I eat healthily – but I love wine

2»

Replies

  • sweetpea03b
    sweetpea03b Posts: 1,123 Member
    Pure sugar & empty calories. It really does add no benefit and all that effort dieting to be thrown out of the window in a couple of gulps.

    Actually, a glass of RED wine is good for your heart and blood circulation! :) Ask any doctor or Nutritionist and they will tell you the same. The trick is 1 GLASS.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    Double the amount of money per bottle you spend and drink half the amount you consume currently.
    Almost as much pleasure for half the calories. :drinker:

    Really it's making it a treat instead of a habit.
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    Pure sugar & empty calories. It really does add no benefit and all that effort dieting to be thrown out of the window in a couple of gulps.

    i don't know what kind of crappy wine you're drinking, but wine has great benefits. it has anti-oxidants and tannins that help reduce cholesterol, heart disease, and cancer.

    http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/red-wine/HB00089

    http://www.foodandwine.com/articles/8-health-benefits-of-drinking-wine

    I used to drink out of boredom and habit and know its hard to give up.

    How about drinking that 1st glass later than usual. Instead of topping up the glass as you go along (if you do) take the bottle back to the fridge so you have to make a conscious effort to measure another full glass. That way you will keep track of exactly how much you are drinking instead of having an empty bottle the next day as evidence of over drinking.Once you get into the mood of drinking and get tipsy one can lose track of how much you've actually swilled down the gullet.

    You could also just have a drink only when you eat food (which is advisable anyway) and have a glass of water too as the Europeans do to prevent dehydrating, getting thirsty and reaching for another glass to quench your thirst only to get you more dehydrated. Just think of the hangover in the morning and how smug you will feel not having one because you didn't drink too much.

    Fizzy water fills you up more.

    Cheers!

    however, i agree with these suggestions. don't have the first glass of wine before dinner. and don't have one after. try and drink a little more water while you are enjoying that wine as well.
  • hfester
    hfester Posts: 114 Member
    There are those who will claim that as long as it fits your calorie goal for the day, go ahead and indulge. I cannot do that! I WISH I could do that! I have learned over the years that alcohol stalls my weight loss if I do not limit my consumption. So what I do now is limit myself to Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for alcohol (read wine) drinking. Sometimes I make it fit my cals, sometimes I indulge. Overall, I've found that my weight loss is much steadier when I limit alcohol to two or three days a week.
  • BhanGoes
    BhanGoes Posts: 75 Member
    Would you consider abstaining, at least for a short period? Here's why I bring this up:

    A couple girlfriends and I cut out all alcohol for approximately one month (April 14-May 10). Obviously, this saves me money and calories. I am also pleasantly surprised by how much more energy and time I have each evening. Instead of finishing dishes/chores and then winding down with a glass of wine or a cocktail, which was basically a trigger to sit on my *kitten* and be done for the night, I am finding myself extremely productive in the evenings. I've rearranged cupboards, cleaned more, etc.

    Just a suggestion. You might realize how much the 1-2 glasses of wine a night habit is really costing you on several levels. Then you can use this information to fold it back into your life at a rate and in a manner which more closely suits your goals.

    Please note, I do not look down on people who drink. I am one of you! :smile:
  • kelso235
    kelso235 Posts: 7
    I used to have a big issue with this as well! My wake up call of how many calories I was consuming in alcohol actually came just over a year ago. When I was in school I would drink probably 4 days a week because I felt like I deserved a break. Not binge drinking by any means but a drink or two each of those nights.

    If you like white wine, try adding some club soda and making it a spritzer. Skinnygirl has some lower calorie wines if you prefer red. I would really recommend trying to drink fewer times a week though and if you do, work out before hand. My rule for myself now is that if I know I'm going to drink I always work out first. I do not drink if I've skipped a workout for whatever reason. Even then I will measure out 5 oz with a measuring cup (I don't know about you but I have some pretty large wine glasses - some can easily hold up to 12 oz!).

