OK I am a fat chick who loves wine

The thought of anyone adding water to wine makes me want to cry. I love reds, cabs especially. I am talking nice quality small vineyard reds. If I pop open a $25 bottle of wine, I am drinking the entire thing. I usually split it with my husband. You aren't going to see me doing that every night, that is way too much money. But I am also not going to dilute the perfection that I have just uncorked.

The issue isn't drinking the wine, the issue is you are potentially spending 500-600 calories every day on wine. I don't care if you do that, but what kind of calorie restriction are we talking about here? Is this 500 calories in a 1500 calorie diet? So you are only getting 1000 calories worth of FOOD? That is an issue of health. You are going to stress your body out and make yourself sick.

I've lost about 45 lbs and reached my goal weight enjoying my red wine the entire time. Gave up most bread, pasta, sugars,white rice...but not my wine. A girl has to have her limits :drinker:

Most people have a hard time losing weight unless they cut out the alcohol except on special occasions. But I know one girl from the Venus Index Forum who is from the Netherlands and said no way can she give up her wine. I think she is doing okay but her progress is a bit slower and she has accepted that. But we have some unique tools over there that help with success compared to "free" sites. Sometimes realizing you are worth the investment is a real life changer.

you mean "free" sites are not free? How does that work?

What "unique" tools does VI have that would help with wine consumption or is this a soft sell?

Me too nice to meet you!

I love wine, my wine cooler is filled with Mosacto, however, I found that when I was trying to fit Moscato in with my diet, I wasn't loosing any weight.

So I have decided to cut down on my wine intake and try it a different way. You have to figure out what works for you but substituting wine for actual food, is the most bizarre thing I have heard and I don't agree with it at all.

Eat healthy and if your calories allow a glass of wine then so be it. However, if you are in a state where you HAVE TO have 3 or more glasses a night then you have a much bigger problem than trying to lose weight and you may want to look into that as well.

Honey, I feel your pain. If I had to pick only 5 items to eat for the rest of my life it would be cheese, baguette, butter, olive oil, and wine. My reasons why I've joined this site should be inherent at this point!

Here's how I handle the shakes: If being skinny were easy, everyone would be skinny. As it is, most people in this country are overweight. You've got to be tough on yourself and suck it up. This doesn't mean that you'll never be able to drink wine again, it just means you need to learn a different lifestyle. That lifestyle includes exercise and restraint (except for weekends and special occasions!) What's worse is that even if a glass of wine is only around 100 calories, it acts as a depressant and can inhibit your body from burning other calories as efficiently. And it gives you the munchies.

Once you get down to your goal weight it will be easier for you splurge a little without ruining everything. Hence, French women who eat and drink all the delicious things they do while still staying slim. If you gain a pound or two after a weekend of debauchery, you can lose it by being good during the following week and get back to your goal. Playing around while you're trying to lose will only prolong the process, so unfortunately it looks like you're headed for a few months of crankiness.

Don't get me wrong--I would rather be a chunk than go the rest of my life without my favorite foods and drinks. Being skinny isn't worth that! But it is worth it to go through a few months of hard living, get down to that goal weight, and then begin to enjoy my favorite foods again after I've committed to a fitness plan and become used to smaller portions.

Another thing about those French b!tches: Don't let the glamorous rumors fool you. They eat small portions, exercise a lot, and probably don't drink as much as you think (one glass during dinner, to me, is not much!) It's just math--they don't have any special bodypart that you don't have, so they have to obey the same rules. Plus, I'll take the over on how many times they barf up their duck a l'orange during one week. Okay, now I'm just being nasty. I mentioned the crankiness, didn't I?

At the end of the day, it will be worth it. Hang in there, sister!

A glass or two of wine a night might not make you FAT (there are lots of slim people who drink every night) BUT it won't do ANYTHING to help you LOSE WEIGHT.

Its really a matter of simple priorities. Which do you want more - wine or weight loss??

Just want to add that your body processes alcohol before it processes food...which means that you are more likely to end up storing food calories instead of using them...that means less weight loss.

Do I drink? Absolutely, but I'm a social drinker, so maybe once a week.

just plan it into your day I am sure there are lots of skinny folks out there who love wine as well!

ME, I had 2 apple cider ales last evening. I don't think that will ruin my plans, I just plan it in.

Enjoy, in moderation and if you are worried try adding a little diet 7up or sierra mist and lightening it up a bit or you could look into trying some lighter calorie options? Not all wines are created equal?

Giving up booze at the start of your journey will definitely put your results on the accelerated path. At least, I've noticed that with myself.

It's never *just* about the booze -- it's about the fact it gives you the munchies and you just want to feast on unhealthy food.