Alcohol
JustDoIt987
Posts: 120 Member
Do you guys manage to drink alcohol and still maintain your weight? How often do you drink and what do you usually drink? Yesterday I drank 5 glasses diet coke with vodka and 2 shots of whiskey , but then I got really hungry and ended up eating A LOT ! Hopefully it wont show that much on the scale !
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Replies
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Try eating smaller meals if you know you are going to be drinking and doing an extra bit of cardio to help balance it out. That's what I try to do4
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JustDoIt987 wrote: »Do you guys manage to drink alcohol and still maintain your weight? How often do you drink and what do you usually drink? Yesterday I drank 5 glasses diet coke with vodka and 2 shots of whiskey , but then I got really hungry and ended up eating A LOT ! Hopefully it wont show that much on the scale !
I know people who drink a bunch and maintain or cut weight.
I am NOT one of those people. Too much alcohol makes me feel starving -- I crave lots of greasy food, and it obliterates my willpower for the next 48 hours as I try to feel better. On top of that, I'm unlikely to work out in any serious way.
A glass or two of wine or a beer on weekend doesn't affect me much though, so I keep it to that.
7 drinks and I'd be a bit of a mess. It was a lot easier in my 20s because I'd bounce back faster, but 30s? Hell no.6 -
I have a couple of drinks on the weekend no matter what my fitness goals are.
The biggest problem with drinking is when you get a little tipsy you make irresponsible desicions, like loaded fries, lava cake etc.9 -
No food problems related to alcohol but if I run 25+ miles a week I can fit my booze in and maintain or even lose if I don't drink beer all day during the weekend. I have 4 oz. scotch, 1/2 bottle wine and a beer daily.4
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Tim_Redfearn wrote: »Try eating smaller meals if you know you are going to be drinking and doing an extra bit of cardio to help balance it out. That's what I try to do
Agree to work it into your day, but doing extra cardio to balance out can be unhealthy mentally - no need to punish yourself for making a choice. All foods, and drinks, can be enjoyed in moderation, without feeling guilty.
The issue with alcohol is two-fold. While technically its 7kcals/gram, our bodies view it as a toxin, and works actively to metabolize or excrete it, stalling the metabolism of other foods. Couple this with the food decisions one makes when drunk, and you can see where that leads lol. The other issue is the impact the next day. Does it derail training because you are hungover or not feeling up to it? Do you spend most of the day sedentary?
Again, everything and anything can be enjoyed in moderation. Work it into your goals if you can.5 -
I drink multiple glasses of wine probably 5 days a week. If I drink early on the weekend I could easily drink more than a bottle. I mostly feel guilty because of the calories, but I honestly rarely have any other side effects (like binge eating, hangovers, etc). I guess that's the advantage of being sort of an alcoholic with a tolerance. I truly feel I am just always going to be a drinker so I've accepted it. I quit while I was pregnant obviously but basically had a "bottle of wine" tolerance level in no time...so....maybe I am just really efficient at processing it? I love booze in general but I do try to stick with wine now since it's easier for me to track how much I've had. Would I lose weight faster if I quit drinking, no doubt, but is it worth it to me? No. I find it relaxing as I am usually active non-stop with a crazy 1 year old and busy social life. So for me it's part of my mental health and happiness! I work hard at the gym and on my bike and am active everyday so I feel that I earn it as my indulgence. Some people eat dessert everyday....mine just happens to be wine!
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I drink most days and have no problem cutting weight or maintaining so long as my exercise stays consistent. I'm active pretty much 6-7 days per week.
In the winter my activity typically drops and I usually put on about 10 lbs but it comes right off when it starts getting nice again and I resume my normal schedule.
This year ill have my indoor trainer and I also belong to a climbing gym so things should go better this winter0 -
I lost 75 pounds in 18 months while drinking beer or bourbon. Just count the calories.2
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I only drink once a week when working on a specific goal - for me I sometimes lose willpower when I drink.
I do try to drink Tito's and soda (or Le Croix) which doesn't typically hinder any progress. Only certified gluten free vodka out there. 3 -
I still drink once in a while (like right now) but I keep it to one, maybe 2 Titos or red wine. I had to give up Chardonnay altogether because I guzzle it like water. Literally.4
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Yeah chardonnay is so drinkable on hot summer days. I've thrown in more red wine because it's less refreshing and slows my consumption down.....a bit...2
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I drink every day. During the week, a glass or two of wine with dinner. One the weekends, usually a bottle a day. Often when it's hot I make sangria but use stevia instead of sugar with the fruit.
I don't eat a lot of junk when/after drinking though. One of the good things about wine is that it pairs better with healthy foods than with junk food. And a piece or two of good quality chocolate with red wine makes the perfect dessert.5 -
Just be careful with meds. Like Metformin for Diabetes can lead to Lactic acidosis. Obviously, a regular drinker or a binge drinker.0
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dieselbyte wrote: »Tim_Redfearn wrote: »Try eating smaller meals if you know you are going to be drinking and doing an extra bit of cardio to help balance it out. That's what I try to do
Agree to work it into your day, but doing extra cardio to balance out can be unhealthy mentally - no need to punish yourself for making a choice. All foods, and drinks, can be enjoyed in moderation, without feeling guilty.
