you would have to measure each drink (i tend to measure out an amount and put it aside for just me) and only drink whats in that container ... anything left over next day I measure and put back in the bottle.

I fit drink into my cal budget easily (and daily) and I am still losing weight

edited to add, if you can put a glass of water every 2nd or 3rd drink you still enjoy and are part of the party but you drink less calories, no one even notices if you move from vodka sodawater and lime to plain sodawater and lime

sak20011

It sounds like the issue is not being able to keep either the amount of alcohol or the food that follows within your limits.

I drink wine frequently, but usually one glass. Occasionally a margarita. It fits my calories and I enjoy it. But i also usually do it right before or with a meal that I have planned out. I notice if I'm in an environment where the booze flows freely and everyone is drinking, I will drink more unless I am super conscious about it.

I think the environment you're in makes it challenging. When you are around others drinking and eating and not holding back, its hard to resist and easy to play along. It takes a lot of discipline to change habits, but it can be done. Perhaps you can alternate: first drink is flavored seltzer, second is booze, third is flavored seltzer, etc. Perhaps you can also plan your food intake ahead of time, and make sure you dont drink on an empty stomach.

JaxxieKat

I like to pick things that are easy to track - like common wine brands or 12oz bottles of things like hard cider. I have lost 50lbs in 11 months (over 100lbs over all) and have consumed alcohol the entire time. Now, there are days when I choose to abstain, because I'd rather eat those 150-200 calories rather than drink them, but it comes out in the wash.

DX2JX2

Just because others are drinking doesn't mean you have to as well. I also work in an environment where drinking is common and nobody ever looks at me differently when I decide not to drink.

That said, if you'd rather 'blend in' by having a glass in your hand, fill it with seltzer & lime or just nurse the drinks you do get. Alternatively, get a glass of water for every second drink - you'll automatically halve your volume.

OTOH, if you really just want to drink and can't tend to stop before hitting the point where you make bad decisions (food decisions, that is), then it's kind of on you...either cut it out altogether or plan for it in your daily limit.

hesn92

It's just like anything else. Moderation is key. Google low calorie drink options. I'm not much of a drinker but I eat chocolate every day and lose weight.

Shellybear70

I've definitely had to cut back on my drinking to stay within my calorie goals. But the things that help me balance it are saving up some calories for alcohol throughout the day, alternate club soda with lime or a water between drinks, exercise for extra drinking calories. And I try to choose drinks that I'll drink more slowly vs shots and super fruity stuff I tend to drink quickly. The other thing is to eat something filling but low calorie before I go out so I'm not actually hungry and it's easier to avoid the greasy bar food. Seriously, this has been the worst part about calorie counting for me since my entire social life revolves around going out.

StealthHealth

I'm jealous of those who can do it. I struggle because I tend to make poor late night food choices once I've had a drink or two.

So, I generally, abstain and save it for special occasions only (which I usually plan for by increasing the deficit slightly for a couple of days and pre-logging my food).

MommyMeggo

For me its easier to have none. And when I say easier- I dont mean easy.
I love my wine... but 1 5oz glass just pisses me off...and Id rather eat food...Or by the time its Happy Hour Ive already eaten my calories.

If you can fit it in, have a drink. If you know 120cals of wine will turn into 360- then plan for that and get in some good calorie burns.

Personally - even when not going over my calories- when I have NO alcohol I feel better and look slimmer.

earlnabby

jazmin220 wrote: »

Have any of you had any luck or success with regularly keeping track of the calories in alcohol you drink while staying within your calories ?

I am somewhat of a heavy drinker. I'm having issues completely cutting it out or even cutting down on my alcohol intake to lose weight. I work in an environment where drinking is commonplace. So I'm just wondering if there's anyone here who has had success with losing weight while regularly drinking.

Thanks in advance!

I have a real-time personal story for you. I moved house in the middle of June. I had a 3 week period where I could start moving the things the movers don't and clean the new place. During that time, I decided it would be easier to drink my wine instead of moving it so I was drinking a bottle almost every day (usually within my calorie allowance and yes, I logged it). During that time, I lost just under 2 pounds total. About 3 days before the move, I had no more to drink and didn't buy any. I unpacked my scale and finally weighed myself a week after stopping drinking and I had lost 9 lb.

