Alcohol in my diet?

LargeEricS
LargeEricS Posts: 109 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Im 6'5, 280lbs, 23 yrs old, and currently doing Insanity. I have already lost weight by keeping to my 2350 per MFP while eating healthy per say but largely just with more moderation to my old eating habits and meals. My question is, as long as I keep to my calorie limit is it ok to have a couple beers eveey now and then?

Replies

  • lynn_glenmont
    lynn_glenmont Posts: 10,089 Member
    Sure (assuming you don't have some medical reason not to do so that you've failed to mention).
  • kimny72
    kimny72 Posts: 16,011 Member
    Yep, just log them to account for the calories :drinker:
  • lynn_glenmont
    lynn_glenmont Posts: 10,089 Member
    kimny72 wrote: »
    Yep, just log them to account for the calories :drinker:

    ^^ Very good point that I completely failed to mention.
  • LargeEricS
    LargeEricS Posts: 109 Member
    No medical conditions that i know of, and i was just curious it seems like everything you read and whenever I hear people talk about losing weight they have all swore off alcohol and I was just curious if it hurt to have one every now and then. I figured as long as I logged how much it was fine, but I thought it was worth a second opinion.
  • Rebecca0224
    Rebecca0224 Posts: 810 Member
    LargeEricS wrote: »
    No medical conditions that i know of, and i was just curious it seems like everything you read and whenever I hear people talk about losing weight they have all swore off alcohol and I was just curious if it hurt to have one every now and then. I figured as long as I logged how much it was fine, but I thought it was worth a second opinion.

    I drink a couple times a week, having cranberry and vodka now. I account for it and it isn't any different than other calories.
  • lynn_glenmont
    lynn_glenmont Posts: 10,089 Member
    LargeEricS wrote: »
    No medical conditions that i know of, and i was just curious it seems like everything you read and whenever I hear people talk about losing weight they have all swore off alcohol and I was just curious if it hurt to have one every now and then. I figured as long as I logged how much it was fine, but I thought it was worth a second opinion.

    Some of those people may consume an awful lot of alcohol calories, at least in relation to their calorie goals, and some may have trouble controlling what they eat after they have a few drinks. If you can have "one every now and then" and still hit your goals (calories and other nutrients), it shouldn't be a problem.

    I probably drink more now that I know how many calories I'm getting (in the drinks and overall) than I ever did before I started losing weight. (I'm still not a big drinker, but before I might have only had a glass of wine with holiday dinners and maybe a beer or two when I was on vacation.)
  • spiffychick85
    spiffychick85 Posts: 311 Member
    I drink pretty regularly...and I've not had a problem working it in and still seeing the scale move in the right direction :)
  • bbell1985
    bbell1985 Posts: 4,571 Member

    What do you think?
  • Wynterbourne
    Wynterbourne Posts: 2,225 Member
    I still drink. I just drink less and do my best to plan for it. I've lost 130lbs. Had a bottle of Petrus Aged Red last night. Worth every calorie. :smiley:
  • JeromeBarry1
    JeromeBarry1 Posts: 10,179 Member
    LargeEricS wrote: »
    No medical conditions that i know of, and i was just curious it seems like everything you read and whenever I hear people talk about losing weight they have all swore off alcohol and I was just curious if it hurt to have one every now and then. I figured as long as I logged how much it was fine, but I thought it was worth a second opinion.

    Just don't drink to the point of forgetting to remember how much you drank. Log your drinks. Plan your drinks.
    Try to enjoy them, but realize that while all this is part of an effort to reduce fat and lose weight, for each moment of time that any alcohol is in your body your body will not burn fat. The first priority with alcohol present is to get rid of the alcohol.
  • hesn92
    hesn92 Posts: 5,966 Member
    I had a sangria tonight
  • brdnw
    brdnw Posts: 565 Member
    alcohol really really slows your ability to lose weight, with that being said I drank probably every other week while losing 95lbs, I did conciously lessen it though.
  • LargeEricS
    LargeEricS Posts: 109 Member
    edited May 2017
    Thanks for the help guys/gals, I dont plan on getting out of control or gorging because i get the "munchies" or anything its just right now I've completely cut it out of my life and I am losing weight. I didn't want to add it in and see my progress come to a stop.
  • Tacklewasher
    Tacklewasher Posts: 7,122 Member
    LargeEricS wrote: »
    Thanks for the help guys/gals, I dont plan on getting out of control or gorging when because i get the "munchies" or anything its just right now I've completely cut it out of my life and I am losing weight. I didn't want to add it in and see my progress come to a stop.

    Here's the thing. You've got a limited number of calories to eat. You've got to get a certain amount of protein, fat and carbs (mainly protein) and other nutrients out of those calories. If you can get those and still have calories left over for beer, than you will be fine. You are a big guy and have a large calorie limit, so you will have a much easier time fitting in alcohol than someone on 1200 cals. A lot of what you read is aimed more for the 1200-1500 crowd where it is tougher to get a decent diet in and have room left for beer.

