Alcohol

rhia575
rhia575 Posts: 212 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I'm just wondering the effects of alcohol on my diet and fitness. Should I quit drinking all together or will a few nights out be okay ?
I definitely plan to reduce my alcohol intake as it generally just makes me feel awful and I can feel the results of it when I run the next few days along with the alcohol i often end up smoking a lot when I drink with friends so I plan to quit that too. I mainly drink vodka based drinks, so will getting drunk have big effects on my fitness and weight loss ?

Replies

  • KANGOOJUMPS
    KANGOOJUMPS Posts: 6,474 Member
    quit drinking???
    HELL NO!!!!!!
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    alcohol (and fructose) take up the liver's time ahead of burning fat, so it's not a great aid to weight loss but doesn't exclude it if you have a calorie deficit overall.

    The calories in alcohol and what you might eat "under the influence" need to be taken into account
  • JenAndSome
    JenAndSome Posts: 1,893 Member
    There are just three things to remember. 1. Alcohol has calories. If you are going to drink it, log it. 2. Alcohol can dehydrate you. If you are going to drink it, be sure to drink plenty of water, too. 3. Don't drink and drive.

    Other than that, you should be fine.
  • jeyloz
    jeyloz Posts: 36
    I did weight watchers previously and alcohol was a big part of my diet because of college and uni, I specifically remember that although alcohol was considered "fattening" there were more diet friendly options. E.G beer, cider and wine have a higher calorific content, but spirits and diet sodas are much lower. So I'd say go with spirits and sugar free mixers, it worked for me!
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    I'm just wondering the effects of alcohol on my diet and fitness. Should I quit drinking all together or will a few nights out be okay ?
    I definitely plan to reduce my alcohol intake as it generally just makes me feel awful and I can feel the results of it when I run the next few days along with the alcohol i often end up smoking a lot when I drink with friends so I plan to quit that too. I mainly drink vodka based drinks, so will getting drunk have big effects on my fitness and weight loss ?
    You'll feel it on your runs and when you work out. You're taking in basically empty calories. That about it.

    I don't drink much anymore because it makes me feel horrid when I work out, and I'm doing at least three double workouts a week now.

    As for smoking, it makes a person smell like crap. That's enough for me to never do it.
  • wineplease
    wineplease Posts: 469 Member
    Should I quit drinking all together or will a few nights out be okay ?
    You're a teenager. I would hope you didn't drink more than a few nights anyway. If you're going out every night of the week getting drunk, you'll have trouble losing weight I'm afraid.
    I mainly drink vodka based drinks, so will getting drunk have big effects on my fitness and weight loss ?
    "Getting drunk" impairs your judgment about a lot of things, food intake is just one of them.

    Glad to hear you're trying to quit smoking, too. Get yourself healthy so you'll be awesome in the British army!
  • rhia575
    rhia575 Posts: 212 Member
    Okay thanks everyone. I tend just to stick with vodka and coke, lemonade, fanta etc or just shots anyway and that is the only time I drink anything other than water (except from the occasional glass of milk) so I think I should be all good i will just keep it in mind, track and reduce my intake a little, thanks (:
  • stefa711
    stefa711 Posts: 196 Member
    There was recently an article about this on RunnersWorld.com. Basically, what it came down to is this: One or two drinks a night may very well be good for your running but any more and your body may start depleting glycogen stores and you may get an adverse effect on performance. I will try to find the article for you.

    Here it is: http://www.runnersworld.com/drinks-hydration/beer-miles
  • rhia575
    rhia575 Posts: 212 Member
    I'm just wondering the effects of alcohol on my diet and fitness. Should I quit drinking all together or will a few nights out be okay ?
    I definitely plan to reduce my alcohol intake as it generally just makes me feel awful and I can feel the results of it when I run the next few days along with the alcohol i often end up smoking a lot when I drink with friends so I plan to quit that too. I mainly drink vodka based drinks, so will getting drunk have big effects on my fitness and weight loss ?
    You'll feel it on your runs and when you work out. You're taking in basically empty calories. That about it.

    I don't drink much anymore because it makes me feel horrid when I work out, and I'm doing at least three double workouts a week now.

    As for smoking, it makes a person smell like crap. That's enough for me to never do it.
    haha i know i hate the way i feel when i wake up in the morning after smoking too just sometimes alcohol decreases will power but i'm going to work on that
  • rhia575
    rhia575 Posts: 212 Member
    Should I quit drinking all together or will a few nights out be okay ?
    You're a teenager. I would hope you didn't drink more than a few nights anyway. If you're going out every night of the week getting drunk, you'll have trouble losing weight I'm afraid.
    I mainly drink vodka based drinks, so will getting drunk have big effects on my fitness and weight loss ?
    "Getting drunk" impairs your judgment about a lot of things, food intake is just one of them.

    Glad to hear you're trying to quit smoking, too. Get yourself healthy so you'll be awesome in the British army!
    I go out drinking perhaps 3-5 times a month (definitely intend to cut this down and the amounts i consume while drinking). and thanks very much(:
  • rhia575
    rhia575 Posts: 212 Member
    There was recently an article about this on RunnersWorld.com. Basically, what it came down to is this: One or two drinks a night may very well be good for your running but any more and your body may start depleting glycogen stores and you may get an adverse effect on performance. I will try to find the article for you.
    Thank you, I think that is one of my problems, how much I drink when I drink and something I definitely plan to cut down.
  • NikkiiiT
    NikkiiiT Posts: 34 Member
    I don't think there is anything wrong with a few drinks now and again. Just be sensible with it, don't binge drink, stay away from beers,ciders, wines, cocktails.

