Honest question about alcohol

garystrickland357

I'm asking about this in case I'm missing something. There are a number of folks here that will strongly advise someone to completely eliminate alcohol consumption in order to lose weight. I'm trying to understand where this is coming from - there may be something I don't understand.

I understand the concern with drinking our calories. I understand that beer, cocktails, and wine have calories. I also understand that drinking a lot can have negative effects both in terms of calories and health. I can also understand if someone has a personal bias against drinking in general - but that is a separate issue from weight loss.

But what about 2-3 drinks per week? I'm not seeing the problem as long as the calories are accounted for and logged. Is there a metabolic/physiological process involved that I don't understand that derails weight loss?

I know personally I usually decide not to have a drink because I would rather "spend" my calorie allowance on something more satisfying that has nutritional value - but I also enjoy a nice glass of wine occasionally and it hasn't wrecked my weight loss.

So, educate me. I'm genuinely curious to understand.

deannalfisher

some people recommend completing removing alcohol because when you drink, the metabolizing of alcohol becomes primary in your bodily functions (I will also say that the nutrition folks I work with have us log alcohol as a portion carbs and fats which is kind of different to the standard methodology (empty calories))

I have continued to drink during my journey - I limit it to days where I have some more flexibility with my fats, you may also see a slight uptick in water weight after drinking - so things to be aware of

WholeFoods4Lyfe

There are so many factors that play in to this the biggest of which is your end goal. I, personally, do not see healthy eating as a diet, it is a way of life. Do I plan on going the rest of my life without alcohol? Heck no! Then I see no reason to eliminate it from my diet. I don't consume sugar laded cocktails or even soda and liquor type drinks, I do tend to keep it simple like wine or vodka rocks. I really think that this is an individual thing. You do you.

DX2JX2

No issues. It really just comes down to the fact that it can be very hard to fit drinks into a calorie-restricted diet and that alcohol sometimes drives poor choices and/or binge behavior (either food when buzzed, or more drinks than planned).

garystrickland357

deannalfisher wrote: »

some people recommend completing removing alcohol because when you drink, the metabolizing of alcohol becomes primary in your bodily functions (I will also say that the nutrition folks I work with have us log alcohol as a portion carbs and fats which is kind of different to the standard methodology (empty calories))

I have continued to drink during my journey - I limit it to days where I have some more flexibility with my fats, you may also see a slight uptick in water weight after drinking - so things to be aware of

Thanks. I wasn't aware of the metabolic prioritization of alcohol. Yes, the water uptick I can live with, just like what we see if I have some salty popcorn or whatever. Thanks for the comment. It was helpful.

SuzySunshine99

I think that the mindset is, as you say, saving your calories for food instead of drinks.

It's really all about quantity and frequency. Some people are able to have just one or two drinks and others may find it easier to not drink at all. It's really a very personal thing and everyone needs to figure out what works best for them.

The other factor is that for many people, alcohol consumption leads to more food consumption. Some people have a tendency to overeat while they are drinking. One big night out could wipe out a whole weeks calorie deficit.

For me personally, I lost weight while having a few drinks a week within my calorie budget. Like I said, everyone's got to figure out what works for them. Blanket advice like "you need to stop drinking to lose weight" is not helpful and does not apply to everyone.

rsclause

If I had 2-3 drinks a week I would have drastically reduced my alcohol consumption.

Grammytryingtogetfit

I have consumed beer on a daily basis all during this process and have not had any issues. Yes, I could have cut back on the beer for more sustainable calories, but you probably wouldn't have wanted to be around me then...lol

missysippy930

Everyone is different. Each one of us has to find what works for us as individuals and can be maintained for the long term. How you choose to consume your calorie allotment is a personal decision. I rarely drink anything (other than water or coffee). Just personal choice, as I get way more satisfaction out of actually chewing my calories. Other than my very early 20's, I rarely ever drank alcohol.

There is no problem with having a few alcoholic beverages. There are benefits that suggest that it may even be beneficial.

Go for it, log it, stay within your calorie budget. You know what is best for you.

100_PROOF_

I don't drink personally but I know plenty of people who have continued to drink while losing weight and then maintaining their loss. I know plenty of people who drink and still have a healthy well balanced diet.
I would log anything that you consume. If you have a glass of wine , beer, whatever, log it!
Weight loss comes from creating a caloric deficit. Create a calorie deficit and you'll lose weight. Plenty of people drink and still are successful.

quiksylver296

My quitting is more about the drunk munchies than it is about the actual alcohol fitting in my calorie goal.

