Blame it on the ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, alcohol

Here's what I do. Not sure if anyone else has mentioned this but when I'm out with friends and we are grabbing drinks, either stick to light beer or if you want the hard stuff go for a Vodka Tonic or Gin & Tonic. Tonic is a form of water, which will help with hydration throughout the night and a minimal hang over. This always works for me. My go-to drink is either Grey Goose and Tonic with a few lime wedges or Kettle and Tonic the same way. Hope it works out for you!

No judgment here. I know lots of people who find that going out on a weekend for drinks is their downfall when it comes to counting calories. Not only because the drinks themselves are high in calories, but because once you've had 2 or 3 drinks, it's easier to say "oh, eff it" and order greasy salty food and more drinks. You lose your inhibitions, so it's much harder to stick to the plan.

First, the bad news: There really isn't any "low-cal" alcohol. There are drinks that have fewer calories than other drinks, of course. But they're all fairly high in calories, and more to the point, in 'empty' calories (in that they add calories to your day without helping you get closer to your nutrition goals). The simple reality is that there isn't a trick to it; if you want to lose weight, you're gonna have to either drink less, or cut back in other areas.

Now, the good news: You're eating less, so like someone else said, your alcohol tolerance will go down. You'll get a similar effect from one beer as you used to get from two or three. Just as much fun, fewer calories, and less money = win.

More good news: You don't have to cut alcohol entirely. I mean, you don't sound like an alcoholic (if you did, I'm sure everyone here would advise you to seek some help). As long as you're keeping it in control, a glass of wine or a beer now and again won't harm you. There's even some medical research suggesting that a small amount of red wine can be heart-healthy.

If having those couple of drinks on a weekend is important to your social life, go for it. Just find a way to fit them in your macros: Eat less that day, or add another weekend workout in the mornings, or eat less snacks, or give up something else to make them fit.

Personally, I love craft beer. The way I do it is by pouring myself "tasting" pours instead of full glasses, so, my friends and I will split 1-2 bottles of a new craft beer and each have a couple of ounces of it. If I'm out at a bar, I'll order a glass / half pint instead of a pint. Stuff like that.

Another tip: In between each drink, order a glass of sparkling water and drink that. Space out your drinks more so that you can stay out with your friends and socialize longer without that awkward empty glass in front of you, but still keep the calorie count down.

Diet soda is not poison. Deit soda, like any other drink or food, should be consumed in moderation.

gkirk2000 wrote: »

By the way diet soda is poison

Nope. Kindly quit with the fearmongering. http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1308408

With the exception of a surprise bottle of wine from the hubby, I have no drank any alcohol and don't plan on it. I told my hubby until I make it to my half way point, I am not having any alcohol, so no more surprises!

gkirk2000 wrote: »

By the way diet soda is poison, and sodas in general should be avoided, they leech calcium and other minerals from your body. The only liquids I drink now are water, green tea, black coffee, red wine, and if I have hard liquor I drink it neat or on ice.

I've been poisoning myself for years. Oh the tragedy!!!

OP: When I drink socially I like to do vodka and diet drinks. One of my favorites is Vodka and Diet Cherry 7up, especially in the summer time. Now that it's colder I like a warmer drink and will occasionally have Fireball with Diet Coke. Usually I just drink beer though and fit it in, but my daily calorie goal to maintain is closer to 1800 so I have some more wiggle room.

gkirk2000 wrote: »

Look up metabolites of aspartame and tell me it isn't poison.

It Isn't Poison

We don't go out and party. Ever. My Love is in 2 bands and we usually find ourselves at a bar twice a month for their gigs. I'll admit, I love my rum and diet coke. But the calories in alcohol are so pointless. So I plan my day out the day before so I can fit two rum and cokes into my night.

I love my wine, though. 110 calories I give myself a night.

gkirk2000 wrote: »

By the way diet soda is poison, and sodas in general should be avoided, they leech calcium and other minerals from your body. The only liquids I drink now are water, green tea, black coffee, red wine, and if I have hard liquor I drink it neat or on ice.

This is madness. Science - study some of it.

Diet soda is not poison, nothing wrong with sodas in general. if you have the calories for them, and they fit your lifestyle