Cutting down on alcohol
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melaniebhowes wrote: »
No, its the calories and the lack of diet adherence when under the influence . Also, the alcohol is the preferred fuel source when ingested, putting carbs, fats and proteins in the back seat while your body rids itself of the alcohol.Since NFL football started back up, my weight went up. I love to have a couple cold beers/drinks when watching the games. It's the amount of sugar that is in the alcohol that causes the weight gain. Some alcohols have more some less. You really need to research your alcohols to see what would be the best. Here is a good article to read about alcohol content http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/low-calorie-cocktails
^ Thank you for this - finally the preferred fuel source explanation I've been waiting to see.
But it doesn't make a damn bit of difference if your still in a deficit.
If you don't learn to fit a drink or two in while in a deficit - how will you know how to do it at your desired weight?
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melaniebhowes wrote: »
No, its the calories and the lack of diet adherence when under the influence . Also, the alcohol is the preferred fuel source when ingested, putting carbs, fats and proteins in the back seat while your body rids itself of the alcohol.Since NFL football started back up, my weight went up. I love to have a couple cold beers/drinks when watching the games. It's the amount of sugar that is in the alcohol that causes the weight gain. Some alcohols have more some less. You really need to research your alcohols to see what would be the best. Here is a good article to read about alcohol content http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/low-calorie-cocktails
^ Thank you for this - finally the preferred fuel source explanation I've been waiting to see.
But it doesn't make a damn bit of difference if your still in a deficit.
If you don't learn to fit a drink or two in while in a deficit - how will you know how to do it at your desired weight?
Touche there. Well I have stop drinking like before although I do miss those days sometimes. I never understood how people went out and only had one of two drinks. I have finally got there or I choose to not drink at all.
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I stick with vodka martinis with olives. Dry, savory, and it takes me awhile to enjoy one and they pack a good buzz. I have 1-2 and count them and it doesn't derail me. Stay away from mixed cocktails and rum, and keep in mind that alcohol can lower your inhibitions around food too. Good luck!0
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LaurenJB2014 wrote: »Thanks for the advice
I feel like the 'fake' drinks might be the way forward. At least on the random Thursday night work drinks, there's no need for the hangover on Friday!
Are you drinking with a meal? I can nurse one glass of wine through an entire meal. If you are attending events without dinner, I'd advise a healthy dinner beforehand rather than showing up hungry. It's easy to knock back 3 drinks on an empty stomach after you've been working all day. Not so easy if you are full. This will also slow the absoroption of alcohol which will help you make better choices. My secret drink? A white wine spritzer. 2 drinks = the calories of 1 drink. Just make sure you are clear with the bartender that you want half wine and half seltzer.0 -
LaurenJB2014 wrote: »Hi there
I'm 99% sure my weight gain is down to alcohol - directly or indirectly.
The drink has loads of calories, I eat when I'm drunk and then eat terribly the next day when I'm hungover.
I work in media so drinking is very much part of the culture and my boyfriend works in pub management so there's always temptation to have a glass of wine (or three).
Does anyone have any tips for cutting down on drinking?
Thanks!
My mom cuts her wine in half with soda water. It's actually not bad, and for 50-60 cals a glass you can't go wrong.0 -
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My secret drink? A white wine spritzer. 2 drinks = the calories of 1 drink. Just make sure you are clear with the bartender that you want half wine and half seltzer.[/quote]
This works well for me. Then, if you really want the second drink, you're having the second half of a glass of wine. I found recently that drinking dark, winter beer works well for me. (I love beer...) They're heavy and I drink them slower. Once it's done, I am usually too full for another.
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I have learned to cut back a whole lot. I would have a couple bottles of wine a week. Now I have only one throughout the entire week. I do have moments where I tend to go to happy hour day after day after day and that messes me up. I now try to order drinks I can count and make fit. You have to know your limits and what you can and cannot handle. If you can manage to stick with the low cal or skinny drinks and make them fit, then perfect. If you know that is something you just cannot do, then cut it out for a while until you can stick to your limitations.0
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I work in lobbying/PR so drinking is a big part of my job as well, I will often fix myself what I call a "faux-mosa", it's just sparkling water and a teeny splash of juice. It looks like an alcoholic beverage so you don't have to be obvious about it and subject yourself to pressure from others plus it keeps me hydrated! Come up with some super low-cal drink options like this to help "keep up appearances" while not ebbing away at your efforts. I've found that most bartenders are very nice and discreet when it comes to these requests as well.
I hardly drink at all anymore, and very few people know that
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I stopped drinking alcohol nearly 3 weeks ago and I had not one non drinking friend until recently. The support they can give you really helps. My entire social life revolved around drinks so the first time I went out to an event sober...it was a huge adjustment. It was uncomfortable and I just wanted to leave and go home after an hour but I stayed on and actually had a lot of fun!
It helps to know for yourself why you are making a particular choice. No one has to know but when people question you, you tend to question yourself in turn and having firm beliefs will give you strength. With all that it encourages you to try different activities and expand new friendships. Another vote for soda/mineral water, ice and lime wedge.0 -
Thanks again for the tips - I'm glad I'm not the only one! I think I'll start drinking something I don't like that much... Like g&t should slow me down, it's too easy to knock back a glass of wine!0
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You have to find what works for you and your lifestyle. For me - I only drink here and there now. I either sit down and have a few glasses of wine at home on a friday night. Or I'll have one amazing mojito from my favorite place when out with friends. My monthly consumption has basically reduced to what I used to drink in one night 2.5 years ago......0
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stick to low calorie and "healthy" options. pretty much red wine and whiskey and it's variations.
you're going to have to learn to pace yourself better, which is something i struggle with. i tell myself something like "i'm only going to have four drinks during the course of this four hour party."
get a glass of water/club soda/ or diet soda in between drinks.0 -
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AA-1
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I've been trying to curb this by just dramatically reducing the drinking days in my week. The first 20lbs I cut out drinking during the week days. Now that my loss is starting to slow, I'm having to cut back to one or two nights on the weekend instead of 3. I'm still staying under my calories but all the reading about burning alcohol calories first makes me feel like I'm getting behind on fat calories burned.0
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