drinking and weight loss

kellyo811
kellyo811 Posts: 5
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi! I am fairly new to this, about 2 weeks in, and the eating healthier portions and healthier food has been going well so far. My main concern now is alcohol - I enjoy my wine, and have a glass or 2 almost every day. To me, this is as much part of my wind-down as reading the news and talking to friends/family on the phone - it's just simply not something I am willing to give up. So I guess my question is, what is the best possible alc beverage I could be having so as not to completely sabotage myself? Thank you!!

Replies

  • erin023
    erin023 Posts: 123 Member
    I think the general rule is the more pure the alcohol, the fewer the calories.
    So maybe try a flavored vodka mixed with natural fruit juice or diet pop? (Yes, I know diet pop isn't good for you).
    I personally end up losing weight when I drink (even a little) because I end up being more active.
  • iuew
    iuew Posts: 624 Member
    work it into your daily calories.

    as for lowest cal alcohol, i go with vodka / diet soda or vodka / diet cranberry juice. ocean spray makes some great diet juices.
  • McLifterPants
    McLifterPants Posts: 457 Member
    Honestly, a glass of wine a night won't kill you, as long is it's actually a "glass" (4-6 oz; about half full wine glass) and not a "GLASS" (half the bottle in a water glass). 6 oz of merlot is around 120 calories; chardonnay is more like 145. Just figure it in to your calories for the day and you'll be fine :)
  • redhousecat
    redhousecat Posts: 584 Member
    I always drink a beer or two after my runs.
  • Anna800
    Anna800 Posts: 639 Member
    When I drink at home I measure the amount of alchocol so it's exactly 5 oz. I also tried to limit my alcohol to once a week, I found that worked best with my goals. Sometimes that doesn't happen, but that is the aim.
  • DanaDark
    DanaDark Posts: 2,187 Member
    So long as your count it towards your calories, you'll be fine.
  • AlsDonkBoxSquat
    AlsDonkBoxSquat Posts: 6,128 Member
    I lost weight drinking wine every night. If you try to take it away from me I'll ball slap you.
  • reallyally1
    reallyally1 Posts: 82
    I really love Beck's light beer! It's only 64 cals a bottle and it doesn't taste like water (unlike MGD 64).
  • lizziebeth1028
    lizziebeth1028 Posts: 3,602 Member
    If you love the wine just make sure you work it into your calories:drinker:
  • ShaunMc1968
    ShaunMc1968 Posts: 204
    A glass or two of wine is of benefit to most general diets (not diets as in weight loss) - try not to over indulge, work it into your calories and all will be good.
  • Cocochickdeleted
    Cocochickdeleted Posts: 342 Member
    I drink an occasional glass of cabernet sauvignon, and it doesn't sabotage me TOO badly (although I find that I do want to snack more when I drink alcohol). I try to stay away from hard liquor, but only because I don't like drinking diet sodas, and regular sodas are too high in sugar and calories. Like Luew said, just make sure it fits into your calories, and you should be fine.
  • mtmom1012
    mtmom1012 Posts: 31 Member
    I kinda have the same feeling as you...I really want to lose some major weight, but I love to have a drink or 2. My solution over the past 2 weeks has been that I allow myself a drink only on the days that I go to the gym for a solid workout. That gets me to the gym, and provides both the reward for going, plus I can offset the extra calories in alcohol. So far it's working. I just started Jenny Craig last week and lost 6.2 pounds (which I know won't continue at that rate but it was very motivating to see!)

    Best of luck!
  • JenniferLynWhat
    JenniferLynWhat Posts: 80
    A glass of red wine a day is actually pretty good for you. Just figure it in to your calories..it sounds like you've already got the moderation part down (1 glass instead of a whole bottle) so don't worry about it.
  • sarahmaryfearnley
    sarahmaryfearnley Posts: 366 Member
    whiskey + ice = enjoy
  • Divagettinfitin2011
    Divagettinfitin2011 Posts: 500 Member
    Bump
  • jesss5885
    jesss5885 Posts: 187 Member
    Like some other people said, make sure it fits into your plan and the key is moderation.

