Alcohol
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Also, just putting this out there as I have in other posts like this:
If you feel you can't moderate alcohol, by all means, try doing without it completely. But "alcohol" does not make you put on weight, have trouble losing weight, etc... excessive intake of it does, just like with food. Alcoholic beverages DO have serving sizes, and failing to follow those (read: 4 oz of wine for women... a bit different than a bottle with dinner) will result in problems. Obviously, certain people do have certain reactions to them, and there's science that says there's a genetic component to alcoholism, so those are all things that are great to consider. Also, if you have trouble with moderation.
But saying, "lol alcohol is just bad for you and empty calories" is a fallacy, too. There's multiple proven preventative health benefits from dry red wines, unfiltered craft beers, (I even read a few things on whiskey not too long ago?), etc. etc. That's not saying, "If you don't drink, you're bad!" but it's a counter to the, "If you DO drink, you're bad!" mentality.0 -
Firstly I would like to clarify even though I don't have a drinking problem, I do enjoy my booze, and I can sometimes indulge in a glass of wine (or two) on a week night... or three.
My doctor told me that in order to lose weight I had to stop drinking. So I did, for a whole month... scale didn't move an inch. So I said to myself, I probably ate more just because I wasn't drinking. Following month I dieted (ate less than normal) and did not drink a drop. I lost a few pounds but nothing extraordinary... And then summer came along... And I cannot go through summer without my beer...
I try to keep my drinking happen only one or two days a week, I make sure I have plenty of water afterwards and I try to have one or two glasses at most.
Bottom line, I will not be joining you in your "not drinking"... But I will sure support your efforts!
:drinker:0 -
My body fat dropped when I stopped drinking. Now I occasionally drink only a little bit, but I have already hit my goal weight. If you are trying to lose, alcohol is not gonna help.0
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I've noticed weight coming off faster/easier when I don't drink.
I also noticed that I'm not nealry as happy as when I can enjoy a beer in the evenings.
Methinks not.0 -
I've stopped drinking because I don't want to ingest empty calories. I've posted a topic about this not too long ago. Basically I said that if I'm going to be ingesting empty calories, I would rather it be on something I really really enjoy like chocolate or cake, lol. For me, alcohol is not that tasty and having just ONE drink is very pointless cause not only is it empty calories but I don't even get the feeling of intoxication off of just one! I think I will keep my drinking to just a few times a year on special occaions like new year's eve or my birthday. The hardest part about this though is the social part. It's hard to explain to my friends that I have quit drinking because of my healthy new diet regime. They don't seem to understand and always give the "oh c'mon, just have one drink with me". I have just been telling people straight up thanks, but no thanks, I don't drink anymore. I don't bother to explain any further than this, otherwise I feel like I would sound a bit crazy (i.e. I would wanna say something like "Do you know how many calories are in that one drink? Probably at least 200. That is already like 10% of the daily recommended amount of calories that the average person should get, in 1 DRINK!"). When I do drink I usually get something like vodka with tonic water and a lime wedge or a super light beer, both are around 100 calories per drink.0
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I find that cutting out anything that I like is too depressing. Sure, I mostly drink in moderation, but I'm not cutting it out.0
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I think it's more than just moderation for me because when I do drink I drink way too much which I think is an issue and considered a binge. For my health I'm just going to take a step back for a month or two and see what happens. Beer is my favorite so I don't see myself giving it up completely, but we will see. Thanks everyone for your support and sharing your experiences!0
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I would give it up for a little while except I just finished bottling 25 gallons of wine and I have a 5 gallon batch of beer in need of drinking very soon.0
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- tastes bad
- makes me hungry
- the alcohol itself is more calories
- tend to do stupid things
- get a headache the next day
- could be doing more productive things with my time and money
Yea, I just haven't been interested in alcohol...
I was interested in college and then I was like uggggggh I feel sick... okay I'm done. o_O
I'll have a sweet cocktail like... when travelling? Like we're in another city with no car? But ehhhhhh even then I'm not super interested.0 -
My husband and I have decided to stop drinking for about 30-60 days until we put a dent in our weight loos. I have three kids 2,4 and 10 so I'm not saying I'll stop forever but for now I am. I was well behaved at the SB party and turned down every jello shot that came my way.0
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I way overindulged on NYE, so I've been mostly non-drinking since then. Also, my husband broke his leg a few weeks ago, and he can't drink because of the medication he is on, so I don't want to drink when he can't. I think alcohol is like everything else, it's ok in moderation if you want to have a beer with dinner. But if you feel better not drinking, then don't. You shouldn't be judged on that. We had two parties this week and we live in Chicago, so normally we take public transit everywhere, but with my husband's injury we've had to drive, which means I can't drink, and that's ok, I find that I don't actually miss it. And I definitely don't miss the hangovers.0
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Drinking alcohol and trying to loose weight/living a healthy lifestyle do not mix. Its that simple.
