help? drinking with friends. how can i still do this?

DancingDreamer

ok here's my problem. i'm 21, and i have friends and family, and when we hang out, we like to have a few drinks. (and trust me i am nowhere near an alcoholic, i get drunk off two drinks and then stop there, so this isnt my problem) but there are SO many calories in alcohol :c and i want one....just one....but i'll definately go over my calories. and i dont want to be the one person sitting there drinkless, the one drinking water, (i'm certainly not doing to be the DD, since i dont drive) so the days i go out and have fun....should i just count those off as days i will go over? does anyone have any advise that doesnt involve the words "just dont have one"?

TrainingWithTonya

Anytime I have planned a splurge, I try to adjust my other calories so that I'm still under. I'd recommend looking up the calorie count of your favorite drink and then adjusting your eating accordingly.

FunkBunny

Splurge on your two days...you can't live your life like you're on a diet. It is healthy to indulge from time to time. So go ahead, have a couple drinks. Behave the rest of the day with your calorie intake and working out. It'll all balance out in the end!:drinker:

00trayn

I still enjoy drinking, I've probably had nights where I've drank too frequently. While it is going to have somewhat of an impact on weight loss, it definitely doesn't have to kill your calorie count for the day.

My favorite drink is rum and diet coke. Vodka and diet coke is good too. It's a 0 calorie mixer and 1 shot of rum or vodka is 60-70 calories. If you want something exciting, get a flavored shot like coconut rum or cherry vodka. That's what I order from a bar 90% of the time. Cosmopolitans are also under 200 calories for like 8 oz. Light beer is a good way to go too, usually about 100-120 calories. They have some new really low calorie beers that are under 100. There are definitely options. Just avoid giant frozen mixed drinks, and long island iced teas. That one drink has 760 calories in one!!! Death trap... haha

You can still definitely enjoy yourself, just be sure to drink plenty of water so you don't get dehydrated and stick to a few low calorie drinks. I have noticed that my weight loss will slow after a weekend of drinking, but it's something I'm willing to accept. I love going out with friends and I"m 23 living near Washington DC. I will get to my goal, but I'm going to have a drink on occasion while I get there.

axekicker

Anytime I have planned a splurge, I try to adjust my other calories so that I'm still under. I'd recommend looking up the calorie count of your favorite drink and then adjusting your eating accordingly.

This is on the right track, but I've always done it from a different angle--I'll exercise even more/harder than usual when I know I'm going to be going to a restaurant or drinking later that day.

Of course I try to adjust my food consumption accordingly as well, but I'm just one of those exercisers I guess. I just prefer to look at it in terms of exercise. It makes me feel like I've worked hard and been proactive, rather than feeling like I'm starving myself.

DancingDreamer

mmm vodka and diet coke. i wonder if bars have diet tonic water to go with my gin XD? next time i'm out i'll ask!

thanks for the advise ladies!

lindakp83

I read that clear alcohol is supposed to be better. Then mix it with diet soda or juice. I do vodka with orange juice or malibu with diet is good. Or just have a couple of glasses of wine. If you like beer you could try that 64 calorie stuff they are always advertising.

valeriebpdx

Anytime I have planned a splurge, I try to adjust my other calories so that I'm still under. I'd recommend looking up the calorie count of your favorite drink and then adjusting your eating accordingly.

This is on the right track, but I've always done it from a different angle--I'll exercise even more/harder than usual when I know I'm going to be going to a restaurant or drinking later that day.

Of course I try to adjust my food consumption accordingly as well, but I'm just one of those exercisers I guess. I just prefer to look at it in terms of exercise. It makes me feel like I've worked hard and been proactive, rather than feeling like I'm starving myself.

I totally agree with this advice. It's a lot healthier to go balls out with cardio exercise on a day you're going to drink than to short yourself on nutritious food to make room for empty calories. I am a runner, so a long run can buy me a WHOLE lot of wine on days I feel like indulging, but you can do it with gym machines or whatever.

ETA I think diet drinks are gross and ruin the alcohol you put in them, but that's just me. Again, I would rather earn a couple of actually good-tasting drinks with hard exercise, but everyone has to find his own way.

DancingDreamer

I read that clear alcohol is supposed to be better. Then mix it with diet soda or juice. I do vodka with orange juice or malibu with diet is good. Or just have a couple of glasses of wine. If you like beer you could try that 64 calorie stuff they are always advertising.

ohhh thats good to hear since clear alcohol plus juice tends to be my drink of choice. i will say i am glad i dont like beer that much since it seems to be the biggest diet killer alcohol out there.

lee112780

ok here's my problem. i'm 21, and i have friends and family, and when we hang out, we like to have a few drinks. (and trust me i am nowhere near an alcoholic, i get drunk off two drinks and then stop there, so this isnt my problem) but there are SO many calories in alcohol :c and i want one....just one....but i'll definately go over my calories. and i dont want to be the one person sitting there drinkless, the one drinking water, (i'm certainly not doing to be the DD, since i dont drive) so the days i go out and have fun....should i just count those off as days i will go over? does anyone have any advise that doesnt involve the words "just dont have one"?

I really beleive there nothing wrong with going out drinking with your friends every once in awhile. It keeps you in a good place mentally! Actually, when I was single, it motivated me to lose more because I knew there were cute boys out lol
Try bacardi and diet, light beer, or pretty much anything with diet soda. Vodka and cran. isnt too bad. You can always look up calories in these drinks on the net. Make sure you work out that day, so you can afford to go over a lil ; ) have fun!!!

dumb_blondes_rock

jsut take shots haha....the rule of thumb is anything clear, anything diet or anything tonic....if they have like cherry vodka or some flavored vodka, you can do that with tonic or club soda and it tastes really good. youll find you get drunk a lot faster since you started eating healthier!