Can I have alcohol & still lose weight?

QEE87
QEE87 Posts: 1 Member
in Introduce Yourself
Hi! I just started MFP today and I would like some friends to help me stay focused with my weight loss goal. I tend to get easily distracted with my weight loss, but can't afford to play around anymore. My niece is turning 15 years old and is having a huge quince in October. I need to be the HOT aunt!!! Lol :laugh: I would like to lose about 20 pounds. Here are some things about me....I work too much, don't have that much time to exercise, I love reading, enjoy dancing and most definitely enjoy a few drinks :drinker: , I'm a Pisces and that's enough about me....don't want to bore you with too much info. Since my "wonderful" sis is making me do this, I've decided to make the best of it :smile: Looking forward to getting started. Feel free to add me as a friend :blushing:
«13

Replies

  • cominupmilhouse
    cominupmilhouse Posts: 257 Member
    I found it a lot easier to lose weight when I stopped drinking. I used to drink a lot though, 3 or 4 nights a week, and 7 or 8 beers a night. I know a lot of people fit their drink or two in with their calorie goals and lose weight just fine, and that's awesome if it works for you. Personally I had to just stop altogether and I feel amazing for it and am very proud of myself as well.

    If you're serious about your weight loss goal you've definitely come to the right place. I could never have lost 20 lbs in 2 months on my own without MFP. Take full advantage of everything the site and app has to offer. Log EVERYTHING and also scan through the forums frequently. I've learned sooo much useful info and tips about fitness that I now live by, from reading posts by other members. I love browsing through the topics in the morning looking for interesting headings as one would with a morning newspaper. Remember that everyone is different and what works for some may not work for you.

    Stick with it, you can reach your goals!!! :smile:
  • kdeaux1959
    kdeaux1959 Posts: 2,675 Member
    yes. all things in moderation.
  • lee3978
    lee3978 Posts: 274
    I did before when I started weight watchers at age 27 and lost almost 50lbs. Now I cannot drink and eat like I used to and lose weight. The drinking causes me to eat out of control.
  • Anayalata
    Anayalata Posts: 391 Member
    Yes.

    Log it, keep an eye on your macros, and CONTROL yourself.
  • MeliJean78
    MeliJean78 Posts: 249
    You must restrain from indulging in pleasure(s). No alcohol, intercourse or McDonalds and you will reach your goal. Good Luck.
  • BigDaddyBRC
    BigDaddyBRC Posts: 2,395 Member
    SMH.....I've lost over 50
  • TheBraveryLover
    TheBraveryLover Posts: 1,217 Member
    You most certainly can. I don't drink as often as I used to but at least twice a month I go out for drinks and get fairly lit. I only drink vodka neats and I don't get the drunk munchies at all (unlike I used to a year+ ago). I include it in my calories for the day and prelog before going out.

    On a couple of ocassions, it's helped me to break a stall or plateau.
  • jfan175
    jfan175 Posts: 812 Member
    I know a few skinny alcoholics.
  • StatHaldol
    StatHaldol Posts: 414 Member
    yes. all things in moderation.

    This! I enjoy 2 or 3 oz of bourbon before bedtime. I incorporate it into my diet and account for the calories. Good luck with your journey!
  • Reignofmongo
    Reignofmongo Posts: 137
    First thing i see when I open this topic is you drinking, gave me a lil chuckle. :)

    short answer is yes. It wont harm fat loss, it's just calories. But if you're working out, it could inhibit your muscles ability to repair and build. Alcohol makes protein synthesis much less efficient for around a day.
  • Mangachick
    Mangachick Posts: 4
    Alcohol has lots of 'empty' calories. You can lose weight if you drink alcohol but it will be harder and drag out the time it takes to get to your goal. I love a drink but have realised that if i am serious about losing weight and feeling good about myself then i have to strict with myself and cut right back on my alcohol intake. I normally like wine but have more recently switched to vodka tonics as its less calorific.:smile:
  • jgunn81
    jgunn81 Posts: 243 Member
    yes. all things in moderation.

    I second this, i got out, maybe 2-3 times a week for beers with friends and Co workers, just watch yourself and don't overdo it and you'll be just fine
  • FatStoatLondon
    FatStoatLondon Posts: 197 Member
    I alternate two very large diet cokes with one alcoholic drink all evening, and the drinks I choose are not the ones I usually enjoy (e.g. I don't like red wine or porter much so I drink those, rather than the IPAs, mild bitters and ciders that I prefer). I also log them. Oh, and I don't go out to socialise on an empty stomach! It works for me.
  • foreverangel
    foreverangel Posts: 15
    I think it depends what you drink because a lot of alcohol is very high in calories. But i drink weight watchers wine. I drank almost 2 bottles one night only a couple of days before weigh in and also because I was strict with my food i still lost about 3lbs :)
  • JaneP2011
    JaneP2011 Posts: 65 Member
    I found it a lot easier to lose weight when I stopped drinking. I used to drink a lot though, 3 or 4 nights a week, and 7 or 8 beers a night. I know a lot of people fit their drink or two in with their calorie goals and lose weight just fine, and that's awesome if it works for you. Personally I had to just stop altogether and I feel amazing for it and am very proud of myself as well.

    If you're serious about your weight loss goal you've definitely come to the right place. I could never have lost 20 lbs in 2 months on my own without MFP. Take full advantage of everything the site and app has to offer. Log EVERYTHING and also scan through the forums frequently. I've learned sooo much useful info and tips about fitness that I now live by, from reading posts by other members. I love browsing through the topics in the morning looking for interesting headings as one would with a morning newspaper. Remember that everyone is different and what works for some may not work for you.

