Giving up drinking?

Squamation

When I go out drinking I get low-calories drinks (look them up online and have the recipe handy on your phone to show the bartender).

I always pre-log that day so that even with the drinks I don't go over my calorie limit.

I pace myself- 1 alcohol, 1 glass of water (repeat)

When I drink at home I do the same, but its WAY cheaper.

I've been able to see progress while still drinking. Could I get better progress if I cut it out all together? Probably, but I'm not at that point. I at most 7 alcoholic drinks a week, some weeks as little as none.

Also this really works: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQFmKPA-iAg

I would suggest not doing it around judgmental people as they will give you weird looks. But I've done it and was happily surprised with the results.

Brooke4206

I am also a university student and gained the freshman 15 due to drinking a considerable amount thursday-saturday. I cut it out completely and lost 20.

GBrady43068

My honest advice?:

Do NOT "give it up" unless you have a medical reason. If you're currently drinking 4 cans of cider, going to ZERO will just make you continually crave it and get bitter about your "diet" that's costing you something you love. And when you crave it strongly enough, you'll be heading out to the bar and going crazy on the drinking.

That having been said, yes it's clear that LOTS of alcohol = LOTS of calories. So you'll definely want to cut down the number of calories you take in...there's a couple ways to do that that won't be as painful and might be habits you can keep long-term.

1) If you currently are doing "nights out" several times a week, trim it back to ONE.
2) If you know tonight is "night out" night, PRE-LOG that day...meaning plan out calories in advance for breakfast/lunch and keep them on the lowish side to allow for more calories that night.
3) If at all possible, get in some extra exercise the day you're going out.
4) Substitute some of the cider consumption with either LOWER-cal drinks...wine if you like it (there's also scientiific evidence that MODERATE intake of wine has health effects, I usually see red wines referenced for this)...vodka if you like it...OR
5) Instead of 4 ciders, do cider....glass of water...cider....glass of water (This also has two other advantages..you get more water...and it counteracts the dehydrating effect of alcohol. There's a reason people say alcohol is full of vitamin "P".)
6) You can also volunteer to be the designated driver more often. Some bars will let the designated driver get their (non-alcoholic obviously) drinks for free even if it's not "ladie's night". :drinker:

GretaGirl8

it is great that your are taking action for your health.

PRMinx

Are you addicted to alcohol? If not, its easy, just don't order it.

In to say....WOW...this is so helpful.

GBrady43068

Are you addicted to alcohol? If not, its easy, just don't order it.

In to say....WOW...this is so helpful.

Ditto. I'm not "addicted" to alchohol...in fact, I probably drink a grand total of 5 alchoholic drinks a YEAR. But I'm not a teetotaler either and don't see the need to completely abandon something I enjoy upon occasion.

DavePFJ

I cut down to one day a week, usually Saturday. A few years ago I'd go through 40-50 beers on the weekend. Now I struggle to get through a 6 pack. I'm just not into beer that much anymore. I might switch to hard alcohol soon. I can get drunker for less calories and bloat.


Usually the food decisions people make when drunk are just as bad as the drinking itself.

PRMinx

Are you addicted to alcohol? If not, its easy, just don't order it.

In to say....WOW...this is so helpful.

Ditto. I'm not "addicted" to alchohol...in fact, I probably drink a grand total of 5 alchoholic drinks a YEAR. But I'm not a teetotaler either and don't see the need to completely abandon something I enjoy upon occasion.

Hold. The. Phone.

You mean you can enjoy alcohol and not want to give it up AND not be addicted. I've never heard of such folly.

asciiqwerty

Do you guys have any suggestions on how to cut back on alcohol?

Log it accurately, and make yourself accountable

If you're heading out - why not make sure your diary is up to date and work out how many drink you can have and still meet your calorie deficit goal.

I'm not a fan of cutting out any particular items from what i eat as I intend my weight loss to be a long term sustaineable project, not part of a yoyo cycle.

So I drink when I want to, but I log accurately too.

