I just can't give up Alcohol

I don't know the science behind that, but I would think if they are equal calories they would be equal (see the Twinkie diet post). I find for me personally, drinking tends to make me eat more. So I try to limit it.

I'd rather have a gin and tonic than a bar of chocolate, but whats worse for weight loss?

Here is a thread I posted about a week ago that discusses how the body processes and metabolizes alcohol. I, too, don't really want to give it up so I cut back significantly from having a glass or two of wine almost every night to just once or twice a week. Moderation is key. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/130545-the-real-effect-of-alcohol-on-your-waistline

The alcohol is worse because it makes your body stop burning fat. The more alcohol you drink, the less body fat your body is burning. Your body has to burn the alcohol first so the more you have in your body, the longer it takes to get back into body fat burning. You can learn your body's tolerance... for me, I can have a small drink with about 2 oz. of an alcohol with a lower volume % and not gain weight or stop losing weight... but that's just me. I try not to drink more than 2 drinks because that seems to be my limit as far as weight loss/gain/maintenance.

You CAN give up alcohol. You are just not exercising enough will power. Just try harder.

Wine is my hobby - and I most certainly haven't given it up. I've picked up the pace of my exercise to make sure that I more than offset those wine calories. I've lost 20 pounds over the last 3 months (yes, a bit slower than some are losing) - so it can be done.

I'm with you. NOT giving up the wine.

Yes, it does slow down the metabolism but I add it to my calorie count. If I have two glasses of wine, it's 288 calories (12 ounces). If I'm having a particularly hungry day, I have 6 ounces and eat more or have the twelve ounces and I'm hungry for something and end up over the limit. It's a choice that I have to make and sometimes I end up at the gym for 2 hours if I blew it the night before.

I drink at least 2x a week - hasn't ever inhibited me. Moderation is the key for sure. )

It's a choice you're making, don't say you can't give it up....you're refusing to give it up.

I have thought the same way, I'm not giving up my wine with my dinner. I allowed for the calories.

After a few weeks of gaining weight due to thyroid issues and reading the article that SaraTN posted http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/130545-the-real-effect-of-alcohol-on-your-waistline I decided to give it up during the week and only indulge on the weekend with dinner.

What do I have to lose other than weight which is my goal.

So far I have survived 3 days without having wine at dinner and I'm just fine. I still use my wine glass at the table but fill it with water.

Karen

I think you have it figured out...You don't have to give up your wine (I know I choose not to), but limit the amount and the # of times/week you enjoy it. It is all about moderation. I have lost 30lbs and never gave my wine up completely. Red wine (again in moderation) is good for you, too-so enjoy! Life is too short to not have some simple pleasures and for every person that means something different...

I totally agree with what you want to give up and what you don't. I am NOT giving up my wine at night and will work extra hard to make up the exercise or figure out what I want to give up in the day foodwise so I can have it. That's NOT alcoholism.

Say you like carrot cake...and ice cream. You are NOT going to give that up for anything because - well - you love the taste. Does that make you a carrot-cake-aholic? An ice-cream-a-holic? Gimme a break.

With weight loss (an althought I am losing SLOWLY, I am losing), if you have to give up something that you love to eat, you are not going to do very well. I always thought that it meant that I had to stop eating everything i loved (and i am not giving up what make sme happy). When i figured out it was a balance, I was better off. Ok...I want a glass of red wine - I can't mack down on chips before dinner. Weigh it - what do you want? If I want the wine, I cut myself some fresh veggies to snack on while I'm having the wine. (Before all of it meshed into one big food orgy - now I make a choice.)

Hang in there and feel free to add me as a friend. It's all good.

I also have a glass of wine if it fits into my daily allowance! A glass of Lambrusco is only 98 calories, and it is light enough to just sit and enjoy without feeling guilty. I think it's just up to you....you have calories left over and you want a drink, go for it! But if you are going over on your calories by drinking, then I can definitely see it causing a problem. :drinker:

My entire social life revolves around alcohol- where I live this is pretty much all people do - meet up at the pub to catch up (drink), go to see bands play (drink), go to peoples houses for (drinks). I have one friend who doesn't drink - and he's the only person I hang out with that doesn't drink. -and by drinking- I mean binge drinking.

Being a non-drinker means either a) I don't get invited to things anymore or b)I get pressured heavily to drink. Not drinking basically takes away from my entire social life.

So there's the social side of it, and also that I do enjoy drinking.

I've cut back my drinking to one night a week - where I do still drink quite a lot, but I drink vodka with soda water - which is the lowest calorie drink i can find.

I understand the frustration too because being 28 years YOUNG, drinking socially is "what people do". I used to go out for dinner/drinks a few times a week - for the social aspect of it - not just to get a buzz. I've cut this back to just like on a Sat. night. And then I STILL account for every drink.

If I'm drinking beer, I put the caps in my pocket so I know what to log for the night Liquor I limit. But since a Select 55 has less than most liquor (and def. less $$ than liquor) I usually do that.

You can STILL have drinks in moderation. For instance tonight we're going downtown to a festival, I know I'll have a cpl of beers, so I am eating EXTRA healthy today. Baked fish/veggies, etc.

i could so realate to u i talk to ppl that they all drink doing something social means drinking also going to ppl house geting ivited somewher specialy in the spring and summer thows r days of drinking night lol. i know gym and all is a life time thing but i want to injoy my summer with the weight i want to be and just go to the gym the next day and burn off the beer or even bbq i ate. iam staying away from alcohol for now till i get wher i want to be i just look at it like iam a have a blast this spring and summer. beer could waite for now u should set a goal