So alcohol and weight loss......anyone?? :0)))

K so ive posted before about drinkin but i get a weird response....well to be fair i did and can have issues with it in the way of wanting to drink loads lol and using it as a crutch but never in the way of i cant stop kinda thing.

Anyway this isnt a desperate omg help me post *deep breath* lol.  I just want to know if any of you drink aswell whilst on this journey.

Its a social thing and a weekend thing yano with mates etc.  Ive stopped drinkin at home - that was just habit so now i only drink when i go out and i do try to make better choices....lower calorie choices but my weakness is lager and if i have one i want more n more n more!!

Some weeks i drinks once others it can be three or four it depends on whose out and about.  Anyway i want to try and actually go out and not drink yano i want to cut down more because 1. it'll make me alot more healthier and 2. it'll aid my weight loss terrifically BUT mainly becuase i want to get out of the habit of going out = getting drunk.  Im 22 so im not gettin any younger and i want to be able to go out and not drink or go out and just have a glass of wine or something.

Im not saying i cant because obviously i know i can but its the temptation, specially when all my mates r egging me on n tellin me to not be boring etc lol....i just give in.  BUT i used to go out n not drink cuz of driving and i had just as much fun so im like COME ON GIRRRRRLLLLL!!

Any tips, any advice, anyopne else that is like me or worse?

Anything, i feel like NOONE on here drinks or smoke etc and if you mention alcohol immediately you have a problem but surely somebody does......?? lol :0))

It's a social thing as much as anything, it doesnt mean you're an alcoholic lol  xxx

Im not slating my past post responses because i have had time (as said above) where ive been drinkin way way way too much and wanted advice but this is different.

Where are you people??  xxx

I'll quite happily admit that I drink frequently, but am trying to cut down. Like you it's a social thing, we go out and meet friends (in the pub) or we have people over to ours or vice versa and there's usually a crate of lager involved somewhere along the way, and it's very hard not to join in the antics.

My other half's drank every night this week - I did twice, the only reason I havn't matched him is because I've insisted on driving, but I have to admit that I've not had any less fun for it. Pubs have to be the hardest place for me to avoid drinking, though I do have a few tactics - I tend to try and match alcoholic drinks with soft drink so I'll have say a lager followed by a glass of water/diet coke, that way you tend to not drink quite so much and also avoid the dreaded hang over the next day! My other tactic is to go to the bar alone and order a soft drink then claim it's alcoholic to my mates who are egging me on, or try to stick to the low cal alternatives (like the magners light etc) Don't know if my tips are much use, but I hope you no longer feel like you're the only one on here who enjoys the odd few bevvies (I've been known to go through 3 bottles of baileys in one night!)

Good luck xxx

I don't drink much, however I have worked in a pub and there are a few things I saw people doing to ensure that they didn't over indulge

1 - Alternate your alcoholic drinks with soda water or diet soft drink (i.e every other drink is zero calories).  This halves the calories you would have otherwise have drunk, but still have a drink in your hand and it helps with the hangover

2 - I used to serve a guy who lost about 200lbs.  He switched from beer to a pint glass with a measure of white wine, topped up with soda water and ice - a kind of giant spritzer.  He obviously drank a lot less too, but he didn't want to totally give up alcohol or nights out with friends, and this worked for him

3 - if you drink spirits switch your mixers to diet versions or soda water

4 - don't get in round situations with your friends, as then you won't be in control of how much you drink.  You don't have to use weight loss as an excuse, you can plead poverty or getting up early in the morning or something.  You can drink slower, alternate with soda or diet drinks, and drink at your own pace.

I only drink the occasional glass of wine, so these are just things I've seen work for others and I hope they help.

Good luck

Ax

There are two separate things going on with alcohol.  First is that it is a toxin and that over-exposure is bad for your health.  Second is that alcoholic drinks tend to be quite high in calories but lack any kind of nutrition.

In the first instance, therefore, you've to keep your alcohol consumption moderate ... there are plenty of guidelines on how much 'moderate' is.... simply in the interests of your long-term health. 

The next thing to decide then is how many calories you're prepared to allocate to a sociable drink every so often, the same as you would calories for anything else.   The more calories you devote to alcohol the less food you can eat so it's a balance. 

When I lost weight a few years ago I still managed to enjoy a glass or two of wine about once a week.  Just keep it sensible and you'll be fine.

 

Yeah, I drink, I have a bottle of wine over a weekend with my evening meal, then maybe a can of cider one or two nights a week, K Cider coz it's cheap, and chilled enough tastes fine.

I'm aware of the guidelines (before anyone helpfully posts them) but my body, my rules, I don't drive (or ski) which are both far more dangerous statistically.

I count 'em in and as I'm doing 1500 calories (usually 1550 by the time I'm in bed) it means I'm not cutting out food to drink or anything.

GIJane, I appreciate your point but water is a toxin in excess, as is sugar, omega 3 oils, and everything else on earth!

And I don't agree about swapping to diet drinks unless you already drink that stuff, the feedback about aspartame and now splenda is more scary than the small number of cals you;d get in regular mixers imo.

