will quitting drinking really help THAT much??

shirerose

Yes, it does make a huge difference. There are a lot of calories in alcohol. You should drink water whenever possible.

Even diet soda is bad for you. Research shows that diet sodas actually cause you to eat more because your brain tastes the sweetness of the soda and prepares your body to receive sugar and calories. When it doesn't receive them, it causes hunger and you consume more food calories to make up for it.

I have also heard that alcohol somehow bonds with the food in your stomach, making it harder to burn the calories and easier for it to turn into fat.

that's true about diet soda... but if you don't give in to the hunger it causes then it doesn't hurt you. easier said than done i guess. i dont drink it often but when i do, i've never had a problem with eating more because of it.

joeysims

I quit drinking for all of 2011 (not a drop no kidding!) on a bet and I lost 10 lbs without changing anything else. I wasn't even drinking every weekend.

Weightloss aside I never imagined how great I would feel! Now if I have one bud light while I'm coon hunting with the boys I'm struggling to keep up! And I used to be one of those people who would "sweat out" my hangovers! I can only imagine what that booze was doing to my body!

Also I went downtown and hung out with my friends just as much not drinking as when I was and I actually met more people and made more friends sober than I ever did drinking.

My overall assessment is booze and I had some really fun times together (and made a remarkable number of mistakes!) but generally it's over rated!

Prahasaurus

Just start doing blow instead.

Winner

Prahasaurus

nah, dude. drinking is awesome. once a week... even twice a week isn't that bad. but it does depend on what you are drinking. i do whiskey and diet coke. gets me tipsy and doesn't slow down my weight loss. i'm also getting in exercise walking around town to different bars. and walking from my house to the bar and back again. i'm a huge supporter of continuing drinking while trying to lose weight haha...

Marry me...

mrsmarion2b

Ummmm no red wine is not more than a big mac! 1 glass of red wine (which is 5-6oz) is 122 calories. Look it up yourself.

Helloitsdan

Keep in mind that the caloric intake of any alcohol is moot if you eat while its in your system.

DopeItUp

A pint or two (depending on the beer), once or twice a week really isn't a huge amount of calories, so I doubt it will make a big difference either way. If you're accounting for those calories already it's not going to make any difference at all.

mauryr

Can I ask a slightly different question: Are calories from alcohol any different from other calories? I have been assuming that calories are all the same.

fiveohmike

you can do it occasionally but I know there the same amount of calories in a glass of red wine as there is in a big mac but if you do it like once a month you should be fine

For those of you freaking out, this is absolutely not true

~ 500 calories or so in a bottle of wine...no biggies...just fit it into your calories for the day and your good to go lol

fiveohmike

Can I ask a slightly different question: Are calories from alcohol any different from other calories? I have been assuming that calories are all the same.

A calorie is a calorie

fiveohmike

This is a great article on the subject, with references:

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

mcarter99

Hey kids!
...and when I do drink, I'll drink about a pint and maybe 1 beer. Do you guys really think if I stop drinking all together that it will show?!? Or if I cut it down to once a month?? Let me know what you think!

A pint of what? I assumed beer but then you said a pint and a beer!

shanice_22

I don't think it's a problem that you drink as you don't drink a lot but cutting it out should naturally make you lose a bit of extra weight as you are automatically reducing your calories.

If I have a night out I'm terrible and probably drink close to 1000 calories.. lol.. but I very VERY rarely go out drinking so I think that it's ok.

If you want to cut out drink though then go for it.

x

Bobby_Clerici

Booze is empty calories, so YES, it makes a huge difference.
I drink a few on my "free day", but gave up drinking totally during the week. If hooching it up is that important, maybe there is a larger issue to address. When it comes to achieving optimal health, anything more than moderate drinking will derail your progress.
Believe it!

AussieRachG

As said by a couple others, I don't think that amount is unreasonable, but it doesn't hurt to give it a try! If it's something you enjoy doing socially and are responsible with it, I think moderation is key! Maybe also look for lighter calorie drink options, light beers for example, and I've heard dry wines are commonly more low cal than other types of wine.

