Drinking alcohol and losing weight?

lisa4you143

Hey guys! Hopefully this caught all of you party animals attention lol. So when I lost weight last year I stayed away from going out to dinners, bars, clubs etc. But of course, like all people in there 20's, I want to go out with my friends and being the DD is never fun. In your experience have you been successful in your weight loss journey while still going out maybe once a week? If so what kind of alcoholic beverages do you stick to? Obviously moderation is everything but since I started going out again I feel like even having a few drinks one night a week prevents me from losing weight. I'm committed to reaching my goal weight but I don't want to feel like I'm giving up my social life and be a complete hermit in the process.

PS... anyone want to be friends and motivate? A few of my friends have MFP but they don't regularly log/comment.

eandrsmom

I have lost nearly 50 pounds while giving myself one free meal a week that always includes a few glasses of wine! My problem isn't the calories from the wine, it's the calories from all the food I nibble after the wine. So I make it my free meal and plan for it every week. When is was in my 20s I definitely drank a lot more, and that probably kept me from dropping those last five pounds. Now, anything more than.two glasses wipes me out, so I mix the wine with sparkling water and I am good for the night.

nicky9door18

Hmm, good question, I doubt you could drink regularly and lose weight. Occasional drinking should be fine, especially when you are trying to maintain and not lose. There was a study in the paper last week that said mixing alcohol with diet drinks raises your breath alcohol, they think the calories in pop slows down absorption just like food does. Anyhow, I prefer light beer, wine and if I were to have a mixed drink, soda water is my preference. Lots of people like to eat junk after a night of drinking or eat terribly once they have a hangover. Bottom line is, like everything else, moderation is they key.

cheyenneGee

I've always been a relatively "skinny" person. My weakness is beer! I haven't been in the mood for it lately, nor any kind of alcohol. I can definitely feel it the next day! I drink plenty of water and pretend it never happened

Katrina090

I still go out, but I always make sure that if I'm going just for drinks I eat before I go out so I won't want a takeaway at the end of the night, and a drink a spirit with diet coke works out between (50-60 calories) a drink so just try and leave calories to spare

simon_rider

I have found if you keep it to the odd glass or two and you eat a balanced diet, stick to your calories and exercise a few times a week then it hasn't harmed my progress, but I think everything in moderation is the key!

akj_25

i drink about every other weekend (and usually includes not the healthiest foods). i have been losing 1-2 lbs per week this year (2013) and havn't given up my alcohol.

-if i know i am going out this coming weekend i try to plan ahead. i eat really good healthy foods throughout the week, and stay to the low end of my calorie intake.
-when i drink i try to stick to Vodka (the better quality stuff is less calories than bar rail) with a zero calorie mixer such as diet coke. - and i am not one that drinks 1-2 drinks and calls it a night -- have a glass of water between drinks it helps you pace a little and helps hangover, and helps avoid drunken munchies
-the more i drink the more i make sure i move - do not sit on a barstool all night - try to find a place you can dance- which is a great cardio workout to burn off the calories.
- the hardest and most critical part is controling the junk food intake after you have a buzz going, and the next day when you are hung over.

most people on MFP will tell you not to drink, but when you have to live, just do it in moderation, and try to make a few better choices so not to derail your progress. have fun!

laurynwithawhy

I have a drink nearly every day and have had no problem losing weight. Even when I go out, I have no issues. The trick is to measure and log EVERYTHING. Then, you can make it fit into your calorie goals. At home I will usually have a glass of wine or a martini (Smirnoff just came out with some light flavored vodkas!). When going out I stick to vodka with soda water and a splash of cranberry, or beer (100-150 calories and is very filling and sippable, so you can stick to 1 or 2). Sometimes if I don't wanna drink but I want to party, I will drink tons of redbull. Not exactly healthy but it keeps me in the mood. Hope that helps!

trudijoy

i drink a glass or two of wine 5 or so nights a week and the odd beer or vodka. I work it into my calories. I'm not willing to give up things i like, but i'm eating smarter. The second i tell myself i can't have something it's all over for me.

