Nights out and alcohol!

Some people are odd about alcohol and it can be amusing - from what you've described, you sound entirely normal to me!

go out and have fun....(although 19 drinks is kind of a lot?????)
vodka is my friend. why not take the 'on the go' packs of crystal light and ask for a shot of vodka plus a glass of water - add the crystal light then add the vodka and voila - instant semi healthy drink????
(edited for spelling)
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OMG - I thought i was the only one who did that!!! it soo sinful!!!!

I have just started my second major weight loss adventure (two weeks in at this point) and I have been reading through the boards all week for tips and motivation. I'm finally de-lurking after reading through the first page of this thread because I am a bit shocked at the way some people are responding to this.

1. Given how supportive I've seen people on mfp be about all manner of other personal problems, which have been both within and out of the person's control, I am very surprised to see so many people immediately respond with harsh "you clearly have a problem and need to get it taken care of" comments without any consideration for the OP's background or feelings. I thought you guys were better than that.

2. In case you hadn't noticed the OP's ticker, she believes she has over 100 lbs to lose. Even newbie drinkers know that weight (among other things that you might not be considering) is a major factor in tolerance levels. Play around with a blood alcohol content calculator and see the difference in BAC between a 230 lb female and a 120 lb female keeping all other factors the same.

3. 19 shots of vodka may or may not be an exaggeration, but I can attest to a similar experience. When I was a freshman in college and just beginning to drink (also 50 lbs smaller), a six pack of bud light over a couple hours would have me done for the evening. A few years and a lot of practice later, I can now go through a case (24) of the same thing in 5 or 6 hours and never reach a state of drunkenness past a good buzz. I'm not proud of this fact, and this is actually one of the big reasons I have decided to make changes, but the fact remains that it is possible for someone to drink a lot more than others and not die of alcohol poisoning.

As for you Ms. Nadine, it appears that unfortunately not everyone here has learned that everyone is different. I don't understand how people who post about hating the fact that they get judged now for their food/exercise/lifestyle choices think it is okay to turn around and do the same thing to someone else just because that person isn't afraid to be honest about their own choices. Do your thing girl. And to answer your ORIGINAL question, just do what you feel best about doing. The only way that letting loose for one night is going to derail you is if you use it as an excuse to quit taking care of yourself the other 99% of the time. I believe it has previously been stated on this thread that you're not going to be able to drink enough to put back on actual pounds in one night. Just decide which outweighs the other: the desire to drink x amount and have x amount of fun, or the desire to not feel guilt about doing so. Make a decision, do your thing, and move on.

Im new at this but I think there's a couple of options.... adjust calories is you want, gym it, or limit your drinks... I on the other hand have decide I get a cheat day once a week for whatever I want (alcohol or food) and I get a HUGE cheat day once a month... normally on my cheat day I'll make sure I make up for it by working out or adjusting calories...

"19" drinks to me for a college student on a big weekend out, doesnt sound so horrible (kinda sounds a bit normal)... I mean it happens.... Back in the day I know I had done it a couple of times (and paid for it later of course) and its one of those live and learn times in life... thats what I think at least...

If I know I am going to do a "big night out" (regardless of if that includes drinks) I make sure to get my butt to the gym that morning and do a big workout. I usually make sure I do at least an hour in the gym to give myself some slack. Sometimes I still go over, but you only live once. If you aren't doing this every week then don't worry about it. Have some fun and relax.

Do not do any girly shots. I went out the other night and got some red-headed sluts and was surprised that they were over 200 calories a shot. Maybe just cut the shots in general, that should save you some serious calories.

Try and drink mixed drinks. I suggest captain and diet coke. Avoid mixing with juice, especially cranberry. Maybe try and drink one drink for every two you usually get? I used to drink a lot in one sitting too, it is hard limiting when you're used to binge drinking.

