Is it drinking alcohol while losing weight is bad?
Ferd2001
Posts: 2 Member
Yes I admit I was a heavy drinker before binging in 6-8 bottle of strong beers that I discovered every bottle contains 240 cals, now that I decided to lose a weight I shift from strong to light beers that is only containing 120 cals per bottle. I could chug 3 bottles some weekends and that is 360 cals and I do fitting it in in my daily calorie deficit goal, so the question starts here is it still bad to consume moderate amount of alcohol while losing weight even it does fit in my calorie goal.
3
Replies
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Well, good or bad with regards to what precisely?
- for weight loss, I don't think it matters if you're staying within your calories
- some people find they have more trouble with self discipline with regards to what they eat when they have been drinking
- health wise I presume alcohol isn't great, but what you're consuming doesn't sound excessive (although I have no idea what size bottles you are talking about
) 14 -
Less calories in than burned for weight loss.
ALWAYS.
Beneficial for long term health , probably not.11 -
It sounds like you've made a healthier substitution compared to what you were drinking. I see pros and cons to it though. As long as you're not sacrificing healthy calories and only keeping it to a limited amount, IMO it's doing very little harm. It'd be no different than if I were to indulge in a piece of cake every weekend. It's not going to be the 'make it or break it' defining action. But if you find yourself creeping back to your old ways, then you might need to rethink it.5
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If it fits in your calorie goal enjoy a cold one or two. If you're worried about heavy drinking and its health effects that's a different conversation.
Weight loss is not about denying yourself the foods (and beverages) you enjoy; it's about eating fewer calories than you expend in a sustainable manner ie developing habits that can last you a lifetime, otherwise you'll spend a lifetime of yo-yo dieting.10 -
When I go to the football I always have about 2-3 pints of lager before the game & will always work them calories into my daily amount or sometimes I have banked a few calories in previous days to help me out in case I go over that day I want to have a drink. It’s never affected my losses one bit2
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Yes I admit I was a heavy drinker before binging in 6-8 bottle of strong beers that I discovered every bottle contains 240 cals, now that I decided to lose a weight I shift from strong to light beers that is only containing 120 cals per bottle. I could chug 3 bottles some weekends and that is 360 cals and I do fitting it in in my daily calorie deficit goal, so the question starts here is it still bad to consume moderate amount of alcohol while losing weight even it does fit in my calorie goal.
As a guy currently in contest prep that drinks moderately twice a week, even a little more during contest week, drinking ANY alcohol has no disadvantage weight loss wise (i didn't say health lol). Stay within your caloric range goal while fitting in drinking, if possible. During a weight loss journey, it's not necessarily alcohol that's the culprit during weight loss road blocks, it's really all the crap we eat while drinking!7 -
I finally just stopped drinking. I was having a lot of trouble hitting my nutrition goals, getting enough protein and vegetables, staying in calories and still drinking.
When I drink I want heavy foods that day and for the next day. That is also a problem, it puts me way over calories and I just don't feel good drinking and eating that way.
10 -
There have actually been numerous studies and a lot of research that links alcohol to health issues, particularly if you have been drinking a lot/frequently for a long time. Moderation is the key, as it is for almost all things.9
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I still drink for sure, but I always count it, and have cut down a lot. If you can fit the light beers into your calorie goals and don't otherwise make bad choices regarding food because you are drinking, it shouldn't affect your weight loss, but for me personally I just get to the point where I don't want to spend my calories on drinking unless I'm having a "drinking night" where I go out with friends and know I'm gonna be drinking that night.
But bottom line - they are your calories and you can spend them however you would like!4 -
The answer to weight loss is always going to be establishing a calorie deficit which just means you have to consume less calories than you need.
The answer to sustainable weight loss is quite a bit more murky. I do drink on occasion but on those days I am comfortable with exceeding my calorie goal. That was my choice. To drink a little more often and make a number of compromises or drink super rarely and have what I want and the food that follows. I have chosen the latter. The reason this was my best choice is that I typically find it easier to eat my calories instead of drinking them. I have chosen to keep drinking because I also find it easier not to restrict anything I can moderate. If I do I risk feeling deprived. So through some trial and error I have established a balance.
