Should i eat less in a day if im going out drinking?

AmberLovesey

Yeah yeah, i know, drinking is bad and all that, but im a university student so its a given.
I plan to either have 10 shots of vodka (500 something calories) or a bottle of zinfandel wine (400 odd calories), does that mean i have to eat 400-500 calories less?

mmstgr

You can either eat less, or work off enough cals exercising that will justify it Then have a good time!

silvergurl518

that's binge drinking. just because you're a college student doesn't mean you should abuse alcohol. i did that...and ended up in a sorry, sorry place. try to responsibly enjoy alcohol. please eat healthfully and drink responsibly. i'm not kidding.

simplesolid

Yeah yeah, i know, drinking is bad and all that, but im a university student so its a given.
I plan to either have 10 shots of vodka (500 something calories) or a bottle of zinfandel wine (400 odd calories), does that mean i have to eat 400-500 calories less?

Oh my God I would pass out if I had 10 shots of anything, probably by the 4th shot. A bottle of wine or two for that matter is much healthier than 10 shots of vodka in my book.

TinaCleg_cancel

I'm with simplesolid...I would be toast if I drank that much. Maybe just have two glasses of wine and enjoy your evening.

bcattoes

10 shots of vodka?? Whoa, that is going to be really hard on your body! I would not suggest that on an empty stomach. I'd go with the wine if it were me (but then I almost always go with wine).

But to answer your question, if your goal is to stay within the calorie limits then yes, you'd have to consume less calories from other things in order to do it.

TheWinman

Work out more to make up the difference since it's important to have eaten good before you go out drinking.

10 shots? Oh, I remember those days but it was either Jack or tequila for me. lol Be safe! THe parent in me now says that you should not drink that much, just sayin...... Have fun!!

lisahunrichs

Whoa, 10 shots of vodka? Really? Even over the course of a long evening I drink 2-3 vodka martinis and it knocks me off my feet! I would suggest trying to moderate that a bit. If you nurse your drinks a little longer, you may end up having a better time and not paying for it the next day.
Second, yes, you should exercise and eat a less on those days you are drinking if you want to accomplish your weight loss goals. Alcohol is very high in calories.

EmCarroll1990

I would. That way you can save up the calories.

SueInAz

Wow, 10 shots. I'm a drinker but that much would have me passed out on the floor. Although I probably came close to this on St. Patrick's Day and survived....

This might be a good time in your life to start practicing moderation. Seriously, no one needs to drink that much in one evening to have a good time (even me!). What I often do, if I know I'm going to be going at it for more than a few hours, is to have a glass of water between my drinks. It keeps me hydrated as well as cutting down my alcohol and calorie intake. It also limits the likelihood that I'm going to eat stupidly (think greasy bar food or pancakes at 2am) because I'm drunk. If you ask for the bartender to serve you sparkling water or diet coke with a lime or lemon in a tall glass no one will even know you aren't drinking.

In response to your original question, you should definitely plan on eating less or working out more to compensate for the calories if this is a regular activity for you. For a once in a great while drinking binge, I'd say just enjoy yourself.

secretlobster

If you're actively planning on drinking either 10 shots of vodka or a bottle of wine, you should really just give up on the idea of losing weight and save yourself the mental anguish.

AmberLovesey

Thanks guys im working an 8 hour shift before hand so i guess ill have to just wake up early and go for a run or something ill be fine i always keep hydrated and have good friends who look after eachother i also have a supportive boyfriend who will make sure that i dont binge and drink lots of water before bed

AmberLovesey

If you're actively planning on drinking either 10 shots of vodka or a bottle of wine, you should really just give up on the idea of losing weight and save yourself the mental anguish.

yeah, so that was slightly mean. cheers for the unhelpful and uneccisary comment.

secretlobster

You can't binge drink and lose weight. Sorry but it's the truth. If you're planning on drinking that much, it doesn't matter how many calories you leave out of your diet for the day.. You can't 'cancel out' 10 shots or a full bottle of wine.

jaireed

Just a thought, a shot of vodka is 1.5 oz which is about 100 calories each. That is about 1000 calories in alcohol alone. Then again, you might puke half of it up later, so maybe this is the route to go! LOL! Have fun!

SunnyHays

I hate to be Devil's advocate here, but prior to my injury I would drink on weekends with my friends and YES I did still lose or maintain my weight. I realize some people have different opinions, but I enjoy going out drinking with friends and I'm not a college kid. I did eat less that day to allow for some of it, and I would also workout that morning to allow for some of it. While I couldn't do 10 shots, I could definitely do a bottle of wine or some beers. MGD 64 is a good option if you want to drink the night away and not use up too many calories. I think Rolling Rock Green Light is also extremely low in calories. I say, LIVE IT UP! If your lifestyle calls for nights out having fun with drinks, then you find a way to make it work into your plan!

BAMFMeredith

When I know I'm going boozing I just work out extra hard that day and keep my diet on point.

And to the person who said you can't drink like that an lose weight, not so. I drank my body weight in champagne in Vegas for 4 days, came back about a week and a half ago and weighed myself the next day to find that I'd lost a pound. I've lost 2 more since, so I know it was legit.

If you're doing it all the time, no, you're not gonna lose weight, but if you work out and eat properly to compensate and only have mega boozefests from time to time, you'll be fine.

