I like to drink

Lenalistic
Lenalistic Posts: 7 Member
Since I've started this weight loss plan, I've stopped drinking and I'm seeing results faster. BUT, avoiding alcohol is temporary for me. Anyone have any suggestions as to rules I can follow if I'm going to start drinking again?
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Replies

  • Don't drink high-sugar drinks like coolers, try and avoid beer (unless it's light), and use diet soda as a mixer instead of regular soda. That should help cut down the calories and sugar
  • fit4mom
    fit4mom Posts: 1,352 Member
    I can tell you it never works out. One for me is never enough. I have OCD so I'm not one that can't handle just indulging. It's kinda the same with candy. If you do drink it's a good idea to know why you do. Also if you drink a glass of water after you drink. I know that it can cause weight gain. Moreover unless it's part of a healthy lifestyle (it can be good for you in moderation) it's not really good for you. It doesn't benefit your body if you over indulge. That's my advice. Take care and I hope you are able to find the info that you are looking for.
  • anovasjo
    anovasjo Posts: 382 Member
    I love drinking too!

    A bottle of beer is about 140 calories
    Two shots of vodka is about 130 calories
    A 6 oz glass of wine is about 120 calories

    So really, you can choose your poison. Just don't over do it.
    If I know I'm going to imbibe in the evening, I make sure I eat really saintly during the day (nutrient rich foods, low cal) and save "room" for the drinking later.
    Also it helps to figure out how many drinks you can "afford" before you go out so you can easily keep yourself in check.
    I also find it's easier for me to stay within my "limit" if I have a glass of water between each drink.

    Hope that helps!
  • JeSuisPrest
    JeSuisPrest Posts: 2,005 Member
    Just keep in your calorie goal for the day and you will be fine. I'm not willing to give it up and if you like margaritas and I can post a recipe that I found on forums here.
  • Try not to if at all possible. If you can not then limit your self to one or two per week. Then cut back to none in a few weeks. The easiest way to lose weight with little or no exercises is to drink 64 oz. of water per day. That does not mean drink glass after glass, just take a few sips or swallows every 20 to 30 min. You will be done by supper time. All the water will help clean out your body and helps remove the fat.
  • JeSuisPrest
    JeSuisPrest Posts: 2,005 Member
    Also if you drink a glass of water after you drink. I know that it can cause weight gain.

    Not been an issue for me.
  • anovasjo
    anovasjo Posts: 382 Member
    Also if you drink a glass of water after you drink. I know that it can cause weight gain.

    Not been an issue for me.

    Yeah that doesn't sound right to me either.
    Explanation??
  • janna674
    janna674 Posts: 410 Member
    i drink and have lost weight...I try to eat tons of veggies and fruits and make sure I exercise enough so I can have a few when I get home...I drink coors light about 100cals and also wine , pinot or chardonnay I also have wine with tons of ice so it waters it down alot also a little over 100 cals and most drinks are in the database...I have found that I have lost weight a little easier if I limit myself to drinks on just a few days week though...moderation is key...but having a beer instead of chips at night is much better...they told us this at weight watchers...the beer takes awhile to drink and makes you fuller than a snack would
  • LuciaLongIsland
    LuciaLongIsland Posts: 815 Member
    Since I've started this weight loss plan, I've stopped drinking and I'm seeing results faster. BUT, avoiding alcohol is temporary for me. Anyone have any suggestions as to rules I can follow if I'm going to start drinking again?

    I stopped drinking 5 months ago and didnt lose an ounce!!!
  • alikona22
    alikona22 Posts: 56 Member
    Just like with any food, watch the calorie intake! Carbs are 4 calories per gram, protein in 4 calories per gram, fat is 9 calories per gram, and alcohol is 7 calories per gram.

    Alcoholic beverages can really add up the calories when you add sugar-filled mixers (juice, soda, alcohol with sugar added, milk/cream, chocolate sauce, sugar rims, etc).

    Try to go for lower calorie alternatives (diet sodas, reduced calorie/sugar juice for mixers, light beers). There's several sites out there that show comparisons. Lucky for me, I'm mostly a wine and beer girl, so I don't go for the sugary juice drinks (well, mayhaps a martini here and there). I try to stick to wine mostly because it has a lower glycemic index (I'm insulin resistant) or rum (lemon flavored) and diet cola (but I don't like to support large soda corporations and have to be careful about how much artificial sweeteners I consume as it can make me sick).

    I'll also make it a point to try to do a lil extra cardio on a day I know I'm going to be drinking. And make sure to drink water while you're drinking alcohol (keeps you hydrated and prevents hangover, as well as gives you a zero-calorie beverage to sip).
  • dcmat
    dcmat Posts: 1,723 Member
    Weight loss should not be a prison sentence, so it is important to keep having those ‘treats’ to keep your spirits (no pun intended!!) up. Just use that magical word….moderation.

    I have gone down from a shared bottle of wine 3 times a week, to 4-5 units a month. Partially to help keep the weight down, but also have lost interest in it.
  • Showgirlbody
    Showgirlbody Posts: 402 Member
  • sunnybrunette126
    sunnybrunette126 Posts: 200 Member
    I like to drink too so much so I have a special place in my diary labeled Drinks... no I don't have a problem. LOL

    But I stick with wine, light beer or vodka and I log it in.
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    Log everything. If you're getting adequate protein and fat, then go ahead and have a drink. If not, then don't have the drink.
  • Since I've started this weight loss plan, I've stopped drinking and I'm seeing results faster. BUT, avoiding alcohol is temporary for me. Anyone have any suggestions as to rules I can follow if I'm going to start drinking again?

    I stopped drinking 5 months ago and didnt lose an ounce!!!