I often complete my meal log before deciding whether to have a drink or not, and at home i weigh/measure everything including alcohol.

marzajones

I second that I don't drink anymore and have substituted with soda and lime! Its also a long, refreshing and very cheap drink. All the best to you!

ali59oc

I never thought I could give up my glass (or two) of Chardonnay after work. But I did. Because losing the weight meant so much more to me. Now, I can't hold my liquor! I had a vodka/diet tonic and I was trashed. So now I don't want to drink! If you do, stay away from beer and sweet drinks. Distilled liquors (vodka, gin, whiskies) have ONLY calories and not any fat or carbs. One shot is around 60 some odd.

shapefitter

Join the AA, as it looks like you have a serious problem.

PRMinx

Join the AA, as it looks like you have a serious problem.

I hope this is an attempt a humor...but, just in case....

SarahNicoleW94

I love a glass of wine or 2 with dinner in the evening after work, but 2 large glasses of wine is about 400 cals! so ive tried having vodka, lime & soda in a wine glass.. far less calories and it looks like wine haha!

SarahNicoleW94

Join the AA, as it looks like you have a serious problem.

I hope this is an attempt a humor...but, just in case....

hahaha!

FitMe758

I cut back a lot and it has helped tremendously. My temptations are red wine and Guinness. I still have a couple of glasses of red wine a week.

Guinness, I cut off entirely until I reach my goal weight.

bingo_jenn

I agree with whoever said to workout in the morning. I joined a morning run group and it's made me cut back significantly on how much I drink during the week. I may have 1-2 drinks in the evening.

I found when I cut it out completely, I would binge when I did drink. If I have a few drinks during the week, I don't usually go overboard on the weekend.

PRMinx

I agree with whoever said to workout in the morning. I joined a morning run group and it's made me cut back significantly on how much I drink during the week. I may have 1-2 drinks in the evening.

I found when I cut it out completely, I would binge when I did drink. If I have a few drinks during the week, I don't usually go overboard on the weekend.

Now, this is good advice that I can get behind.

Working out in the AM is a surefire way to make responsible decisions about dinner, sleep and alcohol. I say dinner only because if I'm working out in the morning I tend to make a really well-rounded meal (fish, veggies, sweet potato) so that I'm not hungry when I get up.

josparkle

Seems like you are doing the right thing.

I like a glass or two of wine on the weekends and budget for them. Not eating back some exercise calories and doing a little bit more on Saturday and Sunday is the way I try to counteract it. And then not going too crazy as if I have too many drinks then I know I'm liable to snack and that's more likely to put me over.

Good luck.

shapefitter

I agree with whoever said to workout in the morning. I joined a morning run group and it's made me cut back significantly on how much I drink during the week. I may have 1-2 drinks in the evening.

I found when I cut it out completely, I would binge when I did drink. If I have a few drinks during the week, I don't usually go overboard on the weekend.

m.bbc.com/news/health-27124357

Hell_Flower

Just do it on selected nights.

Maybe try spirits - gin and slimline tonic, vodka/diet coke etc. All significantly less than cider/beer/snakebite. Maybe move a bit more in order to burn it off - most universitys offer student discounts at gyms, so try and make the most of that if you can.

Otherwise? Enjoy being 23 and being at University!

PRMinx

I agree with whoever said to workout in the morning. I joined a morning run group and it's made me cut back significantly on how much I drink during the week. I may have 1-2 drinks in the evening.

I found when I cut it out completely, I would binge when I did drink. If I have a few drinks during the week, I don't usually go overboard on the weekend.

m.bbc.com/news/health-27124357

So the poster says she has 1-2 drinks in the evening because she works out in the morning and finds that it reduces her desire to binge drink later on. Altogether, a sensible and respectable approach.

And then you post an article about binge drinking 3+ drinks...

I'm failing to see the connection here.

FireOpalCO

I usually order a "hard" drink (scotch, whiskey, tequila) and then a big glass of water. I will alternate between the two (and chances are end of with double the water I planned due to partial refills if the waiter is attentive). Living at altitude and in very dry air in Colorado, people are very used to people wanting to stay hydrated while drinking, so it's pretty common behavior. By the time I need to leave, I may have only had 1-2 drinks.

My folly comes if anyone orders appetizers that I like.

shapefitter

I agree with whoever said to workout in the morning. I joined a morning run group and it's made me cut back significantly on how much I drink during the week. I may have 1-2 drinks in the evening.

