Anyone else having a hard time cutting out alcohol??

Joshuao16
Joshuao16 Posts: 25
in Health and Weight Loss
I'm in no way, shape, or form an alcoholic, but I enjoy a cigar and a stiff drink most nights. It's my "thing". Anyone else trying to find a way to cut calories during the day to make room for drink? Is alcohol as bad for weight loss as I hear?
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Replies

  • trogalicious
    trogalicious Posts: 4,584 Member
    I haven't cut out any. If anything, I'll work a little harder to make sure there's room for a beer or two.
  • ejmcam
    ejmcam Posts: 533 Member
    I haven't even tried! LOL, Im not a big drinker but I definetly need a beer or a glass of wine once in a while! I usually drink light beer anyway!
  • CalJur
    CalJur Posts: 627 Member
    It's all about moderation.
  • tjfrisque
    tjfrisque Posts: 267 Member
    Me too! Will work harder and cut calories to enjoy a few
  • Tishy78
    Tishy78 Posts: 108 Member
    You definitely need to talk to my hubby. He works out enough specifically so that he has calories for a nightly beer. It's not a problem as long as you're honest with yourself and include it in your tracking.
  • kmluecht
    kmluecht Posts: 37 Member
    It really is amazing how many calories alcohol ad. If you are unable to stick once or twice a week or special occasions, maybe try low calorie mixers such as diet soda. Or if you like beer I believe there is one called Budweiser select 55 with just 55 calories a beer. Hang in there and good luck.
  • ambervaldez79
    ambervaldez79 Posts: 210 Member
    I had this problem. I would eat really well during the day and then drink a couple of IPA beers at night. I did it on a regular basis. I didn't drop any weight. The higher the ABV% the higher the calories. I ended up cutting out drinking for the most part even though I didn't think I could. I feel better now physically.
  • crystalflame
    crystalflame Posts: 1,049 Member
    I plan my calories around my drinks, and if I hit a stall I cut back/cut it out. Your body processes alcohol before anything else, so it's damaging to weight loss because it affects your metabolism. Having one or two drinks a day won't hurt you too badly though.
  • shortie563
    shortie563 Posts: 11
    I always tell myself "ok, no drinking for 2 weeks!" I usually always give in when I go out with my friends though ha. I just feel really puffy the next day, but other then that I don't see any real effect it's having on weight loss. As long as it's not a lot every single night.
  • ronboy1979
    ronboy1979 Posts: 83 Member
    I'm in no way, shape, or form an alcoholic, but I enjoy a cigar and a stiff drink most nights. It's my "thing". Anyone else trying to find a way to cut calories during the day to make room for drink? Is alcohol as bad for weight loss as I hear?

    Not an alcoholic here either, just work a little harder at the gym or cut out a few calories at each meal!

    Good luck
  • abbye425
    abbye425 Posts: 1 Member
    Alcohol is the hardest part for me for sure. I have started putting alcohol into my calorie counter, and it's not good.However, for you, one stiff drink a night should be fine if you just count it. I mostly drink wine or beer, so I try to remind myself that I'm getting some antioxidants from both. Also, I'm a teacher so a glass of wine or a beer at night is pretty much mandatory to keep my sanity ;)
  • jeffsieck
    jeffsieck Posts: 10 Member
    I just make sure there's calories left over for a beer or a drink. I used to be a multiple drink guy many nights, but I've decided I want to lose weight more than drink (and I brew my own beer).
  • sm1zzle
    sm1zzle Posts: 920 Member
    It's all about moderation.

    Very true. Just don't become dependant on alcohol... and figure out how to fit it into your calorie intake goals for the day.
  • Joshuao16
    Joshuao16 Posts: 25
    Not trying was my strategy too! lol... :-)
  • miche_smash
    miche_smash Posts: 131 Member
    I could never cut alcohol. I just try to fit it into my calories, make sure to drink enough water, and mix my hard liquor with things like diet tonic rather than juice or soda. I do love my wine though... :drinker:
  • MicroHez
    MicroHez Posts: 125 Member
    I'm having a bit of a rough time, but it's also a case of "If I don't buy it, I won't be tempted to drink it." But, like everyone says, everything in moderation. I like my wine still, just have to limit myself to ONE glass... but also have to have it finished within a couple days. Darn oxidation...
  • dragoness_leclerq
    dragoness_leclerq Posts: 12
    Generally, yes I do cut calories here and there during the day if I plan to drink but I don't obsess over it. I'm not a beer drinker but most weekends a enjoy a night out and a few mixed drinks and maybe once or twice a week a glass or two of wine. I know every calorie counts but I don't count those toward my intake nor do I stress over it.

