Drinking alcohol

ArroganceInStep

You do know it's possible to use the word 'problem' in the same sentence as an alcoholic beverage and NOT require counseling or other professional help for alcoholism, right?

ChristiH4000

I am a beer nut. Used to brew my own, grow my own hops, blah blah blah. I love beer.

Beer is liquid bread. I had to limit my self to only one REALLY GOOD beer to lose any weight, and that may not be enough to keep me from plateauing.

TO quench my beer craving, I drink a lot of carbonated mineral water or club soda with a lime in it. The cold bubbly fluid kinda feels like beer, the satisfying belch is still there, and surprising bonus: no beer farts.

Good luck. The abstinence crowd may be right, but it is no the ONLY option. My personal definition of alcohol as a problem is not the amount consumed but whether it interferes with your relationships and life. The best way to know that is to listen to other people and your body.

Sucks, huh?

This. =(

bleacheblonde

You do know it's possible to use the word 'problem' in the same sentence as an alcoholic beverage and NOT require counseling or other professional help for alcoholism, right?

^^ YES, thank-you!

Chrissy_Michelle

I am the same! I LOVE beer especially during summer and grilling season! I was having a hard time losing becuase of it even if I added it into my cals. I decided I'm never going to lose this weight unless I limit myself. It's really hard but losing weight is harder while drinking beer. I really try to stick to two max and opt for light beer or plain vodka. Good Luck!!

Lleldiranne

I try really hard not to drink but then I have a beer, and another, and another....

This fits really well into the definition of alcoholism. My mom is a recovering alcoholic (sober 20 + years now!) and this is exactly what caught her up. She would give in and have one, and one became two and three and more. Some people can drink a few here and there, socially, but for others even one is too many because it just sets them on the path.

This doesn't mean you are alcoholic. It's one sign. Others - do you drink every night? Is it usually social drinking/situational, or do you drink for the feeling of being buzzed/drunk. Do you ever drive when intoxicated? Does it affect your behavior towards others, your job, or your family life?

Just something to think about. This is (can be) a far bigger issue than weight loss.

Sabine_Stroehm

If you have a "problem", then see Alcoholics Anonymous.

I think that's like saying if you have a problem with sugar at night, give it up completely, forever.

Put only two beers in the frig, or whatever your allotment is. Put the rest somewhere hard to get to, like your car trunk. Make them rich, filling beers, like Guinness. Make them more expensive than you're used to. Or don't buy any at all until the weekend.

If you're hanging out with people who drink more than that, try some changes. If you sit and watch tv and drink, try less TV. Move your exercise to night time or something.

Or try some alternative 'treat' drinks, like a home made Italian soda or iced coffee.

Putting two beers in the fridge is a great idea!

lanzaroteblue

I love beer also. I try to only drink it during the week if been working out.
Otherwise, I only drink beer on a monday (the only day off I have with my
husband). This is my splurge day and I have this day knowing I will
eat/drink whatever I have.

This means that I have more reason to say 'no thanks' during the week
BUT I know that doing this, I will only lose on avarage 1lb a week instead
of 2lbs (I don't mins as this seems to be what I need to keep me motivated).

Best of Luck (sometimes I drink wine instead as only got 124 cals per glass)
Nicola :drinker:

Sabine_Stroehm

You do know it's possible to use the word 'problem' in the same sentence as an alcoholic beverage and NOT require counseling or other professional help for alcoholism, right?

BINGO!!!!

ilovesparkle

I try to keep my alcohol intake to once every two weeks or so. I find that I not only FEEL better the next day when I don't drink, but I don't kick myself for wasting the calories on drinks.

I drink cider or beer since I can't do the rum that is in EVERY drink it seems these days. So lighter beers (Miller 64 is decent for light) are the way to go. Or exercise like crazy to burn enough to drink back

MizSaz

Ok - those who are acting like this person has a problem because they can't NOT drink... that's ridiculous and unsupportive and just don't reply. It's called a social life... I completely understand. One of my weaknesses is that during the week I am on a very strict diet and then on the weekends when my boyfriend and I go out to dinner or drinks with friends, music festivals, family bbq's, etc. the drinks add up and the next thing you know, it's Monday and your calorie intake the past 2-3 days has set you back!! I think it is just really important to log those drinks into MFP and really stick to them. If you know ahead of time you are going to a specific restaurant and you will have two glasses of cab - log it and then really stick to it. Also, my friends and I have researched trying to find the lowest calorie drinks... bloody marys, vodka soda with a lemon and lime, bacardi and diet...It is really hard... I know ! You have a goal you want to achieve but you also want to have a good time and live life. Good luck!!