I would encourage anyone who described themselves as a heavy drinker to get checked out by a doctor. It is probably fine but worth the peace of mind.6 -
I factor alcohol into my calories and it is not a problem. One thing I did find, though, is that beer hindered my weight loss, more than wine or spirits, regardless of the calorie count.3
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In a narrow, technical sense, if you can fit the beers into the calories, then it's doable.
In practice, it doesn't work that well. Dieting and alcohol are not natural allies; they will always be fighting each other ... and the alcohol will usually win.
My wife and I started dieting last May, and due primarily to previous debacles in which our diets hit the skids and/or resulted in total regains because of alcohol, she 100 % quit drinking (and has not had a single drink in 9 months). I still have the occasional drink or two when we're out socially but we keep no alcohol in the house, which was a massive, massive change to the status quo.
Took a few weeks to get used to it, but honestly it is one of the best things we've ever done.
I would never go back to regular drinking, even if magically my weight was forever pegged to my goal weight and I could eat or drink whatever I wanted.11 -
I think that there are some people who absolutely don't do well mixing drinking and dieting. For those people, significantly limiting or even eliminating alcohol is a good choice.
There are other people who don't have issues combining calorie counting and regular/semi-regular drinking. I know, as I'm one of these people. I drank while I was losing weight and I still drink now, while maintaining. Some key factors for me: I'm fairly active, so it isn't keeping me from meeting my nutritional needs. I am hardcore about accurately logging my drinks. And, probably most important, alcohol doesn't change my food choices. If it weren't for those three things, I don't think I could be successful.
11 -
I do not drink during the week but I am a binge drinker on the weekends. I had to cut alcohol completely out of my plan. I started seeing major progress. My muscle mass went up 4 lbs and my Body Fat decreased 4%.
After seeing such success it caused me to rethink my relationship with alcohol. I started thinking about how much I binge drink which is A LOT and with everyone I socialize with.
I made it a goal this February to not drink for the entire month which taught me a lot. It taught me that I can still be social and have fun without alcohol. It taught me moderation I can be satisfied with one drink. It taught me how to stand strong against my friends who try to pressure me into drinking more. My workouts at the gym are way more efficient and my weight is finally dropping!!
So for me alcohol was bad when trying to lose weight.5 -
janejellyroll wrote: »I think that there are some people who absolutely don't do well mixing drinking and dieting. For those people, significantly limiting or even eliminating alcohol is a good choice.
There are other people who don't have issues combining calorie counting and regular/semi-regular drinking. I know, as I'm one of these people. I drank while I was losing weight and I still drink now, while maintaining. Some key factors for me: I'm fairly active, so it isn't keeping me from meeting my nutritional needs. I am hardcore about accurately logging my drinks. And, probably most important, alcohol doesn't change my food choices. If it weren't for those three things, I don't think I could be successful.
And it is not just alcohol that could turn an otherwise successful calorie day into a massive surplus. Some people can't have chocolate without going into a binge. It really is a trial and error process.
One other thing when determining what will work and won't work. You may find that you can successfully moderate something in one situation but struggle in another. For instance you may be fine having a calorie controlled number of drinks at home but when out with friends you may have too much. If you try to be too aggressive with your weight loss it can also hinder your ability to make mindful choices. I am not saying this WILL happen I am saying it MIGHT so just keep it in mind when you are experimenting.4 -
janejellyroll wrote: »I think that there are some people who absolutely don't do well mixing drinking and dieting. For those people, significantly limiting or even eliminating alcohol is a good choice.
There are other people who don't have issues combining calorie counting and regular/semi-regular drinking. I know, as I'm one of these people. I drank while I was losing weight and I still drink now, while maintaining. Some key factors for me: I'm fairly active, so it isn't keeping me from meeting my nutritional needs. I am hardcore about accurately logging my drinks. And, probably most important, alcohol doesn't change my food choices. If it weren't for those three things, I don't think I could be successful.