Be careful of light beers for those who don't live in the US... for the rest of the world, 'light' beer means light in alcohol, not light in calories... I've had quite a few American friends consume an alarming amount of 'light beer' and wonder why they don't get drunk and put on heaps of weight...

JoshRogers81

You would probably do better to give up ketchup or Ranch, or anything you do EVERY day, 200cal a week is not a huge gainer...Not a professional, just my opinion. ;-)

dyn3428

Alcohol is just liquid calories!! and nutrutionally crap!! You don't have to give it up if you can work in it. But I would rather have some ribs or a sandwich.

lyttlewon

you can do it occasionally but I know there the same amount of calories in a glass of red wine as there is in a big mac but if you do it like once a month you should be fine

Ahh what?! Your telling me a glass of wine is over 500 cals? Lies.

Wow, that's a big glass of wine you're having.

That is my kind of glass!

oOTaraOo

I have actually started drinking more since I started my diet - lol. I have 1-2 glasses of red wine maybe 2-3 times a week. I have lost 4.3kg (approx 9.5 pounds) in 21 days. I find as long as I track al my calories I am still losing. I use it as a treat when I go out salsa dancing - I like to relax a little.

I do find I seem to retain water more if I drink more than the 2 glasses on a weekend.

The bonus though is now I am eating less I get tipsy quicker so don't need to drink as much as I used to

XjuliaXannX

might help

cakeums

you can do it occasionally but I know there the same amount of calories in a glass of red wine as there is in a big mac but if you do it like once a month you should be fine

Where are you getting your info from?! Not even CLOSE. A standard 750ml BOTTLE of red wine has fewer calories than a Big Mac. Not to mention there's no heaps and gobs of saturated fat and cholesterol...

hipsdontlie1

That is great for you!!!!!!

hipsdontlie1

I usually drink white rum and diet coke! NEVER drink regular pop. ever.

hipsdontlie1

I would definately give it a try. There are alot of cals/carbs in alcohol and why would you want to let all your hard work and exercise go to waste? Friends should be supportive and encouraging no matter what because they should know how important this is for you. Having a good time isnt about the drink its about the company you're in. Even try switching to low carb or light beer ot cut back to once a fortnight. Good luck, and well done for wanting to try something new if other things arent working. Alot of people would just give up. Keep us posted on how you go :-))

Thank you!!! Your message was very encouraging and I'm definitely going to give it a try!

josiereside

I can say it would probably greatly help me as I lose all food inhibitions when I drink!! :drinker: But am I willing to give it up... probably not... I want to have my cake and eat it too!
Good luck in whatever you chose to do!

hipsdontlie1

Hey kids!
...and when I do drink, I'll drink about a pint and maybe 1 beer. Do you guys really think if I stop drinking all together that it will show?!? Or if I cut it down to once a month?? Let me know what you think!

A pint of what? I assumed beer but then you said a pint and a beer!

pint= a bottle of rum (12oz)!! and I drink it with diet coke!!

DonttrythatwithME

can i party with you, i love me some rum

dogberry3

I think that if you include your drinking in your daily calorie intake then it won't make a difference. I like cider personally and so about 3 times a week I include a pint of cider as my snack. It means I can't have other things that day but some days what I'm really craving is that cider. You will find that you won't drink as much if you have to take calories from other meals because drink is really empty calories but to have a drink once in a while is fine. If you make that drink a red wine the health benefits will be better for you than just beer or a shot.

LeenaRuns

Quitting drinking is a responsible decision. We always seem to eat more when we do drink and more than 1 drink is hard on your liver

This, and I've noticed that my body is a lot more sluggish when I run the morning after I've had even a glass of wine!

danielgunson

Surely... it's all just about being within your calorie goal? I sometimes have a pint of beer..

I go out on some Friday's. It's just about having a sensible low calorie day to support the additional alcohol calories....

OH and, less calories and food in the day means drunken quicker = cheaper night! Classic!

If you can't for go the temptation to then eat pizza after a couple of drinks.... thats kinda your problem