Weight loss diet & going out (drinking) once a week

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I understand that alcohol has negative effects, a lot of calories and practically no nutritional value, but being a student socialising and drinking is a big part of my life.

I was wondering if it's possible to follow a strict weight loss diet during the week and go out one night per week, combined with eating a bit less that day.

Would it be possible to still lose weight? I don't mind if it's slower, but I'd like some opinions, Thank you everyone
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Replies

  • galgenstrick
    galgenstrick Posts: 2,086 Member
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    You realize people will like and respect you more if you can socialize without drinking? Making drinking "a big part of your life" is not a good idea, ever.

    That said, yes, you'll lose weight if you're drinking one or two drinks a week and overall in a caloric deficit. Find low calorie drinks if you want. No need to eat less that day either, that's also a bad idea.

    I'm not really against drinking occasionally, but making it a big part of your life and making an effort to do it weekly is a bad habit to get into.
  • 911_911
    911_911 Posts: 15 Member
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    You realize people will like and respect you more if you can socialize without drinking? Making drinking "a big part of your life" is not a good idea, ever.

    That said, yes, you'll lose weight if you're drinking one or two drinks a week and overall in a caloric deficit. Find low calorie drinks if you want. No need to eat less that day either, that's also a bad idea.

    I'm not really against drinking occasionally, but making it a big part of your life and making an effort to do it weekly is a bad habit to get into.

    I'm asking about weight lose advice not life advice. Save your judgamental comments for someone who cares ;)
  • galgenstrick
    galgenstrick Posts: 2,086 Member
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    911_911 wrote: »
    You realize people will like and respect you more if you can socialize without drinking? Making drinking "a big part of your life" is not a good idea, ever.

    That said, yes, you'll lose weight if you're drinking one or two drinks a week and overall in a caloric deficit. Find low calorie drinks if you want. No need to eat less that day either, that's also a bad idea.

    I'm not really against drinking occasionally, but making it a big part of your life and making an effort to do it weekly is a bad habit to get into.

    I'm asking about weight lose advice not life advice. Save your judgamental comments for someone who cares ;)

    I gave you weight loss advice. The life advice was a bonus. Start caring now and you might actually make it somewhere in life.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 27,950 Member
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    When I was in the military, drinking was a big part of my life. If I could go back in a time machine and change that, I would.
  • 911_911
    911_911 Posts: 15 Member
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    911_911 wrote: »
    You realize people will like and respect you more if you can socialize without drinking? Making drinking "a big part of your life" is not a good idea, ever.

    That said, yes, you'll lose weight if you're drinking one or two drinks a week and overall in a caloric deficit. Find low calorie drinks if you want. No need to eat less that day either, that's also a bad idea.

    I'm not really against drinking occasionally, but making it a big part of your life and making an effort to do it weekly is a bad habit to get into.

    I'm asking about weight lose advice not life advice. Save your judgamental comments for someone who cares ;)

    I gave you weight loss advice. The life advice was a bonus. Start caring now and you might actually make it somewhere in life.

    I'm already "somewhere in life" thank you, patronising and annoying stranger
  • Horrorfox
    Horrorfox Posts: 204 Member
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    You'll initially have progress, but you'll hit a brick wall eventually. @galgenstrick has his heart in the right place. Getting blasted isn't as fun as making big gains in the gym, and then taking it out on some poor girl's back. My advice? Drink water, get in the best shape of your life, and proceed to destroy all the *kitten* you could dream of, without fearing for DUI's, drunken brawls, or alcohol poisoning.
  • 911_911
    911_911 Posts: 15 Member
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    Horrorfox wrote: »
    You'll initially have progress, but you'll hit a brick wall eventually. @galgenstrick has his heart in the right place. Getting blasted isn't as fun as making big gains in the gym, and then taking it out on some poor girl's back. My advice? Drink water, get in the best shape of your life, and proceed to destroy all the *kitten* you could dream of, without fearing for DUI's, drunken brawls, or alcohol poisoning.

    I am a girl. And you're all patronising me.

  • slaite1
    slaite1 Posts: 1,307 Member
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    911_911 wrote: »
    I understand that alcohol has negative effects, a lot of calories and practically no nutritional value, but being a student socialising and drinking is a big part of my life.

    I was wondering if it's possible to follow a strict weight loss diet during the week and go out one night per week, combined with eating a bit less that day.

    Would it be possible to still lose weight? I don't mind if it's slower, but I'd like some opinions, Thank you everyone

    Just fit it into your total calories for the week. There are numerous threads about this at the moment-try doing a search.