    For me, dieting and losing weight is great but if you're forced to cut out all the occasional small pleasures it becomes far less of a reward.
  • TisMee76
    TisMee76 Posts: 67 Member
    I must confess...I lurve beer!!! And I have two/three a night. I drink the light ones so they ar only 99 cal each.

    The way I see it, we need a reward. Some people do burgers and pizza as theirs...I do beer.

    I won't feel guilty...as I'm busting my *kitten*!

    To sit back at the end of the day with a cold beer and relish in the fact that I've met all my goals for the day (steps taken, stairs climbed...etc) is what I look forward to.
  • obsidianwings
    obsidianwings Posts: 1,237 Member
    Yes, I go under around 200 calories under my goal mon-thurs, around my goal on friday, and over my goal on saturday and sunday. I only drink on weekends so just try and make my weekly calories and goals work out. I try to meet my protein and fat goals as best I can during the week, so although I still eat plenty of carbs the 200 calories I undereat by is mostly carbs, and thats mostly what I use them on on the weekend.
    I'm sure I would have slightly better results if I didn't do that, however it is working well for me.
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    it's hard to break any type of routine, especially the bad ones. i know i used to have a beer or two when i got home from work, two glasses of wine with dinner (big glasses) and a scotch or two on the couch afterwards. that's about 1000 calories in booze alone.

    do you enjoy a cigar and a drink every night? well, hopefully it is just ONE drink and ONE cigar a night. maybe just start cutting back a little. maybe only have it a few times a week.

    instead of saying things like "i'll only have my cigar and drink on even days," try saying things like "i can have my cigar and drink up to 4 times this week." it gives you a little leeway of when you can have them. you can save them for the weekend, or days that are exceptionally hard during the week.

    btw, totally treating myself to a box of romeo y julietas for my birthday.
  • Joshuao16
    Joshuao16 Posts: 25
    I swear, "moderation" and "balance" are the two most difficult concepts around! But, good advice.
  • Guamybear
    Guamybear Posts: 1,061 Member
    I quit all together back in October. Those were just calories, I could eat.
  • halleyg2
    halleyg2 Posts: 66 Member
    In the past I've had to cut out alcohol completely to lose weight. Even if I made myself Weight Watchers drink recipes or had a mini-bottle of flavored vodka, my weight would gain or stall. My body won't cooperate and it's a shame because sometimes I need a drink.
  • Goldenwoof
    Goldenwoof Posts: 535 Member
    One of the guys I play racquetball with LOVES his beer, and yet he's in amazing shape. He often says, "The reason I play this game so much is so I can drink beer after." :)
  • WTF7
    WTF7 Posts: 140 Member
    Very hard to do - but once I cut it out (except for weekends) the pounds started to come off a lot quicker!
  • trogalicious
    trogalicious Posts: 4,584 Member
    You can make room for it if you want, I still drink beers. Big beers, not diet beers. I want my beer to taste like beer if I'm gonna spend my calories on it. Just personal preference, but I'd rather have one Lagunitas Sucks than 4 64 calorie beers or two and a half 100 calorie beers. Quality over quantity as far as my tastebuds go.
  • freddykid
    freddykid Posts: 265 Member
    I don't drink everyday but I make room in my daily calories for when I want a beer or hard liquor. I plan for about 200 cals per drink.
  • victoriannsays
    victoriannsays Posts: 568 Member
    I have lost weight by planning accordingly.

    I'm not sure you will have success if you plan on drinking daily. Unless of course you do enough cardio to burn off each drink you intake :)
  • VorJoshigan
    VorJoshigan Posts: 1,106 Member
    I don't know - never tried.
  • shockingpink33
    shockingpink33 Posts: 49 Member
    I drink a beer most nights and usually stay within my calorie goal of 1200 cals. It's really about calculating it into your daily intake and not drinking excessively.

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