I want to drink but don't want to ruin my diet?

annabellemayh

Tomorrow night is the first night I'm going out at uni in absolutely ages and I want to drink and probably drink a fair bit with my friends. However I really don't want this to ruin my diet. I know it's just empty calories and I hate that. Do I cut down on my food calories in the day so I can drink that night? Or do I just workout a lot the next day? How do I fit this one night of drinking into my diet

gypsy_spirit

It is a choice only you can make. If you really want to drink - work it into your calories for the week and then don't worry about it. Unfortunately, you will be faced with choices like this for the rest of your life. Weigh the pros and cons and then move on.

Have fun - these are the good 'ole days.

sentaruu

you could try to adjust your cals a bit to accommodate the alcohol, but make sure you do get some adequate nutrition during the day. have a good time though and don't worry about it, 1 night of fun won't ruin your diet.

JenMc14

I'd eat light, and do drinks that are hard liquor mixed with diet soda. For less calories. Or stick to light beer or two glasses of wine. Just be mindful, allow yourself a few extra calories, maybe up to maintenance, and you'll be fine.

loubidy

I went out last night, got ratted and have the hangover munchies today however this is life and you can't be perfect. Tomorrow I will be back to my small portions with macro goals and exercise!!

I don't do it every week it only means I lose weight slower when I do. I don't do it every week so it doesn't cause me to gain.

SunofaBeach14

You're young and it's one night. Go out, have fun, avoid doing anything truly stupid, then wake up and go for a run and puke it all out. Nothing like the true "cleanse" of running with a bad hangover. Just make sure to drink plenty of water.

philipjamesherbertlaking

Do a few hours cardio or a long walk to earn yourself some extra calories for some guilt free drinking. 10 miles walking will take 3 hours and earn you around 1100 calories (about 5 pints of beer). Cutting down on your food calories is never a good idea as you will only crave food and end up over eating anyway.

(if that is you in the photo however you look super skinny anyway so I wouldnt stress too much for one night of fun)

hogan843

I think you need to change your definition of "going out with my friends". You are going out to socialize, to laugh and talk and tell stories and have fun. Have a drink. Have two! But space them out with water, or tonic with a wedge of lime (to look more "social"). Or volunteer to be the Designated Driver. Or don't drink at all (but still be fun and social), and if someone asks why you're not drinking, lie and tell them you're hungover from last night, or you're just getting over a stomach thing, or you just haven't decided what sounds good to drink yet. Or tell the truth, that you're trying to be healthy, and have only allotted for one drink an evening and you want to pick the right drink at the right time that you're really going to enjoy. You'll do ok. Just go in with a plan, so you know what's up.

Eleonora91

Tomorrow night is the first night I'm going out at uni in absolutely ages and I want to drink and probably drink a fair bit with my friends. However I really don't want this to ruin my diet. I know it's just empty calories and I hate that. Do I cut down on my food calories in the day so I can drink that night? Or do I just workout a lot the next day? How do I fit this one night of drinking into my diet

Just try to guess how much you're going to drink and estabilish a reasonable deficit during the following week to compensate. If you think you might be exceeding your recommended intake of 500-700 kcals you could try to burn 100 kcals more each day, or stuff like that. The best thing would be logging your drinks afterwards, even though I guess it's not easy to estimate the quantity of alchool you're going to drink.
Just be patient and even if you gain something, you'll probably get rid of it in no time.
Anyway I think trying to limit your alchool intake might be a good idea, not just because of your weightloss program. I don't really like what happens to my body if I drink more than 1-2 drinks, but that's up to you!

Madame_Goldbricker

Yep go out & enjoy! Some people fit a cpl of beers or wine in regularly. Others like to go out drinking frequently and it hasn't hindered their losses if the compensate. I'd be careful on the idea of eating a lot less though as you don't want to end up ruining your night feeling unwell (esp if you've been on the wagon a while).

Swimming was always my go to hangover remedy in the past. At the end of the day we're all trying to make lifestyle choices and socialising (with alcohol for people who partake) is part of that.

Oh! If you hit the fast food after then you could try making some decent food choices there if possible.

Galatea_Stone

1. Don't overexercise. It will lower your alcohol tolerance and you'll end up drunk instead of happily inebriated.
2. Eat. Alcohol on an empty stomach is bad.
3. Forget the day and just go back to your regularly scheduled eating program the day after.

40DayFit

One way to drink while minding your overall calorie intake is to switch your drink of choice. Beer, mixed cocktails, fruity and creamy drinks, obviously higher calories. As are sugary shots like lemon drops, Tuaca, etc.

But a highball cocktail of liquor and club soda, diet soda, or diet tonic water? Far fewer calories, and still very elegant drinks. Gin, vodka, tequila, whiskey, certain rums and brandies, even. You could forgo the mixers and enjoy your drink neat or on the rocks. If you just had to have beer, you could forgo flavor and choose one of the "lite" beers.

I'm not promoting drunkeness, but I do think adults can enjoy a cocktail without having to toss their entire eating and fitness plan. This site has some interesting data on calories and source of calories for various brands of alcohol--could help you decide before going out: http://getdrunknotfat.com/

Remember to eat when you're drinking, and to take in plenty of water. You can concentrate on higher protein foods with limited added sugars, and more complex carbs. Buffalo wings (though higher in fat) or chicken skewers or things like that, and leave the tempting fried potatoes and such alone.

Enjoy yourself, and your health.

GingerLolita

Assuming your goal is weight loss with a calorie deficit, I recommend switching to maintenance goals for the day so that you won't gain but can fit in the drinks. You don't want to cut calories too low and then drink, as that can be dangerous.

SJackson50

1. Don't overexercise. It will lower your alcohol tolerance and you'll end up drunk instead of happily inebriated.
2. Eat. Alcohol on an empty stomach is bad.
3. Forget the day and just go back to your regularly scheduled eating program the day after.

Ditto!

eric_sg61

If at a deficit, don't worry about it. Eat mostly protein and carbs on the day your going to drink and keep fat intake low.
http://bayesianbodybuilding.com/science-binge-drinking/

annabellemayh

Thank you! Everyone's been super helpful!! I feel a lot better about going out and having a few drinks now These are supposed to be the 'best years of my life' after all!

Miamiuu

Stick with tequila or vodka straight. About 100 calories per shot and you can get a decent buzz out of just a few shots.

frangrann

I'd eat light, and do drinks that are hard liquor mixed with diet soda. For less calories. Or stick to light beer or two glasses of wine. Just be mindful, allow yourself a few extra calories, maybe up to maintenance, and you'll be fine.

I agree with light beer or wine….a margarita or sangria cam be as much as 800 calories and tons of sugar. That's like a whole meal! The skinny margaritas are like 200 calories. (sigh) I love a good margarita too! Oh well.

j34lr

Not really sure if this is the right kind of thing to do but I usually just don't eat so many calories during the day when I know I'll be drinking at night. I try and get low calorie drinks like burnetts (69 cals per oz) and I don't chase with sugary drinks, in fact...I just drink it straight haha. Saves me lots of calories.

Life is short, don't skip out on having some fun with friends because you're scared of the calories. Just be careful not to binge eat after you've drank (another reason people gain weight from drinking), stay away from beer if you can (it's all carbs), and relax...you're only this young once...you don't wanna look back and say you spent your younger years depriving yourself of any chance to drink because of weight. You can always moderate yourself and just pick back up with clean eating and working out the next day.

kbmnurse

Try this. One alcoholic drink then have a water and repeat.