Vodka and Weight Loss

s4159

How much of a hindrance is vodka to weight loss efforts if it is drank straight and in moderation?

Say maybe a cup (4-6 ounces) one or twice a week at the most? I understand the process of how alcohol metabolizes in the body, but will this amount of alcohol significantly hinder the weight loss process? Even with staying at deficit and exercising regularly?

janejellyroll

What I found when I was losing weight: as long as I logged it accurately and still hit my calorie goals, drinking didn't stop me from losing weight.

If you're in a deficit, it doesn't really matter if your body is metabolizing alcohol before the other things you're eating. You're still in a deficit at the end of the day. This is the sort of thing that is really only relevant for people with very, very advanced body composition goals. I don't think it is relevant for the rest of us.

You don't have to drink it straight either (unless you like it that way). For low calorie options (if you're interested), I mixed it with diet tonic, diet soda, or even with water and Mio water enhancer when I was losing weight (be careful with the Mio though, it tastes just like Kool-Aid and goes down super-easy!).

mbaker566

so long as you log it and you stay in your calorie allotment you will be fine

i have cider or gin and tonics

just watch the snacking that happens with drinking

NovusDies

It makes me retain water so be prepared for the scale going up even though you may be still losing fat.

Jackie9003

I drink vodka with a diet mixer within my daily allowance, what messes it up is the resulting munchies, as previously pointed out!

AnnPT77

I didn't notice that alcohol made any difference at all, within my calorie goal. That disinhibition thing, though . . . .

paperpudding

i dont drink vodka but i do drink my poison of choice (Southern Comfort) mixed with diet soda.
as well as various other alcoholic drinks from time to time.

Logged the calories.

Did not derail my progress

Elphaba1313

I have wine every night. It's all good, I just track the calories. However I have made the conscious effort to stick to one glass. not because I was going over my calories, but because I had started to eat less just so that I could fit in the wine. Sure, I'd lose weight at the same rate, but I wasn't doing my body any favours by depriving it of calories that actually fed it. I do tend to want munchies to go with it, but I've swapped out potato chips for celery with hommus in individual portions which helped with that.

Weekends... well weekends are different.... I made them higher calorie days for a reason. Which slows my progress but it's still consistent and sustainable, and something I can do forever.

ptuck196

One of my meal categories is cocktails

kshama2001

AnnPT77 wrote: »

I didn't notice that alcohol made any difference at all, within my calorie goal. That disinhibition thing, though . . . .

Right, alcohol makes it MUCH harder for me to stay in my calorie goal the day of the drinking, then I don't sleep well, and that leads to more over eating (and less activity) the next day.

It just isn't worth it to me, except on very rare occasions.

dk6boys

You had me at vodka.... I allow 4-6 oz. Twice a week with la Croix, but it has to fit close to my calorie allowance. I also save a little room for a few snacks, maybe halo ice cream or a few crackers or chips. I try not to drink at restaurants or I will over eat!