The issue with alcohol is two-fold. While technically its 7kcals/gram, our bodies view it as a toxin, and works actively to metabolize or excrete it, stalling the metabolism of other foods. Couple this with the food decisions one makes when drunk, and you can see where that leads lol. The other issue is the impact the next day. Does it derail training because you are hungover or not feeling up to it? Do you spend most of the day sedentary?
Again, everything and anything can be enjoyed in moderation. Work it into your goals if you can.
^^^All of this...1 -
Now well into my 2nd year of maintenance, I eat slightly below maintenance most days to allow for a very indulgent day once a week or so.
The indulgent days pretty much always include alcohol, but maybe 2-4 drinks typically (not 7). There's only so much a l'il ol' lady (61, 5'5", weight in 120s) oughta be drinking, y'know, especially if she has to drive (in which case fewer, and with food!).
Other days - the lower cal ones - I might have a drink, possibly 2, if I've already hit protein, fat, and veggie/fruit goal minimums and still have the calories left. It trades off against other calorie -dense treat foods. Frequency varies, but maybe 3x a week on average in summer, less in winter (fewer activity calories)?
Drinking does sometimes lead to over-eating for me, though, especially if sleep was also sub-par, or there are social triggers. It's something I'm still working on.
IME, the body almost seems to shrug off a way-over-goal day if it's exceedingly rare, but mine doesn't shrug off the once-a-week-ish ones: I have to account for those.2 -
I think its perfectly normal to want to drink sometimes, an evening drink or so doesn't matter too much. But if I am drinking at a social event or something on the weekend I try to hit the gym or do a long morning run before hand so that I have some extra calories to work with and that way you can enjoy yourself and relax about it. Also another suggestion is mixing your liquor with low cal seltzer, flavored waters, or low cal juices.1
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Yep. I usually drink three days a week, a couple glasses of red wine. (OK, they may be "large pours"). I pre-log the wine calories at the start of my day and I just fit them in. I don't tend to eat while I'm drinking, so that's not a problem for me. I did this all through losing and while maintaining. There are days when I have more than my 2 glasses
.... the occasional party and whatnot. But it all evens out. 0 -
I'm no saint, and I hate to be a constant buzz-kill to everyone just trying to have a good time, but alcohol is a diet challenge, very similar to sugar, but worse.
First, in large quantities (yes,@JustDoIt987, you are describing a large quantity) has many well-known negative effects to your health. Second, in terms of nutrition, it has none, but it does have calories (7kcal/gram, second only to fat). Third, it lowers inhibition to overeating and drinking. Fourth, it is highly habit forming. Just have a drink for several days in a row and then decide not to, you'll be thinking about that drink all night long. It's creepy! Fifth, when you have alcohol in your system, it is metabolized first, meaning that other nutrients are more likely converted to fat.
You know what good well with a beer? Another beer and a bag of chips!14 -
Jthanmyfitnesspal wrote: »I'm no saint, and I hate to be a constant buzz-kill to everyone just trying to have a good time, but alcohol is a diet challenge, very similar to sugar, but worse.
First, in large quantities (yes,@JustDoIt987, you are describing a large quantity) has many well-known negative effects to your health. Second, in terms of nutrition, it has none, but it does have calories (7kcal/gram, second only to fat). Third, it lowers inhibition to overeating and drinking. Fourth, it is highly habit forming. Just have a drink for several days in a row and then decide not to, you'll be thinking about that drink all night long. It's creepy! Fifth, when you have alcohol in your system, it is metabolized first, meaning that other nutrients are more likely converted to fat.
You know what good well with a beer? Another beer and a bag of chips!
Whoa, so much wrong here.
Nutrition, alcohol may not provide nutrients but alcoholic drinks may. Wine contains several valuable nutrients as well as probiotics.
People have varying levels of addictive behavior. I drink over the medical recommendations and have for decades without becoming addicted or experiencing any negative health effects). Yet when I was pregnant, I stopped drinking for a year without any problem. When I had surgery I quit drinking during recovery with no problem.
What difference does it make which is metabolized first or second or last? Too many calories will converted to fat. Period. Don't eat too many calories and you won't gain fat. Period.9 -
JustDoIt987 wrote: »Do you guys manage to drink alcohol and still maintain your weight? How often do you drink and what do you usually drink? Yesterday I drank 5 glasses diet coke with vodka and 2 shots of whiskey , but then I got really hungry and ended up eating A LOT ! Hopefully it wont show that much on the scale !
