Alcohol : As a 20 something without kids... - Weight Loss Support

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Alcohol

Freshstart15 profile image
10 Replies

As a 20 something without kids alcohol is a big part of my social life. Cocktails and wine are probably a big part of the reason I'm overweight.

But, I plan on having vodka with a slim-line mixer from now on. Does anyone have any rules they follow or have any tips about this.

Probably one of my biggest downfalls!

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Freshstart15 profile image
Freshstart15
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10 Replies
Judywood profile image
Judywood

Remember to count your drink calories as part of your allowance! About 50 cal per single (about 25 ml)! Enjoy!

fibronfedup profile image
fibronfedup

Definitely count into your calories as judy says also maybe find a way to drink less like every 2 drinks have a glass of water, will probably help you to flush your system and to help you feel less thirsty so you drink less. Be more.active before you go out so you can burn more calories than you consume. You can still enjoy yourself its all about finding a healthy balance.

Stentatron profile image
Stentatron

This probably won't come as a shock to you but if you are serious about weight loss you have to cut out the alcohol altogether. It isn't just the calories in alcohol that contributes to weight gain but it is the way our bodies / livers metabolise it. Alcohol goes to the front of the queue when you drink as it is a toxin so anything else you have in your digestive system gets put on hold and is usually stored read: fat!

It isn't easy but it will pay dividends for your weight loss. Sparkling water and soda water aren't the most social of drinks but within a few weeks of your new found sobriety you will notice the difference on your waistline and in your wallet / purse.

You can do it!

OlsBean profile image
OlsBean

I follow a LCHF lifestyle and enjoy the odd few drams of whisky (sensible amounts) now and again as it's carb free, however I am only maintaining which is very different to losing weight, I think from personal experience it's very difficult to continue to regularly drink and lose weight. Of course everything is relevant and very much depends on the individual and the amount of change they need to make to reach their goals.

Remember anything that has been fermented will contain sugar in varying degrees dependent on the beverage.

rmnsuk profile image
rmnsuk

My best tip is to stop drinking alcohol till you are normal weight again. It'll make losing weight so much easier.

justchunkyreally profile image
justchunkyreally

I think you have to look at this from one of 2 angles. Either you give up alcohol altogether until you get to your goal OR count the alcohol calories in your daily allowance. You can make 'shorts' into long drinks with soda/ tonic/ lemonade - all sugar free of course. Add ice, lemon, lime etc for taste.

Alternate alcoholic drink with a glass of water or calorie free soft drink.

You can still enjoy your nights out.

fenbadger profile image
fenbadger

Sadly alcohol has a double whammy. and I can only agree with comments above.

1st. 7 calories/gram. That's quite high and a slimline mixer wont balance the calories in the vodka. That's about 200 cal per shot plus mixer. It's probably irrelevant the "slimline" contains rubbish like aspartame.

2nd alcohol slows metabolism by paralysing it. So loads of intake and you don't burn it off, so what do you do? You store it - and the calories from anything you've eaten while dealing with the alcohol.

Don't fool yourself, you'll only do yourself a disservice.

That doesn't mean you cant have a night out. Take care :)

elliebath profile image
elliebathMaintainer

I dont entirely agree with the above. I have lost my excess weight by calorie counting and still drank alcohol. With my partner, it was a big part of my life, wine with dinner, a few beers with the rugby etc. I was conscious not to alienate him or my friends by my diet.

i used the myfitnesspal app to monitor all my daily calories from food and drink, kept to 1300-1400 a day, walked a lot more, chose healthier foods wherever possible, but still had a few gins and wines each week.

But if you use up some of your calorie allowance on drinks, you must make sure your meals have enough protein, vitamins etc. Otherwise you wont feel great.

I am at my target weight now, BMI 23 down from 27 in ten months and my relationship has survived very well !

Freshstart15 profile image
Freshstart15

I'm glad someone else agrees that you can still drink and lose weight! I've just switched to vodka instead of wine at the weekend and still lost 4lbs in my first week! :)

GirlieMay profile image
GirlieMay

I totally agree with Freshstart and Elliebath. I started my weight loss program in December 2014 weight 12st 4oz. Bmi 29.5. I counted calories for the first couple of weeks to give give me am Idea of what foods and alcohol I could consume daily. I stuck to 1300/1400 cals a day including the drink I've lost over 2 stone and my bmi is 23,8 So everything in moderation . just remember you will have to count any drinks in you daily total you can find out the calories in your drinks using the calorie checker in the nhs livewell section

Good luck

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