And it is not just alcohol that could turn an otherwise successful calorie day into a massive surplus. Some people can't have chocolate without going into a binge. It really is a trial and error process.
One other thing when determining what will work and won't work. You may find that you can successfully moderate something in one situation but struggle in another. For instance you may be fine having a calorie controlled number of drinks at home but when out with friends you may have too much. If you try to be too aggressive with your weight loss it can also hinder your ability to make mindful choices. I am not saying this WILL happen I am saying it MIGHT so just keep it in mind when you are experimenting.
Exactly. I have no trouble with wine, but I know from experience that if I bring Wheat Thins in the house there is a high probability that I will lose control and eat most of the box at some point. So I skip the headache and don't buy them. When I encounter them at parties, I have no problem eating a normal human amount . . . it's a very situational thing.4 -
Yes I admit I was a heavy drinker before binging in 6-8 bottle of strong beers that I discovered every bottle contains 240 cals, now that I decided to lose a weight I shift from strong to light beers that is only containing 120 cals per bottle. I could chug 3 bottles some weekends and that is 360 cals and I do fitting it in in my daily calorie deficit goal, so the question starts here is it still bad to consume moderate amount of alcohol while losing weight even it does fit in my calorie goal.
try some of the non alcohol beers . Partake (look on the web) ships all over north america. they make 5 styles. the pale ale is quite drinkable. and 10 calories !!!!0 -
janejellyroll wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »I think that there are some people who absolutely don't do well mixing drinking and dieting. For those people, significantly limiting or even eliminating alcohol is a good choice.
There are other people who don't have issues combining calorie counting and regular/semi-regular drinking. I know, as I'm one of these people. I drank while I was losing weight and I still drink now, while maintaining. Some key factors for me: I'm fairly active, so it isn't keeping me from meeting my nutritional needs. I am hardcore about accurately logging my drinks. And, probably most important, alcohol doesn't change my food choices. If it weren't for those three things, I don't think I could be successful.
And it is not just alcohol that could turn an otherwise successful calorie day into a massive surplus. Some people can't have chocolate without going into a binge. It really is a trial and error process.
One other thing when determining what will work and won't work. You may find that you can successfully moderate something in one situation but struggle in another. For instance you may be fine having a calorie controlled number of drinks at home but when out with friends you may have too much. If you try to be too aggressive with your weight loss it can also hinder your ability to make mindful choices. I am not saying this WILL happen I am saying it MIGHT so just keep it in mind when you are experimenting.
Exactly. I have no trouble with wine, but I know from experience that if I bring Wheat Thins in the house there is a high probability that I will lose control and eat most of the box at some point. So I skip the headache and don't buy them. When I encounter them at parties, I have no problem eating a normal human amount . . . it's a very situational thing.
I used to eat way too many Wheat Thins but they never made me thinner! I haven't actually had any in the 2 years I have been at this. I wonder if I would have a problem with them. Now I am curious and if I regain all my weight it will be your fault for mentioning them.
Wheat Thins is a weird one but then I struggled for a long time to control myself around beef jerky so just about anything can be a problem for someone I suppose.5 -
I'd agree with the idea that alcohol can be a risk, and more so for some people vs. others. If someone (not necessarily the OP) is managing an alcohol problem, the rest of this post is not advice for you.
My feeling, while losing, was that if I wasn't willing to cut something out of my life permanently in order to maintain a healthy weight, I should figure out, during weight loss, how to manage it and fit it in. That was true for desserts, big celebratory food events, potlucks, . . . and alcohol.
I personally think nutrition is very important for long-term health. On that account, I'm not willing to let alcohol calories drive out essential nutrition from my eating on any kind of regular basis. So, I strive to hit my nutritional goals first, then budget in the less nutrient-dense treats, which includes alcohol among other things.
I drank alcohol occasionally while losing, and probably drink somewhat more now (year 4+ of maintenance) because I have more calories available. I bank a few calories most days, for indulgences once a week or so (and those indulgences aren't always alcohol).
