Alcohol problem and dieting

monramx

So I wouldnt say Im an alcoholic but Im definitely not far from that title. Im 21 and have various mental problems, thus the alcohol. I know its not good or healthy butif anyone has any suggestions hpw to balance diet and alcohol Id be so grateful. Or even just words of encouragement. Because Im struggling to stay at my calorie budget when I drink (which is almost every day) and I feel hungry even thoufh I completed the calories for the day.

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ama3387

I’m a recovering alcoholic almost 2 years sober. You sound like me 6 years ago. My suggestion is to look into attending 1 open AA meeting and see how you feel afterwards. Be very honest with yourself and take the phone numbers. You may not call anyone just yet, but there will come a day you’ll find yourself needing those ladies support. It’s the healthiest thing you could do for yourself.

Cprys1

ama3387 wrote: »

I’m a recovering alcoholic almost 2 years sober. You sound like me 6 years ago. My suggestion is to look into attending 1 open AA meeting and see how you feel afterwards. Be very honest with yourself and take the phone numbers. You may not call anyone just yet, but there will come a day you’ll find yourself needing those ladies support. It’s the healthiest thing you could do for yourself.

Yes, this exactly. I’ve been sober since 11/3/16, and it was the best thing I ever did for myself. I know that when you’re young and struggling with mental illness, it seems like drinking and/or using drugs is the only escape. I promise you there are other ways. I also know that labeling yourself as an alcoholic can be extremely scary. If you (or anyone on this thread) would like to add me, we can talk about this more. You’re not alone ❤️

thelegendofsakura89

Recovering alcoholic here, sober since 8/14/16...I went through alot of the same thing, AA meetings and therapy helped me immensely.
Both at really scary at first but if you stick with it, they can really help.

kommodevaran

monramx wrote: »

So I wouldnt say Im an alcoholic but Im definitely not far from that title. Im 21 and have various mental problems, thus the alcohol. I know its not good or healthy butif anyone has any suggestions hpw to balance diet and alcohol Id be so grateful.

I think you know the answer. Less alcohol, more food.

Or even just words of encouragement. Because Im struggling to stay at my calorie budget when I drink (which is almost every day) and I feel hungry even thoufh I completed the calories for the day.

Alcohol provides no nutrition you body needs, and the calorie target MFP give you is calcualted to be just enough to lose/maintain weight, so no wonder you're hungry.

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vingogly

Get some help with the drinking - if I were you, I'd focus on the drinking first and put off the weight loss until you have a handle on that. Doing both is a lot to deal with at once, but it's your choice to determine what will work for you. You'll want to find a therapist who's experienced in working with dual diagnosis clients - and some will work with you on controlling drinking though many people who abuse alcohol are more likely to succeed long term if they're abstinent.

There's no disorder called "alcoholic" in DSM-5 - just Alcohol Use Disorder. You don't need to label yourself an "alcoholic" to succeed, though you're encouraged to do so if you go to AA meetings. The advantage of meetings is it gives a social context for learning how to live without alcohol.

I went into outpatient treatment for alcohol abuse in early 1993 and haven't had a drink since, and I was knocking back a pint of hard liquor a day. My life is much better without it. So you can do it too!

bbell1985

I think you should seek help. Continue you logging your calories, but maybe even in maintenance while you sort out a few things for yourself.

psychod787

Alcohol is very dense in calories. 7 cals a gram! It gets used as a preferred fuel before anything else! So, eating while you drink can be a bad thing. I would agree, get help. I was/ am/ ? a binge drinker when I was younger. The final straw, was when I woke up after a 2 day weekend bender with my hands shaking. The light bulb went off when all I could think was, man a beer could fix this. Best of luck and much love!

dressagerider1020

there's a thread here that may help to talk about it and get support, and you may also want to consider professional counseling.

