What can I drink and still lose weight?

I enjoy the "occasional" tottie... HA...  If I could I would drink everyday (what can I say, I am a fireman)!!!!  My drink of choice is BEER (like I said, I am a fireman)!  I have started limiting myself to a ONE DAY A WEEK DRINK DAY... problem is, one beer turns into 8.  I know the obvious answer is DON'T DRINK SO MANY... Well, sorry, I am a redneck country girl who drinks to accomplish something... I do not understand ONE "SOCIAL DRINK"... FOR ALL OF YOU GASPING RIGHT NOW, LET IT BE KNOWN, I AM NOT AN ALCHEY... I JUST ENJOY MY BEER !  ANYWAY, now that I have gone COMPLETELY around the world... I need to find a tolerable drink that is not LOADED with sugar or calories!  I know one answer is Merlot, but I just can't enjoy it... any suggestions?

Whiskey and diet coke.  It's something you tend to sip, and has fewer calories than beer or wine, when drinking an appropriate serving. 

i do barcardi & diet coke. rumour has it, diet coke gets the alcohol in your system faster. or pepsi max tastes very sweet as well if you want a sugary taste. 

although there's nothing like a nice cold beer after a very long run. i don't understand the 1 social drink thing myself either.

I can limit my sangria but not my beer.  Sangria has more sugar in it than plain red wine does but if you only have one.  It's $5-7/bottle, Real Sangria. 

Otherwise I can down the beers and on those days I really limit the carbs and calories (1300-1400) to allow for the room.  Or I schedule my benders for binge days. 

I think a light beer has about the same calories as a shot/mixer.  If you're only drinking one day a week allow yourself a "cheat day" where you consume your maintainence calorie level.  That way you can enjoy a few beers guilt free.

LET ME SAY... I AM SOOOOOOO GLAD THERE ARE OTHER FOLKS OUT THERE THAT FEEL LIKE I DO!!!!  How sad is it that we have to cut calories just to drink!!!  (I DIDN'T HAVE TO DO THIS A FEW YEARS AGO!!!!)

Looking at it objectively, it looks really ridiculous.  I mean, how would we advise someone who wants to work KFC into their diet?  (make a better a choice, don't eat it, etc)

But I'm choosing not to look at it objectively. 

I always save my drinking binges for my cheat days. And even then I make sure I eat low cal foods to then add up for all the liquid calories. I've heard using clear liquids is the best so drinking things like Gin & tonic (with lime) or a vodka tonic is good. I'm not a fan of Rum but a lot of people like Rum & Diet Coke as well. And don't worry I can never have a one "SOCIAL" drink either.

wow, this is a really defensive post

Not really sure how it is "a really defensive post" but whatever!

I drink Stoli (vodka) and diet. But I've always drank this so it's easy for me. I only drink on the weekends, maybe every other week and I have maybe 4 at the most. I have never had a problem with my drinking causing weight gain it's usually what I eat when I'm drinking late night. LOL (cheese fries) :-) Honestly you should be able to treat yourself and drink whatever you want in moderation.

Vodka and club soda/seltzer. Your calories are all in the vodka which should be if I am correct. One of the lowest in alcohol. But watch out. They go down like water.  Let me know if I am wrong about the vodka being a good chose if I have a drink..anyone who is ..objective that is...hehe

Original Post by ls1gal:

Not really sure how it is "a really defensive post" but whatever!

you defended every statement you made!

embrace the love of drinking, as long as it's not an alcohol problem, don't be ashamed!

Vodka and diet coke! Thats my drink of choice. Vodka has between 70 and 100 cals per shot depending on which website you look at.  Also, there is a new beer with only 64 calories, Miller MGD. Miller Chill has about 110 cals. Red wine and certain white wines (NOT reisling, its the most cal-packed wine) also have around 100 cals for a 5 ounce serving. Even champagne has less than 100 cals per glass. In fact, you can have a whole bottle of champagne for less cals than a fancy, sugar laden flavored martini. Bottom line: if you want to down 8 beers, just limit your other calories throughout the day or do a little extra at the gym, drink water, and don't do it everyday :-)

the good thing with drinking a rum/vodka and diet coke is that when you go back for another drink you can always order just a plain diet coke. nobody else will know the difference. i do this when i want to go out with friends but don't want to be the only one having nothing and i find it easier to stick to just a few alcoholic drinks.

Becks premier light=64 cals

Miller genuine draft light=64 cals

enjoy!

I make no excuses nor do I get defensive about my food choices. A lot of people here on CC would be appalled if they knew I still eat what ever I want. If I want fried chicken and mashed potatos I eat them. I don't have cheat days. I try to incorporate food choices that line up with real life. If this is going to be a lifestyle change I would be lying out my arse if I told you any fruit tastes as good to me as creme brulee.

With regards to drinking, if I know that I am going to PF Chengs you had better believe I'm going to have 2 key lime martini's. If I go to PF Chengs twice in one week I am going to have 2 each time I go. Why? Because I know that no single instance or food or liquor is going to be the end of my healthier lifestyle.

I honestly feel that at times we forget to look at the big picture. Overall are we doing the things that lead to better health in the long term or are we hoping that if we drive ourselves crazy with deprivation we can feel superior to others?

So tip your glass if you want to. Just make sure that you have a clear vision of where you want your lifestyle choices to take you.

Original Post by principessa21:

the good thing with drinking a rum/vodka and diet coke is that when you go back for another drink you can always order just a plain diet coke. nobody else will know the difference. i do this when i want to go out with friends but don't want to be the only one having nothing and i find it easier to stick to just a few alcoholic drinks.

i have to do that some times myself. like if i ask someone for sparkling water i get a gin & tonic. i usually like to have a nice wine with food or at home, only sometimes do i like standing up in a crowded bar with music so loud you cant talk to anyone, but you have to stand there & drink.  maybe im going out to much with my fiance when he djs or maybe im just getting old.

just some notes...

MGD isn't a new beer.  its just not really popular...

all the plain liquors: vodka, rum, gin, whiskey, tequila--have 88 calories per ounce.  therefore, if you'd prefer to have a beer, go for one of the ultra light beers as mentioned above and you're better off, calorie wise, than having liquor drinks.

as for sangria, I may be wrong or on a tangent, but its made from red wine, white wine, fruits and fruit juices, right?  Can a person buy it in a bottle premade?  does it come loaded with preservatives (or is the alcohol in the wines enough)?? just wondering.  I like to make sangria in the summer time when folks come to visit. 

Original Post by splitrail:

*stands and gives Big Mommah a round of applause*

*Thanks Splitrail*