Drinking Alcohol

Stick to wine or a spritzer or light beer if you like it. Or something like Jack and Diet Coke, limiting yourself to 2 drinks for special occasions. It's ok to go over your calories here and there, but just don't make it a habit. I like to have a glass of wine with dinner on the weekends, but right now, actively trying to cut, I only do so if it fits my calories. On maintenance, I might let myself splurge and go over once a week.

I will politely disagree with the "no good alcoholic drinks when it comes to losing weight" theory.

I've lost 12 pounds so far, all while drinking a glass or two of red wine a night. On the weekends, I might even enjoy a martini or some bourbon. As long as I stay within my calorie goals for the day, I'm good.

Cheers! :drinker:

For lowest calorie intake, you have to stick to hard liquor....NO DIET SODA (that stuff is crap that you should eradicate from your life!), use club soda for a mixer and fresh lemon/lime.

Oh, my go to is vodka, 3/4 club soda and 1/4 either cranberry or lime juice. But really any low cal juice would likley work.

Two of my girlfriends and I took an alcohol abstinence pact. We are on Day 24 today and I can honestly tell you it caused me to take a long hard look at the behavior I was permitting (the end-of-the-rough-day glass of wine... or two...).

After just the first weekend, I really didn't even think too much about drinking, except when playfully joking with friends that I can't wait for that first beer.

In case this provides any perspective, in just 28 days, I will have saved

125 calories per glass
x 28 days

---

3500 calories 'saved' in one month


$15 per bottle
x 3 bottles per week

---

$180 saved in one month

I also found some surprising side-effects, like vastly increased productivity in the evenings. Instead of sitting down to unwind with a glass (or two...) of wine each evening, I keep moving right up till bedtime. Spring cleaning gets done during the week, instead sucking up weekend time. Of course, I also sleep much better, am losing weight faster, feel 100% for every morning workout, etc. After that first week of GOD I WANT SOME WINE there have really only been benefits.

I would encourage everyone, even the casual/social drinkers out there, to stop completely for one month. It might shed light on a more complicated relationship with alcohol. And at the very worst, it can't hurt your wellness routine.

Give it a shot. (Food for thought: If you *can't* then you might really have a problem.)

Cut your calories a few days before and bank those for the party.

Drink light beer which is about 100 cals. If you want more of a punch, drink white wine but dilute it with ice cubes. Remember: dilution is the solution when it comes to feeling good the next day.

The best beer for the punch is Bud Light Platinum which has 137 cals but hits you like a glass of wine.

There are no "good" alcoholic drinks when it comes to losing weight. However, like you have already hinted at, moderation is the key. A drink here or there isn't going to hurt you.

Take a look at this:
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/ask-the-ripped-dude-can-you-booze-it-and-still-lose-it.html

I'd say drink what you like, but like you said, keep it to special occasions and limit it to 1-2 drinks.

I would have to disagree here, I still drink beer on a regular basis, I get lower cal, but still have it regularily, and usually on Saturday evenings I'm at some pub watching some sort of sporting event where I also indulge. Generally I make sure that I have had a great workout and have the calories, but hey, that's just me. And I'm losing at a steady reasonable rate.

My go to cocktail is vodka with a splash of Roses Lime Juice. If I have the extra calories, I will use a cherry vodka. Vodka is about 60 cals and a splash of Roses goes a LONG way since it's concentrated. No more than a tablespoon can do the trick. Make sure to order it with a water back and you're golden! (and buzzed because technically its straight alcohol) lol

From the lushy fit chick lol

I am not a pleasant person on Vodka, but will try this with some rum. Is Roses Lime Juice something that is commonly available?

Isn't that a vodka gimlet? Yummy but potent. You'll finish it quickly because it comes in small glasses so consider that too.

I will politely disagree with the "no good alcoholic drinks when it comes to losing weight" theory.

I've lost 12 pounds so far, all while drinking a glass or two of red wine a night. On the weekends, I might even enjoy a martini or some bourbon. As long as I stay within my calorie goals for the day, I'm good.

Cheers! :drinker:

That is great, and your results are exactly what I was speaking to as far as moderation goes and weight loss is all about in vs out.

However, it is pretty well documented that alcohol slows fat oxidation. So, what I was trying to convey is that there isn't a magic alcoholic drink that doesn't affect weight loss at all. Additionally, (obviously not an issue with you) for a lot of people 1 drink turns into 5 and a giant plate of cheese fries!

At any rate, I am a big believer in eating what you like and just being moderate and staying within calorie limits. Otherwise, you feel like you are getting cheated!