i have some questions about alcohol.

You're 18...where is it legal to drink at 18? :laugh: It was legal when I was 18, but it wasn't a very good thing.


But, in general, drink in moderation. Log it like any other food.

I posted on another weight loss forum about alcohol and this was the response I got.... Just passing along the message. I decided not to drink for a while while I'm really trying to lose weight, I'll relax more once I've lost more, but its just the beginning for me! Hope this is helpful and feel free to dispel this as untrue. it was simply written to me on another forum, but I think it makes a LOT of sense.

Quote:
It has been proven by a study from the New England Journal of Medicine that alcohol slows down the body's metabolism. It states that a person on a 1250 calorie diet, who has ingested 250 calories from alcohol could have reduced their metabolic process by as much as 36%. This indicates your body is handling calories almost forty percent less effectively.

The liver cells are the only cells in the body that can make adequate amounts of the enzyme, alcohol dehydrogenase. This is what effectively breaks down alcohol. When alcohol is present the liver cells are forced to metabolize alcohol (not fat) and the fatty acids accumulate. In other words the liver is too busy detoxifying the alcohol that has been consumed that it doesn't burn fat effectively.

Alcohol actually counts as 2 servings of fat per 4-5 ounces of wine, 1 light beer or 1 ounce of hard liquor according to the diabetic exchange system.

Alcohol is a harsh diuretic, but by being a diuretic, alcohol depletes the water soluble B vitamins. The B vitamins have numerous functions in the body (fighting stress and helping us digest food properly) but in terms of weight management they are important in supporting the fat burning process.

Rather than getting stored as fat, the main fate of alcohol is conversion into a substance called acetate. In fact, blood levels of acetate after drinking vodka were 2.5 times higher than normal. And it appears this sharp rise in acetate puts the brakes on fat loss.

A car engine typically uses only one source of fuel. Your body, on the other hand, draws from a number of different energy sources, such as carbohydrate, fat, and protein. To a certain extent, the source of fuel your body uses is dictated by its availability. In other words, your body tends to use whatever you feed it. Consequently, when acetate levels rise, your body simply burns more acetate, and less fat. In essence, acetate pushes fat to the back of the queue.
So basically, you could totally eat right, and in fact under eat, and have a couple of mixed drinks after work and totally negate EVERYTHING you've done for the past day -- or two -- in just a few hours.

For the past two months I've limited my drinking to once every two weeks and I've discovered that drinking heavily is virtually a week set back -- after you've been drinking you can hold water for a day or two until your body rebalances itself, plus it seems to take time for things to get back on the fat burning track to boot.

At my fittest and thinnest, I was not drinking much at all; I just fit the calories into my daily allotment. I tend to drink pretty high ABV beers, so it amounted to about 1 beer every 2-3 days, and only on those nights where I wasn't getting up at 4:45 to run the next morning.

Don't take my advice, though. Beer wins out every time... which is why I'm still here.

I'd assume you were from Europe right away, Americans ain't got no good english skillz.

As for beer, drink in moderation, just like anything else you eat or drink. Oranges are healthy, but 40 oranges isn't. Boneless, skinless chicken breast is healthy, but 6 pounds (2.7 kilos) isn't. Milk can be a healthy option as well, but a gallon a day probably isn't the best idea.

I drink about 5 times a week. Usually 2 beers on a Friday and Saturday night, and one on the nights I don't have a late workout. I'm losing just fine, when I'm smart about it.

I posted on another weight loss forum about alcohol and this was the response I got.... Just passing along the message. I decided not to drink for a while while I'm really trying to lose weight, I'll relax more once I've lost more, but its just the beginning for me! Hope this is helpful and feel free to dispel this as untrue. it was simply written to me on another forum, but I think it makes a LOT of sense.

^^This. And hello down from Peoria, IL!

If you're trying to get to a really low body fat %, then cut it out completely. You can still lose weight and be fit while incorporating drinking your weekends.

I like to drink occasionally, i used to drink every weekend, but now since i started working out and dieting, i only drink once every 2-3 weeks, so i was wondering how damaging it is? and how i can avoid gaining alot of weight by drinking, people here say "If it fits your macro, it shouldnt be a big thing" but how damaging is it really? i won't give up drinking because i like it (And mostly drink beer, so telling me to drink vodka with diet coke isn't helping me at all) so what can i do? and i was also wondering if it's bad to drnink after working out? i ussually workout before drinking.. Is this a bad thing? i also enjoy taking a pint of guinness in the shower after a long workout.

Sorry for all the questions, but could i get some help?

Just break up, troll

You're 18...where is it legal to drink at 18? :laugh: It was legal when I was 18, but it wasn't a very good thing.


But, in general, drink in moderation. Log it like any other food.

Every country, apart from the US.

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Alcohol is fine as long as it is in moderation.
Also, log the calories in the drinks.

One thing that I look forward to most all week is enjoying a few craft beers (at home or sometimes even at the brewery if I'm lucky) on the weekend. I've been able to drop weight even with having a few beers on the weekend. I'm very strict about my diet during the week and I hit the gym 4 times a week after work. It's all about dedication. Allowing yourself to enjoy a drink every now and then isn't going to stop your progress as long as you don't drink all the time.

I love really good craft beers myself. I sometimes will drink one a night. I never drink more than 2 beers at a time. no liquor. Sometimes a glass of wine or 2... Thing is, I know if I stopped drinking a beer every day or every other day late in the evening I would probably drop a pound a week like I want to. I think it's about convincing yourself that alcohol is a poison.... And, to limit drinking to the weekends as a treat. Don't keep it in your fridge!!! To tempting. I'm struggling with it myself. Beer and candy are my demons!!!

You're 18...where is it legal to drink at 18? :laugh: It was legal when I was 18, but it wasn't a very good thing.


But, in general, drink in moderation. Log it like any other food.

It's legal here in Norway man, i find it weird that everyone on these forums automaticly assume i'm American, ask first

My husband is from Denmark, yes we Americans have a way of assuming. We are drinkers. and he is not happy my weight loss has hindered me from being his favorite drinking partner. On weekends I know we will drink I workout first and try to limit the intake. But as always there are the junk food calories you incur by drinking and not being in full control of your decisions! All the advice I get is if your trying to lose weight, don't drink! Best of luck to you.

I think your pint of guinness is a great idea - its a great drink. Wouldnt worry too much but keep your units at a maximum of 21 per week and fit it into your macros. Some alcohol is beneficial. I used to drink WAY too much (a bottle of red wine a night) now I dont even drink wine. I sip - slowly - a good double malt whisky with water on special occasions and savour it.
Beer is somewhat more calorific, but if you can fit it in to your macros and keep the units down, why not enjoy your beer? I personally dont think it matters what time of day you have it, but probably NOT for breakfast!

First I suggest taking our "opinions" with a grain of salt. We're not experts in this.

Second, there is lots of info about this online.

Now...for MY OPINION...LOL.

I enjoy beer. My weightloss hasn't been affected by it. I usually have at least one beer everyday. I add it to my calorie tracker. My philosophy about alcohol...and most things...is "all things in moderation."

Good luck....and also...good question.

I drink 1 or 2 glasses of red wine a few evenings a week, as long as I'm within my cals and don't go way over. It's not affected my weight loss. And yes I have a few mad sessions once in a while. Who cares? Moderation I say.

I love to drink, but when i wanted to really focus on losing weight I cut it out. I am now down to my last ten pounds and only drink 2-3 times a week and my progress has slowed significantly