The epic struggle of good beer

It's simple math. You just need to balance what you put in your mouth vs. what you burn off. I lost 50lbs and during that time I brewed (drank) several batches and got on a beer exploration kick to try all kinds of new exotic brews (tracked with UNTAPPD app). The toughest part is being completely honest with yourself; track every beer, track it accurately (home brews can be between 300-400cals), log your exercise accurately (HRM Accurate not MFP questimate) and regardless of hang over level... workout just as hard as normal. I used to work out extra hard the day before I knew I was going to go on a bender.

What is HRM vs. MFP?

Using a heart rate monitor to accurately track calories burned vs. searching the MFP database that tells us 20 minutes of light housework burns 920 cals. The database is ok for general stuff, but if the OP really wants to know if he can have that 5th beer it's important the know the exact value of his workouts. I consider calories like currency.

OK, thanks. I've been wondering about the value of a heart rate monitor. I'm going to research that now.

This is a huge red flag for possibly a alcohol dependency concern. You are willing to eat less/purge/whatever just to have beer...sounds like you love beer more than yourself.

I don't think making your own home brew and wanting to enjoy makes you an alcoholic.

It makes you a beer loving human being in my books!

(not to make light of alcohol or any other addictions)

I LOL'd at that first post.

So one of the few me things I get to do it home brewing. I like to brew and share it with others. I just started winging my own recipes and am excited about it. Recently I brewed a batch (contential pilsner) and it is like a potato chip, you cant have one. Now drunkenness isnt the goal and doesnt happen, but I gained a lot of weight back since this batch is done. So to all my fellow beer lovers out there I have a idea and I am going to bounce it off of you.

Have beer once a week follow by a day of purging and increase exercise through out the week. Thoughts?

For those who are tempted to put "give up beer", don't.

You sir, are genius. I'm in!

This is a huge red flag for possibly a alcohol dependency concern. You are willing to eat less/purge/whatever just to have beer...sounds like you love beer more than yourself.

I don't think making your own home brew and wanting to enjoy makes you an alcoholic.

It makes you a beer loving human being in my books!

(not to make light of alcohol or any other addictions)

I don't think it was the fact that he homebrews that caused the red flag. At least I hope not! Although I do get that comment myself sometimes when I tell people I homebrew. I just ask them if that means everyone who likes to bake are therefore also gluttons? Just because you bake a cake, doesn't mean you are going to sit down and eat the whole thing in one sitting.

I think the red flag was the line from the OP "Have beer once a week follow by a day of purging and increase exercise through out the week."

So one of the few me things I get to do it home brewing. I like to brew and share it with others. I just started winging my own recipes and am excited about it. Recently I brewed a batch (contential pilsner) and it is like a potato chip, you cant have one. Now drunkenness isnt the goal and doesnt happen, but I gained a lot of weight back since this batch is done. So to all my fellow beer lovers out there I have a idea and I am going to bounce it off of you.

Have beer once a week follow by a day of purging and increase exercise through out the week. Thoughts?

For those who are tempted to put "give up beer", don't.

I love homebrewing! I think your method of limiting your beer intake is a great idea. I only brew a few 5 gallon batches a year, or else i'd just have too much beer around. It's great to brew a batch for events, like brewing a spiced ale in November to drink on Christmas, or brewing a Pumpkin Ale to bring to a halloween party.

2) By purging I meant like a fast of lots of water and lighter food for the day. Salads and stuff I guess, didnt really have a plan.

Phew! Thanks for that clarification. I think a lot of people were picturing you 'purging' in the bulimic/eating disorder sense of the word.

I always eat lighter/healthier the day after I've had too many beers. Lots of fruits and veggies, lean meat and a ton of water.

Have beer once a week follow by a day of purging and increase exercise through out the week. Thoughts?

Treat it as food - which it is - beer is a classic recovery food for cyclists.

Log it, work it into your macros, and enjoy.

Oh, and move to all-grain brewing ASAP.

+1 on this, especially the all grain! And stop lugging carboys around - have you seen the mess they make when you drop them? Move to Better Bottles!

I will say that I can lose more weight if I don't drink any alcohol. I've done it. It's not just the extra calories ... it's the alcohol that your body burns before it burns the extra calories.

But, I promised myself that I was in this for the long haul and I would not give up everything that I loved. I have never looked back and missed fast food, candy, cookies and other empty calories. I love real, nutrient-dense food now, and I feel way better these days. But, if I had to give up beer ... and to a lesser extent wine ... it wouldn't be worth it to me. A great beer with a nice meal makes for a great end to a long day. I just have to stop imbibing on the weekends unless I put in the cardio. The weekends are already hard for me because we usually eat at restaurants quite a bit.

I go out to a pub quiz most Tuesdays..... Most Tuesdays just happen to be my high intensity cardio days when I burn a load of calories.

Beer is good, beer you have earned is even better!
:drinker: