Alcohol

Backstreet Moyes

Can you lose weight if you drink once a week or is it better to come off it completely.

Going on a holiday in 7 weeks time and trying to lose a stone.

Starting this week I have cleaned up my diet and doing a 45 minute cycle after work each day.

I would usually go out drinking on Friday and Saturday so I am thinking of cutting down to just 7 or 8 on Fridays.

I want to give it up completely but Friday is the night I catch up with friends.

Would 7 or 8 pints a week with no fast food after it ruin my work during the week

the sword

I think with drink the big thing is what accompanies it, take away on the way home from the pub, hangover restricting you the next day. I would worry more about what you re eating and the effort put into exercising rather than drinking as the measure. If you nail down your eating and cut out unnecessary sugars and progress on from cycling to other forms of exercise then 7 weeks is more than enough time! Best of luck!

omb0wyn5ehpij9

It all depends on what you drink. If you are drinking Heineken, there is about 230 calories in a pint. Multiple that by 8 pints in a night and you have consumed over 1800 calories. It depends on how much of a calorie deficit you are running for the week.

armaghlad

Cut out pints. I'm assuming they're all at once? Or twice? A small glass of red won't do too much harm though.

Macy0161

Personally, I kept my weekly session going when I was losing weight. It has to be sustainable change, and you have to look after your mental well being too. The social/ release aspect can't be ignored imo. Now I'm generally not at 7 or 8 pints (a lighter weight in more ways than one these days), but wasn't too far off either.

Did it slow up my weight loss? Maybe, but it was something I wasn't prepared to drop from my lifestyle. I personally preferred that to a "cheat" day or meal on food.

My biggest problem was (and remains), the munchies and will power after drink. But again, for me, it's just accept it if you "failed" and then move on. Try to avoid a bad night diet wise turn into a bad weekend and then a bad week etc etc. Park it when you go to bed, and back on the wagon the next day!

Zillah

Nuts102 wrote: »

Would 7 or 8 pints a week with no fast food after it ruin my work during the week

Just so you know, weight aside, that is binge drinking and definitely something you should cut down for long term health. Even if you manage to lose weight while drinking this much it's very bad for your liver and health generally.

That said, yes, it's going to make losing weight much harder. It would probably take three or four of your 45 minute biking sessions to burn off that many calories.

fussyonion

It all depends on what your overall diet/exercise routine is.
I've lost 4 and a half stone since July. I eat much healthier but I still drink on a Saturday night.

I'd have a bottle of wine but other people are right; its the munchies that usually accompany drinking.
If drinking leads you to eating more, you could do detrimental damage for weightloss.
If you eat well during the week and exercise, I can't see how one night of drinking could do much damage, unless as I said, you're eating alongside the booze.

Spirogyra

Talking from experience 7 or 8 pints will seriously interfere with efforts to loose weight. There's vast amounts of calories in beer, meaning you'll have to exercise a huge amount to compensate. Its also bad for blood pressure, cholesterol, skin your pocket and more besides. Do you really need to drink 7 or 8 pints in one night to enjoy yourself ? I think you need to think seriously about that question. I wouldn't recommend more than a few drinks per week , a few being 2 or 3,if your serious about loosing weight

Texas Jack

I'm in the same boat that I want to lose a small belly, but don't want to lose the beer

I never get hungry when drinking and actually tend to eat cleaner on hangover days so what I've started doing is just having a light lunch and skipping dinner completely on days I'm saucing it up.

Beer tends to fill me anyways and no food in my tummy means I'm getting drunk quicker and with less beer.

Spirogyra

I think 'you' do need to cut down on beer at least,for health in general, its simply bad for the body

Texas Jack

Spirogyra wrote: »

I think 'you' do need to cut down on beer at least,for health in general, its simply bad for the body

In what respect is beer worse for the body compared to other types of alcoholic beverages?

armaghlad

Texas Jack wrote: »

In what respect is beer worse for the body compared to other types of alcoholic beverages?