Um, the OP said that they have a beer, then they have another, and another and can't stop themselves. That's actually pretty much the definition of a problem. You don't have to get blind drunk every time you dink to have a dependency. If you require a 6 pack to have a good time, you have a drinking problem.

jg627

I dunno if AA is the answer. They're a little weird. No offense to any AA members.

dward2011

I get SO tired of reading about everyone who says you can't lose weight and still drink. MODERATION people, jeez.

I am a complete beer freak. I am on a personal mission to visit all of the (over 100 breweries) in the state of Michigan. I don't drink crap domestic beers. I drink craft beers - IPAs, bourbon barrel aged and Russian Imperial stouts, Belgian styles, etc etc. When I started on MFP in January of 2011 I was 250 pounds and a size 18. As of this morning I'm 155 and a size 8.

I have a little beer gut. I always will. I don't care, because I love beer. All I do? I don't drink Monday-Thursday. Friday and Saturday are my days to imbibe. Sunday maybe I'll have one good beer or a glass of red wine or a glass of bourbon. But I never go crazy on Sundays. Saturday? Saturday I go C.R.A.Z.Y. I do try to work with a bigger deficit during the weeks... right now, I NET between 1000-1200 Monday-Thursday... I am kind of a work out fiend and will get anywhere from 500-900 calories from that. I still workout on Friday and Saturday, and Sunday is usually a rest day or something low-key like a bike ride or yoga or foam rolling for a super long time. Doing this, I am basically maintaining. But when I say I go crazy, I mean I drink between 5-10 really big amazing beers, eat nachos, ice cream, you name it. I find that is makes me behave better during the week.

To each his own. I just want you to know that you CAN have your beer and lose weight too. It just takes dedication and committment on a very serious level all the other days of the week.

^ Yep. I too am doing a MI beer visit too. We live outside of Detroit and I fell in love with the many many beers here. My favs are Stouts, Porters, and Ales... so the big calorie ones. I too exercise enough to indulge in beers. I also watch my food intake all week long. It is possible, but you gotta figure out what will work for you.

_Timmeh_

So I tend to drink a lot of my calories back in beer. Are there other people out there that have that problem? That is probably the main reason I am not losing as much weight as I could be. I try really hard not to drink but then I have a beer, and another, and another....what are other people doing to control this?

I stopped buying it.

Sabine_Stroehm

Um, the OP said that they have a beer, then they have another, and another and can't stop themselves. That's actually pretty much the definition of a problem. You don't have to get blind drunk every time you dink to have a dependency. If you require a 6 pack to have a good time, you have a drinking problem.

And day in and day out people post about having one cookie and then another....

Sharmender

Make sure you always have your own drinks with you. Alcohol is terrible for weightloss.
Besides, if you have lost all the weight and you're not as used to alcohol as first, you'll get drunk from 1-2 drinks (that's my experience though :P)

kristen6022

You can like beer and not need AA, people. Like everything I had to learn moderation. I wasn't giving up my love affair with beer and I didn't have to. I lost weight slower but got to goal just like everyone else. Patience is what is needed here. Plan ahead for beer splurges, don't go ape s**t overboard, and you will get to your goal, I swear. I lost a total of 37 pounds (27 from January 1st) all while drinking alcohol.

jzrharv

Um, the OP said that they have a beer, then they have another, and another and can't stop themselves. That's actually pretty much the definition of a problem. You don't have to get blind drunk every time you dink to have a dependency. If you require a 6 pack to have a good time, you have a drinking problem.

And day in and day out people post about having one cookie and then another....

And next thing you know, they're being referred to Cookies Anonymous.

