BEER!

misti17
misti17 Posts: 106
edited October 4 in Food and Nutrition
I know I am going to get beat up for this one but I gotta know. How many of you drink beer out there? I am a beer drinker. I don't drink anything other than water and beer. I'm a country girl, hunt, fish and sit on the back porch with my man and listen to music. So all day I drink water - 6 - 16 oz water bottles then at night I have 1-3 beers and then switch back to water and drink atleast 2 more 16 oz water bottles. I'm still losing weight and I add my beer to my diary daily (ultra light), but I do still wonder if I'd be losing way quicker if I didn't drink. And I know people will find this crazy too but my cardiologist actually recommended for me to drink. (hold on - before everyone gets mad) I have a heart condition that causes extreme anxiety and all the anti-anxiety meds he tried me on I had terrible side effects. We found 1 med to control my blood pressure but my other "med" is to drink 1-2 beers daily. OK, so now.... let me have it.
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Replies

  • fatboypup
    fatboypup Posts: 1,873 Member
    calories are calories enjoy them how you like
  • Dtrmnd86
    Dtrmnd86 Posts: 406 Member
    I don't see a problem with it. But, I know it definitely slows down weight loss. I've been losing somewhat consistently (except for last week) and I have about 6-12 beers a weekend. That is one thing I'm not going to give up. I'd rather keep drinking and lose weight slowly, than give it up, hit my goal, and start drinking and gaining the weight back. Whatever works for you :)
  • recesq
    recesq Posts: 154 Member
    Do what your Dr. says............
  • nellie_88
    nellie_88 Posts: 256 Member
    I also only drink water and beer, haha! I dont drink nightly, just on the weekends and the beer I like is not light beer. I like full flavor wheat beer! I have noticed that it does affect my weight, but I log all that I drink and just try to keep it to a minimum! I used to drink 4-5x a week but cut back and once I cut back I started losing weight faster! I love beer too much to give it up so I just limit! Good luck to you!
  • mandycasey
    mandycasey Posts: 274 Member
    Well i don't like beer but i feel if you're still losing weight then carry on, u don't want to lose weight to quickly. I usually have a treat most weekends and still lose xx
  • riyahroyce
    riyahroyce Posts: 21
    don't give up beer! as long as you watch what you eat otherwise and make smart choices (which it sounds like you are with the light beer and all) it will be fine. :)
  • carriem73
    carriem73 Posts: 333 Member
    calories are calories- use them how you want to!!! I use about 200 of mine daily on wine! :)
  • Melissaol
    Melissaol Posts: 948 Member
    I drink beer also. But I switched to Bud select 55 and I count all my need. But I have noticed that this summer I drank alot of beer and didn't loss. .. good luck..
  • JennaM222
    JennaM222 Posts: 1,996 Member
    I save my beer for the bad sat nights :) and have my wine ummm all the others haha :)
  • iwillsoonbeslim
    iwillsoonbeslim Posts: 283
    I love beer and stout, although I don't drink all that often. During my Slimming World years I fought my taste buds and opted for low syn drinks. Now I've seen the light in more ways than one, and when I want beer or Guinness, I bloody well have it! I've never lost so fast as I am now.
    As long's your numbers work, you'll lose :)x
  • Jemmuno
    Jemmuno Posts: 413 Member
    I don't think you'd lose weight any faster if you didn't drink the beer. You drink enough water to counter act any dehydration effects that beer can cause which would be only thing I could think of, of why you wouldn't lose weight, but since you still are losing weight it doesn't seem to be a problem. Also, in societies where people live to be over 100 years old alcohol is a major part of their diet they usually drink 2 or 3 drinks a day.
  • adpollard001
    adpollard001 Posts: 16
    I too have recently heard that 1-2 beers a day can have beneficial effects on the heart. Who woulda thought? But I agree, calories are calories, and as long as you're not overdoing it and logging them in your diary you should be fine, I wouldn't worry too much about it. The only thing I'd say is that when you consume alcohol, your liver recognizes it as a type of poison and focuses about 99% of it's attention on breaking down the alcohol, therefore, a much larger percentage of the food you eat will be stored instead of broken down properly. Enjoy a beer or two, but I'd avoid eating at the same time. Hope that helps!
  • cwesse
    cwesse Posts: 9 Member
    Of course you would lose more if you gave up the beer, but is it a lifestyle change you are willing to stick with.
    Like you, I am also a beer drinker. It is the one thing I refuse to give up.
    It is not like you are tearing it up every night.
  • bullet1
    bullet1 Posts: 61
    I drink beer quite a bit. While I would rather have a nice IPA or a big Porter or Stout, if I'm going to have more than 1-2, I usually drink Miller Lite. I always log what I drink and try and keep it under my calorie count. Doesn't always happen but you have to keep yourself happy and if drinking a few beers keeps you happy and you can still stay on track with your goals, go for it.
  • GouchisGirl
    GouchisGirl Posts: 321 Member
    I was drinking beer during the week (Milwaukee light, 98 cal) and then went to just the weekends and I also add it to my diary. Like someone said, calories are calories, BUT alcohol (caffeine and tobacco) store fat cells in your butt and stomach and slow down your metabolism. I guess it doesn't worry me enough to stop lol, but I know that a few years ago (before I got married) I cut out alcohol all at once and in 4 months I dropped 25 lbs without watching what I ate, or exercising. Granted at that time it was more then a couple of beers a night, but its food for thought. ;) I say use it as your treat because if you don't have something you enjoy you'll go crazy! :drinker:
  • Erica0718
    Erica0718 Posts: 469 Member
    mmmm....BEER.... :heart:
  • geri1955
    geri1955 Posts: 106
    I like my beer too gf!!! I drink every Saturday night some Sundays if Im off Monday from work!!! I count them as my calories too! Hey do what makes YOU happy, or you'll just be making every one around you happy except yourself!!! Have a great weight loss and CHEERS :drinker:
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,420 Member
    Who knows? Keep yourself anxiety free.



    what's that doctor's name?
  • sharonus
    sharonus Posts: 102
    I love beer, but I drink microbrews. I'm not much of a fan of "light" beer. I used to drink one and sometimes two microbrews every night, but that stopped when I started counting calories. The beer I drink averages about 160 calories a bottle, so I typically have to work out during the day to have enough extra calories for that.

