Alcohol and losing weight.

shankleefranklee

I drink frequently - out with friends, coming home after working out, or after work. I think I usually drink 4 - 6 days a week. I don't get drunk, or buzzed most of the time. I have four roommates. We're all in our early to mid twenties, so drinking is a part of our life. I just find it really hard for me to break out of this routine.
Does anyone else have the same problem?
Alcohol is what's holding them back?
If you're going to bring up alcoholic comments, you may stop right now.

kendernau

There have been other threads on alcohol, but the general consensus seems to be:

- Alcohol makes it harder to lose weight because it is mostly empty calories, and because the more you drink, the more likely you are to binge eat, or lose track of how much you are really consuming in calories

- You can lose weight while drinking, but you need to include the alcohol in your daily consumption, and in many cases this involves budgeting your calories so you have enough for the drink, and setting a limit so you can't go over you calories for the day.

P.S. I don't drink most of the time, but I'm certainly not against it - I just have to avoid it most of the time to stay under goal, and because there are alcoholic tendencies in the family.

shakybabe

I like a Brandy and coke and was amazed to find just the single brandy was 111 calories! ... I have my 'treats' (including a brandy and coke) on days when I have managed to do a 2hr early morning workout so I've earned lots of spare calories.. and I don't feel so bad about it!

dls06

I have 4 grown children and it seems to be the way people live now. It's all about the party.
Yes I think alcohol is causing problems in my boy's lives.

MrsWibbly

When I was in my 20's I used to have November as an alcohol free month - the excuse being I needed to save the money for Christmas. The real reason being I needed to give my poor liver a break and lose a few pounds before I went to Christmas parties in figure hugging dresses! I could save around £300-£400 in one month! You never know - you might even be able to get a couple of your friends to join you in that quest. I still used to go to the pub, but maybe a little less often and just drink diet coke and get wired on the caffeine instead :drinker:

MaryAnn678

Try drinking a lower calorie drink and having only one, sipping on it throughout the evening, or after having one alcoholic drink, drink a diet soda, or fill your glass the alcohol came in with diet sprite, no one really cares if you drink or not, they just want you to have fun.

sleepytexan

I think it comes down to how serious you are about weight loss. Alcohol is a big expense, in terms of calories, so if you want it, you need to work extra hard to make it fit into your calorie limit. Personally, I would do it by working out a bit extra on a day I wanted to drink; I would NOT do it by substituting alcohol for nutritious, whole foods.

Personally, I couldn't care less whether or not I ever have alcohol -- I just don't like it that much. However, I very seriously NEED desserts, so it's the same thing -- I work harder so I have room for them.

blessings.

gud83

I have that problem too - by which I mean social drinking! Alcohol is not ruining my life! Where I live in the North of England the weather is pretty bad and there's not a great deal to do, so people (young and old) socialise in the pub. It's very easy to have a couple of drinks on an evening. I know spirits have fewer calories, so my plan is to try to drink vodka instead, maybe have alternating glasses of water and try to have more willpower, cos I know the booze isn't good for my weight! Good luck and let me know how you get on - I'd be interested to hear.

bcattoes

I drink nearly every day. Usually just 2-3 glasses of wine, but on the weekends it's often more. It didn't stop me from losing weight. I just exercise off the calories. I'm down to my last few pounds (still not sure what my final goal weight is).

Wynterbourne

I drink occasionally on the weekends with my friends and I have still lost 33 pounds in two months. It's just like any other thing you take into your body while trying to lose weight, you have to plan for it and work it into your calories. Luckily for me, every time it has come up I've known in advance. I do a little extra exercise the day before, day of and day after and on the day of I usually have maybe a yogurt for breakfast and a large salad for lunch saving the bulk of my calories for the evening. I plan what I'm going to drink ahead of time and make sure I log it. Last weekend I had a Halloween party. I had 70 proof vodka mixed Ocean Spray Diet Sparkling Cranberry drinks. My drinks were 65 calories each.

Boils down to planning, exercise and moderation.