Bry_Fitness70

In my experience, the calories from alcohol aren't an issue, it is the residual effects. Drinking causes me to eat an additional meal of bar food / fast food in order to avoid a hangover, the hangover reduces the likelihood of engaging in physical activity the following day, and nursing the hangover leads to eating greasy comfort food (and not take vitamins / supplements) that derails my planned calorie consumption for the day. Occasionally drinking at a level that doesn't impair my eating and exercise habits is fine.

mutantspicy

The real trick IMO is being Honest with yourself. And logging all of your alcohol. Doing such helps motivate me to drink less, and as a result I no longer Drink Beer on a daily basis. I will however have 5 to 10z of red wine if I have the room in my meal plan. I usually do have beers on Friday evening as I do like to go to the pub. But I log it and see the damages, and that prompts me to be more active on Saturday.
I used to consider like mentioned above, Alcohol to be an empty calorie. Once I started thinking of it as real and paying closer attention to it, my weight loss journey became a success story instead of a status quo story.

xbowhunter

I have a glass of red-wine at dinner time daily. I just add it to my logging & I'm 4lbs away from my goal & it has not slowed me down one bit.

seltzermint555

I have seen a lot of posts on this where people talk about drinking 2-3 drinks daily, losing control of their snacking after drinking, and/or eating differently or "badly" the day after having a lot of alcohol. I think this stuff is a big factor for many people and probably a great reason to stop or slow down with alcohol consumption.

I don't have any of those problems mentioned above, so I continue to drink 1-2 craft beers weekly or so, but not every week...a glass or two of wine at a winery every couple months...stuff like that. Viewing it much as I would a slice of pie or cookies with coffee. Treat level. I usually choose sweets over alcohol and alcohol over savory "treats".

rj0150684

I average probably 10-15 drinks/week and it hasn’t impacted my weight loss or overall health (insofar as annual physicals and blood panels) in any discernible way.

malibu927

I eliminated it because I never really liked the taste. Some people eliminate it to cut down on their calories, especially if they’re ones who tend to eat a lot while drinking.

dollarbill181

I was always an avid beer and whiskey drinker. Had to cut cold turkey for a surgery. Was able to drop 15lbs in 1-2 months just buy ditching the alcohol. Now I'll only have a couple drinks at social gatherings, otherwise won't keep it in the house for temptation.

Might be other factors that played a role, but cutting the alcohol really changed everything for me.

dollarbill181

seltzermint555 wrote: »

I have seen a lot of posts on this where people talk about drinking 2-3 drinks daily, losing control of their snacking after drinking, and/or eating differently or "badly" the day after having a lot of alcohol. I think this stuff is a big factor for many people and probably a great reason to stop or slow down with alcohol consumption.

I don't have any of those problems mentioned above, so I continue to drink 1-2 craft beers weekly or so, but not every week...a glass or two of wine at a winery every couple months...stuff like that. Viewing it much as I would a slice of pie or cookies with coffee. Treat level. I usually choose sweets over alcohol and alcohol over savory "treats".

Couldn't agree more!

lynn_glenmont

garystrickland357 wrote: »

I'm asking about this in case I'm missing something. There are a number of folks here that will strongly advise someone to completely eliminate alcohol consumption in order to lose weight. I'm trying to understand where this is coming from - there may be something I don't understand.

I don't know the context or exact messages you're seeing, but there are people who make all kind of absolutist statements about what you have to do to lose weight (eliminate carbs, eliminate fats, eat clean, etc.) that are not true. If someone is saying you have to completely eliminate alcohol to lose weight, it would fall into the category of absolutist statements that are not true. If they're simply advising it as a "best practice," I guess I would ask them for context (well, actually I would probably ignore them, because I'm comfortable counting my calories, including the calories in alcohol, and making decisions about when I can fit an alcoholic drink in and still hit my calorie and nutrition goals).

RadishEater

I feel like it falls with everything else: best in moderation. For me my treat is chocolate and wine at the end of the day. I prelogged my day to see how many Oz's of wine and squares of chocolate I will eat.

Many of my friends think I'm incredibly restrictive/fastidious to plan to eat 2 squares of chocolate and 5 oz of wine but I find it less stressful knowing a treat is planned.

No estimating what 5oz looks like in a wine glass, I measure out in ounces every night.

If I do have extra drinks on Saturday (prelogged), I definitely notice a even a tipsy me tends to want to munch, which is why I keep anything more than 1 drink to 1 day of the week and keep it at a tipsy level. Drunk level results in me wanting to eat a giant bag of buttery popcorn.