Also when I know I'm going out, I try to eat lighter during the day. But also I read that a cheat day can help boost your metabolism as long as it's once in a while. I wouldn't over stress it.

Good luck girl!

I don't know. As one of my last nights out before I move out of state, I'm going drinking tonight with a friend. I'm just not going to track.

As long as it's not a every weekend thing, go out, have fun and drink up! I find it hard to stick to watching my calories after a few drinks because the more drinks I have the less I care about my weight loss.. but I get back onto the train the next day and most of the time it doesn't effect my weight loss for the week.

This isn't a "Diet" it's a lifestyle change... We need to let our hair down sometimes. What I think to myself this is a FOREVER thing and at this point of my life I don't want to give up having a few drinks every now and then. So when I do have them I never feel bad for doing so!

while one shot of liquor has about 100 calories, 15 shots of liquor only has a few hundred, trust me on this one.

(you'll throw them up )

I don't have anything constructive to say, I'm just duty bound to comment on booze threads.

Red wine is the answer to all things btw.

still don't know why binge drinking has to be a part of regular behaviour... I used to do it in first and second year, by my fourth year of uni I have realised that 1. I don't need ANY alcohol to have fun 2. it's expensive (unless you make male friends which I did hehe) 3. you feel crappy the next day and regret it

A glass of wine tastes a lot nicer than 10 tequila shots, is classier, more relaxing, and not something I regret.

Rather than making ways around the calories, I don't see why it's so hard to just not have them? If you are peer pressured into it, clearly you have shyt friends and are mixing with an unthoughtful, shallow peer group that aren't really going to push you in the right direction in life. I have had many good friends be a bit surprised when I say I don't want to drink, but they don't care at all and it within 5 seconds it doesn't matter. Those are the people you should be hanging with, they are the people that will inspire you and help you grow into a successful adult.

Yes I am 21 and have learnt this early, thank goodness. Alcohol is far too overrated, special occasions for drinking more than just one! I provided a fair bit at my 21st, but that is for a special occasion - not weekly!

edit: And you are British - I'm from Aus and it's the same thing. The streets full of aggressive drunks in the evenings, not so pleasant. Too many people that say not drinking is 'un Australian', it's so sad how alcohol is one of few things I can genuinely use to describe my own country's culture :grumble:

There's 64 calories in one once of vodka. I can't see your diary so I don't know what your calorie goal is for a day, but if it's set at 1200 calories you would have to drink almost 19 drinks to go over 1200 calories. If your going to have 5 or 6 drinks that's 384 calories so you're not going to be too much over. You have to live so go out and have fun!

A long island has about 5 standard "drinks" in one glass. It is not that hard to go over that when you are having a great time with friends. 3 long islands seems like a lot but with food in your belly and some karaoke going... I've indulged on those nights and been fine as long as I work it off throughout the week. Just don't forget a DD or a cab #! :flowerforyou:

Don't ridicule OP or other folks over their once in a blue moon drinking nights! Let em have fun! I barely drink but when I do, it may be considered "binge" drinking because I like to drink straight whiskey in a rocks glass halfway full. Sometimes I'll have more than one glass. And lets not get started on the wine loving folks. They drink much more than one or two drinks, but are fine and work hard to burn it back off. :drinker: I'm included in that bunch too! Girls nights are the best for many bottles of wine and stuff!

OP asked for advice on how to account for a great weekend, not AA advocates to attack her, so either give advice or keep on MFP'ing elsewhere!

I think when you make a lifestyle change, you have to include alcohol as well. If you gained weight from drinking, the logical thing would be to drink it in moderation going forward. But I'm not a drinker so I'm not very sympathetic to this issue.

I have two happy hours planned this week which I somewhat dread because I know the food will be amazing and I will be tempted to drink multiple cocktails. I solve that problem by having 2 martini's max. I stay away from calorie laden mixed drinks.

But when I go away to the beach next month I plan on drinking ALL day lol. But I'm sticking to the low-cal options.