Alcohol - We all know it's Bad, but what do YOU do ?

Serenifly · May 2010

I hired a personal trainer, and I do go home and have up to three glasses of my Pinot Gris. I don't go overboard, but I wake up at 530 am to hit the gym for 70 minutes, then work 10 hours at a stressful fast paced job and go home and have some wine while I cook my healthy dinner!

I see no harm! But tell that to my 'Clean' Boyfriend and my personal trainer ... I know it's bad, I know it slows my metabolism, I know my first 30 minutes at the gym is just working off the booze I had the prior night! ugh ... and now it's softball season ! I'm Doomed!

In 5 weeks with my personal trainer I've lost over 3 inches, and just 4 lbs
My boyfriend has lost 11 lbs, and 5 inches ...
Is it the booze? or is it the fact that men seem to melt weight faster than women (it seems!) lol

So that being said, we all know the pros N cons ... how does alcohol fit into your lifestyle ... what do you do?

VictorianJade · May 2010

I don't drink that often. Probably every five or six weeks, I'll drink.

However, when I drink, I DRINK. Usually tequila.

Last time I drank, it was 11 shots of tequila in an evening, giggling and trading stories with my similarly knackered friends. I tracked the cals for every single shot, and I have absolutely no guilt. None. I still managed to be under my calorie goal at the end of the day, so.. *shrug* I don't bother about it.

But that's me.

Serenifly · May 2010

Geez I look at Taquila and can't handle it! lol ... i guess I'm just a born wino ... I try to Just drink on weekends, but that lasted two weeks

lawkat · May 2010

I usually have a glass or two of wine most nights. Sometimes I have a beer. I try to fit them into my daily caloric intake. Personally I see nothing wrong with having a glass or two of wine. I think it helped my weight loss since the nights I did have a glass, I would weigh less the next day. ( I am one of those people who weigh everyday).

If you like wine, drink it. Otherwise, it becomes too much of temptation and a reason to give up on eating healthy.

Men tend to lose weight faster than women because they have more muscle mass which burns more calories. Never compare your weight loss to your boyfriend's. It will only get you down.

MacMadame · May 2010

Actually, I don't know that alcohol is "bad". I think it just depends. On the one hand, it has medicinal value and some forms are good for your heart. So a little in moderation is fine. OTOH, it does have a lot of calories, empty calories at that, and it does slow down your body's ability to burn fat. So it has pros and cons just like everything we put in our mouths.

I say, if it's keeping you from meeting your goals and you drink it anyway, then you have a problem more serious than just the calories it adds to your day. But, if you figure out how to fit it into your life and are able to make it be a small part that doesn't derail your goals, then go for it!

Personally, I'm not big on the taste. So I rarely drink it and I almost never drink during my racing season. If I'm going to fit something into my life that has minimal nutritional value, it's going to be a Snickers bar, not a drink! :laugh:

blondageh · May 2010

I can relate! I was never a "big" drinker, but for some reason, that is usually the hardest thing for me to give up. Especially during the summer! I love me a good beer when I get home from work. Or 3. That is maybe once every couple weeks. Especially if we are going out. What I did this week was bought the Bud Select 55 calorie beer. Yeah, it doesn't taste that great and you barely get a buzz, but it does satisfy my cravings for beer without ruining my whole day.

As for your question, alcohol IS empty calories. So yeah, yeah, it is not great for you. But I think as long as you keep track and make sure you aren't going over your calorie limit, you should still lose. I don't know about daily though. Your body needs good calories to keep you going. As is everything in life, I guess moderation is the key?

Best of luck! I know it is hard when you want to go out or just relax.

Ripgirl · May 2010

Your liver can't metabolize fat at the same time it is metabolizing a toxin (like alcohol). If you have a drink or two this may be the case for a few hours. If you have a big night out, your liver may be otherwise occupied with the alcohol for a few days after; it will always prioritize a toxin over fat.
Search the forums for a post called The Alcohol Question, it explains in a little more detail.

I am a big wine drinker but did reduce my intake considerably and it seemed to help move things along, possibly because of the theory above or possibly because of the calories I didn't drink. Who knows?
There is also the notion that not all calories are created equal - what your body does with healthier choices like veggies or lean protein will be different than what it does with calories from alcohol (read = sugar), which is store them as fat.

I still drink when I am so inclined, but definitely less than before and I do it knowing that it's probably not the best choice, just my choice on a given day.

Good luck!

thumper44 · May 2010

I noticed their were weeks where I had beer on the weekend that I didn't lose any weight that week.
I haven't had any alcohol since new years eve, I even drank water at my buddy's superbowl party while everyone else got trashed.

I will be enjoying some alcohol in the next two weeks though

On vacation, on a beach with hot sun and something cold to drink and I won't be worried about the calories.:drinker:

feeny · May 2010

i'm turning 21 in a week, and all my friends are coming home from college for summer soon, so i know this summer is gonna be hard.

everything in moderation though. I guess i'm lucky my drink of choice is vodka because it has pretty low calories lol.

barbiecat · May 2010

:flowerforyou: I don't drink alcohol ( or eat white sugar or flour or artificial sweeteners or processed foods) and staying away from all this stuff has made a huge difference in my weight loss, energy level, and attitude

many people do these things in moderation, the choice is yours. :bigsmile:

Serenifly · May 2010

Thanks for all the input everyone! And have a great vactation Thumper!

I never have party nights out where I get wasted, I don't ever remember the last time I was hung over ... But for a Baseball teams whos motto is "Drink more than you score" Softball nights I usually have three beers, and at home when I cook I indulge in wine, I always thought it was harmless, but my Personal trainer and my boyfriend do not approve ... But he loves me for me, and just gives me a bit of a hard time and lets me do what I do ... I concider it to be moderate intake ... But when i tried to cut it out cold turkey, it felt hard! I thought maybe I had a problem! (have a problem!) lol

Alcohol - We all know it's Bad, but what do YOU do ?

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