    I like to look at my calories in a weekly basis, and cut a little every day to save up for a higher day in the weekend. This is common-whether used for alcohol, food or both.

    Cutting drastically the day of drinking is not a good idea bc you'll feel like *kitten*. You can eat or drink whatever you want and lose weight as long as it fits in your deficit. Socializing and some drinking were a big part of my life when I was your age. I wasn't an idiot about it-but I loved hitting the bar for a few beers. I don't get all the overreaction on this thread.
  • Horrorfox
    Horrorfox Posts: 204 Member
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    Well, I apologizing for taking that route, as I thought you were a guy. But regardless of the fact, my first sentence is true. You will make short gains, but stall because of it. It's just not healthy. Do what you want though. You have your advice. You won't hear different.
  • Timorous_Beastie
    Timorous_Beastie Posts: 595 Member
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    I can honestly say that spending time celebrating/socializing with friends and family - whether alcohol was involved or not - occupies a lot more of my "best times ever" than picking up something heavy or running fast.

  • slaite1
    slaite1 Posts: 1,307 Member
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    Horrorfox wrote: »
    Well, I apologizing for taking that route, as I thought you were a guy. But regardless of the fact, my first sentence is true. You will make short gains, but stall because of it. It's just not healthy. Do what you want though. You have your advice. You won't hear different.

    She is going out one night a week. She didn't say she is binge drinking. I think being college age and leaving it to once a week is a pretty good mindset. If she is hitting her macro goals overall and wants to spend some free calories on alcohol (or chocolate or cake or chips) why is it such a big deal?
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,575 Member
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    I have no idea what some people have against banking 500 calories for a couple drinks. I do it once a week. 500 calories doesn't get you very far though, so if you're looking to have many drinks every week and have a large deficit, I wouldn't advise banking too much. Otherwise, enjoy a couple glasses of wine.
  • 911_911
    911_911 Posts: 15 Member
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    slaite1 wrote: »
    911_911 wrote: »
    I understand that alcohol has negative effects, a lot of calories and practically no nutritional value, but being a student socialising and drinking is a big part of my life.

    I was wondering if it's possible to follow a strict weight loss diet during the week and go out one night per week, combined with eating a bit less that day.

    Would it be possible to still lose weight? I don't mind if it's slower, but I'd like some opinions, Thank you everyone

    Just fit it into your total calories for the week. There are numerous threads about this at the moment-try doing a search.

    I like to look at my calories in a weekly basis, and cut a little every day to save up for a higher day in the weekend. This is common-whether used for alcohol, food or both.

    Cutting drastically the day of drinking is not a good idea bc you'll feel like *kitten*. You can eat or drink whatever you want and lose weight as long as it fits in your deficit. Socializing and some drinking were a big part of my life when I was your age. I wasn't an idiot about it-but I loved hitting the bar for a few beers. I don't get all the overreaction on this thread.


    Thanks a lot for your advice, it makes much more sense. I'll try to look at my diet from a weekly perspective. Thank you again
  • 911_911
    911_911 Posts: 15 Member
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    slaite1 wrote: »
    Horrorfox wrote: »
    Well, I apologizing for taking that route, as I thought you were a guy. But regardless of the fact, my first sentence is true. You will make short gains, but stall because of it. It's just not healthy. Do what you want though. You have your advice. You won't hear different.

    She is going out one night a week. She didn't say she is binge drinking. I think being college age and leaving it to once a week is a pretty good mindset. If she is hitting her macro goals overall and wants to spend some free calories on alcohol (or chocolate or cake or chips) why is it such a big deal?

    Thanks a lot. I didn't expect this reaction. I just like going out and socialising and a having a couple of drinks, I haven't said I want to get blackout drunk and I've never ever had problems related to being drunk.

  • galgenstrick
    galgenstrick Posts: 2,086 Member
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    slaite1 wrote: »
    Horrorfox wrote: »
    Well, I apologizing for taking that route, as I thought you were a guy. But regardless of the fact, my first sentence is true. You will make short gains, but stall because of it. It's just not healthy. Do what you want though. You have your advice. You won't hear different.

    She is going out one night a week. She didn't say she is binge drinking. I think being college age and leaving it to once a week is a pretty good mindset. If she is hitting her macro goals overall and wants to spend some free calories on alcohol (or chocolate or cake or chips) why is it such a big deal?

    Being college age and saying "drinking is a big part of my life" is not a good mindset. That's why I dropped the life advice comments. Having a drink once in a while is fine. Making it a habit by committing to drinking once a week is a bad idea.
  • Horrorfox
    Horrorfox Posts: 204 Member
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    slaite1 wrote: »
    Horrorfox wrote: »
    Well, I apologizing for taking that route, as I thought you were a guy. But regardless of the fact, my first sentence is true. You will make short gains, but stall because of it. It's just not healthy. Do what you want though. You have your advice. You won't hear different.

