We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

How much alcohol do you allow yourself

2

Replies

  • Schwiggity
    Schwiggity Posts: 1,449 Member
    " Alcohol also appears to increase metabolic rate significantly, thus causing more calories to be burned rather than stored in the body as fat" -Klesges RC, Mealer CZ, Klesges LM (April 1994). "Effects of alcohol intake on resting energy expenditure..."

    "For every study, there is an equal and opposite study." -Me, just now.

    Yup, because I've seen studies that say alcohol inhibits lipid hydrolysis, i.e. hindering weight loss.
  • Elizabeth_C34
    Elizabeth_C34 Posts: 6,376 Member
    I try to stick to quality beer. Drinking crap beer is a waste of calories and leaves an awful taste in the mouth - why bother. Sometimes I'll have whiskey or bourbon instead. I shudder when I read about Bud 55 or other such atrocities.

    I can't drink cheap crappy diet beer either.
  • zeeeb
    zeeeb Posts: 805 Member
    it's a non issue for me really. i don't drink unless there is something special on. so maybe once every couple of months, and i'll usually have wine, 2-3 glasses...

    if i want to drink something else my drink of choice is gin and tonic, or vodka lime and soda.... but i really only drink spirits maybe a couple of times a year...

    now that i'm old (as in not young and partying in my 20's), i just am not that into alcohol. it's not worth the terrible hangover when i have to be up at 6am dealing with 2 annoying kids (nothing is more annoying than 2 young children when you have a hangover). so i just don't bother. and i don't miss it, so i'll try to keep the alcohol consumption pretty low, even when my kids grow up a bit.
  • biceptor
    biceptor Posts: 18
    when i drink in order to try to keep the calories lower i either have light beer, or if i really wanna get schmammered i'll have rum or vodka. when i'm drinking spirits it generally consists of it straight, with a non caloric chaser, or low calorie, like crystal light. a lot of people tell me well hell if your going to drink you might as well live it up, but i figure i save the calories where i can get them.

    also, i try to only drink once a week, and i drink until i feel good. one thing i have found that helps keeping you from drinking way too much during the night is to have a couple of drinks, and then sneak in a cup of water here and there, but drink it just as you would whatever it is your drinking
  • Heather75
    Heather75 Posts: 3,386 Member
    I'm drunk right now.
  • DangerRanger
    DangerRanger Posts: 327 Member
    I'm drunk right now.

    You are my hero
  • addysmom1
    addysmom1 Posts: 22
    I love beer, not really the taste but the joy it brings :) I drink beer every saturday evening (about 10 give or take a few) and it hasnt much got in the way of my weight loss....I think everyone is different, not sure beer is something i could give up.
  • lingading
    lingading Posts: 258 Member
    Beer. Used to be 6-10 a night, 4 nights a week, now only drinking one or two nights a week and having between 2 & 8 beers (generally speaking).. sometimes no drinks, sometimes a lot. But I ALWAYS count the calories.
  • baisleac
    baisleac Posts: 2,019 Member
    I have as much as I want. :drinker: :bigsmile: :drinker:

    That usually comes out to a few days in a row of a single Guinness or glass of merlot in the evening followed by weeks of nothing. :smile:

    They're always logged and USUALLY fit in my calorie budget unless I'm intending to splurge.
  • RunningSwede
    RunningSwede Posts: 42 Member
    I didn’t set a drinking limit. I treat beer like any other food. …but knowing how easily the numbers can slip by when you’re downing a few “cold ones” with the guys I made the following rules: First, no drinking alone. It’s hard passing up a beer after work, but then I think hey, that frees up another cold one I can have with my brohams. And when I am out with the guys for every beer I down, I quietly fill my bottle with water so it’s kinda like one beer, one water, one beer, etc. It's a pain, but just having a bottle (filled with water) in the hand goes a long way in keeping the hands busy and the calories down!
  • Huffdogg
    Huffdogg Posts: 1,934 Member
    I drink as much as I want as long as I log the calories and make them fit in my diet ;)

    Jameson, Guinness, and Long Island Iced Teas for when I'm splurging, and Miller Lite for an everyday "want one after work" drink.
  • BEERRUNNER
    BEERRUNNER Posts: 3,046 Member
    A bottle of Merlot a night................
  • koosdel
    koosdel Posts: 3,317 Member
    A bottle of Merlot a night................

    Lightweight....