    A big problem in this was also friends, being at home and drinking wine, going out for dinner, going to a party, etc. Once you explain about how you're really working on your health it just becomes a common thing so they don't think twice about it. Some of my friends have actually stopped drinking on weeknights as well because I've openly talked about it with them.

    I truly believe in not cutting any food or drink out completely if you enjoy it, just measuring it out and being conscious of how frequently you have it is key!

    Good luck!!
  • samanthalee87
    samanthalee87 Posts: 178
    Yep love my wine too! I definitely found that when I put more time into working out and taking care of my body I started drinking less and less each week. There's always lots of wine that are healthier alternatives! Like sometimes I'll get wine that's 80 cals per 175 ml serving. Not great, but not as bad!
  • Armyantzzz
    Armyantzzz Posts: 214 Member
    Water, lemon water, water with orange squeeze :smile: .... the sugar content of wine is blocking your progress (probably)... :yawn:
  • MamaKeeks
    MamaKeeks Posts: 234
    I used to make fun of this drink, but now I swear by wine spritzers. Good for the pocketbook, because you can get away with cheap wine that would not be good on its own, and cuts down on consumption because you can enjoy a few drinks at half or less than half the calories. After working all day, working out, working in the garden and fixing dinner, I want to spend what's left of my evening with a drink in my hand, and this is a good sippin' drink. I like pinot grigio with sparkling water. Of course, I still enjoy straight wine, just try to leave that to the weekends. Then again, I'm not losing any weight so I clearly have no idea what I'm talking about.

    Hilarious! And I think you TOTALLY know what you're talking about! :drinker:
  • BhanGoes
    BhanGoes Posts: 75 Member
    Double the amount of money per bottle you spend and drink half the amount you consume currently.
    Almost as much pleasure for half the calories. :drinker:

    Really it's making it a treat instead of a habit.

    I'll admit... I never thought of this. It's actually a genius suggestion.
  • carrieous
    carrieous Posts: 1,024 Member
    yep! at 120 calories per glass I now only drink it every other weekend or so.
  • MindyG150
    MindyG150 Posts: 1,296 Member
    Life is too short to live it without wine (my personal opinion). That being said, I like the idea of alternating, and I'm going to try it.

    Thanks for the post.
  • RomanaW
    RomanaW Posts: 108 Member
    I feel exactly the same. I now became plateued and have to start pushing myself to lose more by cutting on wine
  • GoneLbsGirl
    GoneLbsGirl Posts: 11
    If you would like to occasionally drink a glass of wine, I found The Skinny Vine brand! I have only had the mini moscato but it is delicious with 25-35% less calories than the average wine!
  • Cobwellac
    Cobwellac Posts: 75 Member
    I am an avid wine drinker myself and I've dropped 25 pounds in just about 90 days here on MFP. I workout about 5 times a week and still eat out pretty regularly too. I don't think I've noticed that drinking wine has slowed my weight loss down at all but one thing that I do is incorporate my wine into my daily workouts. If I know I'm going to enjoy a few glasses at night, I may work a little extra on the treadmill that day. Once you get closer to your goal weight, you will noticed that the wine doesn't make a difference at all in your weight! I can pretty much eat and drink what I want, within reason, and still stay at goal or even a few pounds under! Good luck to you . . . and CHEERS! :)

    Agree with this.
  • Minimouse13
    Minimouse13 Posts: 10 Member
    I drink wine and champagne a few nights a week. I am very social and love going out to drinks and dinner. I fir it in my calories for the day. I also burn more because I am out and about and living life, dancing and talking and having fun.
    I will not give it up. I am on a "diet", but I also live my life and have fun. This is how I am doing this for life and not a year.ect. Imagine no wine for a lifetime? :(((

    Also who the hell wants a spritzer? ;) LOL. I drink very good wine and champagne and would never waste it.
    Wine snob here.

