Alcohol

neeterskeeter

Has keeping track of your calorie intake and trying to eat more healthy shown anyone else that they drink too much alcohol? I have come to that conclusion and am trying hard to cut back. It is pretty hard though. Even though I have no problem not drinking at home, I have a hard time when it's a social event or when I'm with friends or co-workers. I think all the alcohol has contributed a lot of unnoticed calories to my diet and also may contribute to a sleep disorder that I've had for a logn time. I would like to just stop drinking but it really seems impossible with my lifestyle, alcohol seems to be everywhere!! Can anyone relate?

annerssju

TOTALLY!! :drinker: I love drinking and after being pregnant and then breastfeeding for the first 3 mos. I've FINALLY started drinking it again. It's tough b/c it has SO MANY calories. My BIGGEST downfall is wine - my hubby and I love it and we drink with our neighbors, even during the WEEK!
My plan is to try and stop during the week...
Some tricks that I try to use to stop myself from drinking too much is that for every alcoholic beverage, try to drink a glass of water. That'll fill you up, and you don't end up drinking as much. Also, I try to drink light beers, I think there's a new Miller beer out that has only 64 calories so I'm gonna look for the next time I stock up. I just try to drink it slowly. I can't do hard liquor anymore after not drinking for so long, it makes me feel sick, so that's a good thing, but the beer and wine are soooo bad for you! Moderation is key!!
GOOD LUCK!!

thinsky

I can relate.. I was doing very well, not drinking and then I went to a fight this weekend and I thought I would have just a drink or two and that was it. Well those two drinks turned into I dont know how many, woke up so sick feeling which then leads me to eat anything and everything trying to feel better and now today I still have the eat everything in site mentality. Those drinks lead me to where I do not want to be. It seems that I am an all or nothing person.
Since I have quit drinking before this, I was feeling much better and also Yes sleeping much better, the entire night through, which is something I though I just couldn't do and now I realize that it was the alcohol.

I can very much see that alcohol is around at all social events and it is tough to stay away. But I think after this last episode this weekend, I see that, that is a person that I do not want to be anymore. I dont like the way I act or that I can regulate how much I drink once I get started.
I mean I can not remeber the last time I have drinkin this much but just the occasional drinks add up and also add to eating more.

I know that my brother does not drink at all, even when around socail events and people and friends. And I dont ever think it is weird and he does it no problem. He is one of those people that can hang and stay out late, sober as ever. Like he doesn't even ever want to drink or think it necssary.

I know I am rambling, but this is an issue that I have also been dealing wtih lately.

LivyJo

I have the same problem!

I drink vodka and dt. drinks, saves a lot of calories. Also...beware that MGD 64, its only 2.8% alcohol!! No wonder its so low in calories :laugh:

amberc1982

I have the same problem!

I drink vodka and dt. drinks, saves a lot of calories. Also...beware that MGD 64, its only 2.8% alcohol!! No wonder its so low in calories :laugh:

I drink Vodka and Sprite Zero.

nguill6

I drink rum & water or gin & tonic for low cal social events, though I'm pretty bad about keeping track of alcohol calories... Those jack & cokes will really throw your diet off the deep end. It's best to sip something strong with no mixers and nurse it all night than to have 4 sex on the beaches.

Channing

I can relate. I'm a musician and alcohol is everywhere! It's unrealistic of me to say I'll never have a drink, but I only partake when I'm out with people or after a show and I try to drink tons of water before, after and during! It counteracts dehydration and flushes out some of the sodium.

Also, I try to stick to drinks like rum and diet coke or a glass of wine. Most mixers are too sugary, and beer ( the good kind) has way too many calories.

Cheers! :drinker:

neeterskeeter

TOTALLY!! :drinker: I love drinking and after being pregnant and then breastfeeding for the first 3 mos. I've FINALLY started drinking it again. It's tough b/c it has SO MANY calories. My BIGGEST downfall is wine - my hubby and I love it and we drink with our neighbors, even during the WEEK!
My plan is to try and stop during the week...
Some tricks that I try to use to stop myself from drinking too much is that for every alcoholic beverage, try to drink a glass of water. That'll fill you up, and you don't end up drinking as much. Also, I try to drink light beers, I think there's a new Miller beer out that has only 64 calories so I'm gonna look for the next time I stock up. I just try to drink it slowly. I can't do hard liquor anymore after not drinking for so long, it makes me feel sick, so that's a good thing, but the beer and wine are soooo bad for you! Moderation is key!!
GOOD LUCK!!

Thanks anners. Your baby is adorable BTW.

