Alcohol is the downfall

I'm fairly new on MFP, but already find it much better than Weight Watchers which I used previously because I can see the gaps in my nutrition. I've even started drinking milk and taking a multi-vitamin since tracking on MFP. My problem is that I like to drink alcohol. Over the years, the drinks have gotten bigger (I swear my wine glasses hold a quart)! I struggle with old alcohol habits like a nightly gin and tonic. I've been fairly successful for the most part for the last two weeks, but stress definitely will cause me to go over the edge.

I have gained a considerable amount of weight over the last few years. I am embarassed to see family and friends because I know they are thinking "wow, she's gotten big".

I want to get back to wearing the clothes in my closet. I have about 60 pounds to lose.

I could use some help when the going gets tough.

Replies

  • lthames0810
    lthames0810 Posts: 722 Member
    It doesn't seem to me that a nightly gin and tonic will hurt your weight loss efforts as long as you allow for it in your daily calorie budget and can stop at the amount you planned for. Whether alcohol is an actual problem for you otherwise, only you can say.

    The way you eat now while you are losing weight is a model for eating at maintenance. How do you want to eat for the rest of your life? If it includes having a drink, then work it into your diet life.
  • D_squareG
    D_squareG Posts: 361 Member
    Thanks, yes I'm trying. I'm measuring the alcohol - not just pouring. It is a bit of a trigger, so I'm trying to go without but have not had much success with that.
  • Teksavvy
    Teksavvy Posts: 133 Member
    Gin and tonic isn't really that bad (~100 cals). Using diet tonic reduces it to about 60 cals. I often found that snacking accompanied drinking and thus my slip off the calorie hill took a nose dive. As someone in the thread mentioned, just watch what you eat and drink and you should be ok without overly depriving yourself.
  • darkguardian419
    darkguardian419 Posts: 1,302 Member
    Drinking is just like eating... everything in moderation.

    This saying, while very true, is also why I'm considering naming my bar "Moderation"
  • gmthisfeller
    gmthisfeller Posts: 779 Member
    Gin and tonic isn't really that bad (~100 cals). Using diet tonic reduces it to about 60 cals. I often found that snacking accompanied drinking and thus my slip off the calorie hill took a nose dive. As someone in the thread mentioned, just watch what you eat and drink and you should be ok without overly depriving yourself.

    +1

    All my friends who are beer drinkers always snack...always. Peanuts, chips and dips, etc. That's the killer.
  • momofthreesons
    momofthreesons Posts: 162 Member
    Thanks, yes I'm trying. I'm measuring the alcohol - not just pouring. It is a bit of a trigger, so I'm trying to go without but have not had much success with that.
    This helped me tremendously!! It seems after the first drink, the liquors flowed into my 2nd/3rd glass :-) Now that I measure MUCH better.