Alcohol!!!

azingale

okay everybody let's be realistic here...it's college! i've lost 35 pounds and i've had plenty of drunken nights. I just try to avoid the endless munching after coming home from the bars. If you eat healthy during the day, you shouldn't have to worry about one or two nights of drinking a week. You look like you're mostly in good shape and possibly are trying to just tone up, so you shouldn't have any problems. I would just do as many shots as you can - less calories - and chase with sips of diet pop?

THAT. Seriously - it's the bar food/late night food/hangover food that is really going to get you. I drink a fair bit, but I'm able to budget for it in my calories for the day, and I've sustained steady weight loss since I actually started dieting and exercising. I miss greasy bar food, but I'd miss the drinks more, so I budget for the drinks. Don't be tempted by the pizza run after last call and you're good.

jimmy_jenkins

I've been at this for 3 months now, i track my alcohol calories and also units of alcohol.

Ive lost a fair bit of weight and been out 17 times in this period (drinking over 20 units each time). BUT i work harder at the gym on days i know im going drinking, i eat less food and (the hardest part) i dont give into eating "hangover food" the next day.

So everyone will give you different advice but from personal experience i have managed to drink alcohol and lose weight.

maletac

lol im agreeing with the other person.. you can have a social life and not drink

the other options...

get a drink a nurse it.. because getting wasted is costly in calories..

or

light beers.

or

work out really really hard during the week to make up for the calories your going to waste on the weekends on booze and food.

maletac

and maybe take a break from drinking... instead of drinking two nights in a row take one night off...

just random ideas

StaceyRN07

I'm looking at you, trying to figure out where you need to lose this weight from, lol...but all, i can say is,,liquer doesn't bloat you like beer does, I've learned. Also, I hardly drink anymore because Alcohol is a fat and I'm totally devoted to losing right now. Maybe you should just be a non-drinker for a while. Also, that vodka and club soda mix sounds good.

LizC26

This is what I do....May or may not be the healthiest thing..but It works for me

On days when I know I'm gonna be drinking I'll save about 400 cals for alcohol either through eating less or working out more....Drink lots of water before you go out...Drink only liquor mixed with diet drinks ---My favorite is cherry vodka (65 cals/ounce) and diet coke...Tastes like cherry coke....Delicious...or just take shots and drink water or diet drinks in between....Since you've consumed less calories that day, it shouldn't take more than 4-5 drinks to be feeling pretty drunk... Which means you have a couple hundred calories to eat some pretzels or Chez-its before you go to bed...Helps with the hangover so you won't want that hangover food the next day.

JoeB71

I can understand the social aspect & not wanting to loose friends if you decide not to go out drinking. But you never know, you may motivate those friends to find other ways to socialize. More importantly, if they are true friends, they will respect your decision.
But if you absolutely insist on going out, MFP is a great resource for researching before you go out. Try to find low cal options & drink that when you go out. Also like others have said, drink plenty of water & try to eat healthy after drinking instead of the typical junk foods that we're all guilty of eating after a night out at the bar.

annesnyder

cut calories down during the week & drink water between drinks so you will drink less. good luck

workinhrd

from your picture, you certainly don't look like you need to lose weight. enjoy all of the drinks you'd like, you only get to experience college once!

luscadero

I drink red wine and water... and count all my calories. I also refuse to give in to the hangover/drunk food urge, but by staying hydrated while drinking I usually avoid the hangover.

Jbean818

I have the same problem! I usually try to stay really healthy during the week and "save" a lot of calories for the weekend. That being said- I think its important to try not to get DRUNK when you drink. If you drink 5 light beers thats only about 500 calories, but for me once I go over that limit I am wayyyy more likely to eat another 2,000 or so in junk food!! I think the eating after is the worst part. It wrecks your stomach and your diet way worse than the actual drinking. To slow myself down I either drink seltzer in between drinks or sometimes I even bring lollipops and other candies out to busy myself with. Works for me. Also, drinking less with non-alcoholic drinks in between prevents the next day hangover- which means I'm more likely to hop back on the healthy eating and exercise routine. Hope it helps you!

dad106

I hear ya.. I just graduated college and I know what that is like. You go to the bar, get drunk and then all you want afterwards/the next day is a really greasy pizza( and about 95% of the time, thats what I did!)

I say don't quit drinking entirely but maybe instead of drinking the entire weekend, only drink like one day. Also, you don't have to drink when you're at a bar.. you can just dance and hang out with your friends and it will still be fun. That way you can keep your diet in check and not worry so much.