I've lost 8 kilograms (about 18 lb) in 48 ish days, and that was including three big nights out....

lisa4you143

Thanks everyone... your tips really help! I have a few friends birthday's coming up and now I won't have to deal with that awkward "how come you're not drinking?" conversation :drinker:


Haha just couldn't resist putting in the "drinker" smiley

candirose69

Sparkling wine is my new best friend and I'm learning to try and stay away from the calorie filled cocktails

But if its an event i enjoy it!! I try not to drink throughout the week so i figure its ok now and then

trudijoy

Sparkling wine is my new best friend and I'm learning to try and stay away from the calorie filled cocktails

But if its an event i enjoy it!! I try not to drink throughout the week so i figure its ok now and then

i seriously did the happy dance when i found out how much lower bubbly is than so many things!

jeets888

I drink almost every friday - maybe something like 8 beers odd, maybe more and then there are the shooters, during the week a few lite beers as well if with friends. Im totally a social drinker but i definitely drink like an alcoholic during these social times lol.

Just stick to a clean diet and lotsa excercise - so what if you over indulge every so often .... just remember we in it for the loooonnnngggg haul. Drastic measures (like total abstinence from alcohol) will yield drastic results but there is always that risk then of it all coming to bite you in the *kitten*!

i say go on, live a little ... the fact that you asking this and that you on MFP is good signs that you got your s't under control!

frozenangel768

I drink maybe once or twice a week, and for some reason alcohol has never hindered my weight loss.. It actually seems that I manage to lose more weight in the months that I drink alcohol, and in the months I don't drink my weight loss stalls.. Or it could be just dehydration, I don't know.. I just mostly stick to sparkling wine..

staceypunk

I drink once or twice a month, and when I do I drink to excess. I'll have like 5-7 drinks in a night. I do try to make better decisions, like I gave up twisted teas altogether (like 200 calories each!) but sometimes drinking straight Jack can also be troublesome as I get wasted much quicker because I am not use to weighing as little as I do now. So, in answer to your question, yes I think you can go out a couple times a month and drink and party and eat out at a diner or whatever. I wouldn't do it every friday night though. And I always make sure to keep up with my workouts. Oddly enough I have been able to do vigorous exercise while hung over !

popsicklestar

I did a month of not drinking at all when I first started trying to lose weight, and that really kicked off my weight loss efforts. Now I try to limit my drinking to once a week or every other week. I usually go dancing when I go out, so the dancing burns some calories and that helps. I drink tequila on the rocks with fresh lime juice usually. Definitely stay away from mixers with sugar. I'm not a huge drinker anyway, so I usually only drink 1 to 3 drinks. I also usually know when I'll be going out, so I try to eat a less during the day, so I can fit the drinking calories in and stay within my goal.

JustJennie1

While I know that drinking tends to inhibit weight loss it's not something I am cutting out of my diet. I try and make sure that it fits within my calories. If I imbibe and go over I don't really freak out about it.

diaryofaskinnygirl

Mmm... Vodka

jennibear22

I stick to Gin and slimline tonic with a slice of lemon/cucumber/lemon - fresh, not bloating and very low in cals.

Got2Lose10

Vodka crnberry

tammyclinch

I lost 47 pounds but i only drink once a month ..i pick a weekend and fri and sat i drink..try to stay in moderation but sometimes that doesnt work.. Rum and water with cystal light ..I Carry cystal light in my purse ask the bar tender to make it like she would a rum and coke but with water and i add cystal light...
I also sometimes drink light beer Coors or bud

Tulipbirdy

I have exactly the same problem! im going to party with my friends once a week, but at least once in two weaks, and im feeling im ruining my hard work...i usually stick with vodka orange juice, rose or tecquila but im feeling soo guilty

kevin3344

You can definitely drink and lose weight....it's like anything else, work it into your calories. My friends and I drink all the time - not sure what that says about us lol - but we're also very big into running. Half-marathons, marathons, Warrior Dash you name it....and I'm at my goal weight! I probably have gin + tonics 5 days a week!!

