BEER & DIETING

mailoveschayzen

Hey so i had some questions for you guys about beer??

I was a heavy drinker before i started dieting...corona was my beverage of choice...
I haven't drank for 2 weeks, since i started dieting... i do miss it but i feel a lot better now...


Up until i started dieting and exercising i had anxiety problems, insomnia whatever.
every night i would go to sleep thinking i was going to die. And im not looking for pity but
this is true, so i turned to drinking, i would pretty much drink evey night during the week
and every saturday, it was to the point i would drink sunday after going to church.
now that I'm on my way to weight loss i don't have anxiety. But once i taste alcohol
i wont stop til im totally drunk.

When i started my diet i told myself that i would only drink on my birthday,
December 8th I'm turning 21and i wanna do it big, i mean you only turn 21 once.
And i know im gonna get completely drunk.
I told myself while on this weight loss journey i wouldn't drink
because it's empty calories and its full of sugar.
i have already separated myself from my friends who smoke marijuana
after having my son, and now I'm gonna cut all ties with my friends that drink.


so my questions are...
Do any of you have this problem and how do you cope?
Do any of you drink a beer or 2 from time to time??
I stick to corona light, which is 99 calories i know theirs lighter
drinks out there any suggestions?

JennW130

im a drinker. its funny because i just got done posting about this on my profile. I use to drink 4 or 5 times a week, probably like a 12 pack. Now i have a 6 pack every other weekend on average. Ive lost 26 pounds since last January. My weight loss has been slow, but im cool with that :drinker:

JennW130

but my beer of choice is shiner bock, which is 140 something calories a pop. i tend not to log, when i do drink because, after 6 of those, and my buzzed out munchies, im sure thats 65% of what my goal is per day! lol. i would say enjoy yourself from time to time, but this line" But once i taste alcohol i wont stop til im totally drunk." that concerns me. ive struggled with addiction before, it wasnt with alcohol but we wont get into that. If its thats much of an issue, dont drink.

Football_N_Guns

I drink beer once a week. Usually on Friday nights. Then I work my *kitten* off on Saturday, its worth it to me. I cannot give up my beer.

2myfuture

The bud select 55 is not that bad. I have 5 kids and I have a drink to "unwind" so I realized that just having a drink makes me feel more relaxed. So now I just use a half of a shot. I drink rum and diet coke the half shot is 69 calories so not so bad.

ukaryote

Sometimes I have a beer or scotch or other alcohol. I get what I like and do not worry about the calories. It is a luxury.

Hey, I just looked it up and a 12 oz of beer is around 150-200 kcal, while a jigger of 80 proof scotch is about 97 kcal. I guess I should switch to scotch.
Life is good. :bigsmile:

CannibalisticVegetarian

I try to save the drinking for special occasions, but that's not always the case. Ninety percent of the time I'll drink with friends, and since everyone's pretty much drinking the same thing and pooling money for beverages, bud light or bud ice is what we're drinking. I have no qualms, though in the beginning I'm wondering if I should log the cans... but I don't want to see the damage I'm doing to my food diary. Very rarely I get a craving for beer at home also and try to go light. I may grab a miller chill... the 100 cal kinds....and I TRY to not overdo it by taking down the entire 6-pack.. buuuuut what'reyougonnado?
Whenever I drink, I just don't log. One reason is not only the beer----but that meal that comes afterwards. Whenever I'm drunk, I try to keep calories on the mind... but by the end of it, I'm sitting in a the drive-thru ordering the greasiest , cheesiest things I can get my hands on...

I say do it though---heck, you wont turn 21 again.... I mean, unless you build a time machine, but.. yeeeah...those are expensive.. I'd like to think. One night isn't going to hurt you---calories wise I mean. I say just live it up that night and have yourself a blast! if I find my list of decent beers, I'll message ya also.

ZeroTX

I drink light beer (usually) and I COUNT it... I occasionally drink a "full calorie"beer, but I don't like to give up all food for beers.

That said, reading what you wrote, you have an alcohol problem, not just a food problem. For you, I would recommend complete abstinence and consider joining alcoholics anonymous or a similar help program for addiction. An adult person should be able to enjoy ONE drink and enjoy it and be done. If you are finding yourself unable to do so, you have a serious problem with alcohol that cannot be resolved on a forum discussion board... please seek help.

-Z

lacroyx

so my questions are...
Do any of you have this problem and how do you cope?
Do any of you drink a beer or 2 from time to time??
I stick to corona light, which is 99 calories i know theirs lighter
drinks out there any suggestions?

1) nope I don't have this problem. my mindset is that it isn't a diet but a lifestyle change.
2) yep. I average 2-5 beers in a month.
3) can't help you there. I prefer heavier beers. I think they called them stouts. darker type. I don't stress over the calories. I drink what I like.