    One thing that I started noticing when I stopped drinking beer every night is that I slept better. It's no problem on the weekends as I only have to get up when my kids do, but during the week, it made it a little harder to get up when my alarm went off for work. Even if I only had one beer.

    You said your other med is to "drink 1-2 beers daily" if it were me, I would try to keep it at that.
  • jamiesadler
    jamiesadler Posts: 634 Member
    Calories are calories. I dont see a problem with that. Occasionally I have a glass of wine. As long as you count the calories who cares what anyone else thinks. And you are still losing? Thats good then
  • Riotactor10
    Riotactor10 Posts: 37
    I'm also a pretty casual beer drinker (mostly weekends) but always try to make sure to leave room when I know I'm going to be drinking it. Everyone has a few things (or more) that they like to save those calories for.

    This weekend I'm hosting a Halloween Party which usually involves a lot of beer....so my food diary should be quite interesting to say the least.
  • cramernh
    cramernh Posts: 3,335 Member
    So long as you are honest with not only yourself, but ALSO honest with your Cardiologist, and keeping track on MFP for yourself, thats all that matters.

    I love my beer, my margaritas, the occasional martini... but I make sure I have enough calories/carbs allocated to enjoy them without going over. Had myself a 16oz Bud Light on draft yesterday with my dinner. VERY reasonable on calories and carbs... Margaritas are actually not too too bad either.

    Im under the care of an Endocrinologist. She sees the reports that I print right from here on MFP, she sees what I eat also AND drink... I email her weekly on my weigh-in day as well. I wont hide anything from her.... and the last 5 weeks, Ive dropped 13.4 pounds....
  • aepoliak
    aepoliak Posts: 18
    Hi,
    I am a Nurse Practitioner, marathon runner, mountain and road biker, and STILL enjoy a good beer on the weekends. As long as you are drinking in moderation, there is nothing wrong with a drink or 2. Losing weight is a math equation. To lose weight your calories in must be less than calories expended. I make sure I run/bike enough on the days I want a glass of wine or a beer so I can enjoy it without guilt. I run hard so I can play hard (or play at all) ;-)
  • WVUmama
    WVUmama Posts: 1
    I once heard Oprah talk about the negative effect alcohol has on metabolism, which certainly impacts weight loss.
    A friend and I did weight watchers for over a year and I lost 60 pounds while she lost about 10. The difference? She drank pretty regularly and I did not. So....... it's not just calories. BUT- if you're losing weight, your doctor approves, and there are no adverse side effects, have your nightly brews :)
  • Uerzer
    Uerzer Posts: 273
    I do still wonder if I'd be losing way quicker if I didn't drink.

    you would! still... you are setting your own goals, so do whatever suits you best XD
  • midwifekelley2350
    midwifekelley2350 Posts: 337 Member
    you probably would lose quicker if you didn't drink 1-3 beers a day but....quality of life is important! i,too, like beer and usually have a beer or glass of wine in the evenings. i do find if i have more than one that i am tempted to start snacking, though. i try to see if i have enough cal at end of day for a drink and then use them if i do. also...if i have more than one i have a hard time getting up at 5am for the gym!
  • Jonna13
    Jonna13 Posts: 288 Member
    I lI've me some beer too!!! I still have one or two most nights but I switched to Coors light and add it into my diary as part of my caloric intake. I've lost 8 lbs in 2 weeks too :). I say enjoy it!
  • TXBlonde81
    TXBlonde81 Posts: 78 Member
    I love a good beer. I try to limit drinking to the weekends but even then I can get a little out of hand (ie more than a six pack over a weekend). Since I'm just restarting MFP yet again my goal is to work out consistently and eat better on the weekends so I can still fit in my beer. I've tried switching to Select55 and similar beers but I find I drink more because I can't get a buzz or relaxing feeling. So I stick with my full calorie Imports that I love.

    I know I could lose faster if I cut it out and cut out my diet soda but that wouldn't be very fun. I'll stick with slow and steady. I got into a bad habit of eating out every meal on the weekend or eating too much pizza. I figure if I can straighten that out then I can still enjoy my vice.
  • ohthelawd
    ohthelawd Posts: 29 Member
    As many people said, calories are calories. I luuuuurve me some beer, though. I only get to go out with my gf every other weekend, but when I've been busting my butt running and watching what I eat for 2 weeks solid, I feel like I can have 3 Sweetwater IPAs as a reward (and if you haven't tried this beer...do). Sure, that's 900 calories worth of beer, but it doesn't completely negate all the work I put in. Does it slow down my loss? Sure. Do I care? Not really. Sure I have a goal weight, but if I can reach it in 6 months while having some good nights out to keep my sanity vs. 4 months without, I'll take the 6 month route every time. Life is too short to not take time to enjoy it. I don't want to lay on my deathbed and think "I sure wish I had done x, y, z, but hey at least I'm thinner because I didn't!".

    -Nathan
  • misti17
    misti17 Posts: 106
    Thanks everyone. I thought I was going to get bashed. Now I feel even more accepted into this group. We are all losing weight and getting more healthy together, and by gosh, if we wanna drink a beer or glass of wine, we dang sure will!!! I love this site!
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