Not to say drinking the odd wine or beer here or there will hurt, but weekly drinking or more should be avoided.
It is worth trying to make "healthier" choices though. I used to mostly drink gin and tonics and vodka and soda waters in the past, and before I put on a bunch of weight... but part of my weight gain has definitely been down to the fact I have got a taste for beer and cider and started drinking both a lot! I have cut those out now and seeing results.
The worst thing about alcohol though for me is how you let your guard down when you are drunk/hungover. I will always make awful food choices on these occasions! I am not even a big fan of pizza, but when I am hung over I literally crave it!! I usually suffer for up to 2 days as well so I don't bother being very active or exercising. Progress slows and can even stop dead if you carry on drinking so it is definitely worth working toward stopping!0 -
I drink more in the summer and less in the winter, summer I have a few drinks a few times a week, and winter I have a few drinks maybe once a month or once every 2 months. Guess which season I have better progress with weight loss..... winter.0
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Actually doctors day women should drink 2 bottles of red wine a day.. Um... yea.. bottles right?? Well that's what I heard..
LOL
Were you drunk when you heard this?
Cause no one ever would actually say that, let alone a doctor.
I love wine, but I hate what it does to my food diary. I haven't had any alocohol since NYE, although I don't intend to never drink again. Right now, though, I'd rather chew my calories.
*sigh*0 -
Alcohol is what caused my weight gain to begin with. My fiance and I still go out to bars, I just don't drink. I get a water with lemon. I think people assume I am having some sort of mixed drink and don't bother me about it. I get a litlle anxious at first, but when other people in the bar start getting loud and obnoxious, I always know I made the right decision. It's also easier going out and not drinking when I know I look better in my clothes (and getting even better!) than when I was drinking. That really helps me not want a drink either.
The alcohol made me plateau in my weight loss and now I am losing again. I feel amazing every day. I save a lot more money. I don't have to pay for cabs because I can just drive when we go out now. No hangovers and none of the extra calories. Logging alcohol into MFP (I didn't used to) really helps, too.
We have no kids. Apparently, that must make it easier as well.
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Drinking alcohol to excess and trying to lose weight/living a healthy lifestyle do not mix. Its that simple.
Fixed it. It's interesting that so many people view alcohol as either "you don't drink it" or "you drink it to drunken cravings/hangover." There is a middle ground. If, when you drink, you instantly drink to excess, that is called bingeing.
Alcohol isn't causing weight gain... alcohol to excess, if that is where you go over on calories, is what is causing the weight gain.0 -
I'm 4 days in!...Giving it up for February, the shortest month, HAHA0
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Drinking alcohol to excess and trying to lose weight/living a healthy lifestyle do not mix. Its that simple.
Fixed it. It's interesting that so many people view alcohol as either "you don't drink it" or "you drink it to drunken cravings/hangover." There is a middle ground. If, when you drink, you instantly drink to excess, that is called bingeing.
Alcohol isn't causing weight gain... alcohol to excess, if that is where you go over on calories, is what is causing the weight gain.
^^ What she said ^^
@firstsip I see you love craft beer. Yay!! We should start a craft beer and home brewing group on here. Craft and home brews have lots of calories in them but since they are so full of flavor I find I can sip and enjoy them longer than those nasty beer flavored soft drinks that the masses drink. So it all evens out. CHEERS!!0 -
There is a new documentary show out there.. its on national georgraphoic. Of course, I have no idea what the name of it is. But, I dvr-ed it yesterday and watched it last night. I give a biological understanding and uses imagery of the body of what specific drugs do to you. They interviewed a gentleman who was by far the worst alcoholic I have ever witnessed (and I'm a social worker). He had a physical done by a physician and it was frightening. He had convulsions, he only ate 1 days worth of calories per week because his ability to eat was supressed and his pancreas hurt too much due to the damage, he had fluid coming out of his ears, his cuts and scrathes wouldn't heal and they would get immediately infected because he killed so many skin cells due to lack of hydration from the booze, and it goes on. He went to treatment and died 8 days in because he was THAT dependent.
....so yes. I am done drinking.
Woooah. If you choose to stop drinking, power to you, but that, as you said, was an extreme alcoholic... that hardly happens from drinking in moderation.
I agree. Everything needs to be in moderation. My daughter had a severe skin rash on her hands a few years ago because she compulsively washed her hands every 20 minutes. She got over this compulsion...but I still ask her to wash her hands before eating or after being outside. Extreme eating can lead to the same disastrous consequences. I agree with others on this post, if you feel it is getting to be a problem, cut back on the alcohol.0 -
30 years ago, I was a drunken sailor (literally). That was ok for that time in my life, but over the years, I've all but given up alcohol.
