What am I doing wrong? Is it the booze?

The whole time I had been drinking on the weekends, and not just one or two, I have at least 12 beers and a couple shots.

Yes, the booze would be the first place that you could cut out a massive number of calories. Try it and see what happens. You can do it.

Hi,

I think because you asked this question, you know the answer already, yes it's the booze. When you drink alcohol, your body burns it for fuel preferentially, so anything you eat while drinking alcohol automatically stores as fat. Seriously. You can still drink a bit but how about finding creative lower calorie options, like 1oz vodka with diet coke? Just a thought, I loves me some wine so I sympathize.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/280263-alcohol-fat-burning/

I had a similar issue: about a year ago I was logging all my food calories, but didn't log liquids cause I generally drank diet coke and lots of water, some green tea, but didn't think about back then I was drinking most days (a glass or two of wine/mixed on weekdays, getting a little to a lot drink one or two nights/week). I wasn't losing at all. So starting in the summer I began logging everything and "saving up" calories that I planned on drinking back, both in food and in workouts. I also cut the drinks to ONLY one or two nights/week, and made sure I logged all of them (if you have a smart phone, make sure you're logging at the bar). Beyond that, I began making sure that I a) generally wouldn't have so much (if you have a calorie limit, you have a drink limit) that I would have a carb-hungry hangover the next day (of course I've had one or two days that this hasn't worked out for) b) made sure I don't eat when I'm drinking. If you're getting a little drunk and think you need food to sober up, drink lots of water instead. A lot of calories are drunkenly consumed because you think it will make you feel better, and like other people mentioned when you eat while drinking booze, your body won't burn anything until the alcohol is gone.

Beyond that, I generally stick to rum & diet coke, I measure out 1 oz (generally 65 calories), and if I'm having something more "for the taste" like wine or beer, I do it on a night I don't plan on getting a little silly and save the calories for one or two.

I lost 30 lbs over the summer doing that, and I've kept it off, lost about another 5 lbs since September, which is not nearly as much as I'd like, but I've definitely lost lots of inches. Also, I'm 27. We're not as young as we used to be, we shouldn't be drinking like we're in college on the reg. I try and relax by exercising (particularly fun stuff in the warm weather like biking and swimming) or treating myself in one way or another every now and then (tanning w/ relaxation hypnotism-esque tape, indoor water park weekend with my hubs, etc) so that I don't get in the mind set that the only way to relax is to drink.

Lol.......Ow Dear Lord.....
REALLY LADY!!

I could refer you to AA, if you'd like!

I drink you have a thinking problem.

I have lost 81 pounds. I think that qualifies me to speak up but certainly not as an expert. I drink moderately. sometimes too much on the weekends. Sometimes not at all. I do a LOT of cardio and have just started squats and tiny little 2 lb weights. I also eat a LOT. My body wants FOOD so I can do all that exercise and I have to exercise to eat all that food. I doubt it's the drinking as an isolated factor. Off the top of my head, I'd guess you are consuming too few calories for the level of activity. And of the calories you ARE getting, it sounds like too many of them are booze not fuel. Try cutting back on the alcohol and adding some real food. Keep exercising but make sure your body has enough fuel to keep up the level of activity you are asking it to do. And, alcohol, vegetables, twinkies or whatever-make sure you are sticking pretty close to your macros.

I am willing to be it will work wonders.

ETA-I am 51, female, hormonally challenged, and should be complaining all the time about not being able to lose weight....UMMM...NOT!!!! Age has made no difference to me. Fixing my food and exercise HAS.

Seriously, though, next time you plan on having 3+ drinks look at how many calories you have "left" for the day, or even how many you have "left" to get you to maintenance level of calories. THEN divide that by 100-120 calories for a light beer, 65 calories for a 1 oz shot with a calorie-free mixer, and figure out how many drinks you can have. when you reach that on a drinking night, cut it off. do that for a month and tell me you don't lose weight

My suggestion: For the next week, eat AND drink like you normally would, only this time, LOG EVERYTHING. Weigh every bit of food you eat and record every drop of booze you enjoy on the weekend. Add it up, and get an honest sense of your calorie intake for the week. My guess is you'll be able to spot the issue pretty quickly, and it may be the reality check you need.

Use some of the tools available here to calculate a reasonable daily intake for yourself, and stick to it, with a weekly average as a goal.

The solution could be a simple combo of a) adding a bit more exercise and b) not giving up, but reducing your drinking. Be mindful, too, that if you're "spending" a whack of calories on booze every week, you're probably reducing the amount of nutrients you need to otherwise properly fuel and nourish your bod.

(ETA: I haven't given up alcohol, but I do limit it to the weekends and to only 2-3 drinks at a time, generally)

One plus is that when you drink less you need less to get tht buzz. I am drinking about a quarter what I used to but it feels the same with less hangover.

One plus is that when you drink less you need less to get tht buzz. I am drinking about a quarter what I used to but it feels the same with less hangover.

:laugh: So true! I'm a total lightweight now :laugh: (Much easier on the wallet, too!)