What do you do at happy hour?

MeRevisitedAgain

I don't have very many friends and the few I do have are freaking party animals. Every single event is filled with food and drinks. Lately, I have been feeling like the Lone Ranger passing up free drinks with the "thanks, but no thanks" statement and always hearing..."oh yea she on that diet kick." So, I'm getting ready to go to another happy hour tonight and wondered what do all my MFP pals do and/or drink during happy hour?

Bridget0927

Vodka Sodas & when I do go boozing with the friends i skip dinner
Before you all crucify me for how unhealthy it is, it does work!
Also i think its unhealthy to not do what you enjoy for the sake of a diet that is a sure fire way to not stick to it !:happy:

hsmithway

Depending on where you go, there are often a few options besides just sitting there drinking. Pool and dancing are both fun. Generally I'll save some calories for a really good dark flavorful beer, and then drink water or diet soda the rest of the night.

missikay1970

keep a large glass of water in your hand at.all.times. you will always have a "drink" and maybe no one will bother to ask you if you're drinking alcohol. i agree w/ the above post - i would have one beer and then drink water the rest of the night.

also, you could not drink AT ALL and be the designated driver for the event. people LOVE des drivers!!! and they won't bother you about your "diet kick" when they need a ride from your soberness! LOL

hmstarbuck

Vodka Sodas & when I do go boozing with the friends i skip dinner
Before you all crucify me for how unhealthy it is, it does work!
Also i think its unhealthy to not do what you enjoy for the sake of a diet that is a sure fire way to not stick to it !:happy:

DITTO!!!

issyfit

I enjoy sugar free tonic with lime and it looks like a drink in your hand.

loopybec2002

All I can see if you could check out my last saturday? I went out to nandos for food so enjoyed that. Then I had cocktails all night got really drunk and stook in my calories. I did a little extra exercise to be able to do it but I logged before I went out so I knew how much I could have. Vodka and diet soda is the best. I think last saturday actually did me good with the amount of dancing I did.

TTHdred

Try:
Vodka soda water 90-100 cals
Gin Rickey 115- 125 cals
Light beer

Stay away from
Mixers: OJ, coke, redbull etc
Desert sounding things: Chocolate martini, buttered rum


Tips
-I use Mio for my water, so I always have a bottle of that in my purse. Squirt in your vodka soda and it makes fora yummy drink with no added calories.
-Watch portion sizes. Some bartenders may think they are “hooking you up” but pass on the oversize drinks. Stick to the smaller sizes as the portions are more accurate to calorie count.
-Alternate with water or something non-alcoholic.
-Drink lots of water that day. You want to ensure you are fully hydrated. Partially because alcohol dehydrates you, but also so you don’t try to quench your thirst with alcohol!
- Biggest tip: Make it happy “hour” not happy five hours. Ttry not to stay too long. We all know our number…that one last drink that makes you through rationale out the window and say “to heck with it, I can eat/drink what I want” You cannot talk yourself out of that so don’t even get to that drink.


Quote: "Your resolve can be really strong when you are sober, but after a few drinks, you may find yourself mindlessly overeating the nuts, another slice of pizza, or whatever food is within striking distance," says Christine Gerbstadt, RD. Drinking alcohol can also make you feel hungrier because alcohol can lower blood sugar.

BAMFMeredith

I'll have a vodka soda (with lots of lime)...or 2...

And then sometimes I throw caution to the wind and say "screw it, I'm having a Mexican Martini and chips and queso!" But you know what? THAT'S OK! I go to happy hour *maybe* once a month so if I have some extra unnecessary calories that day, it's just fine with me, as long as I'm on track the rest of the time. I'll work out extra the next day or if I know I'm going to happy hour, make sure I keep my calories low and get a work out in that day.