I tried that 64 calorie beer - I think it's called MGD or something, by Miller I think -- and it tasted like metally water and it didn't give me any kind of a buzz. My problem with light beer in general is that it takes two of them to give me a little buzz whereas it only takes one Blue Moon... so to me it seems kind of pointless when I just double up anyway that way.

But I don't even care about getting a buzz, it's more about, if I'm at a party and everyone is drinking, I guess I could drink a Michelob Ultra, which I like the taste of, especially the flavored one!, and save myself a lot of calories.

You're lucky you can't do hard liquor. I like the trick about the glass of water, thanks. I keep telling myself I am just going to STOP drinking because of all the down sides versus very few up sides... but then it's there and I drink it, so, I guess I have no will power or I haven't figured out how to just say no thanks at social events!

XFitMojoMom

This was posted last week in another thread... But I know it's so hard... I've been totally enjoying Bud Light Lime this summer. So quenching on the scorching hot days...

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/62997-the-alcohol-question

"Daily alcohol consumption will slow or stop your results. The drawbacks are probably going to far outweigh any health benefits. Your liver can't metabolize alcohol and fat at the same time. It will always get rid of the toxic substance (alcohol) first. That means that as long as there's alcohol in your system you won't be burning any body fat. If you have one or two drinks, you might stall your fat loss for a few hours. If you have quite a few drinks, it might be as long as four days before you're metabolizing fat again.

Drinking also dehydrates you, raises cortisol levels (goodbye muscles), raises estrogen levels (hello hips), lowers inhibitions (pizza anyone?). Combine that with the fact that alcohol promotes abdominal fat storage (of all places!) and it's really not worth it, not even on free day, not if you're serious about making a major transformation.

I personally don't drink alcohol at all. I'm way too freaky about my definition and nothing will wreck your abs faster. I know several women who have a few drinks once a week and they've still achieved their goals. I know other women who if they have even one drink a week can't lose that puffy lower belly or see any definition in their abs. Just how negative the impact is probably depends on your goals, age, activity level, metabolism, and a zillion other things.

If wine with dinner is part of your lifestyle, and you're not in any particular hurry to have abs like a cheese grater, you might experiment a little. See if you can have a glass of wine a few times a week and still be making progress. If it's really slow going, keep cutting back the number of drinks until you're satisfied with the level of your results. Of course, if you're wanting to radically transform yourself for a Body for Life challenge, or a tropical vacation, or a big date with a little black dress, forget the alcohol. It's the enemy. "

Bye, bye wine

BirdieM

I'm 61 years old and my husband and I love to have a cold beer on the deck in the evening. At my age, it's hard to fight the resentment of "Quality of Life" by denying myself. So what I have planned to do is have lite beer instead of my Molson Ice, which I love, and limit them to maybe 1 lite beer and 1 diet soda. Also the number of times a week that I do it. Yes the calories can add up, as I just discovered myself! My daughter, who loves to go out, will have a vanilla vodka with a diet coke instead of fancy high calorie drinks. If we totaly give up on the things we enjoy we won't last. I believe we just step back and regroup and make better choices! We CAN have it all! (Just don't drink before you decide what you're ordering in a restaurant....it tends to weaken your willingness to make good choices).
Cheers!

neeterskeeter

I can relate.. I was doing very well, not drinking and then I went to a fight this weekend and I thought I would have just a drink or two and that was it. Well those two drinks turned into I dont know how many, woke up so sick feeling which then leads me to eat anything and everything trying to feel better and now today I still have the eat everything in site mentality. Those drinks lead me to where I do not want to be. It seems that I am an all or nothing person.
Since I have quit drinking before this, I was feeling much better and also Yes sleeping much better, the entire night through, which is something I though I just couldn't do and now I realize that it was the alcohol.

I can very much see that alcohol is around at all social events and it is tough to stay away. But I think after this last episode this weekend, I see that, that is a person that I do not want to be anymore. I dont like the way I act or that I can regulate how much I drink once I get started.
I mean I can not remeber the last time I have drinkin this much but just the occasional drinks add up and also add to eating more.

I know that my brother does not drink at all, even when around socail events and people and friends. And I dont ever think it is weird and he does it no problem. He is one of those people that can hang and stay out late, sober as ever. Like he doesn't even ever want to drink or think it necssary.

I know I am rambling, but this is an issue that I have also been dealing wtih lately.

