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alcohol?
nazymbrown
Posts: 4 Member
anyone else having a hard time eliminating the alcohol from their diet? the red wine is my weakness, at night. after work, dealing with 4 little kids, I need those glasses, however its empty calories and it made me pack on extra 20 lbs that I am now trying to get rid of....
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Replies
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I hear you. I switched to spirits and diet soda rather than wine as they tend to have less calories. Or perhaps you could just limit rather than eliminate the wine? And make sure that it's included in your dailies. ..1
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I make a point to save 200 calories for after dinner indulgences. It differs with the type of wine but an avg for a 5oz glass of red wine is around 120 calories. While you can't totally indulge you can definitely find a way to fit that in!4
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Gin & diet tonic with a spritz of lime does me just fine. Sometimes I have wine or beer, but I just eat less those days to fit them in.0
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Spend twice as much per bottle and drink half the amount?
(Almost the same enjoyment but half the calories.)
Also drink out of a smaller glass and stop at one.
How many glasses?
How many days a week?
How many days a week with no alcohol at all?
Do beware it can be a slippery slope trying to smoother stress with alcohol - I gathered quite a bit of momentum down that particular slope and ultimately it became a problem I had to deal with.7 -
Try measuring your pre-determined calorie amount into a measuring cup and then ALSO use a smaller thinner glass—like a sherry glass. Pour into the glass from the measuring cup while it is on the table, not in your hand and opt for high color contrast between the wine and the glass. These are research-supported techniques to avoid over pouring and thus over drinking. You can find the original research at Cornell’s Food and Brand Lab.1
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Alcohol is part of my social life, so I do make allowances for it but more commonly I end up at maintenance for that day because I wouldn't want to end up not eating enough just to accommodate alcohol. So it has to be a treat. Which has had the second benefit of improving my relationship with alcohol which is also a good thing.
Perhaps try and find another way to chill in the evening some nights a week, and save the red wine for a weekend treat?
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If it's something that you enjoy, don't give it up, just make it work for you. Save the calories for wine instead of a treat!4
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hm. Well if you feel like you "need" it as stated in your post...maybe this is the time to try doing without it.
I agree with @sijomial, trying to cut back didn't really work for me, so I just quit drinking. Much easier, and less stress and anxiety by far. The alcohol leads to anxiety.
How about trying to go the rest of the month without it and see how you feel?5 -
Try exercise, yoga, bubblebath or other alternate soothers? Wine spritzers?0
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Maybe just try a shot of whiskey
I like to enjoy a few beers a week so I save up some calories Mon-Friday and enjoy a few weekend beers. It works for me.0 -
To expand a little....cmriverside wrote: »hm. Well if you feel like you "need" it as stated in your post...maybe this is the time to try doing without it.
I agree with @sijomial, trying to cut back didn't really work for me, so I just quit drinking. Much easier, and less stress and anxiety by far. The alcohol leads to anxiety.
How about trying to go the rest of the month without it and see how you feel?
I had to deal with the source of the stress (intolerable workload and pressure) by quitting my job and also deal with the drink problem.
I stopped drinking for a while but then reintroduced it on special occasions as I really do enjoy nice drinks. Luckily I can moderate and drink for the right reasons and enjoy it. Daily drinking to cope with stress or because you "need" it isn't IMHO a good reason.
Do please do have a little think about what is right for you, there's bigger issues than calories or weight loss involved. A break from it does allow some reflection and also breaks a habit.9 -
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You've got a few options here.
First, you could move a little more during the day and make some calories.
Eat less (provided you aren't starving yourself or putting yourself in a nutrient deficiency) to free up room,
Save a few calories during the week by abstaining and use them on the weekend (my choice) if you like to get just a little tipsy. Whether cutting, maintaining or gaining i find room to add my beer.
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When I first started out, alcohol was something I simply had to eliminate for a while. I'm an attorney and I completely understand the stress factor and using alcohol to relax, but I needed to force myself to find another way to destress. I was just taking in too many extra calories from it and I felt my relationship/dependency on alcohol was starting to become unhealthy. After a few months, I worked it back into my diet and have been very successful at drinking less and not using it as a go-to for relaxation and stress relief. I also have a lower tolerance now after not having it and losing body weight, so it takes less to achieve that relaxing effect. It's also more of a treat than it used to be and I actually enjoy it more.
