Cutting Out the Beer?

pinupgirl333

I'm in the same boat girl. I love my beer and shots. I usually drink Fridays and Saturdays but I'm trying to cut down to 1 and drinking only Skinny *****es and limiting my beer intake. I drink Coors light but that doesn't help when you drink 5 lol

infamousmk

I don't mean to sound rude but doesn't the beer you drink in the States count towards your daily water intake?

Cos if it's as weak as some of the American beers they sell over here in England then it should be classified as water. ;-)

Myself, I couldn't dream of giving up red wine, brandy or bottled cider. Nothing beats an ice cold Magners on a sunny day.

HAHAHHAHAH. No. Craft beer in the US is freaking amazing. Please do not think of Coors, Miller, Budweiser, etc. as the figureheads of American beer. I could rattle off two dozen flavourful, high ABV, truly delicious and well-crafted beers and that wouldn't even be the tip of the iceberg. (you may find me around the internet as denverbeerchick ... my beer-love credentials are legit.)

BeeElMarvin

I don't mean to sound rude but doesn't the beer you drink in the States count towards your daily water intake?

Cos if it's as weak as some of the American beers they sell over here in England then it should be classified as water. ;-)

Myself, I couldn't dream of giving up red wine, brandy or bottled cider. Nothing beats an ice cold Magners on a sunny day.

Don't show yourself to be so misinformed; simply because the mass produced Coors, Bud etc. is all you have tasted doesn't mean we don't have excellent beers.

oops, just read Kort's post - she said it all.

zincalloy

Of course I know that almost every country makes some good beer, I was just talking about your regular beer. It's tosh and shouldn't even be allowed to be called beer.
Compared to European or Australian regular beer or lager it's like drinking a soft drink.

I don't know how you manage to have alcoholics with that kind of weak nonsense around.

I think the US really should make more effort in the drinking department. :drinker:

tuppertracy

I totally agree. I don't go to bars but we love going to our friends for a cold beer and some snacks. I count my beer in my calorie count and try very hard to limit the snacks. If I do go over, I work extra hard the next day.

AllanMisner

There are definitely advantages to abstaining from alcohol while trying to lose weight or build muscle. Beer appears to be the worst of the lot, causing fat deposits in the stomach (beer belly). Wine and spirits don't seem to do that as much, but are calories that you don't need. Wine has proven health benefits, so I take that as my poison of choice.

That said, I decided to use Lent as an excuse to avoid alcohol. I'm training for the Warrior Dash in April and the timing is great to let me abstain until the race (drop fat, build muscle). Then drink like a mad man to celebrate completing the course!

Really though, life is about balance. If you enjoy something, find a way to make it work for you. There certainly are ways to be healthy and enjoy beer.

Alinat305

I love wine, what I have been trying to do is instead of drinking 3 glasses of wine when I go out for the evening, I'll have 2...Some of us enjoy social drinking when going out, I won't give it up I have just cut down.

BAMFMeredith

I have not given up alcohol whatsoever. I'm just mindful of my consumption. For instance, I knew I wanted to have a glass of wine last night so I made sure I had the calories to allow for it. When I do my long runs on Saturdays (10-11 miles or thereabouts) I treat myself with a few beers because I've got the calories for it. If I don't have the room in my diet, I don't drink. I also make sure I'm well hydrated.

That said, beer is probably the worst of the boozes in terms of bloat/retaining water/fat deposits etc...but everything in moderation!!! As a matter of fact, I'll probably have a couple beers tonight because I'm getting a killer work out in today. As long as I'm under on my calories for the day, I'm good to go. And I've lost 9 lbs so far (and 2 pants sizes) with this approach. I honestly thing that's why I failed so many times before, because I didn't allow myself to have the things I like to have. All about balance and moderation

doorki

I bank calories over the week to facilitate my drinking and eating on the weekends. It does lead to some higher weights on Monday but it all falls off on Tuesday and I end up being net down pounds for the week.