I've had more than one party night since starting MFP, and I've been losing quite steadily and healthily!

EllenBe

I always try to exercise more that day as opposed to eating less as drinking on an empty stomach doesn't go well for me! Also an empty stomach means I'm more likely to be tempted by the chips on the way home! Ignore those saying you can't lose weight if you want to drink alcohol, yeah it might slow you down a bit but I'm just extra strict the following days. I'd rather that than it take over my life and not enjoy myself at uni!! Have a great night

LittleMissNerdy

If I ate less and then went out drinking like that I wouldn't make the 3rd or 4th drink. If I drink on an empty stomach it hits me FAST.

Sb65513n

If you're actively planning on drinking either 10 shots of vodka or a bottle of wine, you should really just give up on the idea of losing weight and save yourself the mental anguish.

This was completely unnecessary. I'm guessing it would have been to much to ask not to comment at all...

akjmart2002

Alcohol contains calories (~ 150 cal per 12 oz @ 5%ABV), so yes, you should account for it in your NET calorie calculations for the day.

Regardless of the intoxicating or social effects of alcohol, it is still *food*. Treat it as such, adjust your plan accordingly, and go about your life.

deadstarsunburn

That's actually a serious issue that has landed many people in the hospital.
Sorry I can't find the article that goes a long with that but it's really dangerous.
I would just eat normal and allow the alcohol as a "cheat meal" replacement.

bethgames

I'm 45 now and still enjoy the occasional bottle of wine with friends (to no ill effect to my weight loss) but I remember my college days. I used to drink A LOT of water at the clubs. Back then I was religious about no extra calories. Heck I drink more now than I did then LOL. I think if you are counting the calories, the loss of nutrition of one days food does not hurt you. Besides, nutrition is overall, not day to day, or at least my nutritionist says so. You dont have to have 3-5 'balanced' meals as long as your average intake is nutritionally balanced. Log the calories, have fun and be careful.

marcia724

If I drank that much, I would be so sick the next day I probably wouldn't eat at all anyway.
Not really a great idea.

Denjo060

I do more of a work out when I drink a lot
nuff said :drinker:

kate_sunflower

I used to do this in college - backfired every single time. The only time I didn't come home and drunk eat was when I had a guy over (don't judge me please it wasn't that often hence the weight gain!!). To me it's not the alcohol (unless you're having seriously sugary, heavy stuff) but what you eat AFTER or DURING. We all know what I'm talking about. And you can't keep up a charade like that and lose weight. Sorry.

I heard a term for saving calories for drinking - "Drunkorexia"

Sp1nGoddess

Drink lots of water throughout the day - eat healthy - have something with protein & fat before you head out. Take a multi vitamin before bed.

BAMFMeredith

Also, those shaming the OP about having 10 shots...do y'all not remember being 18-22?

That was a pretty standard college Saturday night for me...

Jesea

Rum and Diet Coke is about 60 cal per drink...

JennaM222

LOL 10 shots of vodka!!!!!!!

Anyways - before a big drinking night I get a kick *kitten* work out in then eat one smaller meal, then enjoy the night and eat some big *kitten* greasy breakfast the next day.

Just remember to be safe and no driving

MDfour

Blahblahblah, binge drinking in college is bad blahblahblah. Give me heat for saying this, everyone else, but I agree with OP. You're not an alcoholic until you graduate.

ANYWAY, when I want to drink and party, I listen to good old Martin Berkhan:

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


It's a very lengthy article, but below are the basics of what to do on your drinking day. This method is tried and true. Everytime I drink, I do this, and it absolutely works as he claims. I can personally vouch for it.


"The rules are as follows:

* For this day, restrict your intake of dietary fat to 0.3 g/kg body weight (or as close to this figure as possible).

* Limit carbs to 1.5 g/kg body weight. Get all carbs from veggies and the tag-along carbs in some protein sources. You'll also want to limit carbohydrate-rich alcohol sources such as drinks made with fruit juices and beer. A 33 cl/12 fl oz of beer contains about 12 g carbs, while a regular Cosmopolitan is about 13 g.

* Good choices of alcohol include dry wines which are very low carb, clocking in at about 0.5-1 g per glass (4 fl oz/115ml). Sweet wines are much higher at 4-6 g per glass. Cognac, gin, rum, scotch, tequila, vodka and whiskey are all basically zero carbs. Dry wines and spirits is what you should be drinking, ideally. Take them straight or mixed with diet soda. (No need to be super-neurotic about this stuff. Drinks should be enjoyed after all. Just be aware that there are better and worse choices out there).

* Eat as much protein as you want. Yes, that's right. Ad libitum. Due to the limit on dietary fat, you need to get your protein from lean sources. Protein sources such as low fat cottage cheese, protein powder, chicken, turkey, tuna, pork and egg whites are good sources of protein this day.

* For effective fat loss, this should be limited to one evening per week. Apply the protocol and you will lose fat on a weekly basis as long as your diet is on point for the rest of the week."

SO, DEFINITELY GO FOR THE VODKA and eat like he says to. Pretty much only eat protein, I usually do tuna, shrimp, or other meats that I'm SURE have little to no fat, cottage cheese, protein shakes, and vegetables up to the carb limit.