i have some questions about alcohol.

alimauer

OK, so everybody is going to say how horrible drinking is when you are dieting. I think you are in the clear? In my opinion you are young and you enjoy it. If you aren't going to give it up and you know that then just think about how you can incorporate the drinking with the diet. Which you have clearly already taken into consideration by drinking less frequently. I too also like to drink a beer now and again and although maybe it doesn't help. I think if you work it into your diet its fine. What I do is when I know I want to drink or go out with a few friends that night I will exercise maybe an extra 500 calories than normal. And I too enjoy beer over liquor. I went online and Googled light beer lists and a slew of them show up. Now all beers are high in calories. BUT one I found to be fairly light was Michelob Ultra Light. It has 4.4% alcohol and 64 calories per beer. And I always track the beer I drink. So i make sure my calories are still correct and in line while still enjoying a beer every now and again. I would suggest looking online to find one that would suit your interests, Just saying.....and i cannot be "creditable" for this last statement I will make. But last summer I turned 21 and I was also on a diet, I still lost 27 pounds in 3 months time. I was drinking because I was legal, Is drinking healthy, NO? In moderation I do not think there is a problem. I was drinking in moderation, and keeping track of calories for the beers I did drink. IN MY OPINION.

sexymuffintop

I think it depends on how far you want to go with improving your body? If you are just in it for the weight loss and generally getting fitter/looking slimmer than moderate drinking (and I mean moderate as in 1-2 nights drinking weekly, not 4-5 nights that some others seem to consider moderate lol) would fit in with losing weight. But if you are looking to look lean and have a low body fat percentage then personally I don't think alcohol every weekend is conducive to getting that look. It's empty calories and is basically a poison to the body. It's lovely stuff and tastes awesome but it's not gonna help you get cut unfortunately :sad:

stephanie1133

I have drank throughout my weight loss. If it has hindered my weight loss at all, I certainly haven't noticed. Working it into calories is all I do. Though I do tend to choose the lowest calorie options drink-wise, and save higher calorie drinks like beer and wine for special occasions.

raingirl21

Having a drink every now and then is okay in my opinion. Its when we have one to many that our bodies cannot handle it. If possible plan for the drink ahead of time so that you can account for the calories.

If you enjoy a beer, you shouldn't deprive yourself from it or you will go overboard when you do.

FranksRumHam

I like to drink occasionally, i used to drink every weekend, but now since i started working out and dieting, i only drink once every 2-3 weeks, so i was wondering how damaging it is? and how i can avoid gaining alot of weight by drinking, people here say "If it fits your macro, it shouldnt be a big thing" but how damaging is it really? i won't give up drinking because i like it (And mostly drink beer, so telling me to drink vodka with diet coke isn't helping me at all) so what can i do? and i was also wondering if it's bad to drnink after working out? i ussually workout before drinking.. Is this a bad thing? i also enjoy taking a pint of guinness in the shower after a long workout.

Sorry for all the questions, but could i get some help?

Just break up, troll

hmmm?

schondell

Alcohol is bad for your body in excess but has little to do with weight loss..

sk_pirate

You're 18...where is it legal to drink at 18? :laugh: It was legal when I was 18, but it wasn't a very good thing.


But, in general, drink in moderation. Log it like any other food.

It's legal here in Norway man, i find it weird that everyone on these forums automaticly assume i'm American, ask first

Also legal in Canada, some places.

downeyek

Recently, it seems, that more and more running clubs are popping up everywhere. These running clubs often meet at bars, run to bars, have case of beers after the runs...have cases of beers before the runs...etc! I got to thinking about this and actually found some articles about how social runners (who also drink socially) can be some of the biggest binge drinkers out there! AND they're suuuuuuper athletic and energetic. (Darn them!)

My point: Become a runner. Then you can drink all you want apparently. :-)

bluefox9er

I like to drink occasionally, i used to drink every weekend, but now since i started working out and dieting, i only drink once every 2-3 weeks, so i was wondering how damaging it is? and how i can avoid gaining alot of weight by drinking, people here say "If it fits your macro, it shouldnt be a big thing" but how damaging is it really? i won't give up drinking because i like it (And mostly drink beer, so telling me to drink vodka with diet coke isn't helping me at all) so what can i do? and i was also wondering if it's bad to drnink after working out? i ussually workout before drinking.. Is this a bad thing? i also enjoy taking a pint of guinness in the shower after a long workout.

Sorry for all the questions, but could i get some help?

troll,troll,troll..

Ohwhynot

what's with the "troll" comments? Unless internetism definitions have changed, how is the OP trolling?

paperpudding

18 is legal age to drink alcohol in Australia too.

I dont think drinking alcohol in sensible moderate amounts is a problem - I also dont think one or two drinks affects your decision making enough to make bad food decisions lol :laugh:

If you like beer and dont want to change to other alcoholic drinks, then Low carb beer would be better than full carb beer for weight loss purposes.

RepsnSets

Legal drinking age in New Zealand is 18.

When I go out for drinks the amount I drink and what I drink would never fit into my macros, but to limit it I tend to go for a hard cardio session the day of when Im going out.

Its all about the eating as well, do you eat well the day after a night out? It all adds up.

Tim_Moritz

This has been an interesting thread.. I'm not sure which way I lean on the topic.. I started dieting in January 2013, but up until I started wearing the bodymedia and tracking my food/drink with MFP, I could easily quaff a case of coors light on a Saturday. Since January, I've lost almost 40lbs. I even noticed on one of the nights I was drinking and cleaning my garage that I had burned over 4000 calories for the day and had logged some 14000 steps. BUT, the scale didn't like me for about 2-3 days afterwords.

I don't tend to drink on the week days just because I travel alot and I need every brain cell typically to get my job done..

I guess the point is that you can still binge drink (if you want to) and still lose weight. I'm 40 and I did it.. I've since switched over to expensive bourbon and water because it has no carbs and you get better bang for the buck, but that's besides the point. At some point the bad habits will give way to the good habits, but it will be a slow process.

I guess to the OP, I would say that what you're drinking isn't going to kill you or set you back significantly. The take away is a couple of folds-- moderation is key, track what you drink and keep within your macros, and if in doubt, pick up a 10lb dumbell instead of a 1lb beer. Everyone's journey is different. Find out what works for you and do that.