BAMFMeredith

I don't mean to sound rude but doesn't the beer you drink in the States count towards your daily water intake?

Cos if it's as weak as some of the American beers they sell over here in England then it should be classified as water. ;-)

Myself, I couldn't dream of giving up red wine, brandy or bottled cider. Nothing beats an ice cold Magners on a sunny day.

HAHAHHAHAH. No. Craft beer in the US is freaking amazing. Please do not think of Coors, Miller, Budweiser, etc. as the figureheads of American beer. I could rattle off two dozen flavourful, high ABV, truly delicious and well-crafted beers and that wouldn't even be the tip of the iceberg. (you may find me around the internet as denverbeerchick ... my beer-love credentials are legit.)

Haha amen. I work for a beer distributor. While our main brand is Anheuser Busch we have several other suppliers and breweries we work with. I could probably go on for hours about different kinds of beer...mmm...now I want a beer...

BeeElMarvin

Of course I know that almost every country makes some good beer, I was just talking about your regular beer. It's tosh and shouldn't even be allowed to be called beer.
Compared to European or Australian regular beer or lager it's like drinking a soft drink.

I don't know how you manage to have alcoholics with that kind of weak nonsense around.

I think the US really should make more effort in the drinking department. :drinker:

Quite a TROLL aren't you Mr. Bowie?

doornumber03

I don't mean to sound rude but doesn't the beer you drink in the States count towards your daily water intake?

Cos if it's as weak as some of the American beers they sell over here in England then it should be classified as water. ;-)

Myself, I couldn't dream of giving up red wine, brandy or bottled cider. Nothing beats an ice cold Magners on a sunny day.

HAHAHHAHAH. No. Craft beer in the US is freaking amazing. Please do not think of Coors, Miller, Budweiser, etc. as the figureheads of American beer. I could rattle off two dozen flavourful, high ABV, truly delicious and well-crafted beers and that wouldn't even be the tip of the iceberg. (you may find me around the internet as denverbeerchick ... my beer-love credentials are legit.)

Dogfish, Troeggs, Boulevard Brewing, Left Hand.....I mean the list is endless.....If you drink coors, miller or bud, by all means log it as water but if you drink real beer, log it as the calories!:happy:

a_stronger_steph

Of course I know that almost every country makes some good beer, I was just talking about your regular beer. It's tosh and shouldn't even be allowed to be called beer.
Compared to European or Australian regular beer or lager it's like drinking a soft drink.

I don't know how you manage to have alcoholics with that kind of weak nonsense around.

I think the US really should make more effort in the drinking department. :drinker:

I think you may be conflating "regular beer" with "mass-produced InBev ****e."

The craft brewing market is growing, both in the US and Canada. Those who want to drink Bud Lite will do so; those who want to drink beer will seek out and support craft & microbreweries. Though, by all means, go ahead and assume that the US isn't "making an effort" in the drinking department and ignore the multitudes of delicious brews that are being produced every day - really, it just leaves more for me! :laugh: :drinker:

kbmnurse

Give up beer what are you nuts? I drink one day of every weekend as many as 8 beers. I don't keep track of the food that day and that day only. Can not and will not give up my weekly beers.

Kerri_is_so_very

I love beer :drinker: love it!! However, recently switched to raspberry vodka w/ seltzer and a lime. It was quite good and I think it will hold me until warmer weather approaches, but I will NEVER give up beer! :laugh:

Kerri_is_so_very

I drink 1-2 glasses of red wine a day for the cardiovascular benefits. At the beginning of the day, I go ahead and log in at least 1 glass and if I have a couple extra calories come night time and things are going well................ At 44 calories for a 5 ozs, pour the lady and I another glass!

You can always add seltzer to wine to stretch 2 glasses in to 4 :drinker:

BeeElMarvin

Of course I know that almost every country makes some good beer, I was just talking about your regular beer. It's tosh and shouldn't even be allowed to be called beer.
Compared to European or Australian regular beer or lager it's like drinking a soft drink.