I enjoy a single drink perhaps 4 or 5 times a year now, and I DO enjoy it. I just don't follow it up with a second drink because that usually leads to bad sleeping patterns and a lousy day the next day.
I've become a light weight drinker and I'm better off for it.0 -
I have not given it up completely but cut back at least 75 percent of it out from what I was doing...... I no it was a lot of the reason I have gained weight so I only allow my self a few drinks a week now......it is just to many empty calories not to add wanting to eat bad during drinking and the next day!! so you go girl!!! I feel so much better not drinking much0
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Going long stretches without drinking, then tying one on for a few days is called BINGE drinking and it's no better (sometimes worse) than drinking every day... something to think about.
Don't make these sorts of absolute statements.0 -
I used to drink a fair amount and I gave it up last month due to a health issue that I'm still trying to figure out. I don't think that I'll never drink again, but for now, sobreity is working for me. I began loosing after being on a plateau for a while. Anyone who is going through a similar situation, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ADD ME. I am very interested in this topic.0
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I love beer, but stopped buying it. I now buy a bottle of cheap red wine and it lasts me about a week. Just a little bit of red wine in the evenings goes a long way for me. And it is not bad for you (in moderation). 0
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I'm newly sober and LOVING it. I gave up alcohol close to a month ago and I have to say that it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. I feel more alert, I'm losing weight like crazy now, and it' s fewer calories & carbs to count.
At first I was cranky all the time, but now I'm only cranky on the weekends. I used to go out and black out 7 nights a week, so it's been a major change for me... that being said, I know it's one for the better.
Now when I go out to dinner and/or the bar instead of ordering a beer, whiskey, or gin and tonic, I order a club soda with lime. In a social atmosphere it definitely tricks the mind into thinking you're drinking when in all actuality you aren't doing any harm to your body at all.
Try going a month... you just may stick with it for a lot longer!0 -
I used to have a glass of wine or cider with dinner a few times a week but now I will only indulge on the weekends. Generally just one or two because any more than that really messes with my sleep and it's super annoying. My husband brews and he made me an apple-ginger hard cider (five gallons) so that should last me quite some time!0
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Every time I've gotten "stuck" while losing weight, it's when I decided I could start drinking again. For me alcohol stops my weight loss in its tracks, so I've had to cut way, way back to only very special occasions. This does not make me happy, and I kept trying to find a way around it. I thought I could outsmart it, just stay "under calories" but that resulted in me drinking my dinner (and lunch.. and snacks) and feeling like absolute poo. So, as much as I hate it (and boy do I), it's just the way it has to be.0
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Wow. You guys are a bunch of sticks in the mud. "Maybe a beer with dinner", "A few times a year", "Don't want the empty calories". Really? Alcohol is one of the few legal things that alter ones state positively. And please don't chime in with the whole "feeling of accomplishment", or "runners high" thing becasue I get that, but it's different. Alcohol makes you feel good, it's fun to go out and have drinks eith friends, and unless you get !@#$faced, it CAN definitely be part of a healthy lifestyle. I am living proof of this. I consume an average of 400 calories of alcohol / day, bust my *kitten* at the gym 4 times a week, and work a strenous job. I am 9% body fat, hit all of my macros and micros, and stay at or under maintanance cals every day. You just need to account for the empty calories and eat less.
That being said, if alcohol doesn't actually make you feel good, then no, there is no reason to drink it. But if you enjoy a good buzz, have at it and cheers!0 -
I really appreciate everyone's (mostly) positive feedback. Again I am not bashing those who drink or those who are completely sober. Just looking for support for my one month of no booze and then I will be reassessing my goals!0
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No way. I have two boys (age 5 and 4). I need wine.
AGREED ^^ I have 2 girls (13 & 9) I either have alcohol or lose my sanity :drinker:
THIS! Between me and my man we have two 4 year old girls, a 10 yr old girl and 12 year old boy...
:drinker:
I don't usually quote, but this has been my go to relaxation method with 2 girls 7 and 9, my own teaching job and other life stresses the last few years, a have of wine has been growing... and although I joke about "needing" the wine, I'm going to try to cut back a lot.
I don't over drink/get hangovers, etc, but it's just not the best habit to be in most nights for relaxation...has helped me gain weight up till now, and although I'm losing for now, I am going to try the month off with my husband too, and try to substitute exercise and tea as my new habits for relaxation and save the wine for special occasions/dinners out...etc... Fee free to add me for support if you are trying to do this too...0
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