It has far more calories?

Zillah

Texas Jack wrote: »

I never get hungry when drinking and actually tend to eat cleaner on hangover days so what I've started doing is just having a light lunch and skipping dinner completely on days I'm saucing it up.

You will never, ever lose your belly fat if your solution to having too many calories in your diet is to skip dinner to make room for beer.

The mind boggles.

Texas Jack

Zillah wrote: »

You will never, ever lose your belly fat if your solution to having too many calories in your diet is to skip dinner to make room for beer.

The mind boggles.

Surely 7 pints is better than 7 pints and a full dinner?

Blacktie.

Zillah wrote: »

You will never, ever lose your belly fat if your solution to having too many calories in your diet is to skip dinner to make room for beer.

The mind boggles.

I've done this several times on my current cut. Sure the weight is coming off slowly but it's still coming off. And I'm not coming from a high starting point or anything.

intheclouds

Texas Jack wrote: »

Surely 7 pints is better than 7 pints and a full dinner?

It may be less calories but it is in no way good for your body to have your calories coming from alcohol rather than food.

Ragnar Lothbrok

I've been told by my doctor recently to stay off the drink for six months as I'm diabetic (Type 2, no need for insulin jabs etc, and I'm very low level diabetic) and need to lose 1 stone. My drink of choice would be cider and I'd probably have 8 or 9 pints once a week (my GP was horrified at this - I thought it was respectable enough )

He told me the amount of sugar in cider was horrendous from both a diabetic and a weight-loss point of view. I'd imagine the same goes for beer and lager too.

So my solution is to swap the cider for vodka and 7-Up Free. The amount of calories in vodka & 7-Up Free is zero, I think. This allows me to have a social life too, so it's win-win as far as I can see

Texas Jack

Ragnar Lothbrok wrote: »

I've been told by my doctor recently to stay off the drink for six months as I'm diabetic (Type 2, no need for insulin jabs etc, and I'm very low level diabetic) and need to lose 1 stone. My drink of choice would be cider and I'd probably have 8 or 9 pints once a week (my GP was horrified at this - I thought it was respectable enough )

He told me the amount of sugar in cider was horrendous from both a diabetic and a weight-loss point of view. I'd imagine the same goes for beer and lager too.

So my solution is to swap the cider for vodka and 7-Up Free. The amount of calories in vodka & 7-Up Free is zero, I think. This allows me to have a social life too, so it's win-win as far as I can see

Is there less calories in that than JD and diet Coke/Coke Zero?

Blacktie.

intheclouds wrote: »

It may be less calories but it is in no way good for your body to have your calories coming from alcohol rather than food.

If he wants to lose weight and have pints he has to drop calories somewhere and this is one option for it. Sure it's not the healthiest but it will work if calories are equal.

intheclouds

Ragnar Lothbrok wrote: »

So my solution is to swap the cider for vodka and 7-Up Free. The amount of calories in vodka & 7-Up Free is zero, I think. This allows me to have a social life too, so it's win-win as far as I can see

Vodka is not calorie free.

It has about 65 calories per measure I think.

intheclouds

Blacktie. wrote: »

If he wants to lose weight and have pints he has to drop calories somewhere and this is one option for it. Sure it's not the healthiest but it will work if calories are equal.

He will not be doing his liver any favours whatsoever skip a meal in favour of binge drinking. Or his bowel.

Blacktie.

intheclouds wrote: »

He will not be doing his liver any favours whatsoever skip a meal in favour of binge drinking. Or his bowel.

I never said it was healthy but he's specifically asking is it possible and the answer is yes.

Kantava

7-8 pints in one sitting is a huge amount! You need to wean yourself off that anyway. Four maximum over the course of an evening. (when you give it up for a while, a smaller amount will go to your head quickly anyway)

Ragnar Lothbrok

Texas Jack wrote: »

Is there less calories in that than JD and diet Coke/Coke Zero?