As I worked alcohol back into my diet, I tried working back in lower calorie options. As others have said above, vodka with soda water or some other liquor with diet soda tends to be lower calorie. As for wine, I now often drink wine spritzers - mixed either with soda water or even something like Diet Sprite if that's what we have. Making spritzers still gives me the enjoyment of wine but allows for me to spread the servings out quite a bit more.1 -
I like alcohol. But I've seen what it does to people who can't control it. It's horrible. I hope everyone knows that it's a hardcore drug thats ready to take all of what you worked for. List of things
1. Always think about dieting. Sleeping, eating, pooping, having sex. Have your diet in the back of your mind
2. Skip days try to save it on weekend. Or make it socials hobby
3. Try finding a hobby that excites you. Like master-bati. You get it
4. Talk to yourself aloud. Tell your self your goals
5. Smile and know that the world is both beautiful and cruel.1 -
I really enjoy drinking, one of my favourite ways to unwind is a beer and playstation. However I hate to go hungry to fit alcohol calories in, and the cals are hard to come by. I also sleep worse, stay up later to finish the bourbon I am drinking or whatever, and don't wake up feeling as ready to go even if I wasn't buzzed or drunk. I did a couple of dry spells last year and January so far has been no booze. It's just one of those things I started paying attention to and the choice is making itself now.0
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nazymbrown wrote: »anyone else having a hard time eliminating the alcohol from their diet? the red wine is my weakness, at night. after work, dealing with 4 little kids, I need those glasses, however its empty calories and it made me pack on extra 20 lbs that I am now trying to get rid of....
Hello fellow wine lover!! I've got three kids and wine is my favorite way to destress. I enjoy wine with a good meal, any time there is a celebration, something bad....wine is part of my family's way of acknowledging an occasion. I could not give it up. I don't drink to the point of being drunk, but a glass or two is lovely!
I've basically eliminated the for no reason end of the day wine. My calorie goal is 1200 per day, so that fills up quickly, even with eating back exercise calories. But, if I see I have a couple hundred to work with in the evening I still have a glass. When I know there is a get together with friends and family or a nice dinner I just budget my calories and plan ahead....cheers!0 -
Spend twice as much per bottle and drink half the amount?
(Almost the same enjoyment but half the calories.)
Also drink out of a smaller glass and stop at one.
/quote]
Definitely this. Go for quality, and stop at one glass. It also doesn't hurt to have a "dry out" period, to reset your tastebuds and get a jump ahead of it, then reintroduce it as maybe a twice a week kind of treat. That way you're not totally taking it away forever and there's a delicious, merlot-tinted light at the end of the tunnel.
Taking a break also eases back your tolerance, so if you saw it creeping up that it took multiple glasses to relax, you'll be reset a bit and won't need 2-3 times the calories to relax.
A long time ago I did something similar with beer, switched out any old beer for delicious, sinful, amazing craft beers, that tend to be more expensive. Now I usually only have one or a flight that equals one, but it tastes so much better. And because I'm buying one or two at a time, I'm less likely to binge drink out of convenience because it's there in a 6 or 12 pack. So if you're buying boxes or bigger bottles, downsize to a smaller bottle that costs more and tastes amazing.0 -
Try going dry for a period of time. I’m 9 days into dry Jan & it’s well worth the break. Check the less alcohol one day at a time January thread on the challenges page. Very friendly. The break is changing how I view alcohol and how I’ll consume it in future.3
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Red wine is not empty calories. It contains probiotics, antioxidants and vitamins and minerals.
I drink wine almost every single day and did the same the entire time I was losing weight (2 years in maintenance).8 -
You don't need to eliminate it...simply incorporate it. Switch out alcohol for exercise and see how this acts as a de-stressor.
My diary is open and I have ~1-2 beers daily. I just ensure my caloric budget allows it.0 -
I, too, and going to try to go now alcohol for two months. I put a lot of blame on me--and my love of wine-- for gaining 30 lbs since the birth of my daughter three years ago. I also think alcohol has caused other health issues and is making me not sleep so well, so I am looking forward to seeing if some of these things can be curbed by cutting out my daily bottle of wine. That's right...bottle. It's not something I NEED, so why not take this time for me to take a break and reap the benefits of no alcohol.