Different strategies work for different people. Personally, I'd rather drink no beer at all than light beer (I'd go to wine or spirits instead); but if you like the light beer, OP, then that's a reasonable choice.10 -
Personally, I find it impossible to drink regularly while in a deficit and still get the nutrition I need.6
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cmriverside wrote: »I finally just stopped drinking. I was having a lot of trouble hitting my nutrition goals, getting enough protein and vegetables, staying in calories and still drinking.
When I drink I want heavy foods that day and for the next day. That is also a problem, it puts me way over calories and I just don't feel good drinking and eating that way.
This is my exact experience.
Disclaimer: I did have 1.5 drinks on New Year's Eve.4 -
Well, it's still empty calories. But, it's great that you switched to light beer; you need to make it work for your lifestyle. While daily drinking isn't great for you, that's a big change. Can you have a glass for water and a pitcher on the table as well? Maybe a bowl of nuts. This could help you cut down on the amount of beer and absorb it more slowly, as well.1
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My biggest issue with alcohol and dieting is that all of a sudden pouring myself a bowl full of cocoa puffs and then going back for seconds and then grabbing a random tortilla from the refrigerator always seems like a good idea.9
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I think it's fine as long as you drink moderately and it's within your calorie limitations. Like others said, it can affect your willpower and make it more likely to overeat. That's my experience anyway. Two glasses of wine in and I'm eating entire blocks of cheese and boxes of Poptarts.4
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chelleedub wrote: »Well, it's still empty calories. But, it's great that you switched to light beer; you need to make it work for your lifestyle. While daily drinking isn't great for you, that's a big change. Can you have a glass for water and a pitcher on the table as well? Maybe a bowl of nuts. This could help you cut down on the amount of beer and absorb it more slowly, as well.
I'm not the one who clicked "disagree", but I have to say that for me a bowl of nuts would be among the worst possible choices to put alongside alcohol. I can munch those babies mindlessly all evening, and they're soooo calorie-dense. 😬11 -
I went the opposite and have started drinking alcohol again since losing weight.
I worked out a long time ago that due to my size I had to drink copious amounts of alcohol to even get a buzz and getting "drunk" would require a visit to the bank for a small personal loan. Quite frankly I didn't drink because it wasn't worth it. If I wasn't going to get drunk anyway I may as well save money and stick to the soft drinks.
Since dropping most of the weight I went out for drinks after work a while ago and was convinced to have a couple of ciders which I did. And holy cow my tolerance for alcohol has been absolutely obliterated. 2 or 3 drinks was all it took put me in a very chipper mood LOL! That was a definite unexpected consequence of losing weight.6 -
Yes I admit I was a heavy drinker before binging in 6-8 bottle of strong beers that I discovered every bottle contains 240 cals, now that I decided to lose a weight I shift from strong to light beers that is only containing 120 cals per bottle. I could chug 3 bottles some weekends and that is 360 cals and I do fitting it in in my daily calorie deficit goal, so the question starts here is it still bad to consume moderate amount of alcohol while losing weight even it does fit in my calorie goal.
I also drank pretty heavy before trying to lose weight. Only i drank liquor. I switched to 1-2 (large lol) glasses of red wine bc its proven to help with weight loss and heart health. Its enough to mellow u but still function. I have a culinary degree and my fav class was wine and food pairing so hmu if u have any questions about it 1 -
I cut out all drinking alone situations. Not that there were many. I limited beer to only with my brother in law for Christmas Easter etc.
Social drinking is now Gin and Soda almost exclusively (73 calories). Club Soda is Zero calories. Not Gin and tonic. Tonic is very high in sugar.
That said alcohol messes with digestion and your absorption of nutrients.1 -
I tend to stick to Old Fashioneds and Vodkas mixed with Skinny Syrups, which keeps calories below 80 or so.
But then, I tend to get the munchies...2 -
I cut out all drinking alone situations. Not that there were many. I limited beer to only with my brother in law for Christmas Easter etc.
Social drinking is now Gin and Soda almost exclusively. Zero calories. Not Gin and tonic. Tonic is very high in sugar.
That said alcohol messes with digestion and your absorption of nutrients.
Gin has calories. About 73 per one ounce.4
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