I think the rule is that spirits are calorie free and you just have to watch your mixer. So I'd guess that Diet Coke or Coke Zero are OK

Ragnar Lothbrok

intheclouds wrote: »

Vodka is not calorie free.

It has about 65 calories per measure I think.

Well, that's my plans ruined so

intheclouds

Blacktie. wrote: »

I never said it was healthy but he's specifically asking is it possible and the answer is yes.

Just because something is possible doesnt mean one should do it.

Obesity is a health problem. So is liver disease, bowel cancer, etc..

Skipping food in favour of alcohol should never be recommended - for ANY reason.

Blacktie.

intheclouds wrote:

Skipping food in favour of alcohol should never be recommended - for ANY reason.

Ok

Zillah

1 - Yes, you could technically lose weight having pints for dinner as long as your overall calories are low, but it's a ludicrous diet. What's the point in losing weight if you've no protein or micronutrients? You're losing weight but you're not any healthier. Even from a vanity point of view, low protein intake will mean the weight you lose will be muscle as well as fat, and I doubt skeleton-draped-in-flabby-skin is the look you're going for.
2 - It's unsustainable. I seriously doubt most people will have the willpower long-term to trade a nice satisfying dinner for pints. How many times will it result in skipping dinner and then gorging later?
3 - It says something very worrying about your attitude to alcohol. If food+alcohol is making you overweight, and you choose to give up food instead of alcohol, you might want to consider what sort of relationship you have with alcohol in the first place.

If I locked you in a lab and gave you nothing but a diet of coca-cola, but the total calories were below your daily needs, you would lose weight. You would lose weight and be no healthier for it.

Lavinia

I do have 1 - 2 glasses of wine a day on average, as Ive heard it helps lowering cholesterol.
I do also wish to lose a stone, as I put it on in the last 9 months.
Should I worry about the wine? I am aware that one glass of ~145gr is about 80 calories?

Zillah

Ragnar Lothbrok wrote: »

He told me the amount of sugar in cider was horrendous from both a diabetic and a weight-loss point of view. I'd imagine the same goes for beer and lager too.

No, cider has way more sugar. That's why it's so sweet.

Alf Veedersane

Zillah wrote: »

No, cider has way more sugar. That's why it's so sweet.

Yeah but Dan Kelly told me that a standard drink is one of your five a day.

Zillah

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

Yeah but Dan Kelly told me that a standard drink is one of your five a day.

Did it have a picture of an apple on the packaging, at least?

Alf Veedersane

Zillah wrote: »

Did it have a picture of an apple on the packaging, at least?

An apple tree and a choo-choo.

I presume it's the Gain Train.

Irish_rat

Nuts102 wrote: »

Can you lose weight if you drink once a week or is it better to come off it completely.

Going on a holiday in 7 weeks time and trying to lose a stone.

A stone in 7 weeks takes a lot of work to lose. 2 lbs a week so you need to be dedicated.

Mellor

Spirogyra wrote: »

There's vast amounts of calories in beer, meaning you'll have to exercise a huge amount to compensate.

It's has a variable about of calories depending on the drink. But not really as high as people tend to make out. Some alcohol is perfectly managable.
As people said, when extra extra calories from the late night chipper, or the handover the next day then to be a bigger issue.

armaghlad wrote: »

It has far more calories?

Not really tbh. The bulk of the calories comes from the alcohol in most beers.
If a small wine has half the calories, it also has have the alcohol.

Ragnar Lothbrok wrote: »

He told me the amount of sugar in cider was horrendous from both a diabetic and a weight-loss point of view. I'd imagine the same goes for beer and lager too.

They aren't the same. Not sure why yoou would think they are as one as cider is much much sweeter.

The amount of calories in vodka & 7-Up Free is zero, I think.

Ragnar Lothbrok wrote: »

I think the rule is that spirits are calorie free

Nope.
If that were true, then a low carb beer, or a guiness would be zero calories too. If only...

armaghlad

Mellor wrote: »

Not really tbh. The bulk of the calories comes from the alcohol in most beers.
If a small wine has half the calories, it also has have the alcohol.

