No Alcohol?

PercyPig

I've started last Saturday. I've come to a point where I really want to lose weight but alcohol is stopping me from doing so. I tend to be really good at the beginning of the week but then go out drinking with colleagues towards the end of the week, and crave fatty foods so badly the next day I'll just give in. I've been losing and putting on the same 2 kilos over the last few months but now it has to stop. So last Saturday my boyfriend and I agreed to not touch a drop of alcohol for the next six weeks to see if it helps my weight loss. Will keep you posted!

stefdye

If you check the facts, you will find that one glass of red wine a day does have a healthy effect. Problem with most people is, they can't just stick with one glass a day.

With all things in life, moderation is the key to being healthy.

stefdye

I totally agree that the key to everything is moderation. But did you know you get the same health benefits from red grapes that you get from red wine? I still consume more wine than I do grapes, just sayin.

gunnarpalm

Blasphemy! I work out hard and will have my occasional wine or beer. Of course I do have to earn the calories with workouts!

Barneystinson

If you check the facts, you will find that one glass of red wine a day does have a healthy effect. Problem with most people is, they can't just stick with one glass a day.

With all things in life, moderation is the key to being healthy.

You can get the same benefits from grape juice. Better yet, eat whole grapes and get all the above plus the fiber.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/food-and-nutrition/AN00576

Wine grapes don't equal juice grapes. And not all wine grapes are created equal, either. They all have varying sugar content which will vary by the varietal of grape, region it's grown, season, etc.

So, what I'm saying is that I don't necessarily agree with the recommendation to eat sweet grapes or drink grape juice as it's much higher in sugar content than a dry wine. Both certainly carry the antioxidant benefits, but the levels of sugar will vary greatly.

For those of us who actually enjoy the taste of good wine, there's no need to cut it completely out of your life because of weight loss or avoiding the calories. Just be sensible about it. Dry wines, especially reds, have a low sugar content and one medium glass - let's say of a good Cab - is great to sip over a longer period of time. I drink far less wine in a night than other libations, which is why I typically choose a good wine when available.

htimpaired

I struggled for a few years with alcohol overuse, was self medicating an anxiety disorder. Of course when drinking all caution goes to the wind and I would end up binging on chips and dip and other calorie ridden food. This is how I ended up gaining 30 lbs over the last few years, and why I am trying to lose the weight now. I mostly don't drink now, I will allow myself to have an "off" night every once in a while and get a little tipsy with my friends, but not a regular thing by any means. Like others have said, I don't want to drink my calories, when I am perfectly happy with Crystal light and tea.

tal202

Thanks for all the info guys. I've decided to cut alcohol out at home and only drink socially to start with. Fortunately the boyfriend doesn't drink much which means that there won't be any opened bottles of wine in the fridge. And I have told my friends in advance that when I am out, I won't be over-doing it.

I'm planning on keeping pace with the slowest drinker and then alternating between water and alcohol throughout the night. Also, I'm going to make sure that when I know I will be out, I buy some healthier comfort food, i.e. scrambled eggs with skimmed milk on wholemeal toast as opposed to a fried egg and bacon sarnie.

If you have any other advice, please keep it coming.

fitbot

i think that is a good way to go. I find it much easier to cut out alcohol completely, than to just have 1 - 2 glasses of wine. its a slippery slope, and I feel that if i cannot drink moderately I should not drink at all....

so good luck w your social drinking only.
Good job on the alternating water w alcohol. and telling your friends. This might make them think about having that 7th glass too

lauz45

Hiya, i've been thinking about doing this too. I never drink at home, I only drink to get drunk and socialise, and lately i've been unable to know when to stop on a few occassions and acted like an idiot, and severely regretted it the next day, not to mention how badly it goes down with my boyfriend I get quite aggressive and lairy sometimes when I drink and i'm just not a nice person, last weekend I drank a bottle of white and half a bottle of red in one night, upset my boyfriend, went home and was sick (which NEVER happens). Sooo i'm swearing off drink!

Last night we were at the pub with about 20 people and I was just drinking diet coke and had a fun night, noticed a couple of times when I would have got involved in silly things (like an argument, a guy staring at my friend) and quite glad I stayed sober! I'm getting a car soon hopefully so i'm going to be the designated driver, think how much money, calories and dignity I will save!

Good luck to you!

YeaILift

You can always have the occasional drink, but you should try to adjust your diet so that it allow for the extra calories or exercise a little harder that day. Luckily for you wine is one of the healthiest alcoholic drinks you can have (relative to other alcoholic drinks).

PercyPig

I find it much easier to cut out alcohol completely, than to just have 1 - 2 glasses of wine. its a slippery slope, and I feel that if i cannot drink moderately I should not drink at all....

Completely agree. Once you reach the end of the second glass it's so easy to say "go on, I'll have another one" and before you know it you're drunk, way over your calorie goal, and eating greasy food the next day. Though I'm not saying going cold turkey is easy either... I guess it's all about finding the right balance, and I have yet to find it.

GrayJohn

Nothing wrong with alcohol - if you give it up for like 5 months like I did then one night I had vodka and the following day I weight myself and I lost 5lbs!! Now I drink once or twice a week, normally red wine, a beer or 2 or some vodka. Enjoy life!

fitbot

ya but gray john, i dont think this is a normal reaction haha. you are just freakishly awesome at losing weight!

lee112780

Im in the same boat...Im trying to cut down to lose weight, and also because of medication that Im on. I honestly used to drink atleast 2 days a wk....atleast 3-4 drinks. Now, I cut down to one day...and try to drink light beer. Regular beer was killin me!! I would end up drinking 1000 cals easy in beer.

lee112780

also...the good news is your tolerence will go down, and when you do drink, you wont need much! Its economical too