I found when I cut it out completely, I would binge when I did drink. If I have a few drinks during the week, I don't usually go overboard on the weekend.

m.bbc.com/news/health-27124357

So the poster says she has 1-2 drinks in the evening because she works out in the morning and finds that it reduces her desire to binge drink later on. Altogether, a sensible and respectable approach.

And then you post an article about binge drinking 3+ drinks...

I'm failing to see the connection here.

To clarify the term binge.

bombshellcertification

For all the reasons you mentioned and more, I lost my desire for alcoholic beverages in my early twenties(23) after amped up partying during college and post college happy hour or social...and was chubby from the calories, water weight, late nights with little sleep, also got really sensitive to the smell of alcohol --even now when someone is working out and sweating out the night before I get totally nauseus...it comes through pores second hand--often times but not always smoke too....I was a bartender for a short time while not drinking and that only reinforced my being turned off to the unhealthy environment---the cons outweighed the pros...and when I go out with friends etc I always order cranberry, lime and club in a wine glass....I feel great, spend less, still enjoy social/friends/dates etc. but know what my body wants and needs, I honor that, and its- its own reward....I was a bit of a partier early on so maybe I also lived it out of my system fast & furious at 23.

And enjoy the benefits of making decisions that wont end in hangover, weight gain or money that Id rather use to support my healthy habits, new clothes, interests and travel ---it really does add up too Listen to your body and tune into your higher self & you'll know what to do Everyone is different, some more sensitive than others...

Instinctively as my body detoxed, my body naturally wanted to be clean, present and I had more energy, time, money, health, vibrancy to follow dreams...and live life totally present...at all times***. .At first I craved a lot of sugar, as I drank cranberry & Vodka or wine....so I craved cookies etc initially and had to confront emotions and emotional eating for a time of transition that were really underlying my drinking impulse.....not realizing I was missing the sugar in alcohol & my mixers.

My body naturally though gravitated to wanting optimum health--the endorphin rush of exercise, sun and good food was better than any buzz by a landslide. Then when I had enough of the weight gain from switching habits...and I felt more comfortable without it, the time I usually spent out with friends at night become less and I spent more time active during day with friends who loved adventure outdoors etc..riding bike, at beach, running, volleyball etc (I lived in Florida at the time) For me, it was a struggle socially at first, especially the wine, but I came to learn that I was also allergic to fermentation--and that was bloating me and giving me headaches too...so I think we all have intuitive body knowledge if we can tune in and listen to effects we get...with time and practice I have gotten better to listening to my body and spirit---for me eliminating alcohol was key...I had support and have used 12 step philosophy more most things in my life.. Everyday, I am confronted with choices and make decisions to love or neglect myself. Do what's best for you...no one can decide that but you.

ottermotorcycle

On days where I go out drinking, I have a hard workout earlier in the day so I have more caloric "wiggle room." But mostly, I think I'm going to cut down on my drinking. It's not that I don't have the calories for it. It's that I don't think drinking is worth it... if I binge drink, I'm an out of control mess, and if I only drink a little it feels like I'm wasting calories that are way better spent on cheese and chocolate.

bingo_jenn

I agree with whoever said to workout in the morning. I joined a morning run group and it's made me cut back significantly on how much I drink during the week. I may have 1-2 drinks in the evening.

I found when I cut it out completely, I would binge when I did drink. If I have a few drinks during the week, I don't usually go overboard on the weekend.

m.bbc.com/news/health-27124357

So the poster says she has 1-2 drinks in the evening because she works out in the morning and finds that it reduces her desire to binge drink later on. Altogether, a sensible and respectable approach.

And then you post an article about binge drinking 3+ drinks...

I'm failing to see the connection here.

To clarify the term binge.

I, too, failed to see the connection. It still doesn't really make sense.

But the point of the article is a good one that once you start drinking, ordering appetizers, etc., then the "hangover cures" the next day, it's not worth it to go into the 3+ drinks.

DavePFJ

bingo_jenn

By far one of the most disturbing lists I saw somewhere... hilarious, but oh, so bad!

biggsterjackster

Are you addicted to alcohol? If not, its easy, just don't order it.

In to say....WOW...this is so helpful.

It is acutally pretty simple, why make a big deal out of it???