Help! Alcoholic weekend is approaching!

http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20500479,00.html


here are some "supposedly" low cal drinks i had on a Pinterest board ... I personally drink whiskey and coke so i learned to put it out of my mind ... i do have to watch the leisure drinking cause it can catch up to my rear end and sneak up on me and then by that time i am noticing in all the summer pictures....

clear liquor and diet mixer is your best option
at very least clear liquor and oj
Avoid cranberry juice at bars because it is usually cranberry cocktail which is higher in sugar.

dark liquors are generally higher in calories and some studies show that they can cause worse dehydration/hangover effects due to the aging process and impurities (primarily from the barrels aged in) I don't know how much weight I really give those studies but I have seen them and if your like me hangover=junk food=lots of calories = weight gain.

I always rotate between alcoholic drink and water when I go out and just use the excuse that I don't want to be hungover so no one thinks I'm being a stick in the mud and I drink the water as slowly as I can so that I'm not drinking as many empty calories.

When im out with my friends ill have a vodka with light cranberry or gin and tonic the tonic water has no calories. Hope this helps I know how you feel!

First things first--the OP didn't ask if she shouldn't drink, or how to "just say no." If you're gonna comment, why not help her with the question she asked, which was "what are the best options to drink?" It's like me stating I want to drive cross-country as my vacation, asking what’s the best route for cheap gas prices because I'm on a budget, and people saying "If you're on a budget, why are you driving so far? Just stay home and relax there." That's not what was asked :explode: Sorry, it just really irks me :grumble: ....

Anyway, OP, I don't really have specific drink recommendations for you because I'm a baby when it comes to drinking :laugh: . I hate beer, wine, and straight shots/neat drinks. I'm the one that drinks the dreaded expensive and high calorie/high sugar/almost-guaranteed-hangover mixed drinks like frozen margaritas and sex on the beach. Thankfully I rarely go out to drink!!

The advice I DO have for you (which others have mentioned) is to drink water (or diet soda if you must) in between your alcoholic drinks. Not only will it keep you hydrated, but you'll get full quicker (less total drinks consumed) and it will help to flush all the crap out of your body. It may also help with the post-drinking bloating and water retention. And of course, enjoy yourself! :drinker:

If you are going to watch your calories those days, please do not forgo nutrition in order to have some calories. Make sure you get enough healthy protein, carbs, fiber and calories those days. Your body still needs that even if you go over on your calories. If you go over due to the drinks, so be it. In the grand scheme of things, it is just a blip like another commenter posted. Unless you consume 3500 extra calories (on top of your regular daily intake) you will not gain a pound of fat. Exercise this weekend, drink lots of water, and ignore the scale for a week. If you can't ignore it, then at least when you weigh yourself make sure to be mindful that it is just water weight and bloat. Don't let the scale bring you down next week!

As other posters have mentioned gaining 4-5 lbs from a bad weekend is nearly impossible.

I have a similar situation coming up next week and I plan to make sure to get a good workout in during the morning, stick to the lighter calorie drinks (MGD 64 or vodka w/ diet tonic and lime) and have a really freakin' good time. When you're out, go to a place with dancing (calorie burn!) and walk between places (no drinking and driving and some calorie burn!).

I am a beer drinker too! I have switched to Captain and diet coke or Orange Cream Vodka and diet orange soda (tastes like a dreamsicle :-). )

First things first--the OP didn't ask if she shouldn't drink, or how to "just say no." If you're gonna comment, why not help her with the question she asked, which was "what are the best options to drink?" It's like me stating I want to drive cross-country as my vacation, asking what’s the best route for cheap gas prices because I'm on a budget, and people saying "If you're on a budget, why are you driving so far? Just stay home and relax there." That's not what was asked :explode: Sorry, it just really irks me :grumble: ....

This.

Thank you.

I thought this was supposed to be a non-judgmental forum? The poster asked for options, not a guilt trip and a counseling session. Geez.

My biggest weakness is wine. My boyfriend and I love good wine and we often share a bottle with dinner several times a week. I've been trying to manage exercise to account for the 2.5 glasses on a bottle split. I also try to drink red for its health benefits.

That said, I'm still young and I still like to go out and live it up with friends. My go to drink is vodka and club with lime. Tequila is also a good one. A skinny girl margarita is a 2 count of clear, premium tequila, juice from 1/2 lime and a splash of grand marnier.

Cheers!

I'm going camping this weekend and it's going to be hot so I'll be drinking. But I'll be having:

Low cal beer (in Canada there is Molson 67 - only 70cals!)
mojitos made with splenda and club soda - only cals will be the rum!
100 cal coolers (YUM!)

I'm planning on drinking a bottle of water between each alcoholic drink too so I don't get too wasted! LOL

I agree - no drinking is no fun. But have a balanced approach to it. Good luck!

My go to is vodka soda with lemon and lime. Light, refreshing, and about 130 cals for TWO!