Lizzie_FL

I know what you mean, I like to enjoy a glass of wine but then it turns into two, not good for weight loss. Last summer i decided to try Miller's 55 calorie beer, it's not bad, really. If you compare the calories it's a huge savings from even the light beers and you can still enjoy a few with your friends without too much pain.

russeljames

smoke weed instead

JeSuisPrest

So I tend to drink a lot of my calories back in beer. Are there other people out there that have that problem? That is probably the main reason I am not losing as much weight as I could be. I try really hard not to drink but then I have a beer, and another, and another....what are other people doing to control this?

I absolutely refused to give up alcohol, an am nearly at my goal weight. Just work it into your daily calorie goal.

darrensurrey

I've decided to pretty much give up alcohol except for special occasions now - as I've posted a link elsewhere, there's evidence to suggest that alcohol slows down fat burning by up to 75%.

When it comes down to it, it depends on (1) your goals (2) your seriousness (3) what you want to achieve. It's not a terrible thing to drink alcoholic drinks regularly but you'll have to accept that it'll take longer to achieve your goals assuming you don't drink last week's exercise calories back as well!

As I see it, it's like trying to drive somewhere with one foot on the brake pedal the entire journey hence unless I have a good reason, I'll not bother with the hateful stuff. (FYI I love cider and single malt whiskies... just not enough.)

If I do treat myself, then I'll be choosing to do so and accept the consequences.

Chrissy_Michelle

smoke weed instead

LMAO!!! Munchies might then be an issue;)

Spritesmomminus10

CHEERS EverestChick! I also love beer and the empty calories often hold me back wehn trying to drop a few pounds. I recently discovered that Corona Light is only 99 calories...not my favorite but on a hot summer day with a lime- it is a nice treat!! Enjoy your beer and run an extra mile or two.

To the critics who are probalby a 2 on the 1-10 fun scale :-)
http://www.forbes.com/2008/03/14/beer-drink-health-forbeslife-cx_avd_0317health.html

bleacheblonde

Oh for crying out loud, she doesn't need AA. People act like if you aren't a prude then you're an alcoholic. It's called middle ground, and you can drink without having a "serious problem."

What always helps me is to look up the amount of calories in my "drinks of choice" and carry it with me in my wallet when I go out. It's a friendly little reminder when I go to pay for the drink that if I have those 2 Long Island iced teas, I will undo a whole lot of hard work. Also, set a limit for yourself before you go out (while you're still sober) and then hold yourself to it! If you're going with friends or a significant other, tell them about it if you feel comfortable and they can help hold you accountable too.

It is possible to lose weight while drinking. I actually weighed less last summer when I was drinking every weekend than I do now when I have only been drinking a couple times a month for the last few months. Alcohol doesn't have to completely derail everything, just be careful.

Jadzea42

Beer makes me FAT! Light Beer makes me even more FAT! I think its kinda like drinking diet soda, makes me more FAT than regular soda. I dropped 10 lbs just from cutting the beer out of my diet alone. The only thing I seem to be able to get away with is the occasional Gluten free beer like Bards. and I limit myself on those ocassions once or twice a month to only one or two beers. The way I stopped drinking so much beer, because I do love a good brew, Is I had to decide if I wanted to drink beer and be FAT or Be thin. I would much rather be thin! easy choice. Oh and giving up soda was even easier. I asked myself if I wanted to drink soda and be DIABETIC or be healthy.

ahadel

It's ridiculous how many radical posts there are about this. Why don't you try a simple solution: just stop eating? I'll bet if you stopped eating you could keep drinking and still lose weight. Or you can alternate days, one day with just food (no beer) and the next day just beer (no food).

bleacheblonde

smoke weed instead

LMAO!!! Munchies might then be an issue;)

Ugh, I get munchies really bad when I'm drunk! It sucks. I always crave pizza and McDonald's. If I could cut out the after-drinking snacking, I would be fine

foxyforce

this was my issue when i first joined mfp.

and now that i am a few years older i don't want to drink any because of the damage i know it will do to my body.

save it for the special occassions....not every weekend.

boonez28

Try exercising a little bit.

darrensurrey

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/md19.htm