BAMFMeredith

Try:
Vodka soda water 90-100 cals
Gin Rickey 115- 125 cals
Light beer

Stay away from
Mixers: OJ, coke, redbull etc
Desert sounding things: Chocolate martini, buttered rum


Tips
-I use Mio for my water, so I always have a bottle of that in my purse. Squirt in your vodka soda and it makes fora yummy drink with no added calories.
-Watch portion sizes. Some bartenders may think they are “hooking you up” but pass on the oversize drinks. Stick to the smaller sizes as the portions are more accurate to calorie count.
-Alternate with water or something non-alcoholic.
-Drink lots of water that day. You want to ensure you are fully hydrated. Partially because alcohol dehydrates you, but also so you don’t try to quench your thirst with alcohol!
- Biggest tip: Make it happy “hour” not happy five hours. Ttry not to stay too long. We all know our number…that one last drink that makes you through rationale out the window and say “to heck with it, I can eat/drink what I want” You cannot talk yourself out of that so don’t even get to that drink.


Quote: "Your resolve can be really strong when you are sober, but after a few drinks, you may find yourself mindlessly overeating the nuts, another slice of pizza, or whatever food is within striking distance," says Christine Gerbstadt, RD. Drinking alcohol can also make you feel hungrier because alcohol can lower blood sugar.

ALL good advice Especially the happy five hours part...my girlfriends and I have been known to do that!

Bexx435

... what do all my MFP pals do and/or drink during happy hour?

Wish there was a bar in town to have a happy hour.

cmriverside

I'm looking for the "Five Hour Happy Hour" bar, myself...



But I agree, drink one, then switch to water. Two makes me have the munchies. Three and I'm hungover.

yesthistime

I drink:

light beer
vodka shots
vodka with diet coke
vodka with water
vodka with sugar-free red bull
tequila shots
rum with diet coke
rum with water
rum with sugar-free red bull
skinny margaritas

I eat:

very small amounts of very delicious and fattening foods

Can I come?

MeRevisitedAgain

Thanks everyone! This is all great advice. I don't like beer and I'm a girly drinker so I usually get stuff that has mega calories like sex on the beach, lemon drops, buttery nipples..lol. Few weeks ago I had a shot of Patron and it felt like my chest was on fire. The Mio idea is awesome!

I knew yall would have some good ideas.

Shawnjay75

I was wanted to know the sametihing becuase I go to Happy Hour often. I recently signed up here and have never counted calories before so this is all very new to me. When I go out I usually drink white wine, mojito's, margarita's or any fruity drink. White wine is my first choice...is it high in calories?





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Shawnjay75

I "wanted" to know the same thing....SORRY





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alexandria412

I enjoy sugar free tonic with lime and it looks like a drink in your hand.

This is great advice. I do seltzer with lime or a diet Coke when I'm feeling splurge-y. If you're extra neurotic (like I am), then you can even go away from your friends to order. So long as it's served in a shorty rocks glass, no one will really notice.

If they are not great friends, you could also lie and say that you're on medication for back pain / migraines / judgemental-friends pain.

Good luck!

hooligansmom

You can get a mojito made without the sugar or with artificial sweetener. I actually like it without the sugar...the mint taste is great!

mikajoanow

I agree with vodka/gin and club soda with lots of lime. I always ask for it tall on the rocks (no favors) and that way you have a lot more to drink with as few calories as possible lol

Shawnjay75

You can get a mojito made without the sugar or with artificial sweetener. I actually like it without the sugar...the mint taste is great!

Thanks! I'll give it a try.

therealangd

vodka, club soda, tall glass, no ice.

Get a salad for dinner with dressing on the side.

Get an appetizer, eat half, take the other half home.

Count all your calories. Do some extra exercise to make up the difference.

msjenjenp

I like a wine spritzer - wine and seltzer water - stretches the wine out and makes it last longer.

Reesa32

Vodka with wild strawberry crystal light and water!!!

_Ren

If I go to a happy hour event I only drink water.

Shawnjay75

I like a wine spritzer - wine and seltzer water - stretches the wine out and makes it last longer.

I like how that sound...:drinker: