New to MFP and a drinker

I drink just about every weekend with no shame.

I've had this conversation with several people. We are all very well aware that weigh loss could be much much easier if we gave up drinking, but at the same time, I spend a lot of my weekends around a fire, at a barn dance, etc. drinking (mostly beer) with a group of great friends for hours on end, and I have to say i love it, every minute of it. I do usually try to go for a longer run on those days and sometimes the morning after as well (sweat it out the next day!). But overall, I love hanging out and having a few beers even if it slows me down a little bit with my weight loss. I have cut way back on my weekday drinking so I guess I can consider weekend nights out my "cheat days"! Good luck with whichever route you choose!!

Maybe I'm off base here, but perhaps the 'I'm a drinker' thinking is part of what needs to change to make a healthier you. I'm all about a beverage here and there, but if you are worrying about ways to keep drinking within calorie limits by lowering calories while still getting alcohol, it may be a sign of a problem.

... It's a shame that someone with such a cool avatar is so off-base with his response.

People have been drinking alcohol longer than they've been drinking water (for obvious reasons *coughillnesscough*). However, it's a pretty integral part of culture, it HAS health benefits when used in moderation, etc. Even though there's the possibility of abuse with alcohol, there's just as much abuse possible with caffeine (also a drug) and, well, "bad" food.

Would you accuse someone of a problem if they came on and said they were trying to change their coffee, fast food, or donut habits to something a little healthier, but didn't want to get rid of it? Because I bet you someone's going to get many more withdrawal symptoms from caffeine than alcohol (unless you're an alcoholic... which is offensive to assume of someone who mentions wanting to keep alcohol in their lifestyle).

I hate the prohibitionist comments that come out whenever alcohol is involved. Many people like the taste of alcohol, not just the "feeling."

I did not accuse, I just stated a fact that it may be a problem. Also how many truly healthy person would start a conversation with 'I'm a drinker'. They may state they like to have a drink or drink wine, etc - but calling themselves a drinker?

EXACTLY. The mear fact that alcohol is so important in their life they introduce themselves on a fitness forum this way does indeed show signs of a problem.

A person that does not have a problem with alcohol does not have a problem giving it up.

And I say this from years and years of experience in being "a drinker"

I never really got into alcohol nor do i drink much at all but i know that the skinny girl mixes are very good. try those, for a skinny girl margarita small bottle, it's like 160 calories, not too bad for a margarita.

Me too. I drink Bacardia and diet coke. Trying to wean off of the much needed after work cocktail.....not easy.

SHOTS! Then you don't have to worry about the mixers.

I feel you. Beer drinker here. I try to stick to miller 64's but sometimes its not available (ex: weddings,ect). And I agree with the shots thing. I unfortunately cannot handle shots so I have to go with beer or mixers lol. Good luck and hopefully you can find something that fits into your diet and still allows you to have fun;)

I don't drink during the week and I am a wine lover on the weekends. I do log the calories though. I know it sets me back some.

I typically drink 2-3 nights outta the week depending. I've still lost weight just fine!

Maybe I'm off base here, but perhaps the 'I'm a drinker' thinking is part of what needs to change to make a healthier you. I'm all about a beverage here and there, but if you are worrying about ways to keep drinking within calorie limits by lowering calories while still getting alcohol, it may be a sign of a problem.

... It's a shame that someone with such a cool avatar is so off-base with his response.

People have been drinking alcohol longer than they've been drinking water (for obvious reasons *coughillnesscough*). However, it's a pretty integral part of culture, it HAS health benefits when used in moderation, etc. Even though there's the possibility of abuse with alcohol, there's just as much abuse possible with caffeine (also a drug) and, well, "bad" food.

Would you accuse someone of a problem if they came on and said they were trying to change their coffee, fast food, or donut habits to something a little healthier, but didn't want to get rid of it? Because I bet you someone's going to get many more withdrawal symptoms from caffeine than alcohol (unless you're an alcoholic... which is offensive to assume of someone who mentions wanting to keep alcohol in their lifestyle).

I hate the prohibitionist comments that come out whenever alcohol is involved. Many people like the taste of alcohol, not just the "feeling."

I did not accuse, I just stated a fact that it may be a problem. Also how many truly healthy person would start a conversation with 'I'm a drinker'. They may state they like to have a drink or drink wine, etc - but calling themselves a drinker?

If it's really just an issue of semantics, I can see where you're coming from now. At the same time, if--as the OP said--alcohol is generally a part of their diet and they're trying to include it in their new lifestyle... why is using the term "drinker" inappropriate? Though obviously not quite the same "poison," I've seen "I'm a chocoaholic" or a "fast food addict" in introduction posts.

I take it to mean: I'm making a lifestyle change. I'm not quite willing to give up my favorite food/drink/indulgence. I'm looking for people in the same boat--people who wish to lose weight, get healthy, but not give up alcohol/chocolate/fastfood... etc.

Would you guys thinking the OP ~could~ have a problem have thought otherwise if she had said, "New to MFP and love to drink" or "New to MFP and I enjoy drinking." Saying you're a "drinker" means you drink alcohol; saying you don't makes you a "non-drinker." It's a term and distinction that's been around for a long time (in personal ads, MySpace, dating sites, etc.). This is a similar public forum. I guess I'm just a little miffed at the severe outrage to the word "drinker."

I guess it could boil down to a "different" approach to calories. Lots of people do a IIFYM/save calories for what you like with little repercussions. Others may apparently judge people unwilling to give up things as possibly addicts. That's a slippery slope I wouldn't ski down.