Diet and alcohol

joewill2848
joewill2848 Posts: 17 Member
edited November 27 in Health and Weight Loss
How does one balance losing weight and drinking alcohol cause I love to drink
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Replies

  • tennisdude2004
    tennisdude2004 Posts: 5,609 Member
    CICO - just make your alcohol calories for your target
  • joewill2848
    joewill2848 Posts: 17 Member
    Those long islands add calories quick lol
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    joewill2848 wrote: »
    How does one balance losing weight and drinking alcohol cause I love to drink
    joewill2848 wrote: »
    Those long islands add calories quick lol

    Long Island Ice Teas were my drink of choice when I was in the military!

    How many per week are you talking about? When I loved to drink, I was a heavy drinker, so I want to make sure we are on the same page, cuz I'm sure there are some people here who also identify as loving to drink, but are talking about a few sips of wine here and there.
  • kimny72
    kimny72 Posts: 16,011 Member
    Log your drinks and stay under your calorie goal.

    If you find you aren't leaving yourself enough calories to eat enough food then you have to make a choice - cut back or stay overweight.

    Cocktails /mixed drinks can be the worst because of the add ins and typical serving size. Moderation, self control, and smart choices are key.
  • jorichards2
    jorichards2 Posts: 100 Member
    I only drink once a week and aim for no more than 500kcal on alcohol that day. I exercise lots all week to compensate and don’t eat those calories back. So over the week I don’t go over
  • JDMac82
    JDMac82 Posts: 3,192 Member
    edited June 2018
    Protein gives you 4 calories per gram
    Carbohydrates give you 4 calories per gram
    Fats are 9 calories per gram
    Alcohol itself is 7 calories per gram.

    Reference: 4y8c94qjmsze.jpg

    1.5 oz or a shot of 40% (standard) alcohol equals 42.5 /43 calories just from alcohol

    a 12 oz can of beer is about 2.5 oz of alcohol which is 70.8/71 calories just from alcohol

    Understand that an average person will burn 100 calories just walking 2000 steps.
    (This rule isn't written in stone because the answer depends on factors such as your pace, weight, body fat percentage, and age)

    Like another stated Moderation is key, just like anything in life.

    Please dont do what some college age gals are notorious for which is called Drunk Axeria, IE you wont fuel your body with actual food to save up your calories to drink.
  • rj0150684
    rj0150684 Posts: 227 Member
    If you’re going to bars, maybe invite people over to your house instead and mix your own. Like someone said, the alcohol itself isn’t super high in calories (whiskey is 60-70 cal/oz), so I just do whiskey on the rocks, but you could do a whiskey sour with an ounce of whiskey, half an ounce of lemon juice and a teaspoon of simple syrup for less than a hundred calories.
  • psychod787
    psychod787 Posts: 4,099 Member
    Vodka, tonic with a low calorie drink mix. Just add a packet or a squeeze... bam... flavored drink!
  • SabAteNine
    SabAteNine Posts: 1,867 Member
    JaxxieKat wrote: »
    I love to drink as well. I budget my calories for a 6oz glass of wine every evening and maybe a nice cocktail or two on Friday or Saturday.

    This.
    It's all in the budgeting :smile:
    Also, I pre-log my protein and glass of wine / small beer (and my chocolate) and just fill up the rest.
  • joewill2848
    joewill2848 Posts: 17 Member
    kshama2001 wrote: »
    joewill2848 wrote: »
    How does one balance losing weight and drinking alcohol cause I love to drink
    joewill2848 wrote: »
    Those long islands add calories quick lol

    Long Island Ice Teas were my drink of choice when I was in the military!

    How many per week are you talking about? When I loved to drink, I was a heavy drinker, so I want to make sure we are on the same page, cuz I'm sure there are some people here who also identify as loving to drink, but are talking about a few sips of wine here and there.

    I really dont drink like everyday anymore, usually on Saturday nights I will have 5 or 6
  • joewill2848
    joewill2848 Posts: 17 Member
    rj0150684 wrote: »
    If you’re going to bars, maybe invite people over to your house instead and mix your own. Like someone said, the alcohol itself isn’t super high in calories (whiskey is 60-70 cal/oz), so I just do whiskey on the rocks, but you could do a whiskey sour with an ounce of whiskey, half an ounce of lemon juice and a teaspoon of simple syrup for less than a hundred calories.

    Oh, I have a full bar here lmao
  • jdog022
    jdog022 Posts: 693 Member
    I was drinking 6-8 per day for years before my LFTs crapped the bed and I decided to change my life. at first I worked a few beers Into my weekend calories and then something amazing happened... I decided I'd rather have food.
  • joewill2848
    joewill2848 Posts: 17 Member
    MrsPeach66 wrote: »
    The liquor is not that high in calories. You can budget for 2-3 shots of liquor without too much problem. It's all the fruit juices and sodas that add up. Try diet sodas and those Crystal Light cocktail mixers. cf9mu72d27ot.jpg

    2 or 3 shots would just get me started lol
  • Famof72015
    Famof72015 Posts: 393 Member
    cmriverside wrote: »
    Yeah, alcohol adds up quickly. You may want to switch to non-sugary drinks. The other problem with drinking is the munchies - both during and then the next day.

    I quit drinking, it makes weight maintenance so much easier for me. I understand that probably isn't what you are looking to do - but it certainly makes my entire life easier and better.

    Good for you! I probably need to
    Quit. Definitely scale back.
    I’m relying on it too much. Summer break, 5 kids home and I’m beginning to associate it with being outside in the sun. It’s becoming more of a habit than it needs to. I need to reasses my goals and life for that matter. It’s too easy to form a habit of enjoying it. It takes the edge off but I need to find other ways. 4-8 blue moons a night is ugh not the right way. Lol. Maybe I should start an accountability group... anyone interested?

  • Famof72015
    Famof72015 Posts: 393 Member
    joewill2848 wrote: »
    How does one balance losing weight and drinking alcohol cause I love to drink

    Idk if there is a true way. I’m going to scale wayyyyyy back and either do it just Friday or Saturday night or if there is something going on that month save for that. I use to never drink them just once a month and the last 2-3 months daily
  • Famof72015
    Famof72015 Posts: 393 Member
    But we can make the changes and sacrifices if we really want to. Today is a good day to change. Think about what’s important. Your health and think about all the money we save. You/we got this!
  • lorib642
    lorib642 Posts: 1,942 Member
    The mixers are what kill me. You can use diet or club soda. Did you say you drink one day/week? You can balance your calories for the week rather than by day.

    I have cut way back. Partly because of the calories, also for health reasons.
  • boehle
    boehle Posts: 5,062 Member
    Prelog them and workout during the day to earn them
  • CSARdiver
    CSARdiver Posts: 6,252 Member
    I learned to savor and focus on the quality of what's in front of me rather than going for volume. I have a fully stocked wet bar at home and a home brewer. I just make sure it fits in my calorie budget.
  • roderick2464
    roderick2464 Posts: 12 Member
    Just make sure your only mixer is ice 😃😀 and stay in your limit and no carbs in spirits just cals. Miller lite not bad and on the low side
  • Colofit
    Colofit Posts: 177 Member
    I hear ya...I am not drinking in the week and letting myself have some over the weekend (if it fits in my calorie log)...makes me REALLY want to exercise hard those days too to give me more cals! Bottom line though, I have certainly seen how many calories I have drank without a second thought in the past...cutting back was a must for me and this big *kitten* belly hahaha
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