Jennloella

I've actually been losing weight steadily and keeping it off while not giving up my cocktails =P it really depends on the big picture, diet exercise, etc,.....

jlfred

I can definitely understand the difficulty of keeping alcohol out of one's life (without it meaning that that person is an alcoholic). Unfortunately, I don't have any real suggestions as to how to diet around the alcohol - some of the suggestions here may work for you (none of them worked for me, but everyone is different). I have plenty of friends who seem to be able to drink quite a bit, and quite often, and remain thin. They eat incredibly healthy and are extremely active, and I'm sure that's part of it. But, the other part is that they've never been overweight. They've always been in shape and thin -- and I think that allows them to drink a lot more often (not to mention order the fries after a couple of beers) and not excessive amounts of weight.

One thing to keep in mind, though -- alcohol calories are not just "empty calories." The fact is, the way the body burns them is different than other calories. The alchol calories will stay in your system for 24-48 hours after you consume them, and while they are there, your body is focused on burning those calories. Meaning: during that time, your body will not be burning off the fat.

ccaaooii

im in first yr in college and i like to socialise with friendsand do sometimes feel i have to go out , i was wondering whats the best drink to drink in terms of calories ????ive been drinkin bulmers light any other suggestions???

geeksrule

I must admit, I think the reason that my weight won't budge is because of the alcohol. Like you I enjoy having my evening drinks. I'm not an alcoholic - I can walk away without - or go for days and not bother, but while making dinner a nice glass of red and then another while enjoying dinner isn't all bad - except on the waist. I thought all calories were even - it seems the alcohol lingers longer - LOL!!! I think the best bet is like everyone has said - budget the calories in advance - then work hard to get the extra exercise in. I wish you luck - add me if you like!!!

JeSuisPrest

I won't give it up either, and I'm losing weight. I don't drink everyday, but when I do stay within my calorie limit. Lately when I go to a friends home I will bring my own drink. I love the Skinny Margarita recipe posted on the forum and will make a double of it and bring it to my book club meetings.

Justkeepswimmin

I've definately watched my alcohol calories, generally I end up hungry and suffereing through the next days work out. I've found the exercize cures everything b/c if I'm exercizing and I'm not eating at least 'sort of' okay I feel like crap. Once In a while I'll have a corona light (99 calories) or some white wine (fewer cals than red) and I had a margarita once in 4 months. It was splurge day.

ccaaooii

where are the recipes for those drinks

JMehl135

I have a similar problem. I drank more in college and have slowed down a lot since graduating but still go out once a week and it can get hard. How I handle it depends on my mood....usually I stick to low calorie drinks (light beer or gin and tonic if I want liquor) but sometimes I splurge on the fruity drinks (especially margaritas) that I love. I guess it's a balancing act. Whatever you do I would suggest logging it just so you can keep an eye on it. Hope that helps!

BrewerGeorge

You're going to have trouble finding anybody more pro-alcohol than me. What I've found, though, is that it's almost impossible to drink more than one every day and LOSE weight. You can do it after you're maintaining, but keeping that deficit going while lugging along 3-400 empty Calories and still getting enough FOOD is very, very difficult.

I've had to cut my drinking back to weekends only except for the occasional single drink on weeknights. Once I reach maintenance, I'm very much looking forward to adding back two or three beers per day, though.

KokomoJoe

You can drink and lose weight, I know I have done it. However, to keep focused right now I am not drinking at all (day 9 now) and have lost almost 8 pounds so far this month. You need to budget it in, which when I drink means heavy workouts to sweat the booze out of me and allow me the extra calories. That being said the biggest problem alcohol leads to in my opinion is eating crappy foods. If I stop after work and have 2 or 3 beers I grab chicken wings there because I am hungry of if I come home to cook I don't want to spent a lot of time cooking so I make something quick and don't eat right.

Friday I am meeting up with friends for lunch and I will limit myself to a glass of wine or a beer or two. You can eat right, have your beers and lose you just have to make up your mind to do it.

BrewerGeorge

... That being said the biggest problem alcohol leads to in my opinion is eating crappy foods. ...

That's for sure!