    Stick with it, you can reach your goals!!! :smile:


    I agree with this. There are lots of individual differnces but for me personally, I have to give it up when I'm dieting. Alcohol slows me down, affects my sleep, makes me lose my inhibitions about snacking, and has loads of empty calories.
  • 21June
    21June Posts: 99
    I think it depends on you as an individual. Whats right for one person is not going to be right for the next, simple as! There are other benefits of cutting down alcohol intake other than just losing weight.....! Personally though, I cut down to one bottle of wine a week and found that wasn't working so have even cut it down to half a bottle a week. Well, two small bottles actually as cannot leave a bottle open..... and have now lost some more weight, :o). I don't have much will power but have managed to find some from somewhere...... Good luck!
  • Prahasaurus
    Prahasaurus Posts: 1,381 Member
    You must restrain from indulging in pleasure(s). No alcohol, intercourse or McDonalds and you will reach your goal. Good Luck.

    This. Unless you take no pleasure from intercourse, then by all means have at it.

    However, since you are a Pisces (what a coincidence, I'm a Libra), you can indulge in an occassional fish-based alcohol. Like vodka tonic.

    Best,

    --P
  • Bub1971
    Bub1971 Posts: 106 Member
    Not like your drinking in the picture lol BUT I LIKE YOUR STYLE.:smile:
  • 21June
    21June Posts: 99
    P.S. When I get weighed this week, I'm not confident that I'll have lost any weight. Not because I've drank more but I do think it that to lose weight, it is important to look at all aspects of your life although I accept that it is hard!
  • Maurice1966
    Maurice1966 Posts: 419 Member
    Now that's an interesting cocktail you're drinking :-D. I might go out on a limb and suggest it's not a good idea to have these on a regular basis LOL.
    I have a beer each night (blonde, low carb but I don;t think it matters too much) and have been able to make steady progress. As one of the other posters suggested, in moderation.
    By the by, I went a week without drinking recently to see if it made a difference to weight loss for the week - nothing.
    Hope this has helped
  • JoseP204
    JoseP204 Posts: 16
    Yes you can but if you want to get the best results out of your workout and nutrition, it is better if you don't. That depends on your goals and the time that you have. I myself, limit myself to 2 drinks per week if I want to drink.
  • imkegoal
    imkegoal Posts: 156 Member
    As long as you stay within your calorie count yes. If you want to drink more; try to counter act it with exercise:
    I go to the gym every Saturday morning to burn 700 calories, which allows me a bottle of white wine (500) calories in the evening. It works for me as I have lost 31lb so far. I also go for bike rides when it is sunny, and have a glass of wine at the end as a reward.

    My mum allows herself a glass of red wine every evening within her calorie limit and seems to be doing fine as well.

    And yes- maybe you lose weight quicker if you stop drinking, but the strenght of this way of dieting is that you can allow yourself treats, alcohol, cakes, whatever you fancy, as long as it is within your daily allowance, so don't be too hard on yourself!

    You'll work out a balance I'm sure.
  • Prahasaurus
    Prahasaurus Posts: 1,381 Member
    But i drink weight watchers wine.

    OMG, this exists???

    I think you're doing it wrong.

    --P
  • spoonful
    spoonful Posts: 200 Member
    You must restrain from indulging in pleasure(s). No alcohol, intercourse or McDonalds and you will reach your goal. Good Luck.

    No McDonalds?!!!
  • darrensurrey
    darrensurrey Posts: 3,942 Member
    Here are some things about me....I work too much, don't have that much time to exercise, I love reading, enjoy dancing and most definitely enjoy a few drinks

    Dance more. Read while pedalling a gym bike (I hate exercise but love reading so this is what I do). Include the calories you drink and work towards a calorie deficit to ensure weight loss in a drunken stupor.
  • TravisBurns
    TravisBurns Posts: 353 Member
    I wouldn't say you'd have to stop. But you'd definitely need to cut down. It's just like anything else, okay in moderation
  • emptyplate
    emptyplate Posts: 62
    Course you can , if you enjoy it then cuitting it out entirely will not make your life enjoyable. There are obvious reasons to cut down both because alcohol carries calories and the health risks too it. But, there are ways you can do it. Switch say cans of lager or glasses of white wine for red wine or vodka and a mixer. these are lower calorie and red wine has some things that are beneficial to you too. Or you could factor a glass or too into your daily/weekly totals. Or set aside cheat days or weeends where you allow yourself some but there are other enjoyable drinks that arent alcoholic. You can definatley dirnk it and loose weight .just in moderation.
  • LaMujerMasBonitaDelMundo
    LaMujerMasBonitaDelMundo Posts: 3,634 Member
    Key words are FREQUENCY & MODERATION. Alcohol is also my weakness whenever I'm at a party, for me the fun isn't complete without a few drinks but yeah now I just content myself with 1-2 shots of red wine & that's it. Before I used to drink 12 bottles of beer plus 6 shots of rhum & 5 glasses of vodka.

    By the way I also love to dance but normally I'm not a good dancer except when drunk :laugh:
  • FlyEaglesGuy
    FlyEaglesGuy Posts: 436 Member
    You sure can!

    On my drinking days I normally to an advanced calorie burning exercise like HIIT or just plain wind sprints.

    If you must drink, try to to stay away from the sugary drinks.

    I still drink at least two times a week. I stick to rum and diet coke. 60 calories and equally effective!!!
  • sumeetn
    sumeetn Posts: 56
    i know i did, as long as you don't have snacks / munchies with them and of course drink in moderation :-)

Categories