    Just be warned that at you lose weight, it will hit you harder. And I know I do better avoiding the pubs with friends.
  • cee134
    cee134 Posts: 33,711 Member
    Yes. Track you calories, make sure you get your nutrition goals. Exercise for extra calories if you need to but 2 beers within calorie goals is fine. I drink whiskey and lose weight. I just don't do it every day and plan for it.
  • ulises1211
    ulises1211 Posts: 6 Member
    I'm in the same train as you're mate, i just started Insanity and I love beer but I had to drink little less than i used to and also I combine my drinking with some whiskey, I hope I would do fine, I have to loose like 30 lb to look good cus i'm the skinny fat kind with beer belly and love handles that i have to get rid off lol, successful journey for you mate.
  • LargeEricS
    LargeEricS Posts: 109 Member
    ulises1211 wrote: »
    I'm in the same train as you're mate, i just started Insanity and I love beer but I had to drink little less than i used to and also I combine my drinking with some whiskey, I hope I would do fine, I have to loose like 30 lb to look good cus i'm the skinny fat kind with beer belly and love handles that i have to get rid off lol, successful journey for you mate.

    How far into Insanity are you?
  • spiriteagle99
    spiriteagle99 Posts: 3,740 Member
    Given that beer is 150-250 calories for 12 oz. (depending on type), it is a lot easier to justify one or two if you are eating 2000+ calories vs. 1200. I generally save beer for days when I exercise more. That serves a triple purpose: rehydration, replenishing glycogen, and I enjoy beer.
  • Wynterbourne
    Wynterbourne Posts: 2,225 Member
    spiriteagle99 wrote: »
    Given that beer is 150-250 calories for 12 oz. (depending on type), it is a lot easier to justify one or two if you are eating 2000+ calories vs. 1200. I generally save beer for days when I exercise more. That serves a triple purpose: rehydration, replenishing glycogen, and I enjoy beer.

    (2.5)(or 3.0 for heavy beers like a stout) x (ABV%) x (number of ounces) = approximate calories.

    I twitch at what some craft beers are calorie wise. My Petrus Aged Red I mentioned earlier is 8.5% so it works out to about 255 calories for one 12 ounce bottle. *twitch* lol
  • linsey0689
    linsey0689 Posts: 753 Member
    I'm 24 and I say yes! You have to live a little. Look for lite beer if you can and just moderation is key. Good luck!
  • goragon
    goragon Posts: 50 Member
    edited May 2017
    I've had to totally give up alcohol to get my weight loss moving again. It's only been a month and I do find it difficult at times but the weight is coming off again now.

    I found I was making poor choices after a few drinks, I would pop in the fridge and have a snack and not record it.

    A can of lager is about 200 calories or a slice of pizza.

    I was drinking 2 bottles of spirits on the weekend, I dread to think how many calories.
  • paperpudding
    paperpudding Posts: 9,272 Member
    I drank alcohol throughout my weight loss journey and had no problems reaching my goals as expected.

    Mainly spirits with diet soda , really not many calories, and sometimes cider.
  • Tacklewasher
    Tacklewasher Posts: 7,122 Member
    Wynterbourne wrote: »
    spiriteagle99 wrote: »
    Given that beer is 150-250 calories for 12 oz. (depending on type), it is a lot easier to justify one or two if you are eating 2000+ calories vs. 1200. I generally save beer for days when I exercise more. That serves a triple purpose: rehydration, replenishing glycogen, and I enjoy beer.

    (2.5)(or 3.0 for heavy beers like a stout) x (ABV%) x (number of ounces) = approximate calories.

    I twitch at what some craft beers are calorie wise. My Petrus Aged Red I mentioned earlier is 8.5% so it works out to about 255 calories for one 12 ounce bottle. *twitch* lol

    Yeah, I've stopped craft beers for a while and am sticking to Guinness. Only 4.2% so pretty low calorie wise, but it isn't like making love in a canoe like the light beers.

  • kimny72
    kimny72 Posts: 16,011 Member
    Tacklewasher wrote: »
    Wynterbourne wrote: »
    spiriteagle99 wrote: »
    Given that beer is 150-250 calories for 12 oz. (depending on type), it is a lot easier to justify one or two if you are eating 2000+ calories vs. 1200. I generally save beer for days when I exercise more. That serves a triple purpose: rehydration, replenishing glycogen, and I enjoy beer.

    (2.5)(or 3.0 for heavy beers like a stout) x (ABV%) x (number of ounces) = approximate calories.

    I twitch at what some craft beers are calorie wise. My Petrus Aged Red I mentioned earlier is 8.5% so it works out to about 255 calories for one 12 ounce bottle. *twitch* lol

    Yeah, I've stopped craft beers for a while and am sticking to Guinness. Only 4.2% so pretty low calorie wise, but it isn't like making love in a canoe like the light beers.

    Seriously, why can't they make a light beer taste like beer???? All the modern food science, the way they can make stuff taste different and they can't figure out light beer :(
  • Wynterbourne
    Wynterbourne Posts: 2,225 Member
    Tacklewasher wrote: »
    Wynterbourne wrote: »
    spiriteagle99 wrote: »
    Given that beer is 150-250 calories for 12 oz. (depending on type), it is a lot easier to justify one or two if you are eating 2000+ calories vs. 1200. I generally save beer for days when I exercise more. That serves a triple purpose: rehydration, replenishing glycogen, and I enjoy beer.

    (2.5)(or 3.0 for heavy beers like a stout) x (ABV%) x (number of ounces) = approximate calories.

    I twitch at what some craft beers are calorie wise. My Petrus Aged Red I mentioned earlier is 8.5% so it works out to about 255 calories for one 12 ounce bottle. *twitch* lol

    Yeah, I've stopped craft beers for a while and am sticking to Guinness. Only 4.2% so pretty low calorie wise, but it isn't like making love in a canoe like the light beers.

    And of course, we all know kittens don't like being near water. :wink:

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