I don't know how you manage to have alcoholics with that kind of weak nonsense around.

I think the US really should make more effort in the drinking department. :drinker:

I think you may be conflating "regular beer" with "mass-produced InBev ****e."

The craft brewing market is growing, both in the US and Canada. Those who want to drink Bud Lite will do so; those who want to drink beer will seek out and support craft & microbreweries. Though, by all means, go ahead and assume that the US isn't "making an effort" in the drinking department and ignore the multitudes of delicious brews that are being produced every day - really, it just leaves more for me! :laugh: :drinker:

I may have to tell my wife that I heart you:drinker:

bcattoes

Anytime you cut out empty calories there's a good chance you'll lose more. Truthfully, I'd rather weigh a little more and keep my beer and wine. It didn't keep me from reaching my goal though, but I may have met it faster if I'd given them up. But since I have no intention of giving them up forever I didn't see the point of doing it while trying to lose.

prism6

I love beer and wine in copious amounts...Sat. will be day 60 of none. Empty calorie will lead to health issues. If you can not have it for the time you are trying to lose,you may find you can live without it. Once in awile for those who can,would be no worse than an occasional cupcake. just log the calories....

SassyCalyGirl

I still drink beer :x I just make sure I have the calories for it and drink a crap ton of water the next day..and I mean a CRAP ton of water.

^this

laura_bickham

LOVE THE BEER ! I would like to get home from work have a beer and relax - BUT I look at beer and gain weight. With that said, I am going to limit if its a weekend than I can have 1-2... to relax but honestly they are not worth it till I reach my goal weight but I also do not want to cut beer out completely have one and gain all the weight back... argh.. why is beer bad really !

jasonr1442

I did both until last week. I cut out beer for Vodka. No carbs in Vodka so I feel I'm doing something besides screwing myself. The fruit will cancel the no carbs out though. I'm doing vodka soda's.

gkobes

The only reason I exercise is to be able to drink alcohol guilt free :-)

HotCuppaJo

I love my beer....and I have lost quite a bit of weight, while still partaking in my beverages :drinker: . I just make sure it fits into my allotted calories for the day. Also, I switched to MGD 64. Less calories and less alchohol per serving, so it's "better" for you.

mwain001

No... Cut down the beer! You need the little 'treats'. Just keep it within your calorie allowance. If you are going to be drinking later that day 'earn' some more calories by exercising- go to the gym, for a long walk, a run etc. I actually struggle to consume my daily allowance after I've exercised unless I have a beer.

Becky_Boodle

I couldn't cut vodka out of my diet so I started drinking it with flavoured water instead of juice or pop...the only calories you get are from the vodka itself...plus you're drinking water to help stay hydrated...I see it as a win win I also make sure I work off those calories either that day and/or the day after!!! Cheers!!! :drinker:

srobelia

I also drink the vodka with some flavored water, I agree.... cuts way back on the calories, and not nearly as bad for you

nutandbutter

Absolutely. Because I don't like beer; only if I'm already intoxicated and out of other options will i drink it. Cocktails, however, I will not give up.

gldnlark

I loved having a glass or 2 (or 3) of chardonnay with my dinners a few nights a week... Until I logged it on and to my horror, found out it has 188 calories per cup!!! EEEK!

My husband brews his own beer (ales and such...) but I know those must contain 200-400 calories per glass...

You just gotta add it in to your log and try and estimate your other intakes with it.

A

athensguy

Of course I know that almost every country makes some good beer, I was just talking about your regular beer. It's tosh and shouldn't even be allowed to be called beer.
Compared to European or Australian regular beer or lager it's like drinking a soft drink.

I don't know how you manage to have alcoholics with that kind of weak nonsense around.

I think the US really should make more effort in the drinking department. :drinker:

Budweiser is owned by a Belgian company.

Miller by a South African company.

Coors by a Canadian company.

However, Sweetwater is locally owned (Atlanta). RedHook, Flying Dog, and New Belgium are also US based companies, to give a few examples.