    Drink it OP, fit it in your plan and enjoy life. Dieting should be fun and not make you miserable. :)
  • nytius
    nytius Posts: 173 Member
    I do love my wine. I didn't give it up...well not really. I say that I can have "as much wine as I want on Sunday". At first that was hard but now, I may have it one Sunday out of a month. It did stall my weight loss for a while but eh...everything in moderation. Also I've found that I do love my runs as well. When I get the urge for wine, I run and THAT is a great feeling. Good luck to you!
  • linosbrn
    linosbrn Posts: 3 Member
    Wine is good for you. Just drink it in moderation, like you having two or three glasses of wine for the week. Until you can cut tit down to one glass per week and still be enjoying your pleasures. There's nothing wrong with that.
  • flobag83
    flobag83 Posts: 23 Member
    haha! I have the same struggle! in fact, i wanted to start my own message board with the same topic... you read my mind!

    With that said, I'm loving all the support and advice in this message thread. I know that it has an effect on your metabolism and the bodies ability to break down carbs and sugars... but sometimes after work I'm so strung out and I go to the gym to release some of the stress and yet when i get back from the gym all i can think about is unwinding on the couch with one full glass of chardonnay...

    I've found that what has helped me drink less wine is to a) not have it in the house and b) not to drink chardonnay (it's my favorite) but rather pinot noir or cabernet, because i drink it slower and red is the better option if you're going to have wine.

    Also, I workout harder at the gym so I earn that glass of wine.
  • marciebrian
    marciebrian Posts: 853 Member
    Wow, clearly you are not the only one who enjoys wine. Thank God I'm not alone too!
    Absolutely me!!!! LOVE my wine.
  • michele_120
    michele_120 Posts: 6 Member
    Clearly there are lots of us who are "making room" for wine in our daily intake. I try to limit it to 1 glass a day, and not every single day (usually ends up being 3-4 nights per week, including the weekend nights). I have given it up in the past to see if it helped with my weight loss, but really saw no difference.

    <
    As you can see from my profile pic, I'm a fan!
  • FitChimi
    FitChimi Posts: 41
    I only drink wine on the weekends. This has helped, and I have seen no slow down in my weight loss for it.
  • frugalafterfifty
    frugalafterfifty Posts: 240 Member
    Why would wine slow down your weight loss? Is that true? I drink a glass daily and incorporate it into my calories and exercise.
  • muah3iluvzu06
    muah3iluvzu06 Posts: 79 Member
    I have a glass of wine a few times per week as long as I have the calories for it. Five ounces of my favorite wine is only 127 calories.
  • stephaniep12345mfp
    stephaniep12345mfp Posts: 116 Member
    I've finally found it...a post full of my people! I love my wine and generally have 1 or 2 glasses a night. I don't want or need any more than that, but it's a good way to relax and wind down at the end of the day.
  • Tme2change
    Tme2change Posts: 185 Member
    I want to eat clean and it says I have to give up wine, I'm not going to give up my wine I can't sorry its just one of those things. You can have your vices basically but you can cut back or work for them.
  • rnprincess
    rnprincess Posts: 103 Member
    If you love wine, you should accept that your weight loss will be slower. Don't ever give up what you love.

    Yes, you will feel deprived if you do; especially if it is not bad for you.
  • starracer23
    starracer23 Posts: 1,011 Member
    Mm mm wine...I have 2 bottles in the fridge waiting for me. I might just have to enjoy a LARGE glass tonight.
  • McCelmer
    McCelmer Posts: 99 Member
    I have a glass of wine a few times per week as long as I have the calories for it. Five ounces of my favorite wine is only 127 calories.

    Same here :smile:

    Lately, I've been trying to limit my pours to 4 oz (~100 calories). I'm not gonna lie... it is not enough! :blushing:
  • Minimouse13
    Minimouse13 Posts: 10 Member
    I have a glass of wine a few times per week as long as I have the calories for it. Five ounces of my favorite wine is only 127 calories.

    Same here :smile:

    Lately, I've been trying to limit my pours to 4 oz (~100 calories). I'm not gonna lie... it is not enough! :blushing:


    Great pic! LOL.

    I am happy to see many wine drinkers . I am going out tonight to a fab place with a great wine menu.

    I know it is sugar, so is soda and potatoes! I rather have wine. ;)

Categories