    If I don't drink the pounds fall off, however I always feel hungry. I figure it is my body asking for the empty calories that are provided. In total in the last 3 weeks I've had a total of 3 beers. I am thinking of grabbing a bottle of wine for tonight's dinner, but undecided at the moment. Better think quick the liquor store closes in half an hour.
  • Jupitermermaid
    Jupitermermaid Posts: 270 Member
    I make sure that I get a lot of exercise in so I earn more daily calories. Making wise food choices to ensure you get all your nutrients for the best bang will help also.
  • Martucha123
    Martucha123 Posts: 1,089 Member
    I lovee to drink
    so right now i do not eat back my burned calories, i drink them back (within a week, not on daily basis)
    when i gain my weight i plan to continue drinking what i have burned and no more...

    3 workouts of 3h30 total give me about 1400 cal to drink back which means 4 vodka redbulls/week , or 3 of them and a bottle of wine or ... heh
  • I like to drink wine mostly and while I've cut down, I haven't stopped entirely. (My weight loss has to fit into my life - socialising/ going out etc otherwise it won't work for me.)

    However, I now only drink two days of the week - so next week I have christmas work do on Thursday and at the weekend. I now only have a maximum of two glasses of wine and always with food.

    I also always ask for a glass(s) of tap water and tend to make that the main drink (so instead of wine with water, I drink the water with the wine as the second drink . Sounds weird but I always drink alot (fluid wise with dinner) so focussing on the water helps slow down the alcohol consumption.
  • Skinny Margarita! Most places have it only 100 to 130 cals and yummy!
  • BobbyClerici
    BobbyClerici Posts: 813 Member
    I gave it up as well but for good.
    Oh, I still have a glass of vino at night - one glass.

    I used to spill more than that drinking like I did. Anyway, it's empty calories, so all you can do is add them to your food diary and watch your numbers go up. Is it worth it?

    I say NO!
  • JeSuisPrest
    JeSuisPrest Posts: 2,005 Member
    I gave it up as well but for good.
    Oh, I still have a glass of vino at night - one glass.

    Isn't that a bit contradicting??? :tongue: So which is it, did you give up or not?
  • april_beth
    april_beth Posts: 616 Member
    theres no happy medium...says the drunk. no really, look at my diary...*face palm*
  • Lenalistic
    Lenalistic Posts: 7 Member
    A lot of good advice...thanks guys and gals! I was worried about the "next step"...but I'll keep track of my calories and make sure I keep up my workouts.
  • fit4mom
    fit4mom Posts: 1,352 Member
    Also if you drink a glass of water after you drink. I know that it can cause weight gain.

    Not been an issue for me.

    Yeah that doesn't sound right to me either.
    Explanation??
    Sorry 2 different statements I should have hit return. Overindulging in drinking can cause weight gain, especially if it's on a regular basis instead of moderation. Drinking water after an alcoholic beverage is helpful.
  • pph79
    pph79 Posts: 78
    It's hard for me to do any type of moderation when i drink, so i tend to set aside a day out of the week where i drink what i want and not worry about it. Works for me, but others mileage may vary.
  • capriciousmoon
    capriciousmoon Posts: 1,263 Member
    Log everything. If you're getting adequate protein and fat, then go ahead and have a drink. If not, then don't have the drink.

    This would be the healthiest way to go about it.
  • kyle4jem
    kyle4jem Posts: 1,400 Member
    I like to drink, but I really only drink at the weekends; hardly ever during the week... it's not something I've changed since I've been working on losing weight, that's just how thing are. :drinker:
  • susanswan
    susanswan Posts: 1,194 Member
    A timely topic! I am going to a party tonight and am looking forward to 2 glasses of champagne! I don't drink on a regular basis anymore, so it does hit me kind of hard. I will also pay for it with insomnia. Just as well, I don't want to go through the DUI bs in California. I have lost my taste for drinking so much as I would much rather eat my food! I limit my drinking to special occasions. Seems there will be quite a few in the next few weeks and will limit all "events" to 2 glasses as that is more than enough alcohol for me as I get tipsy so easily!

    Side note: As a career hospital nurse I can tell you the doctors that I worked with ALL agreed that 2 alcoholic drinks per day were defined as "maintenance drinking". As in the lowest level for the label "alcohol addiction". You may agree, or disagree, or call me or them names, but I am just telling you what my experience was for 26 years working on a medical floor with doctors in the hospital who asked their patients: "How much alcohol do you drink per day?" Then when they get the answer of at least "2 drinks per day" they know they are being lied to because as we all know, human nature is to downplay our faults and play up our achievements. It's just a basic starter question to find out why they have the medical issues that they do.

    Food for thought.
  • I suggest white wine. Sauvignon Blanc is my favorite white, it has a nice balance of flavors. White wine I hear is easier to digest than most alcohols. I find myself less bloated after a decent white than any alcohol. If I spend at least $12 on a bottle, it seems to settle well and feel nicer during drinking AND the next day.

  • Side note: As a career hospital nurse I can tell you the doctors that I worked with ALL agreed that 2 alcoholic drinks per day were defined as "maintenance drinking". As in the lowest level for the label "alcohol addiction". You may agree, or disagree, or call me or them names, but I am just telling you what my experience was for 26 years working on a medical floor with doctors in the hospital who asked their patients: "How much alcohol do you drink per day?" Then when they get the answer of at least "2 drinks per day" they know they are being lied to because as we all know, human nature is to downplay our faults and play up our achievements. It's just a basic starter question to find out why they have the medical issues that they do.

    Food for thought.
    My only observation is all the doctors I''ve worked with/known/met in three different continents have all drunk way more than two alcoholic drinks per day.....
    As for the estimating, I knew someone in the army who told the truth (approx 80 units per week at the time) about his drinking - dr nearly fell off his chair having made the assumption and according calcuation he was underestimating.
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