I never gotten sooo drunk I pass out. I remember in my early 20's I attended a wedding and I downed I think about 20 oz worth of almost straight tequila. According to everyone I was very friendly and wanted to dance, alot. mostly with inanimate objects. but people too. ( =

lili200

Can u drink 1 bottle ? Or you want many? I drink glass of red wine every evening. The main question is if that beer in under control? If u drank you have many calories+ you don't have control of what u eat

i_love_vinegar

I drink light beer (usually) and I COUNT it... I occasionally drink a "full calorie"beer, but I don't like to give up all food for beers.

That said, reading what you wrote, you have an alcohol problem, not just a food problem. For you, I would recommend complete abstinence and consider joining alcoholics anonymous or a similar help program for addiction. An adult person should be able to enjoy ONE drink and enjoy it and be done. If you are finding yourself unable to do so, you have a serious problem with alcohol that cannot be resolved on a forum discussion board... please seek help.

-Z

The OP wrote:

"I told myself while on this weight loss journey i wouldn't drink
because it's empty calories and its full of sugar.
i have already separated myself from my friends who smoke marijuana
after having my son, and now I'm gonna cut all ties with my friends that drink."

It sounds like she is going in a good direction. It is normal for people to go out drinking when they turn 21, so her question makes sense to me.

itontae

or... you could start a trend...don't drink at all on your 21st birthday!
Have fun whatever you decide

Caerthilian

I drink a glass (sometimes 2) of red wine every night, though I always drink it with water, and include it in my calorie count. It's pretty much part of the culture here and I've given up pretty much every other treat!

mailoveschayzen

I drink light beer (usually) and I COUNT it... I occasionally drink a "full calorie"beer, but I don't like to give up all food for beers.

That said, reading what you wrote, you have an alcohol problem, not just a food problem. For you, I would recommend complete abstinence and consider joining alcoholics anonymous or a similar help program for addiction. An adult person should be able to enjoy ONE drink and enjoy it and be done. If you are finding yourself unable to do so, you have a serious problem with alcohol that cannot be resolved on a forum discussion board... please seek help.

-Z

The OP wrote:

"I told myself while on this weight loss journey i wouldn't drink
because it's empty calories and its full of sugar.
i have already separated myself from my friends who smoke marijuana
after having my son, and now I'm gonna cut all ties with my friends that drink."

It sounds like she is going in a good direction. It is normal for people to go out drinking when they turn 21, so her question makes sense to me.

thanks hun, i know i obviously don't have an alcohol problem if I've gone 2 weeks already without a beer, but one can lead to two and so on and so fourth and i am turning 21 once so im gonna DO IT!

happy_vegan

drinking is like the worst thing ever for weight loss! whenever i drink i always drink more than i thought i would, so that means more calories AND i usually end up eating something, maybe not something that bad but still, more calories than i really needed for the day. It drives me crazy and i can't do it! I rarely have time to exercise to get those 800-1000 calories down so i have to basically give up social drinking for the most part. i feel a lot better and it's only been a couple weeks. it doesn't seem worth it like it used to anymore...kind of like cookies or chips!

paulwgun

I haven't had a beer now for 4 weeks and i like my Guinness ~(210 calories per pint) LOL, I have been having a few glasses of red wine and last night drank white wine and soda on a night out felt a bit strange drinking wine and soda as i would have normally drunk 10 - 14 pints on a night out and to top it all just weighed and ive lost weight :bigsmile:

jennetters

i love drinking wine!! it is my downfall...because i can't have just one glass. and then i start to think i'm hungry so it all goes from there. i just save it for the weekend...i also save calories for the wine. i've gotten a lot better at having 1-3 glassess...lol and not the whole bottle! since i get up early to run or work out it is starting to be more of a priority over some other things. this weight loss is a slow journey for me too but i am ok with that.

mailoveschayzen

drinking is like the worst thing ever for weight loss! whenever i drink i always drink more than i thought i would, so that means more calories AND i usually end up eating something, maybe not something that bad but still, more calories than i really needed for the day. It drives me crazy and i can't do it! I rarely have time to exercise to get those 800-1000 calories down so i have to basically give up social drinking for the most part. i feel a lot better and it's only been a couple weeks. it doesn't seem worth it like it used to anymore...kind of like cookies or chips!

I see we understand each other, and the overhaul of food after is defiantly a problem also, but Im doing pretty good when I drink I mean its not like I get black out drunk but being that i have 8-12 beers plus the drunk meal after where I don't care what I eat I just order whatever! I have a lot of drinkers in my house and I'm the only one on a diet no one takes me seriously because I was so off and on but your so right about the beer being like cookies and chips I barely include that I might have a treat but not chips, it's out of my life for the time being. lol thanks for understanding I'm being looked at like an alcoholic!!

tigersword

But once i taste alcohol
i wont stop til im totally drunk.

This is the definition of alcohol problem. Abstaining from drinking just means you're a recovering addict, it doesn't mean you don't have a problem. Alcoholics can completely abstain from drinking with no problem, but once they have a drink, they don't stop drinking. Most people without a problem can enjoy a single drink without the need to keep drinking.

taso42

I drink beer or 4 from time to time.

