What about alcohol?

tajalambara

I'm a student, 23 years old, and of course I go to parties and drink alcohol. Considering my new lifestyle, clean eating and exercising there is no place for alcohol, but how something like that explain to my friends, and what is more important how to stay strong and not drink? Avoiding them or not to go with them is not the answer, so what are you doing in situations like this?

MeganDominique

My soultion? Im 19 and in college. My roommates and friends loooovvveee to drink. I live a paleo lifestyle so booze really isnt a good idea. If your going to go out and drink plan ahead to workout more the day of or before or after. Also drinking lower cal drinks, ie cut the pop and get it with juice or cut the juice and get a gin and water with lime. Those and wine are your friends. Luckily for me my boyfriend is a firefighter and ia always on call so he drinks maybe once a year so he is my excuse

You can always offer to be a dd too, i know the boston pizza in my area gives the dd if everyone else is drinking free pops/icetea.

bradphil87

I'm in college too, I used to drink alot. Which is how I got in the shape I was in, it does absolutely nothing positive if you're trying to lose weight or build muscle. (two things that I want to do, first lose weight, then build muscle) so I cut it out completely. If my friends ask I tell them I'd rather have this 6 pack then that 6 pack (pointing to my midsection then to the beer.) I guess it all comes down to how bad you want it. If your serious about your lifestyle change than its a no brainer what you'll do. You absolutely get out what you put into any fitness goal. Nutrition is the first step, training is the second.

13inchestogo

That is one of the things I usually like to pretend doesnt have calories :drinker:

But to be serious, I go for the light beers or keep a portion of vodka or whatever I am going to drink and log exactly how many cals are in it so I am more motivated to keep within my limit. Plus after one too many all calorie caution gets thrown out the window for me. In my perfect world for my perfect wasitline I wouldnt be drinking at all but at this time in my life it's just not happening lol

fitgirl612

I'm 22 and just graduated college so I know the feeling pretty well. I love going out and drinking with friends, but I also exercise, eat healthy and watch my weight. Alcohol makes it easy to gain weight because it 's easy to drink more calories (empty ones at that) without realizing it, plus it makes you crave food. The key is moderation. Limit the nights you go out drinking. Stick to drinking on the weekend or even one night only. If you want to drink, be sure to eat healthy during the day & work out extra. I found that this really helped me because if I wanted to have a few drinks, I had calories for it. I would also walk to the places I went out a lot, and dancing burns calories too. The type of alcohol you drink and knowing the serving size is also important. Clear liquor, like vodka, is the lowest in calories. Red wine is also good. My go to drink is a vodka diet. I know diet soda isn't the best, but that's the only time I drink it. Light beer is ok, but watch the carbs. If you don't want to drink at all, but still want to go out, it is totally doable. Let your friends know the deal upfront. If they are your true friends, they'll understand. Drinking doesn't make a friendship. They'll still want to go out with you. The only person who can control if you drink or not is you so don't let other people make you feel bad about your decision. Just don't give into peer pressure. You can have fun and go out without drinking!

LuckyLeprechaun

clean eating and exercising there is no place for alcohol,

I disagree with this idea. I drink often. I have been able to lose all the fat I wanted to lose, and maintain my losses over the last year and a half, even with alcohol in my diet.

Alcohol does not have to be eliminated entirely. Reduced? Sure! But completely gone? No need!!

bradphil87

clean eating and exercising there is no place for alcohol,

I disagree with this idea. I drink often. I have been able to lose all the fat I wanted to lose, and maintain my losses over the last year and a half, even with alcohol in my diet.

Alcohol does not have to be eliminated entirely. Reduced? Sure! But completely gone? No need!!

You can lose weight eating ANYTHING at all as long as your under your cal goal. When goals are fitness related, you really have to watch what you put into your body. You want to lose weight? Just eat under your cal goal, you want to get fit? Pay attension to what you fuel your body with.

NiagaraCheryl

Count me among those that say to build it into your calories for the day. I used to drink a glass of red wine a day (purely medicinal ) but gave that up. When I go out I used to have a rye and ginger but have changed that to flavoured vodka and club soda.

cristalloseweight

I live in Hermosa Beach, CA. It is a town where no one ever grows up and every day is a party. When I moved there in 2010 I was at my lightest in a long time and in great shape. I was playing beach volleyball (reason I moved to Hermosa), trail running, beach running, weights, gym, hiking, surfing, gymnastics, dance, etc (you get the point, I was in shape!). I drank but occasional. I worked out so much and watched my food so tightly an occasional party night was no big deal. Then I made the move...at first I kept this all up but then I lost my job and had all this free time so I went back into the party scene which never dies there. I figured I work out so much it was okay....but then I stopped working out because I was too hungover and only had energy to play ball (which yes is a sport but not a workout to keep you slim, you have to workout to play volleyball). And because I was partying I was making bad food decisions when out late at night and the next day when I wanted "hangover" food. This went on for a year and a half. I knew I was gaining weight but was too scared to step on the scale. Finally last week I got on it because none of my cute clothes fit and I could feel the difference in me and how ppl perceived me. I gained 35-40 lbs. I am only five-three....I was in shock! I cried and almost canceled all plans for rest of the year and didn't want to see my friends. My good friends talked sense into me and said yes I gained weight but they would support me to lose it and not hide. So I am back on ultra-strict diet, workouts, and limited booze (the part that pertains to your question, sorry took so long to get to my point). Everyone drinks where I live. But, my rule now is drinking is the exception to the norm, no longer the norm. Meaning only a bday, graduation, something that warrants a celebration. If I do catch myself in a situation during a normal night out then I order 1 and only 1 drink now and it is a light beer, skinny margarita, or vodka and water, or diet coke and rum. This way I still have one so not the "party pooper' but don't go overboard (again this is only once a week max I get one drink). Then after you have that drink switch to water. My friends are fine with it and I still have fun. If your friends can't support your healthy diet or only want you around if you drink....they probably really aren't friends. Just my very long 2 cents.