Lefeh99

That was discussed with my husband and I tonight! We are used to having either a bottle of beer or glass a wine with dinner each night. I have "given it up" but he's having a harder time. Before we started all this calorie counting stuff we did switch to MGD 64 or even the 55 one (can't remember who makes that). Glass of wine, holy cow!! 200+ calories in one serving. Some nights we'd finish a bottle just the 2 of us. I wish you luck because this is a hard part!!

tameko2

since no one else has posted this yet Iguess I will (and I am SHOCKED, SHOCKED I say!)


http://www.leangains.com/2010/07/truth-about-alcohol-fat-loss-and-muscle.html


I don't personally follow that strategy, I just add a glass of white wine or a beer to my life when I want one and go on my merry way.

However i have FOUND that more than one or two drinks is a recipe for overeating - being drunk/tipsy gives me the munchies and cravings for all kinds of stuff and my ability to maintain portion control goes OUT THE FREAKING WINDOW.

So I don't indulge often.

AshjMusik

where are the recipes for those drinks

Info:
http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutrition_articles.asp?id=893

Recipes:
http://mobile.eatingwell.com/recipes_menus/collections/summer_drinks

sloanie1

Yep! I love my wine!!! but I have to give it up to get where I want to be....unfortunately it really is empty calories and is a killer for weight loss....with me it's not just the alcohol though it's what goes along with it....in my case I have to eat with a glass of wine whether its cheese and crackers or olives etc.....then my defenses are down and I want to eat everything!!! for me personally to lose weight I had to give it up....I still have it now and again but it hinders my weight loss...:o( I am also an all or nothing person so if I have it I want it BIG!!! hehehe

lovelee79

My husband and I are very social and go out a lot and drink a lot, out or at home. Its a reason I gained a lot of weight in the past 2 years... we'd come home after a night of drinking and make a bunch of food, pig out, then go to bed, wake up hung over, then want greasy comfort food!

I track my alcohol and am now aware of just how much calories are in my drinks. I think this will help me drink less. I want to make my calorie goals each day. So If I really want a beer then I will eat a smaller dinner, and then that's it.

tonilizzy88

i use to be in ur situation and to be honest i use to drink 5 times a week with my mates i spent way to much money and i balloned!
now im serious about losing weight i drink m aybe once every 2 months and ive saved loads of money in doing so. ive also lost 13 lbs in the process. i dont see the point in drinking at home personally but i will go out with my girls on the town if i want. my social life doesnt need to stiop because im on here x

itontae

I LOVE alcohol.

But I have given up my love affair for the sake of my health.

I drink rarely now, enjoy it very much , and always end up saying "what the heck" for the evening and scarfing down a load of carby stuff

jessiolry

You dont have to give up everything. just enjoy in moderation. I work at a bar so I understand what its like to be around alcohol especially in social settings. I love vodka sodas. i took me awhile to get used to the club soda. Club soda is zero calories and has no weird sugar substiutes. Try a flavored vodka, like whipped cream vodka and mix it with soda water add a small splash of oj. and you have a very tasty berverage around 75 calories. you could also do plain vodka with fresh squeezed lime juice with soda water. 69 calories!!! BAM:) Hope this helps

AshjMusik

I drink often & quite a bit, & have lost almost 70lbs! I used to love martinis, margaritas & dark rum. After learning how many cals were in these drinks when starting my weight loss, I cut down to just liquor, w/ specialty drinks on certain occasions. When I did this (along w/ adjusting to a healthier diet) I lost 40lbs. Now it's only clear liquors w/ clear/diet mixers & that seems to have helped a lot. I should exercise more, but in general I eat well & have whittled down the rest of my goal, but can't reach the point of maintaining at my ideal goal, I believe, b/c of my alcohol intake. I used to log every calorie, but was getting to the point where I was eating 1 salad a day to make room for the calories & ppl here were yelling about the amount.. I acknowledge my issues & now only log my alcohol cals when I have a specialty drink. Then i run/screw it off . You're young & drinking in social situations is certainly not anything new or wrong. As far as losing weight, in the end it's about priorities & portions. Just remember the Capt'n & "Drink responsibly my friends!"

aliciar3

I think as long as you log it and exercise it off if you're over your calorie limit, you're fine.

I drink most nights and have still managed to lose over 10kg.

I have started drinking vodka & soda with fresh lime when I am out (make sure they don't put lime cordial in it) as I have found this to be the lowest in calories (not necessarily the cheapest though!).

If I am drinking wine at home I limit myself to two glasses and drink them slowly.