I would never drink a lite beer. Why waste calories on something disgusting?

kyylieeeeee

I would never cut back on how much or the types of drinks I have, because part of being healthy is making changes that are sustainable in the long run. And I really love good beer and good wine. I go out for a few (or many) drinks about once a week, I log it, and I make sure to exercise to fit the calories in. So far, it doesn't seem to be hindering me in any way.

My recommendation is to go crazy on your 21st birthday, because that's probably the most appropriate day of your life in the US to drink too much. Other than that, it's obvious from your first post that you understand the negative impacts than drinking can have on weight loss and overall health, and you've already made commitments to making better choices! Enjoying a night every once and a while won't make you gain weight overnight. Have an AWESOME birthday!! :]

karyngrace

I used to be in a similar situation with alcohol, i could never just have a couple!! so I had a looong break from it, and incidentally by doing that my friends who drank heaps and partied all the time stopped wanting to hang out with me, which was a blessing in disguise because without them i didn't feel much like drinking anyway because i wasn't around it!!!
when i did start to drink again, i gave myself a limit, just enough to stay on that "happy relaxed get a bit silly" buzz, then no more after that. I also made sure my friends new it too so i wouldn't get too drunk!!

in saying that though.......your only 21!! i say to hell with it, declare your birthday as a cheat day and eat and drink as much as you want, get a bit crazy!!! one day of birthday shenanigans isn't going to throw you off as long as you've made a commitment to yourself to be a healthier person and make good lifestyle choices

HonkyTonks

Do any of you have this problem and how do you cope?

Yes - to an extent. I like drinking but have never felt it was too big an issue. I can drink a wine or two in an evening and leave it at that. I have a couple of wines a week, and some beers over the weekend. I try and drink light beers, we have Pure Blondes we are low carb and about 110 cals, there's also Hahn White which is low carb and 98 cals. You can also drink spirits which are about 60 a shot with a no cal mixer.

Do any of you drink a beer or 2 from time to time??
Yep!

I stick to corona light, which is 99 calories i know theirs lighter
drinks out there any suggestions?

Vodka lime soda
Hahn White
Pure Blonde
(honestly not sure what is available where you are though)

ryanperna

I sure do enjoy beer. But when it comes to weight loss, beer and diet don't mix. Yes, you can drink in moderation and lose weight. But the type of drinking that you want to do, it just can't happen. I drank that way for years. It's a huge reason why I'm on this site. That's the hard part-it's an endless cycle. You drink a lot, then you get hungry, your inhibitions get lowered and you eat anything and everything in sight. I have also read that heavy drinking causes you to crave carbs. Then the next day, you crave greasy mexican food / burgers / whatever because it helps you feel better. And, the next day you typically don't exercise cuz you feel like garbage and you just want to recover.

That's my story. I'm here because I've had enough. I went out to dinner last night, drank 2 Michelob Ultras, stayed under my calorie goal, and called it a night. I'm not going to be that successful all the time. But it's what we do for the MAJORITY of the time that gets us to lose weight!

And about your 21st, yes, have fun! But be careful! (Don't do 21 shots). We had traditions in the fraternity I was in with the 21st birthday, and unfortunately, I have seen people go to the hospital after their 21st from alcohol poisoning. Don't want to rain on your party, just an fyi, but you should still HAVE FUN!

lrd2010

It sounds like a symptom of food addiction to me, I remember back in the days *flashback*

A friend of mine, when we would all go out, wouldn't drink to enjoy himself, he would only drink so that he would get drunk. Like falling down, we had to prop him up in a chair to make sure he wouldn't swallow his own tongue kind of drunk.

*end of flashback*

It's one of those things that you have to learn to control, by all means enjoy your birthday, but it doesn't have to be the fact that you're drinking that makes it fun.

The thing about being addicted to food (and drink) is that all social occasions become about what it is that you're going to be putting into your mouth on the day you're celebrating on, rather than enjoying the event and the people itself. We associate the food with the good time, till it becomes the food itself that we want rather than the company of the people that we're actually celebrating with.

I have been trying to break this cycle over the course of the last year and a half, I've by no means succeeded yet (check last nights food diary to prove that) but I'm better, and I am starting to realise when I've had enough.

If you set yourself a limit of a number of beers per hour, rather than rushing through to get to the drunk stage, and make sure that you concentrate on the people that you're celebrating with rather than the food/drink you should feel a lot more in control and a lot more calm.

I hope you have a fantastic birthday!

ZeroTX

I often have one (1) beer or maybe two (2) with a meal or special occasion. I didn't go get blitzed, even when I was 21. I've done it once on accident (co-workers kept giving me shots, about age 25) and once because I thought I could handle it (age 35, never doing THAT again, NEVER).

Moderation is key... in food and drinking.

Count it.