I can relate so much. I have been questioning my relationship with alcohol both nutritionally as well as mentally/socially. I think I need it to relax and not be shy and talk to people, which I know is not good. Why can't I be confident and friendly without it?! Sometimes (although I don't have this problem nearly as much as I used to in law school because I've learned to watch out for it) I have more than I should, accidentally, and end up making a huge fool out of myself. These days I don't do that really but I do drink too much when out with friends so that that night I talk everyone's ear off or just look ditzy and then the next morning I am hungover and feel crappy and the last thing I want to eat is chicken salad or other healthy stuff I eat when I'm not hungover. It makes me feel so much healthier to not drink it compared to when I do. And I've noticed that even just drinking one drink now makes me feel depressed and down! I think it's because I keep telling myself I want to stop drinking and then even when I only have one, I feel guilty and/or mad at myself.

Your brother is inspiring... I don't know many people who don't drink but still have fun. I would like to be one of those people, so I guess I should try to be that person rather than the one who drinks and then regrets it!!

stylistchik

i'm also a fan of vodka and any diet pop. Hungry-girl also had a 100 calorie margarita recipe using diet lemon-lime soda, crystal light lemonade, lime juice, tequila, and salt! sounds like a good girls night out alternative to me! :drinker:

Also if i plan to drink that night, I'll put in some extra time at the gym that day.

neeterskeeter

I have the same problem!

I drink vodka and dt. drinks, saves a lot of calories. Also...beware that MGD 64, its only 2.8% alcohol!! No wonder its so low in calories :laugh:

Ha ha Flutter... no wonder about MGD!! My boyfriend drank the rest of the 6 pack because I didn't like it and he said he *still* didn't get a buzz... five beers and it was like he was drinkign water!

I usually drink flavored vodka like pomegrante or blueberry, and soda water. Supposedly that only has 70 calories but I doubt that the bartender only puts one ounce of alcohol in it. So if I have two of those I usually make it say about 175 calories. Still they're empty calories and all the more reason not to drink! But that's what I do to try to keep the calories manageable.

neeterskeeter

I drink rum & water or gin & tonic for low cal social events, though I'm pretty bad about keeping track of alcohol calories... Those jack & cokes will really throw your diet off the deep end. It's best to sip something strong with no mixers and nurse it all night than to have 4 sex on the beaches.

Yeah I read an article about the best and worst drinks, and it actually said that top shelf liquor, on the rocks, was the best drink b/c then it's strong and you can sip it for a long time and it's expensive so you won't be in a hurry to buy more... so you will only drink one all night. But I am afraid to do that b/c it could backfire and I'd find myself drinking it too fast and ordering more along with everyone else and have a huge bill at the end of the night LOL.

neeterskeeter

I can relate. I'm a musician and alcohol is everywhere! It's unrealistic of me to say I'll never have a drink, but I only partake when I'm out with people or after a show and I try to drink tons of water before, after and during! It counteracts dehydration and flushes out some of the sodium.

Also, I try to stick to drinks like rum and diet coke or a glass of wine. Most mixers are too sugary, and beer ( the good kind) has way too many calories.

Cheers! :drinker:

I think you have found a good balance, channing. How many rum & diets or glasses of wine do you usually end up drinking when you go out after a show?

neeterskeeter

This was posted last week in another thread... But I know it's so hard... I've been totally enjoying Bud Light Lime this summer. So quenching on the scorching hot days...

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/62997-the-alcohol-question

"Daily alcohol consumption will slow or stop your results. The drawbacks are probably going to far outweigh any health benefits. Your liver can't metabolize alcohol and fat at the same time. It will always get rid of the toxic substance (alcohol) first. That means that as long as there's alcohol in your system you won't be burning any body fat. If you have one or two drinks, you might stall your fat loss for a few hours. If you have quite a few drinks, it might be as long as four days before you're metabolizing fat again.

Drinking also dehydrates you, raises cortisol levels (goodbye muscles), raises estrogen levels (hello hips), lowers inhibitions (pizza anyone?). Combine that with the fact that alcohol promotes abdominal fat storage (of all places!) and it's really not worth it, not even on free day, not if you're serious about making a major transformation.

I personally don't drink alcohol at all. I'm way too freaky about my definition and nothing will wreck your abs faster. I know several women who have a few drinks once a week and they've still achieved their goals. I know other women who if they have even one drink a week can't lose that puffy lower belly or see any definition in their abs. Just how negative the impact is probably depends on your goals, age, activity level, metabolism, and a zillion other things.