If I feel like spurging a bit, then some wine. Usually, liquor + calorie-free diluent (as in rum + diet soda, or cherry vodka + club soda,...) = calories for the 1.5 oz of liquor only (slightly less than 100 calories). I have in the past occasionally asked for only 1 oz or half a shot rather than the standard pour if I'm watching calories.
I usually only drink when I'm out dancing, and unless it is a follow-heavy venue, I can typically burn off at least 1-2 of them.
I'm a very short female, so the calories in bar food (pretty much ANY bar food) are ridiculously higher than what I can fit into a meal and so not worth it - I don't think I'd eat it even if I was drunk at this point. (If I cycle hills as fast as I can for 2 hours, then I can pretty much make room for half a burger & fries..otherwise, um no.).1 -
Alcohol is just a different source of calories. You can eat Snickers bars and drink vodka and still lose weight. Wouldn't recommend it because of what it would do to your body but you have to look at it this way a calorie is a calorie as far as weight loss.
To put things in perspective started my weight-loss Journey January 1st 2016. Lost 80 lb in approximately 8 months and I've been basically maintaining for 10-plus months.
In 2016 I went on vacation 3 times each time I drank too much I ate too much there were days in fact multiple days where I drank my calorie limit. I still managed to lose weight during that time and I've also maintained it during that time.
For this to work this has to be a lifetime commitment and it has to be sustainable. If you give up stuff you enjoy it won't work. I still enjoy the occasional Wendy's hamburger slice of pizza and beers on the beach if I had to give those things up I could have never done it1 -
I've never had a drinking problem exactly, I can stop at 1-2, so I don't tell myself I can never have a drink. But I never drink anymore; it was interfering with my sleep, my energy, my ability to make healthy food choices. It always makes me gain. Sleep was the biggest factor for me; so I avoid alcohol these days and the weight loss/maintenance has been a million times easier. Plus my life got easier.5
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JustDoIt987 wrote: »Do you guys manage to drink alcohol and still maintain your weight? How often do you drink and what do you usually drink? Yesterday I drank 5 glasses diet coke with vodka and 2 shots of whiskey , but then I got really hungry and ended up eating A LOT ! Hopefully it wont show that much on the scale !
Of course! As long as it fits in your plan why wouldn't you? I drink a glass or two a couple nights a week and maybe about 3.5 glasses on weekends unless it's a planned event (birthday party/graduation party etc).2 -
I'm not one of the people who can drink and keep within my calorie limit. When I drink, I eat. I pretty much cut alcohol out of my diet. Honestly, I don't miss it.
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STEVE142142 wrote: »Alcohol is just a different source of calories....
For this to work this has to be a lifetime commitment and it has to be sustainable. If you give up stuff you enjoy it won't work. I still enjoy the occasional Wendy's hamburger slice of pizza and beers on the beach if I had to give those things up I could have never done it
Yes, this!
I drink a beer (and not usually a light one, either) probably 5 days a week. There's nothing better after a hot run, LOL! But, I almost never have more than one, maybe on a weekend I'll have two. So, it's about moderation and of course, I log them all.
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I am like you when it comes to drinking with pals. I stick with grilled vegetables and fruits with drinks and I keep eating while drinking. It helps the next day on the scale.1
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JustDoIt987 wrote: »Do you guys manage to drink alcohol and still maintain your weight? How often do you drink and what do you usually drink? Yesterday I drank 5 glasses diet coke with vodka and 2 shots of whiskey , but then I got really hungry and ended up eating A LOT ! Hopefully it wont show that much on the scale !
If it doesn't show up on the scale where do you think it's going to show up? 455-700(depends on proof) calories has to go somewhere.
Yes I drink ALCOHOL and I've been losing weight since April, but it's been showing up on my scale as 16 extra POUNDS I could've lost since last April.
I think one of these days I'm going to be sick and tired of being sick and tired.4 -
dieselbyte wrote: »The issue with alcohol is two-fold. While technically its 7kcals/gram, our bodies view it as a toxin, and works actively to metabolize or excrete it, stalling the metabolism of other foods.
...
This doesn't make sense to me. What difference does it make what order your body metabolizes calories? If you eat 100 calories, 50 protein, 50 fat, or you eat (and drink) 100 calories, 40 protein, 40 fat, 20 alcohol... aren't the CICO results the same?
You *might* get more micronutrients from the protein/fat food combo, but that depends on what you eat. If you're already getting the micros you need, I don't see what the problem would be.5 -
I drink just one beer at a time - generally/ only on Friday and Saturday nights.
I add the beer to my daily calorie allowance at the start of those days. This ensures I have minimal chance of exceeding the calorie count for that day.
(I've been on maintenance/ slowly losing routine for about the last year.)0 -
I have started to drink once every 9 days. Keeps tolerance down so I drink less and I spend a lot less money.
I'm a drunk eater too. Like eat an entire bag of family sized Doritos in 30 minutes. I know it is gross. But I eat less if I have a small meal before I drink.
Just moderate. That's the most important thing.2
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