    Nah, just kidding!
  • pawprint_net
    pawprint_net Posts: 54
    Similar to @Huffdogg - I do what I want as long as it fits within my goals. Also favoring Guiness and Single Malt when I can afford it.
  • corsayre8
    corsayre8 Posts: 551 Member
    Vodka-a lot of it.


    I think I am in love!


    As for the question, I'm not so good at moderating my drinking, it just isn't how my friends and I roll. What I have done is limit the number of nights a week I allow myself to party. Two seems to be the number. Although I may have a drink or two in the evenings during the week.

    When I am out for fun, it is usually vodka, although pretty much anything can end up in my glass depending on my mood. Love wine and beer. Usually a minimum of five, (six, seven, eight... What all did I drink last night???).

    I jus make sure I have high calorie burns on my weekends, and don't allow myself to skip runs because I'm hungover.

    Funny thing is, I usually have losses the day after heavy drinking. Don't know if it is from the dancing, or if my body just likes it. Lol.
  • Losing2Live69
    Losing2Live69 Posts: 743 Member
    I don't drink...personal decision. I am a recovering addict (with 3 years 4 months clean), so drinking is out of the question. I have different rules than most. It's all part of recovery. I've had fun reading all these responses though.
  • lsd007
    lsd007 Posts: 435
    I'm drunk right now.

    Did you start your day out with a nice shot of Bailey's?
  • audigal2008
    audigal2008 Posts: 1,129 Member
    lol !! Rum yuk hehehe my gf drinks a ton of rum, I'll stick to beer and caesars :D And cut back the food lol
  • bluegirl10
    bluegirl10 Posts: 695 Member
    I used to drink every weekend, but have given it up for the most part. Once in a great while I will have a diet coke and rum, but that's about it. I would say that has happened once in the past three months.
  • audigal2008
    audigal2008 Posts: 1,129 Member
    hmm then I am wondering if caesras would be the way to go? but they sooo fill me up!
  • audigal2008
    audigal2008 Posts: 1,129 Member
    INCREASE Metabolism??? What ? Really? I had radio active iodine treatment to kill my very bad OVER active thyroid! So now my metabolism sucks!!
  • Seajolly
    Seajolly Posts: 1,435 Member
    I'll only typically drink on the weekends, maybe once every other week or less at the moment. I typically have beer or vodka with seltzer and a few limes. But I make sure to exercise more than usual that day and leave room in my diet that day for it!
  • SolidGoaled
    SolidGoaled Posts: 504 Member
    And when I am out with the guys for every beer I down, I quietly fill my bottle with water so it’s kinda like one beer, one water, one beer, etc. It's a pain, but just having a bottle (filled with water) in the hand goes a long way in keeping the hands busy and the calories down!


    OH MY... this is genius! I cannot wait to try this little sneaky water trick!
  • get_fit2009
    get_fit2009 Posts: 827 Member
    I have recently decided to not have any at all. After 2 drinks, my will power is GONE. I will eat whatever is in reach and there is no "record" button working, so I don't even pay attention to what I am eating.
  • speednut
    speednut Posts: 82
    Usually diet beer. MGD 64 or Bud Select 55. Maybe 2-3 on weekends but count the calories as "snacks" in my journal. Ocassionally 6-8 when golfing with my brothers. Golfing gives you extra calories!!!
  • Gettinfit2
    Gettinfit2 Posts: 254 Member
    I drink about 2-3 glasses of red wine a week.
  • mamagooskie
    mamagooskie Posts: 2,964 Member
    I go out once in awhile and say at a restaurant on a non "treat" day I will have 1 maybe 2.

    If I am going to a wedding or to a bar or house party and it is a "treat" day I will allow myself to drink as much as my body will allow me. Usually 10+ drinks.

    On treat days I also allow myself to eat what I want too. My drinks of choice are #1 sangria, and then pretty much anything else fruity or wine coolers.

    My drinking occurs usually less than monthly but more so during the summer and holidays.
  • 44isthenew29
    44isthenew29 Posts: 141
    I gave up drinking completely several years ago for my safety and yours... ;)

    Never did know when to stop anyway.
  • chrisdavey
    chrisdavey Posts: 9,834 Member
    Once a month for me. I will check my calendar and see what's on :) Although I sometimes have a red wine at night. Helps me get to sleep I've found and good antioxidants and probably better than dark chocolate. Or that's what I've convinced myself anyway :drinker:
  • dmswarts
    dmswarts Posts: 28
    i drink vodka, tonic water or club soda or just plain water and lime juice! low in calories or diet 7-up and vodka....mmmm
This discussion has been closed.

Categories