Great post Demerara!

I like to drink as well. Probably my biggest downfall to weight loss. I'm cutting back as well, because it is more important to loose weight than to drink.

A trick is to make sure you exercise enough to counter the calories.

good luck!

Niky

Original Post by maggie_snow:

GIJane, I appreciate your point but water is a toxin in excess, as is sugar, omega 3 oils, and everything else on earth!

I know you're only being funny but alcohol-related illnesses are on the increase, unfortunately, and they're no joke.  It's remarkably easy to drink enough alcohol to cause harm, whereas it's very difficult to overdose on any of the above.  Cirrhosis - usually caused by long-term/heavy exposure -  is now worryingly common in relatively young people whereas it only used to be a problem in middle-aged/older people and/or alcoholics.

I'm not sure why me posting this kind of stuff puts me in the way of ridicule or accusations of being 'PC' as I had recently.  It's perfectly rational to suggest someone cuts back on alcohol a little either for health or weight-related reasons, after all.  I did suggest 'moderate' drinking rather than 'total abstinence'.  If I was posting that someone should cut back on fat or 'carbs'  there would probably be sage nodding of heads and general agreement in certain quarters.  Despite neither of those things being particularly dangerous.

 

Hi Jane,

I wasn't trying to ridicule you, it WAS just a joke. Maybe I commented that way because people get SO anal about even the smallest thing these days, and yet continue to do many other things that are equally potentially harmful like driving recklessly, etc etc.

Fwiw I'm not personally in the "anti-carbs/fat" camp, I've been following the recent de-demonisation of some kinds of saturated fat (the animal-derived ones, NOT the hydrogenated veg garbage) with keen interest, since I think very low fat diets are absolute nonsense.

And I always lol at people who say they're "cutting out all carbs and only eating veg" - like broccoli is somehow made of pure protein!

Another issue, to be a bit more serious, is this: I have a keen interest in health, nutrition, anatomy, all those things dating back to studying human biology at college.

But I'm dismayed to find so many forums and sites about healthy eating take a positively puritanical approach to alcohol, thus leading to the conclusion they support an "all or nothing" perfectionist lifestyle.

For the sake of everyone's health, it's surely better to discuss that some of us like a drink, that way it's not like this place (or any other) will only support or tolerate an elite who do things by the book?

I believe it is easier to be healthy if I practice moderation.  Luckily despite the temptation my body will only allow me to consume small amounts of alcohol but I do like my bits here and there.  And I believe from what I have read that any carbonated drink is drastic diet sabotage, again, easy for me to say as I don't like the stuff.  My favorite simple low cal/low alcohol drink (so I can have more than one every couple of hours while hanging out with friends) is 16 oz glass of crushed ice, add 1oz diet margarita mix, 1oz triple sec, fill with water and stir. 

However I was just reading on another diet web site that alcohol consumption stimulates the body to release the chemical that creates hunger pangs.  So I am currently considering how important these drinks are overall.

I work in the wine business, and I believe (and my livelihood depends) that alcohol can be a healthy part of a diet for folks who don't struggle with addiction.  But, I also believe in moderation in all things, even moderation.  I have lost about 50 pounds this year by increasing exercise and reducing calories overall. 

Because wine is high calorie/low nutrition I cut back from about 2 glasses of wine each evening with dinner to 1 glass with dinner 2 or 3 nights a week.  Only when I have made such good choices all day long that I have calories to spare and have met my basic nutritional needs do I splurge on a glass of wine.  Since I don't eat many sweets, the wine fills my "fun but empty" calorie niche.

On maintenance days (holidays, parties, etc.) which only happen once or twice a month, I usually go back to 2 (or even 3 if I skip dessert) glasses of wine.  My belief is that once I am at goal I will add back a glass of wine on a regular basis, but probably never have room for 2 glasses on a regular basis and still maintain.  We'll see when I get there next year!

BTW, the health benefits of moderate wine consumption are pretty well established in the medical literature.  People who drink wine in moderate amounts on a regular basis tend to have less mortality/morbidity, even accounting for the other socio-economic differences between wine drinkers and the general population.  I am not sure that they can be considered completely "empty" calories, but obviously, substituting any kind of alcohol for "real" food is not a good idea.

no you are not alone nutbox. Ive lost a stone now, and I am sure most of thats due to cutting back on drinking wine.  I eat really healthy and never eat meat or sweets/chocolate etc however, I do like to drink wine and used to finish off a bottle of wine most nights.  However, to lose weight you do have to limit this. Its not easy believe me, but Ive cut down to Friday and saturday nights only.  I do feel better in myself for cutting down - especially in the mornings.  I sometimes have a becks alcohol free lager in the week - they are only 50 cals - as I dont drink other fizzy drinks or juice.  My best advice is to limit yourself, try to alternate with soft drinks, and on clean days avoid situations where alcohol is present.  Hope this helps. 

