Dieting and alcohol!

ShadowSP7
ShadowSP7 Posts: 53
in Food and Nutrition
Hello everyone,

I was wondering what effects will drinking alcohol have on my diet and exercise? I have been dieting and exercising for a month and 1 week now, I have lost 15 pounds since then, I know my ticker says i lost 25 pounds but that was before i started exercising and dieting a month ago. I completely cut soda, beer and any sugary drink out of my diet, I only drink water and sometimes I have a cup of 2% milk with my meals. I am very motivated to lose weight and get back into the shape i use to be in. But I find myself really craving beer and a greasy taco every now and then. I guess my question is would drinking a few beers (by few I mean maybe a 12 pack lol!) and eating at a fast food restaurant on the weekends derail my dieting and weight loss?

Please let me know, craving a beer.
«1

Replies

  • _AllieCat_
    _AllieCat_ Posts: 515 Member
    I quit drinking (hard liquor and beer) for a few months and it helped me lose weight. I realized that it's too hard for me to not drink at all, and now I only drink at parties and limit myself to a maximum of 5 beers.

    A few days after I drink my body never drops down in weight. When I don't drink it drops weight (maybe a quarter pound) every few days if I stay away from fast foods, high sodium foods, and alcohol. For me, I try to plan my party days in advance and make up for the calories. Even if I figure in a beer with dinner and it's within my goals I find it very difficult to lose weight a few days after.

    You have to find your own path. This is something you're going to have to maintain for the rest of your life if you want to keep the weight off, moderation is key. Can you not drink for the rest of your life? I sure as hell can't! Haha beer is too good!

    Good luck to you! :)
  • twoscimitars
    twoscimitars Posts: 272 Member
    http://www.leangains.com/2010/07/truth-about-alcohol-fat-loss-and-muscle.html

    Great article.

    My advice: MODERATION. And lots of protein if you know you're going to drink.
  • george29223
    george29223 Posts: 556 Member
    i notice when i drink like 8 beers everyone on mfp looks thinner and more attractive so i feel iam doing everyone here a favor
  • peachyxoxoxo
    peachyxoxoxo Posts: 1,178 Member
    I gave up alcohol myself, but a few drinks here and there shouldn't hurt you. I'm not saying I might not drink in the future but my days of binge drinking are definitely gone.
  • Bobby_Clerici
    Bobby_Clerici Posts: 1,828 Member
    I do not drink as much as I once did as a fat guy.
    I enjoy wine with a fabulous meal, and an occasional beer with boiled shrimp, but booze is NOT a part of my life.
    And people trying to lose weight who abuse alcohol? Forget it.
    We can have most anything we want in life but NOT everything.
    Nobody can booze it up and expect to achieve optimal health.
    That's reality.
    Moderation is key.
  • GabrielleZelda
    GabrielleZelda Posts: 190 Member
    bump for later! :)
  • rmarshalla
    rmarshalla Posts: 103 Member
    http://www.leangains.com/2010/07/truth-about-alcohol-fat-loss-and-muscle.html

    Great article.

    My advice: MODERATION. And lots of protein if you know you're going to drink.

    ^^^^ THIS. :) exactly.
  • rmarshalla
    rmarshalla Posts: 103 Member
    i notice when i drink like 8 beers everyone on mfp looks thinner and more attractive so i feel iam doing everyone here a favor

    HAHAHhahah xD
  • raystark
    raystark Posts: 403 Member
    i notice when i drink like 8 beers everyone on mfp looks thinner and more attractive so i feel iam doing everyone here a favor
    +100

    It's funny because it's true. Gotta love the Beer goggles.
  • _AllieCat_
    _AllieCat_ Posts: 515 Member
    http://www.leangains.com/2010/07/truth-about-alcohol-fat-loss-and-muscle.html

    Great article.

    My advice: MODERATION. And lots of protein if you know you're going to drink.

    This was very helpful! Thanks for sharing.
  • fallonrhea
    fallonrhea Posts: 388 Member
    Jillian Michaels says "it's either booze or abs" haha. I quit drinking a couple years ago - it's ridiculously hard and I wouldn't necessarily recommend it.

    I think a couple (meaning 1 or 2) drinks every now and then definitely is not going to hurt you get amazing results as long as you take it into account when you're counting calories - but anything more than that (like binge drinking every weekend) probably won't do you any favors...
  • VMarkV
    VMarkV Posts: 522 Member
    It's perfectly fine as long as you don't go over on calories AND meet sufficient macronutrient goals
    Read the Leangains article, you'd be surprised. A small amount of alcohol can also cut down on appetite long term

    Max benefit from drinking tops off at 2oz (pure alcohol) per day, so that's the limit I always stick to. Just make sure you know your percentages!
  • jgunn81
    jgunn81 Posts: 243 Member
    i notice when i drink like 8 beers everyone on mfp looks thinner and more attractive so i feel iam doing everyone here a favor

    /thread :laugh:
  • shellyscott0804
    shellyscott0804 Posts: 13 Member
    i notice when i drink like 8 beers everyone on mfp looks thinner and more attractive so i feel iam doing everyone here a favor

    HAHA!! We appreciate your sacrifice or rather eight or so sacrifices that you make to help us look better.
  • trishobr
    trishobr Posts: 120 Member
    :laugh:
  • marnet12
    marnet12 Posts: 73 Member
    Funny this came up. I purchased one bottle of beer at the store today. It's amazingly hot here and I'm doing yard work this evening. I rarely drink, but it looked so good, I couldn't help myself. Now my question:

    Do I log Corona Lite in dinner or snacks?
  • rmarshalla
    rmarshalla Posts: 103 Member
    Just to put some real info on this board about dieting and alcohol though...