    I stick to vodka and a sugar free mixer like sugar free Cranberry juice or diet lemonade. I can't quite give up my jagerbombs just yet though so i'm using monster zero or sugar free red bull :p
  • Sqeekyjojo
    Sqeekyjojo Posts: 704 Member
    Vodka is a lower calorie choice. Switch to diet mixers. Space out your alcoholic drinks with non alcoholic ones - most pubs will give you a glass of water or soda water free of charge. Avoid those premixed alcoholic syrupy things like WKD (bleurgh).

    And get a cab home, so that stops you falling into the takeaway on the way home.
  • Wetcoaster
    Wetcoaster Posts: 1,788 Member
    http://www.leangains.com/2010/07/truth-about-alcohol-fat-loss-and-muscle.html
  • MG_Fit
    MG_Fit Posts: 1,143 Member
    http://www.leangains.com/2010/07/truth-about-alcohol-fat-loss-and-muscle.html

    :drinker: This is the truth.

    I honestly drink a few times a week. It's usually a glass of wine, or scotch during the week. My philosophy is, enjoy life. Treat yourself once and a while, obviously don't go overboard.

    This may be helpful: http://getdrunknotfat.com/
  • Lochlyn_D
    Lochlyn_D Posts: 492 Member
    Just keep it in your calorie limit. Log those calories.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Here's what my experience has been...when I was overweight and losing, I had no problem losing weight and fat while having alcohol in moderation (and sometimes not in moderation) so long as I stayed within my calorie goal...sometimes a little over.

    Now...I've leaned out reasonably well and am at a healthy BF%...I'm finding that if I consume alcohol regularly like I was before, I don't lean out...I just maintain, even if I'm within my calorie goal...if I stick to some alcohol on the weekends I do fine, but if I drink as a matter of routine (couple beers after work) it aint workin' for me anymore.

    What's hard is that I really enjoy those beers after work, especially in the summer heat and while I'm grilling my chicken or whatever. At this point I'm just chalking it up to what I want more...beer or to be leaner. I'm comfortable where I'm at, but wouldn't mind leaning out a bit more...but might not happen until fall when I'm less tempted by beer.
  • BEERRUNNER
    BEERRUNNER Posts: 3,046 Member
    http://www.leangains.com/2010/07/truth-about-alcohol-fat-loss-and-muscle.html

    :drinker: This is the truth.

    I honestly drink a few times a week. It's usually a glass of wine, or scotch during the week. My philosophy is, enjoy life. Treat yourself once and a while, obviously don't go overboard.

    This may be helpful: http://getdrunknotfat.com/

    Im with MG on this matter! Live life babycakes!!! Happiness is also part of being healthy!!! for suuuuuurrreee!!:bigsmile:
  • BEERRUNNER
    BEERRUNNER Posts: 3,046 Member
    Also Some of my best runs have come after carb loading on beer the night before!!! Im being serious! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA You can just feel all that water coming out of your pores!
    Its tradition for me to run the SHamrock Shuffle 8K Hungover on beer!
    :bigsmile:

    Makes for an awesome sweat!!!
  • theCarlton
    theCarlton Posts: 1,344 Member
    Forget vodka-based drinks. Become a connoisseur of something else, like scotch or tequila. Only drink the good stuff, learn all about it, drink it like it's something special. Ditch mixers and get passionate about the taste of your booze. Pinkies out, girl!
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    Forget vodka-based drinks. Become a connoisseur of something else, like scotch or tequila. Only drink the good stuff, learn all about it, drink it like it's something special. Ditch mixers and get passionate about the taste of your booze. Pinkies out, girl!

    This. While as a guy I enjoy women who like doing shots...

    I have to say, if you can't imbibe to blackout stage for fear of getting fat. Become a lover of a type of liquor. For me, it's bourbon. I won't slam bourbon, because if it's a slamming bourbon, it ain't worth drinking. Same with tequila.

    Once you learn about the process and the nuances, you'll find that Jose Daniels rotgut isn't worth passing your lips.
  • BEERRUNNER
    BEERRUNNER Posts: 3,046 Member
    Forget vodka-based drinks. Become a connoisseur of something else, like scotch or tequila. Only drink the good stuff, learn all about it, drink it like it's something special. Ditch mixers and get passionate about the taste of your booze. Pinkies out, girl!

    This. While as a guy I enjoy women who like doing shots...

    I have to say, if you can't imbibe to blackout stage for fear of getting fat. Become a lover of a type of liquor. For me, it's bourbon. I won't slam bourbon, because if it's a slamming bourbon, it ain't worth drinking. Same with tequila.

    Once you learn about the process and the nuances, you'll find that Jose Daniels rotgut isn't worth passing your lips.

    Solid points!! and so true!
    I was at the the CHicago Whiskey fest for the 2nd year in a row this year. Great times!! $160.00 per person but its all worth it!
    http://www.whiskyfestblog.com/whiskyfest-chicago/

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