 

Hi Nutnox! I love to drink alcohol too. I have been dieting since Jan and have lost 20 pounds while drinking on weekends. I don't drink during the week at all anymore...I save it for the weekends. I think its really about balance. I do my best to eat really well and work out all week so I can have my weekend drinks. Also I keep healthy hangover munchies at home so I'm not tempted to get a greesy burger and I make sure to have at least one alcohol free weekend every few weeks. The weight is probably coming off slower than if I were to cut alcohol completely, but I choose to be patient. Cheers! 

Big fan of alcohol here. I know about the empty calories etc. but I have heard that alcohol can slow down your metabolism. Does anyone know if there is any truth to that?

It may or may not slow down your metabolism but if your liver is too busy dealing with alcohol then it's not going to be metabolising fat that efficiently.

I don't like sweets at all either, or fruit juices, and the only fizzy stuff I drink is water to stretch out a glass of wine or cider, so yeah, that comes into play. I think everyone's got something they like that's about fun and not just nutrition, and imo it doesn't do any harm so long as it's not running your life.

Even if there were no health benefits I'd do it - my body exists for me to live in, I don't exist as its ever-so-humble caretaker - so if I wanted to have a few bevvies, take up skydiving, or anything else like that it's my business - even having kids can be risky to your health, crossing the road or anything - but there's no point living wrapped in cotton wool and missing out on the things you really want in life.

I don't drink to get drunk, because I think being drunk is a little annoying.  Instead, I let myself have 1 drink if my friends and I hit a happy hour, and I alternate sipping that with water because usually I need the water to "clear my palette" lol--I'm just thirsty like that.

I never drink alone, and if I'm at a party, and not driving, I will let myself have 2 drinks.  I agree with gi-jane in that it's about having fewer drinks, and drinking less frequently.  I rarely drink more than two times a month, and it has not hindered my weight loss.

Peace out :)

As much as i love alcohol i hate it.. I hate waking up the next morning feeling like **** & not being able to eat for the whole day.  I drink a lot so if i know im going to go out & drink later on than i dont eat anything or barely anything that day because i know the alcohol will add not wanted calories. My birthday was yesterday & im trying not to drink anymore i mean not get drunk..

Original Post by monikaox:

I drink a lot so if i know im going to go out & drink later on than i dont eat anything or barely anything that day because i know the alcohol will add not wanted calories.

 That's a really silly thing to do.  Drinking on an empty stomach only makes the alcohol get absorbed quicker and then you're just 'drinking to get drunk'.  Drink with food, it absorbs slower and you'll probably drink less....

HEY ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!

Im so so so totally pleased with all these responses!!!!!

I knew there MUST be people out there that liked the odd tipple....or more ;0))

See i drink as a social thing and i do enjoy it but my issue is that its probably too often and probably too big a part of my 'social' scene.  But like anythin it can be changed and new habits learned which im workin on.

Actually i went to the pub last night and had a decaf coffee and 1/2 pint water with ice, was extremely tired so we went after this but WOW to me lol.

WOW monikaox if only i could NOT eat the day after....thats another reason why this will affect my dieting if i drink too much....i eat like a total pig, its like my body just wants to stuff as much stodge into me to soak up all the alcohol, its never healhty stuff either lol.

But ive done quite good, had the odd chinese, sunday dinner and (oops) mini fish n chips but hey ho its all about learning right.  This isnt a 'diet' for me this is forever so if its takes a little longer but im learning a new way to live AND be happy then im ok with that.

We should all celebrate that we can still have alcohol and be happy and lose weight, anything in moderation is the saying isnt it...anything!!

*raises a glass*  cheers guys.  SOOOOO glad to hear form you all xxxx

hello ladies, i've always enjoyed alcohol, but have gone thro times when honestly ive drunk to excess, not falling down, well maybe the one time :)  

discovering it at age 15yrs i would take it when available (which was prob about every 3months or so) and thro time developed a liking for it...altho i have to say since due to financial reasons i stopped driving, i've drunk much more...

i am now over 50yrs old and have recently over-indulged over the past 6 months, therefore i am fatter (bloated) than ive ever been, 13stone, nothing fits, i'm just as down as before, my face is fat and i'm suffering discomfort in my lower abdomen and back (liver, kidneys, intestines?).  alcohol was less available when i was growing up, it was too expensive and ppl jst mostly kept it for high days and holidays...so pse think twice, if u r drinking regularly and maybe a bit too much, when will you be suffering the side effects of it? in 5 years, 10?.  As of today4 me it's low cal juice topped up with water.  wish me well that the pain subsides, it may be my last chance, pse don't let it be yours...you know you can reduce?-yes, of course you can!

Original Post by nutbox:

i eat like a total pig, its like my body just wants to stuff as much stodge into me to soak up all the alcohol, its never healhty stuff either lolxxxx

A big part of the reason why that happens (and it's not just you it happens to) is because overdoing the alcohol causes blood-sugars to plummet and massive dehydration afterwards. Your body wants you to raise those blood-sugars *fast* with starchy, sugary, food and drinks.... so that's why big greasy breakfasts with all the trimmings and sugary drinks often look like the perfect morning-after hangover cure.