Cutting out alcohol??

cutting alcohol = cutting calories...so long as those calories aren't duplicated elsewhere, of course it could help.

Stick to a lower calorie drink like Gin & Diet Tonic w/lime or Vodka & Club w/lemon (no added sugars or juice).

Remember drink with moderation while at least filling your minimum protein and fat requirements and getting a variety of whole, minimally processed nutritious foods.

I never really drank that often, but I always did order a mixed drink when I went out with friends (which was usually twice a week). Yikes, those things hide a lot of calories! More than half of what I should be taking in a day! So in my case, yeah, cutting those out has majorly helped. Ordering "skinny" cocktails on days I still want to drink has helped, but they still have 100-200 calories in them, so I have to be careful. Also - I have rediscovered my love of wine, as you mentioned. I like to drink it a lot more slowly, so I'm usually content with one glass per social event.

Honestly, I'd love to get to a point where I'm only drinking water (and a little coffee in the morning). Flavored drinks of any sort typically land me in trouble at the end of the day.

If I'm going to drink which is very rare I will have a shot or two of vodka at 65 calories per shot mixed with soda water with extra squeezed lime. I've never been one for sugary mixed drinks so it doesn't bother me.

Keep up the great work OP it's awesome you are looking for ways to make it work into your goals!

halfninja2 wrote: »

In my experience, I have more success losing body fat if I don't drink alcohol, even just a beer or two once or twice a week has a negative effect. I can still lose body fat by managing my calories/exercise, but it's just one more thing working against me instead of for me. For perspective, my starting weight was 210lbs, lowest weight was 145lbs. Currently 158lbs after putting on a good amount of muscle.

Agree with this. I find that alcohol may not impare your weight loss if you work it in to your macros but it will make it harder to drop body fat.

When I started my journey I went 6 months without so much as a beer. It wasnt the easiest thing in the world but it helped keep me honest during the process.

Up until a couple of months ago I was drinking vodka nightly after work. I don't normally eat much, but alcohol made me so hungry that I could honestly go through an entire pizza by myself and then some. I didn't exercise anymore and just became lethargic. Now, I'm back to taking my 1-2 mile walks at lunch, 4-8 mile walks on the weekends and, finally, exercising - strength and cardio. I can't remember when I've felt this good. I never want to go back to that dark, lonely place.

I'm not implying that anybody here is like I was, just saying how bleak and non-productive it was.

Alcohol are calories and the first to be evacuated when consumed. I wholeheartedly believe that if you are active...the calories don't count 1:1.

I limit my alcohol when losing weight and I'd like to continue to do that during maintenance. I just have 1 glass of beer or wine on the weekend. Like one on Friday when we go out for dinner and then one on Saturday at home. I alternate sips of my drink with sips of water to make it last longer and it works great for me. I just love the taste and how it pairs with delicious food- not looking to get drunk at all.

No way! I love having a drink and will just make sure i work out a bit more, and save some calories up from the day x

If and when I drink, I make sure its simply alcohol mixed with water and perhaps a squeeze of lemon! I used to not be able to drink at all as it always led to binge eating. Once you get a grasp of drunk binge eating, I don't see the major harm in enjoying a drink or two here and there, as long as you don't mix them with sugary juices!