    try pouring yourself 2 1/2 servings (it might help you feel like you've had more)

    i enjoy my wine very much as well. i figure a glass or two of wine is better than the box of mozzarella sticks or a cheeseburger and fries from the dinner i might want to binge one when feeling deprived of the things i love.
  • jesss5885
    jesss5885 Posts: 187 Member
    whiskey + ice = enjoy

    hell yea!
    a little aggressive for me... i'm a jack and diet ginger kind of girl
  • Mbishop7684
    Mbishop7684 Posts: 171 Member
    I agree with all of the above. Just make sure you can stop at the amount you've allotted and remember to re-hydrate. Drink back in water what you drank in alcohol and your body will be happier about the choice :-)
  • chloebarge
    chloebarge Posts: 53 Member
    Look at the wine bottles before you buy then as some have a lot less calories than others. I had a rally nice rose wine last night which was only 95cal a glass x
  • deannakittygirl
    deannakittygirl Posts: 228 Member
    red wine has health benefits so work it into your calories and enjoy. I don't know about white wine, but alcohol in moderate amounts is not bad it just has to be taken into consideration with total calories for the day. myself I enjoy a latte frequently instead of the alcohol but I find a way to have it when I want.
  • Nessiechickie
    Nessiechickie Posts: 1,392 Member
    If your a vodka lover try just plain vodka (flavored has more calories and sugars... so i hear) on ice with club soda (0 everything) and as much freshly squeezed lime/lemon.
  • Prettylittlelotus
    Prettylittlelotus Posts: 239 Member
    A glass of champagne is only 80 calories...
  • hiddensmiles21
    hiddensmiles21 Posts: 91
    Trust me I'm the SAME way. I love my un-wind at the end of the day. I have switched to MGD64 for beer because I know I can drink 2 and stay in my calorie budget. Or if I'm drinking white wine, I'll go 50/50 with wine and club soda and make a white wine spritzer. Also regular rum is low in calories so that with some lime and club soda is good too!
    Above all, just factor it in to your day!
  • kellyo811
    kellyo811 Posts: 5
    this sounds great...I am a wine person but my problem there is knowing if I really an drinking a portion size, occasionally convincing myself that 3 glasses is totally necessary, etc. I feel like with a drink like this I'd have more wiggle room to "over indulge" a bit, and it sounds super refreshing in this heatwave!
  • GeorgieLove708
    GeorgieLove708 Posts: 442 Member
    I've only had 1 glass of wine since I started tracking, but I just fit it into my daily calories. If I end up swimming today and have a lot of calories left, I'll probably have another glass. There's no reason you can't have your wine, just make sure you have the calories to fit it in. :)
  • alasin1derland
    alasin1derland Posts: 575 Member
    Newest information I heard is women who have a couple cocktails every night have better bone density (or no loss of density). fit it into your calories. Everything has pros and cons. If I only have a bit of calories I will drink a reduced calorie beer, if I have enough calories i will have a regular beer (or 2). Moderation is always key.
  • LoosingMyLast15
    LoosingMyLast15 Posts: 1,457 Member
    i too enjoy my wine and was drinking 1-2 glasses everyday then realized i didn't want to save those calories for wine so i cut back to 1-2 glasses twice a week monday-friday. saturday i do enjoy 2-3 glasses. since it's SO hot outside i recently switched to sparkling white wine. found a great bottle at trader joes ($4.49 - Vinho Verde from Portugal). it's lighter, refreshing and has 118 calories.
    Hi! I am fairly new to this, about 2 weeks in, and the eating healthier portions and healthier food has been going well so far. My main concern now is alcohol - I enjoy my wine, and have a glass or 2 almost every day. To me, this is as much part of my wind-down as reading the news and talking to friends/family on the phone - it's just simply not something I am willing to give up. So I guess my question is, what is the best possible alc beverage I could be having so as not to completely sabotage myself? Thank you!!
  • lmlmrn
    lmlmrn Posts: 788 Member
    I too enjoy my wine in the evening and I have noticed that my weight loss has stalled and not sure if it is the wine or just normal body adjustment. Either way I am going to give it up for a bit to see if I can get my scale to move again. But I have to say some of the suggested alternatives appeal to me :-)

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