    She is going out one night a week. She didn't say she is binge drinking. I think being college age and leaving it to once a week is a pretty good mindset. If she is hitting her macro goals overall and wants to spend some free calories on alcohol (or chocolate or cake or chips) why is it such a big deal?

    Because I assumed the "and drinking is a big part of my life" meant binging.
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,575 Member
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    911_911 wrote: »
    slaite1 wrote: »
    Horrorfox wrote: »
    Well, I apologizing for taking that route, as I thought you were a guy. But regardless of the fact, my first sentence is true. You will make short gains, but stall because of it. It's just not healthy. Do what you want though. You have your advice. You won't hear different.

    She is going out one night a week. She didn't say she is binge drinking. I think being college age and leaving it to once a week is a pretty good mindset. If she is hitting her macro goals overall and wants to spend some free calories on alcohol (or chocolate or cake or chips) why is it such a big deal?

    Thanks a lot. I didn't expect this reaction. I just like going out and socialising and a having a couple of drinks, I haven't said I want to get blackout drunk and I've never ever had problems related to being drunk.

    Yeah just ignore those couple of posts.

    Yes it's still possible to lose weight if you log your drinks and make them fit. A couple things to remember: if you have an aggressive deficit set, subtracting from it for drinks might leave you quite a bit hungry and you might not meet your macros. If you're at a more moderate deficit, this is not as big of an issue. Also, many restaurants/bars are generous on the pours-glasses of wine are often over 5 oz and mixed drinks and even single pours are often 2 oz of liquor (or more if it is a big cocktail).
  • 911_911
    911_911 Posts: 15 Member
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    arditarose wrote: »
    911_911 wrote: »
    slaite1 wrote: »
    Horrorfox wrote: »
    Well, I apologizing for taking that route, as I thought you were a guy. But regardless of the fact, my first sentence is true. You will make short gains, but stall because of it. It's just not healthy. Do what you want though. You have your advice. You won't hear different.

    She is going out one night a week. She didn't say she is binge drinking. I think being college age and leaving it to once a week is a pretty good mindset. If she is hitting her macro goals overall and wants to spend some free calories on alcohol (or chocolate or cake or chips) why is it such a big deal?

    Thanks a lot. I didn't expect this reaction. I just like going out and socialising and a having a couple of drinks, I haven't said I want to get blackout drunk and I've never ever had problems related to being drunk.

    Yeah just ignore those couple of posts.

    Yes it's still possible to lose weight if you log your drinks and make them fit. A couple things to remember: if you have an aggressive deficit set, subtracting from it for drinks might leave you quite a bit hungry and you might not meet your macros. If you're at a more moderate deficit, this is not as big of an issue. Also, many restaurants/bars are generous on the pours-glasses of wine are often over 5 oz and mixed drinks and even single pours are often 2 oz of liquor (or more if it is a big cocktail).

    Thanks a lot for your useful advice, I'll take it into account! :)

  • Lysander666
    Lysander666 Posts: 275 Member
    edited July 2015
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    I lost 4 stone by eating 1200 cals a day for four days a week, and I drank beer and had pizza three nights a week [so about 3000 cals a day] and worked off 1000 cals three times a week. I lost about 2lb per week. It really worked well and I didn't feel deprived at all.

    This worked because my weekly calorific average was ~1500 cals a day when you do the sums. I'm surprised more people don't do this, it worked really well.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 27,950 Member
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    slaite1 wrote: »
    Horrorfox wrote: »
    Well, I apologizing for taking that route, as I thought you were a guy. But regardless of the fact, my first sentence is true. You will make short gains, but stall because of it. It's just not healthy. Do what you want though. You have your advice. You won't hear different.

    She is going out one night a week. She didn't say she is binge drinking. I think being college age and leaving it to once a week is a pretty good mindset. If she is hitting her macro goals overall and wants to spend some free calories on alcohol (or chocolate or cake or chips) why is it such a big deal?

    Being college age and saying "drinking is a big part of my life" is not a good mindset. That's why I dropped the life advice comments. Having a drink once in a while is fine. Making it a habit by committing to drinking once a week is a bad idea.

    Yes, I was reacting to the OP's statement "drinking is a big part of my life" as well.

    My ex used to delude himself that he didn't have a problem because he only drank once per week. (Of course it wasn't actually only once per week.) I'd go on about negative consequences but I'm sure the OP is sure she will escape them.