If wine with dinner is part of your lifestyle, and you're not in any particular hurry to have abs like a cheese grater, you might experiment a little. See if you can have a glass of wine a few times a week and still be making progress. If it's really slow going, keep cutting back the number of drinks until you're satisfied with the level of your results. Of course, if you're wanting to radically transform yourself for a Body for Life challenge, or a tropical vacation, or a big date with a little black dress, forget the alcohol. It's the enemy. "

Bye, bye wine

Mojo, thank you for this, it is exactly what I've been thinking of. Maybe I need to tape this to my purse or something LOL, I believe what it says to be true for me because even though alcohol doesn't really have fat and even though I tell myself that on the day I drink I won't eat as much, and I usually manage to do that just fine, I know that isn't healthy and I also know that it does mess up my fitness progress.

My stomach seem to have a little pouch the next day after just one drink! I swear! So I think I am one of those women for whom alcohol really has a negative effect. Plus with my sleep disorder.

Channing

I can relate. I'm a musician and alcohol is everywhere! It's unrealistic of me to say I'll never have a drink, but I only partake when I'm out with people or after a show and I try to drink tons of water before, after and during! It counteracts dehydration and flushes out some of the sodium.

Also, I try to stick to drinks like rum and diet coke or a glass of wine. Most mixers are too sugary, and beer ( the good kind) has way too many calories.

Cheers! :drinker:

I think you have found a good balance, channing. How many rum & diets or glasses of wine do you usually end up drinking when you go out after a show?

I try to decide ahead of time how many I'll allow myself depending on how many cals I've had that day. I usually can stick to it when I know that I could ruin all the hard work I've put in that day! most of the time I end up drinking 2, maybe three, and since I don't drink all that often, I can feel it faster!

neeterskeeter

I'm 61 years old and my husband and I love to have a cold beer on the deck in the evening. At my age, it's hard to fight the resentment of "Quality of Life" by denying myself. So what I have planned to do is have lite beer instead of my Molson Ice, which I love, and limit them to maybe 1 lite beer and 1 diet soda. Also the number of times a week that I do it. Yes the calories can add up, as I just discovered myself! My daughter, who loves to go out, will have a vanilla vodka with a diet coke instead of fancy high calorie drinks. If we totaly give up on the things we enjoy we won't last. I believe we just step back and regroup and make better choices! We CAN have it all! (Just don't drink before you decide what you're ordering in a restaurant....it tends to weaken your willingness to make good choices).
Cheers!

Birdie... thanks for sharing, the thing that you said about " If we totaly give up on the things we enjoy we won't last" is my conflict with this whole drinking thing.

I *thought* I enjoyed my two daily cups of coffee with Hazelnut coffeemate (usually fat free). I thought I enjoyed sweets and that I couldn't live without having the birthday cake at the office or the Friday morning donut etc. But due to making slow healthy changes I have cut out the Hazelnut creamer and now drink my coffee black and I don't feel deprived at all, I feel healthier. I also only have two bites of some sugary thing I think I want... like birthday cake at work, etc., and I feel that totally satiates my curiosity and that it doesn't even taste as great as I used to think it did when I was addicted to sugar.

Now... will I never eat ice cream or pizza again? I definitely will. I just ate bananas foster with ice cream at an engagement party I threw for my good friend on Friday. But if I did that all the time (like I used to :laugh: ) I couldn't have acheived my fitness results and my feeling healthy like I have been doing.

So... my struggle with alcohol is, if I give it up completely, will I feel deprived? Will I go back to "I don't care what I eat/drink" land because it was so hard to live without it? I don't know. I don't think so, so does that mean I should give it up? Does it mean I should have it every now and then like I do with sugar? I am thinking that is the balance I will try to strike for now but I still toy with giving it up all together.

I think it's cute that you and your husband have a beer on the deck. I hope I will have a happy marriage like that! To me that is way more important than calories or weight, and I really dont' think that one beer a day is bad for your health.

neeterskeeter

I can relate. I'm a musician and alcohol is everywhere! It's unrealistic of me to say I'll never have a drink, but I only partake when I'm out with people or after a show and I try to drink tons of water before, after and during! It counteracts dehydration and flushes out some of the sodium.

Also, I try to stick to drinks like rum and diet coke or a glass of wine. Most mixers are too sugary, and beer ( the good kind) has way too many calories.

Cheers! :drinker:

I think you have found a good balance, channing. How many rum & diets or glasses of wine do you usually end up drinking when you go out after a show?

I try to decide ahead of time how many I'll allow myself depending on how many cals I've had that day. I usually can stick to it when I know that I could ruin all the hard work I've put in that day! most of the time I end up drinking 2, maybe three, and since I don't drink all that often, I can feel it faster!

This is what I try to do too, and I've been pretty successful at it, except I feel I do it too often... there are *always* happy hours or social events or work events where I do this and that really adds up. *sigh*