When I'm not out at a happy hour or new restaurant you will probably find me running.....no excuses, if you want to enjoy a nice steak dinner with a glass of wine - and we do - you have to be prepared to work it off. A bunch of us went to Cabo, Mexico last year and spent a week at a swim up bar. It was so much fun!! But when we got back we got back to work. Running, circuit training, you name it. And I don't belong to a gym. I simply run ouside and have free weights upstairs. Oh, and there is the occasional Jillian Michaels DVD

Bottom line is it can be done. On the off chance you don't want to drink just ask for water in a short glass...people will think you're drinking vodka + tonic

friendthegirl

If you live somewhere that sells it, Le Croix is great with a shot of gin. It comes out to 97 calories. Three of these not too slowly and I'm drunk in less than 300 calories.

FredDoyle

Well, if you like to get pissed, like I do once in a while, and don't care what it's doing to your body you can do the following:
Eat a protein rich breaky/lunch before you drink. Stay away from carbs. Calculate how many calories are going to be in your drinks.
Since I've read that your body metabolises alcohol as a priority (it's a toxin) you need to stay within your calorie allowance and not eat the dreaded piss up midnight mange. Many people can't control this so beware. You have to be a dedicated drinker to control this.
Alcohol is the fourth macro being 7 calories/gram.
The lowest calorie drinks are booze (whiskey/rum/vodka/gin), dry wine/mead since there is no sugar content.
I've lost a quarter of my starting body weight and still had fun every weekend or two.

Please don't drive drunk.

quicklabs

I miss having my nightly glass of wine. And my Black Russian on Friday nights. And I'm really gonna miss the fun at the bar on St. Patrick's Day. I enjoy alcohol, but I enjoy food more. So, if there's room for some booze in the calorie allotment,, OK, but if not, well, guess I'm gonna be drinking sparkling water with a twist.

zapballs

I'm young, social and enjoy a good ol' adult beverage regularly. I go out every week and kick back with friends often. I have lost almost 20 pounds met several fitness milestones all while enjoying alcohol. I truly think it's all about finding balance in your lifestyle.

I just try to plan ahead and watch my calories. I compensate for my weekend indulgences by working out hard and eating pretty clean all week. When I go out I usually ride my bike or walk to the bar. I drink light beer or wine. If you make room for the calories then why not? I don't condone excessive drinking by any means but YOLO. :drinker:

TheVimFuego

I've lost a heap of fat while getting squiffy with red wine on a disGUSTingly regular basis.

Here's to empty calories!

Chin chin.

Aradia_Silvermoon

I used to drink rum and coke like water now if I get in the mood I simply mix the rum in with some coke zero to cut calories. The only times I seem to dink to excess are at family gatherings (lol odd right?) my sisters, mom , and I all bring a bottle of wine to share. I know when these days are coming since they are planned so I eat really well in the weeks beforehand so I won't gain any weight. Like others who have commented I limit myself when I get the urge to snack and try to bring a fresh fruit plate so I can nosh while drinking but not carb laden foods like the chips my sisters prefer.

crystalc27

I'm young, social and enjoy a good ol' adult beverage regularly. I go out every week and kick back with friends often. I have lost almost 20 pounds met several fitness milestones all while enjoying alcohol. I truly think it's all about finding balance in your lifestyle.

I just try to plan ahead and watch my calories. I compensate for my weekend indulgences by working out hard and eating pretty clean all week. When I go out I usually ride my bike or walk to the bar. I drink light beer or wine. If you make room for the calories then why not? I don't condone excessive drinking by any means but YOLO. :drinker:

You have said it all!!

pugsleyjean

I love havin a drink or 8 every now and then. I don't do it as much as I used to but still not giving up my alcohol! I mostly drink beers and vodkas. I have most recently switched to vodka/water and then adding my favorite mio flavor. On days I know I will be drinking I try and workout a little more so I have the calories to drink later. Everything in moderation but have fun too.