Unislim, effects of alcohol?

thehamo

Hey so, im a male 5'9' around 14st 12lbs. ive started unislim last week. Bad timing really because I had a wedding at the weekend so there was copious amounts of alcohol and food eaten. I know full well its the worst place to start but on wards and upwards!

So I wont be drinking for the next few weeks but then have a bloody stag coming up:rolleyes: So Im just wondering, what is the real effects of alcohol on the diet? Even after the stag, ON a typical night out can you still expect to loose weight if you have a night out? (excuding the obligitory kebab after). I know there are better drinks to drink on a night out but still im a tad confused.

Im not in any classes im doing an online diary type thing so I cant ask any leaders so I would aprecciate any input.

Muchas Gracias

syklops

In my experience, and I am by no means an expert, alcohol is detrimental to any weight loss regime, for a number of reasons. The calories are empty, in that you get very little in turn for them. After 10 pints, you still feel hungry, and then go and have a kebab and a load of chips. At 170 calories per pint of beer, 10 pints over the course of a days drinking, is almost the total amount of calories you need for the day(assuming you are aiming for a calorie deficit). However, not eating anything, will also be a bad idea. Also for the day of the stag/wedding, plus the day after you have less energy than normal days, so you wont burn it off either.

As I see it you can do 2 things. The first is to say "feck it, I am abstaining from it for the next few weeks, its one day when I can let my hair down". If you do lay off it for a few weeks, then the stag will be the reward.

The alternative would be to just try and go easy. When drinking, don't take great big gulps, but instead, just wet your lips, and after every pint have a glass of water. This should keep your pint count down.

Also if and when the inevitable round of shots comes along, avoid stuff like jager bombs, which pack in a hefty 213 calories, and Long Island Ice Tea which packs in a whopping 300 calories(thats the same as a cheesburger!). Instead opt for neat vodka, weighing in at around 95 calories, or a scotch and water which is about 100.

Inevitably someone will raise their head on this thread and tell you you dont need alcohol to have a good time, and to some extent they are right, but being the only one not drinking on a stag, when everyone else is, would not be a lot of fun IMO.

After the stag, abstain from alcohol for a few weeks again, and do some extra exercise, and you will be back on track in no time.

thehamo

thanks skylops. Ive already kind of built the stag into my plans so im not TOO concerned with it. My real concern is ongoing, just random weekends. Its just unrealistic to expect to stop drinking for a few monts IMHO, especially with so many things going on through the summer. The plan does allow you to factor in alcohol and the more exercise you do, the more "treats" you can have which include alcohol. I suppose the key is not to eat while drinking and to work my ass off during the week if I expect a big night coming up etc.

syklops

thehamo wrote: »

thanks skylops. Ive already kind of built the stag into my plans so im not TOO concerned with it. My real concern is ongoing, just random weekends. Its just unrealistic to expect to stop drinking for a few monts IMHO, especially with so many things going on through the summer. The plan does allow you to factor in alcohol and the more exercise you do, the more "treats" you can have which include alcohol. I suppose the key is not to eat while drinking and to work my ass off during the week if I expect a big night coming up etc.

Im not sure I would agree with the not eating while drinking. All the cultures who seem to have the 'healthy' attitudes towards alcohol, food is very much a part of the drinking ritual. I think of the French and Italians where a long meal and lots of wine is the norm, of the eastern europeans, Poles, Czechs etc, who drink beer and spirits with sausages and other meats, the Macedonians who drink their Raki only when eating salads, and the Chinese who drink spirits after large meals.

One of the reasons we put on weight is because we dont stop when we are full. If I were you I would eat a long with the drinks, and when you are full, stop both eating and drinking.

thehamo

I see where you're coming from, but my point is more about the 20 packets of crisps on the table while having a few pints and the kebab after. I think the continental eating while drinking is a little more refined than ours to be honest:p

syklops

Yeah crisps are one of the most unhealthy things you can eat. I suggest you opt for nuts instead. Also try to look for some kind of healthier replacement instead of kebabs. Easier said than done, I know.