What to do about alcohol on a night out :<

amylg05
amylg05 Posts: 89 Member
in Motivation and Support
Hi all, I am planning to go out on a night out on Friday and I am a bit worried about it due to alcohol behing so god damn calorific! I have been dieting/being healthy for the last month now and have lost 12lbs so far, I havent been out since New Years and I am really looking forward to it but dont want to undo any of the hard work I have put in. Any advice on what drinks I should stick to or avoid? :/

Replies

  • cjazz72
    cjazz72 Posts: 80 Member
    Considering that you haven't gone out drinking since New Years I would say go have fun. This is your night to celebrate the new you. One night of drinking and eating unhealthy wont make you completely gain all 12 ibs back. At most maybe a pound. So I wouldn't threat about undoing your accomplishments. But if you want to be concious about what to drink. the lighter the beer the lighter the calories and alcohol content. If your drinking cocktails avoid drinks with added sugars. But like I said. Go. Have fun. You worked hard now its time to have some fun =D
  • Bella0531
    Bella0531 Posts: 309 Member
    Just stay away from the sugary cocktails (long island iced tea...etc...). Wine isn't too bad in moderation and as far as cocktails go, stick to something clear. Vodka or gin and diet tonic or diet sprite will only set you back about 100-150 calories.
  • amylg05
    amylg05 Posts: 89 Member
    Thanks guys, yep I'm just gonna go out and have fun! I love cocktails too but I'm going to try my best to avoid lol!
  • lauren3101
    lauren3101 Posts: 1,853 Member
    I personally would say just enjoy yourself, one night won't undo all your hard work. But if you do want to be careful then just be selective about your drinks. Wine is an average of 600 calories a bottle, and I can easily pack away a whole one to myself. :laugh: Cocktails can be deceivingly high calorie, a lot come with fruit juices and sometimes syrups, and they can be difficult to count. A single brandy or vodka and diet coke, however, is around 70 cals.

    Fit in an extra workout on that day to 'earn' some extra for your night out. And make sure you eat a decent meal before you go - alcohol + hunger = donner kebabs for me! :laugh:
  • eldamiano
    eldamiano Posts: 2,667 Member
    Buy a pint of lager and then tip half of it away each time. Pretend you are drunk to impress your mates

    Either that or just neck sambucas all night....
  • lamps1303
    lamps1303 Posts: 432 Member
    Stick to spirits and low calorie mixers. A good choice would be a single vodka with lime and soda or diet coke. If it's going to be a long, heavy night, alternate between alcoholic drink and soft drink, e.g. vodka with lime and soda then have just a lime and soda/diet soft drink, then go back to the vodka. A good trick I learned is that if you stick to the same mixer and just keep adding and removing the vodka, no-one knows you're not actually having alcohol - which helps as it will remove the peer pressure of drinking. Try to avoid energy drinks, 'full-fat' soft drinks and juice, as well as calorie laden alcoholic drinks, like beer, cider, creamy cocktails, etc.

    :drinker:
  • hmaddpear
    hmaddpear Posts: 610 Member
    Enjoy yourself! Avoid sugary drinks (cocktails, spirits with full sugar mixers), drink plenty of water (this bit I always forget to do...)

    Also, I was out last night with old college friends. Lots of beer and tasty pizza. In order to fit it into my day, I walked at lunchtime and walked to the pub in the evening. That alone earned me three of the four pints I drank!
  • sarahmoo12
    sarahmoo12 Posts: 756 Member
    DANCE LOTS, it will burn a ton of cals back for you plus you will be having fun and not thinking about it :)
  • lightmouse
    lightmouse Posts: 175 Member
    Go and enjoy yourself! One night really won't hurt, but I do understand where you are coming from. I've finally managed to get my body fat percentage down to a figure I'm happy with, and that's with a weekly 3000-4000 calorie day where I eat what my boyfriend eats and have a few glasses of wine. I just make sure my nutrition/macros are exactly what they should be the rest of the week. At first, I'd completely panic about this the next day - tip: do not weigh yourself in the couple of days after! - but then the scale would still show me what I wanted to see at the end of the week. I am gradually learning not to be so hard on myself, and that nights off can actually help.

    Have a brilliant night, go show off the new you and keep up the amazing work! :drinker:
  • lexbubbles
    lexbubbles Posts: 465 Member
    DANCE LOTS, it will burn a ton of cals back for you plus you will be having fun and not thinking about it :)

    This. I've been out drinking probably 4 or 5 times since new year and not once have I been over my cals once I log the time I spent dancing (which is an epic underestimate in most cases to err on the side of caution). I'm no light drinker, either.

    Mind you I tend to have a small breakfast and dinner those days and I do still workout so I have *most* of my daily cals + dancing exercise to play with when it comes to alcohol.
  • KultaPanda2
    KultaPanda2 Posts: 23
    Someone already mentioned, but I always go for Vodka, Soda and Lime (fruit, not cordial). I love the taste, and it's like 70kcals or so per drink! :) Wayyy better than a pint of cider for 250kcal or so.

    Enjoy! Have fun.
  • lightmouse
    lightmouse Posts: 175 Member
    Someone already mentioned, but I always go for Vodka, Soda and Lime (fruit, not cordial). I love the taste, and it's like 70kcals or so per drink! :) Wayyy better than a pint of cider for 250kcal or so.

    Enjoy! Have fun.

    I like this too, or gin and slimline tonic with a slice of lemon in it - I think that's about 60 calories for a single. Although when I order one someone usually accuses me of being an "old lady with an old lady drink" :laugh:
  • castadiva
    castadiva Posts: 2,016 Member
    Depends on what your preferred drinks are, and how much you're going to have. Do a little research, so you have the information to make choices you can live with. I like wine and proper cocktails, rather than beer or spirit-and-mixer drinks, so it's a matter of figuring out what works calorie-wise, and you're going to enjoy. Champagne or prosecco is about 90 cals/flute, most wines average 120 cals per 175ml glass, a martini or non-cream-based similar comes in around 150-250, depending on the precise ingredients.

    None of those are impossible to fit into a diet, but only you will know which gives you most bang for your buck, so to speak! Two gin martinis (low end of the cocktail calorie range) is my limit before I start doing silly things, but I could easily drink three or four glasses of wine, so calorie-wise and in terms of feeling like I've had my fun, I'm probably better off with the two martinis!
  • kittykat1994
    kittykat1994 Posts: 149 Member
    I always drink vodka and diet coke. I usually treat myself to one disaronno once in a blue moon too
  • Kezzanna
    Kezzanna Posts: 45 Member
    I'm definitely a fan of the vodka, lime and soda and to alternate with a plain soda water in between each alcoholic drink.

    The thing that I have the most trouble with on this sort of occasion is food.... Alcohol = less control over those tasty wedges with sour cream that are calling you because you went for drinks and now it's past your regular dinner time and they look and smell so good!!!!

    I would strongly recommend that you also have a small healthy meal/snack before you go out to curb those callings! Even if it's a protein bar or some veggie sticks and low fat cheese or whatever - eat before you go. Resolve weakens in the presence of others, alcohol and yummy smelling food.
  • edwardkim85
    edwardkim85 Posts: 438 Member
    Instead of 12, think it's ok to lose 10 lbs(gain 2 back) and drink.

    Have fun.

    Life's not all about losing weight. Nobody can tell the diff between 12 and 10 lbs too.

    You gotta destress

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