Did the alcohol cause me to retain water so I showed minimal losses over a month? Did it affect the actual fat loss? I really don't know what happened, I just know that the alcohol was the only change.

I am back to my usual, which is a glass or two of wine a week, and only on days where I have exercise calories to eat back. My weight loss has evened out again to where I am averaging about 1.5 lb a week.

quiksylver296

StealthHealth wrote: »

I'm jealous of those who can do it. I struggle because I tend to make poor late night food choices once I've had a drink or two.

So, I generally, abstain and save it for special occasions only (which I usually plan for by increasing the deficit slightly for a couple of days and pre-logging my food).

This.

earlnabby

jazmin220 wrote: »

janejellyroll wrote: »

Yes. I lost over 40 pounds while drinking just about every night and just staying within my calorie limit. I've been maintaining for almost two years using the same strategy.

The tricks: if you have trouble stopping drinking once you start, hitting your calorie goal is still going to be a challenge. You have to plan somewhat more carefully (depending on your calorie goal) in order to meet your nutritional needs. And if you're the kind of person who eats more when you drink, it can be really hard to do this (I'm not, but I know lots of people report this issue). These are all reasons to be careful, but once these are taken into account, there's no reason why someone can't drink and also lose weight.

Thanks ! Everything you've said makes sense. I guess now I'm concerned because lots of times I start to drink and then I get comfortable with eating more junk food. Of course once I sober up I start self loathing over it. I just have to learn to have self control if I'm gonna have cocktails

I call that the "drunk munchies" and it has been my downfall at times. I love to cook and have made myself some interesting "snacks" while drunk. Did you know that all you need for pate' a choux is butter, eggs, and flour? Don't even need custard or whipped cream, just fill with a spoonful or two of jam.

ninerbuff

Just a note: when alcohol is in the body, it can't be stored. So it has to be metabolized. During this process NO OTHER ENERGY SOURCE gets burned. So you burn no calories from carbs or fat. And if you drink before going to bed for the day that's even worse because it's when you're at rest that you burn the most STORED BODY FAT..........unless you have alcohol in your system.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

StealthHealth

ninerbuff wrote: »

Just a note: when alcohol is in the body, it can't be stored. So it has to be metabolized. During this process NO OTHER ENERGY SOURCE gets burned. So you burn no calories from carbs or fat. And if you drink before going to bed for the day that's even worse because it's when you're at rest that you burn the most STORED BODY FAT..........unless you have alcohol in your system.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

So I should get my drinking done earlier in the day?

Pre-office G&T anyone!

MommyMeggo

ninerbuff wrote: »

Just a note: when alcohol is in the body, it can't be stored. So it has to be metabolized. During this process NO OTHER ENERGY SOURCE gets burned. So you burn no calories from carbs or fat. And if you drink before going to bed for the day that's even worse because it's when you're at rest that you burn the most STORED BODY FAT..........unless you have alcohol in your system.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Just another reason to have a mimosa for breakfast. Done and done.

earlnabby

MommyMeggo wrote: »

ninerbuff wrote: »

Just a note: when alcohol is in the body, it can't be stored. So it has to be metabolized. During this process NO OTHER ENERGY SOURCE gets burned. So you burn no calories from carbs or fat. And if you drink before going to bed for the day that's even worse because it's when you're at rest that you burn the most STORED BODY FAT..........unless you have alcohol in your system.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Just another reason to have a mimosa for breakfast. Done and done.

Or a loaded bloody mary.

jesspen91

I love craft beer and a large part of my social life revolves around it. On days when I'll be drinking I will do some extra cardio to give me more calories and try to eat fewer calories during the day. I will then choose drinks that take me a long time to finish (e.g. large volume, low abv) and only have two or three. Heavier drinking days are less frequent and I just have a day off from logging on those days and accept that I may not lose that week. Those only occur once every few months though.