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10638088/less-alcohol-february-2018-one-day-at-a-time#latest

StevefromMichigan

monramx wrote: »

So I wouldnt say Im an alcoholic but Im definitely not far from that title. Im 21 and have various mental problems, thus the alcohol. I know its not good or healthy butif anyone has any suggestions hpw to balance diet and alcohol Id be so grateful. Or even just words of encouragement. Because Im struggling to stay at my calorie budget when I drink (which is almost every day) and I feel hungry even thoufh I completed the calories for the day.

If you are drinking every day, that's not good. Depending on how much you are drinking, you will likely be damaging your liver long-term if it continues. I have first hand seen several family members die from cirrhosis of the liver, caused by drinking.

I agree with the others that you should seek help, not just with the drinking, but the other issues you are facing as well.

MarilynTC

I have a drink or two every day but I am careful to measure the alcohol and log it. I buy flavored vodka, like Absolut Mango or Citrus, and mix it with seltzer (zero calories and no sugar substitute kind). I use a calibrated shot glass to measure out the booze, or else I would be far too heavy-handed with the pour. I sometimes make wine spritzers - measure out 5oz of wine and fill the rest of the 12 oz glass with plain seltzer.

Eelkov

I tried dieting and alcohol together, but I got stuck in a plateau and I knew that I had to give it up if I wanted to loose weight... I was drinking about 3/4 to 1 bottle of wine a day... so now I have 700 additional calories to eat every day... what a huge difference.
I havent gone cold turkey, I still drink on weekends, but log everything. So friday night and Saturday I still drink but Sunday I stop again...

jfan175

Pre log all of your meals, snacks and drinks at the beginning of the day, making sure you hit your calorie and nutrient goals. Do not exceed your pre allotted beverages....this could be the first step in getting some needed self discipline and control over your life. It may then lead to you developing more healthy habits. I agree with the people that said keto and drinking do not mix.

Lean59man

You need to get off the booze.

And drop the heroin too.

But seriously, you know what you need to do, don't you?

jmacaroni

It sounds like you are self medicating. Find a therapist who can teach you coping skills. That way you will have other ways of dealing with your stress other than turning to alcohol.

hud54014

It sounds like you are in pain. I would agree with the other posters here. Seek out some assistance for the booze. If you don't feel ready or severe enough for therapy or AA meetings, SMARTRecovery.org has a great online community with tons of free helpful tools. All the best to you

dangerousdumpling

It sounds to me like the mental health issues are the first order of business. Drinking is a way for many people with mental health issues to cope. Are you seeing a doctor? Do you have a course of treatment that you're following? I agree that trying an AA meeting is a great idea for you. You WILL find someone there who can truly identify with what you're gong through and you WILL find someone who wants to help you get better. Life can be better. Give it a try.

Fuzzipeg

a hug from here. Please seek assistance with your greater issues. Once you are on your way addressing these a dietary restriction will probably be much less onerous. I very much doubt there will be one of us who has not had our share of problems and there is no shame in asking for, help, when you will benefit. I know I do not know you personally, but you matter as much as the next. Please find and take up the help you deserve.

Kst76

I love my wine. And I log it. But I found I drink too often. Even if it's only a small glass or 2 of wine a day it kills my diet goals. It kills it because I almost always overeat following a night of drinking. It comes back to the excess calories I consume every time.
I try to drink only 1 day a week now and then I drink only 2 glasses of wine.

WaterBunnie

If you didn't have a drink problem would you still have a weight problem do you think or is it the alcohol calories that have caused the gain? Dieting may just be a way of trying to gain some control over a part of your life, but beating the addiction would serve you better as you'll never cram enough nutrition into your deficit calories if you're using a lot of them for alcohol. You're young, get some help now before you lose decades to it. Good luck x

Courtscan2

You've already got lots of people telling you to seek out help for addiction, which is good, and definitely worth doing. If your drinking is problematic, tips on how to drink more and eat less aren't going to do you any favours in the long (or even not so long) term. Your health will be far more impacted by the excess drinking than by being a bit overweight. I love a glass of wine (or 3) once in a while, but if you are worried about your relationship with alcohol, deal with it while you are young and it is still relatively easy - this isn't something that will be easier to change as you grow older.