    Alcohol "shuts down your metabolism, promotes fat storage and breaks down muscle tissue. It’s basically treated by the body as a toxin… If you’re serious about getting in shape, not drinking won’t be a problem." (http://muffintop-less.tumblr.com/BeginnerFitness).

    True story. :)
    I gave up most drinking, but allow myself 1-2 drinks 2x weekly if needed. Nothing sugary if I can help it at all because alcohol converts to sugar in your system anyway.

    I will drink a 1 ounce (~1 shot) of plain Vodka (65calories) with soda water with lime/lemon (NOT tonic water! That's worse than Coca Cola!!). Or you can use fresh squeezed (did it yourself) juice (orange/grapefruit). Or those no calorie flavored sparkling waters from the store (but I don't like those because they're full of chemicals... = bad!).

    Good luck!
  • raystark
    raystark Posts: 403 Member
    Funny this came up. I purchased one bottle of beer at the store today. It's amazingly hot here and I'm doing yard work this evening. I rarely drink, but it looked so good, I couldn't help myself. Now my question:

    Does Corona Lite go in dinner or snacks?

    Yes. Yes it does.
  • HungerGame82
    HungerGame82 Posts: 41 Member
    i notice when i drink like 8 beers everyone on mfp looks thinner and more attractive so i feel iam doing everyone here a favor
    Bahaaaahaaa. I just laughed so hard. Thank you for that, I needed it. And I just burned a couple calories. ;)
  • HungerGame82
    HungerGame82 Posts: 41 Member
    In honesty, I just learned the hard way that alcohol and calorie deficits are NOT friends. I drank a beer a couple of weeks ago and about 45 minutes later my blood sugar crashed so hard. Lesson: Make sure you've had adequate nutrition during the day if you're going to drink at night.
  • ShadowSP7
    ShadowSP7 Posts: 53
    Yeah I was planning on quitting completely until I got down to my goal weight, but after doing research and reading what you wrote, it looks like I am going to have to make this a lifestyle change. I probably shouldn't be drinking that much anyways.

    Thank you!
  • stevean
    stevean Posts: 7 Member
    Does Corona Lite go in dinner or snacks?

    Corona Light goes in the trash. It is not beer. It's sex in a canoe. F'in close to water. ;D

    In all seriousness, try a Guiness Draught some time. Contrary to myth, dark color does not equal heavy calorie laden beer. It's one of the lowest calorie (and carb) beers out there. It has only 125 calories in a 12 oz bottle, compared to Bud light (110), and Corona Light which has 109. Sam Adams Light is another one that has MUCH more flavor and only packs 119 calories.

    If I'm going to have a beer, I'd pass on the "light beers" for one of these every time. There are others out there, too, that actually have flavor yet are surprisingly low in calories. Its all about Quality, not Quantity.

    (If you do try a Guiness (or any other Irish Dry Stout), think "espresso" when you taste it. It's roasty and coffee like)

    One other thing about bottled beer- When ultraviolet light strikes the hop resins in a beer, it breaks them off and they then combine with a sulphur atom (SO2 is another common intermediate byproduct of the yeast during fermentation) which forms a compound called a Mercaptan, which happens to be the same chemical which skunks spray. Brown bottles block UV light, but clear bottles and green bottles allow it to pass through. That's why those beers smell and taste skunky. A closed box of them will taste and smell ok, but an open six pack will be skunked.
  • vilmafraguada
    vilmafraguada Posts: 26 Member
    You are so right...I do need a couple of glasses of vino a week. my job is really stressful and it does help me to unwind but I have to fit the wine in my calorie intake..I've cut down my vino intake significantly...at 57, I feel I need to learn how to live with the things I enjoy but definitely in moderation!
  • ShadowSP7
    ShadowSP7 Posts: 53
    Thank you for the link, The info was very informative.
  • ShadowSP7
    ShadowSP7 Posts: 53
    Lol!
  • pundas
    pundas Posts: 165 Member
    Probably a 12 pack would derail your progress lol! But i definitely feel your pain....I am a beer-o-holic myself.....hate those low-cal beers that taste like *kitten*. Give me a Guinness or a Sam Adams! In fact, I am actually on my third Sam Adams as I type this lol. I drink a few nights a week (2-3, sometimes 4-5) lol but when I do drink I always make sure it fits into my macros and am under calories. I usually only drink 3 beers per night, and find it doesnt affect my weight loss!
  • ShadowSP7
    ShadowSP7 Posts: 53
    When I have a drink I usually log it in snacks, but it seems funny logging it as a snack.
  • BaileyKat52
    BaileyKat52 Posts: 461 Member
    i notice when i drink like 8 beers everyone on mfp looks thinner and more attractive so i feel iam doing everyone here a favor


    LMFAO!
  • ShadowSP7
    ShadowSP7 Posts: 53
    Yeah maybe if I feel I need a drink I will just have two shots of liquor rather than four beers.
  • ShadowSP7
    ShadowSP7 Posts: 53
    I guess I just need to cut back on how much I drink when i do start up again. I am still a month and one week with no beer. I'm gonna try to keep that going, but if i do break and decide to drink I will limit how many i drink and what i drink.

    Thank you!

Categories