I am on day three, haha, so I don't have any advice yet. But I believe you can do it if it is something that you want.2 -
I should preface this by saying I am literally sipping a jack and ginger right now. I have never completely eliminated alcohol, but have made many different choices when it comes to social events where alcohol was served. I frequently skipped out on happy hours or social functions at bars with friends and instead would have a drink at home, which usually suited me just fine. For me, the booze at a bar led to the nachos and mini tacos and stuff. If I know I am going to have a few drinks, I just adjust what I eat through out the day to make it so that I am not over my calories. Or over by a lot. There are a few days where I don't care if I am over or not and alcohol is usually involved in those - birthday, superbowl, weddings, etc... Good luck.1
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I'm 32, single, and like to date. And I don't like coffee dates. Otherwise, I don't need it. I just like having a couple drinks on a date and really when I'm in a deficit there isn't room for a couple drinks.
So I'll be a hermit for a couple months I guess.0 -
I'm 32, single, and like to date. And I don't like coffee dates. Otherwise, I don't need it. I just like having a couple drinks on a date and really when I'm in a deficit there isn't room for a couple drinks.
So I'll be a hermit for a couple months I guess.
#hermitlife
no one sees me for 2 years then I pop up and no one recognizes me lol best and worst feeling.0 -
I'm 32, single, and like to date. And I don't like coffee dates. Otherwise, I don't need it. I just like having a couple drinks on a date and really when I'm in a deficit there isn't room for a couple drinks.
So I'll be a hermit for a couple months I guess.
#hermitlife
no one sees me for 2 years then I pop up and no one recognizes me lol best and worst feeling.
I'm a textbook introvert. I can go an entire weekend without talking to anyone but my grocer. Such a little hermit.0 -
I have a couple friends who drink on a more or less daily basis. They don't get hammered every day, but at least a couple beers/mixed drinks, then usually tie one on during the weekend at some point. Anything fun they do has to involve alcohol. They also spend a lot of time thinking/talking about the fact that they should cut back, and they make a big deal out of it when they somehow manage to go 3 or 4 days without a drink.
IMO, if alcohol consumes that much of your time, thoughts and efforts, it's time to evaluate your relationship with alcohol because it's not a healthy one.4 -
I'm 32, single, and like to date. And I don't like coffee dates. Otherwise, I don't need it. I just like having a couple drinks on a date and really when I'm in a deficit there isn't room for a couple drinks.
So I'll be a hermit for a couple months I guess.
#hermitlife
no one sees me for 2 years then I pop up and no one recognizes me lol best and worst feeling.
I'm a textbook introvert. I can go an entire weekend without talking to anyone but my grocer. Such a little hermit.
That is textbook. You got a lot on mind or you truly love your alone time? Sometimes I get so in to a hobby that I lose track of the world.0 -
I'm 32, single, and like to date. And I don't like coffee dates. Otherwise, I don't need it. I just like having a couple drinks on a date and really when I'm in a deficit there isn't room for a couple drinks.
So I'll be a hermit for a couple months I guess.
#hermitlife
no one sees me for 2 years then I pop up and no one recognizes me lol best and worst feeling.
I'm a textbook introvert. I can go an entire weekend without talking to anyone but my grocer. Such a little hermit.
That is textbook. You got a lot on mind or you truly love your alone time? Sometimes I get so in to a hobby that I lose track of the world.
People exhaust me and I like to be alone.2 -
I'm 32, single, and like to date. And I don't like coffee dates. Otherwise, I don't need it. I just like having a couple drinks on a date and really when I'm in a deficit there isn't room for a couple drinks.
So I'll be a hermit for a couple months I guess.
#hermitlife
no one sees me for 2 years then I pop up and no one recognizes me lol best and worst feeling.
I'm a textbook introvert. I can go an entire weekend without talking to anyone but my grocer. Such a little hermit.
That is textbook. You got a lot on mind or you truly love your alone time? Sometimes I get so in to a hobby that I lose track of the world.
People exhaust me and I like to be alone.
That is deff textbook introvert. You should write a lot! Maybe put out a book. If your looking for another hobby to pursue. Im getting into reading now it's fun!0
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