Roughly speaking:
175 ml Glass of red/white wine ~ 160 calories
Pint of 5% beer ~ 215 calories
Spirits ~ 64 calories (without mixer)

You might have a glass or two of wine; but it's a lot easier to go for a 4 or 5 pints.

If calories come from alcohol in beers why are calories in spirits so low?

Alf Veedersane

armaghlad wrote: »

Roughly speaking:
175 ml Glass of red/white wine ~ 160 calories
Pint of 5% beer ~ 215 calories
Spirits ~ 64 calories (without mixer)

You might have a glass or two of wine; but it's a lot easier to go for a 4 or 5 pints.

If calories come from alcohol in beers why are calories in spirits so low?

Because a measure of spirits is ~35 ml.

Mellor

armaghlad wrote: »

Roughly speaking:
175 ml Glass of red/white wine ~ 160 calories
Pint of 5% beer ~ 215 calories
Spirits ~ 64 calories (without mixer)

You might have a glass or two of wine; but it's a lot easier to go for a 4 or 5 pints.

If calories come from alcohol in beers why are calories in spirits so low?

A Pint of 5% Beer has 28.6g of alcohol.

175ml of 12% wine has 21g, so you need an extra third or so, which is ~216

25ml of spirit (38%) has 9.5g, So you'd need 3 measures. About 200 cals.
Alcohol is 7 cals per gram, 9.5*7=66.5 calories, all the calories are are from the alcohol.
A larger 35ml measure, will have more calories. A stronger spirit will have more calories.

ories
Like I said, one you are looking at equal amount of alcohol. There very little difference in it. Obvious, if there excess sugar there will be more calories added.something is loaded with sugar, there will be more cals.

Spirogyra

I think a lof of this nation has a dysfunctional relationship with alcohol. The idea that one needs to drink large amounts of alcohol to enjoy oneself, to be happy. Talking from my own experience,that's dysfunctional and needs examination. I've lost a stone and a half this year,largely due not drinking alcohol, except for 2 special occasions. It feels great to be able to find clothes to fit me easily.I was never obese, but my stomach was bulging. I don't miss and feel better about myself now that it's gone.

Lavinia

Spirogyra wrote: »

I think a lof of this nation has a dysfunctional relationship with alcohol. The idea that one needs to drink large amounts of alcohol to enjoy oneself, to be happy. Talking from my own experience,that's dysfunctional and needs examination. I've lost a stone and a half this year,largely due not drinking alcohol, except for 2 special occasions. It feels great to be able to find clothes to fit me easily.I was never obese, but my stomach was bulging. I don't miss and feel better about myself now that it's gone.

How much have you been drinking before? If it is ok to ask

Spirogyra

Lavinia wrote: »

How much have you been drinking before? If it is ok to ask

I was drinking about 7 beers a week,maybe 8 or 10 in a week,so not vast amounts, but that's 30 or 40 a month. I would run and drink beer afterwards. Look if I was wearing a jacket it wasn't really visible. But I am pretty fit,wear tight ,sports clothing a lot, I was never as slim as you'd expect .Alcohol is not good for my system. None of us are perfect, but needing to drink - large- amounts of alcohol to enjoy ourselves, is a problem, one shouldn't need alcohol, or at least not much of it,to enjoy oneself. There is alternatives if you take the time to look for them. Rant ,preaching over,sorryðŸ˜႒

Lavinia

Spirogyra wrote: »

I was drinking about 7 beers a week,maybe 8 or 10 in a week,so not vast amounts, but that's 30 or 40 a month. I would run and drink beer afterwards. Look if I was wearing a jacket it wasn't really visible. But I am pretty fit,wear tight ,sports clothing a lot, I was never as slim as you'd expect .Alcohol is not good for my system. None of us are perfect, but needing to drink - large- amounts of alcohol to enjoy ourselves, is a problem, one shouldn't need alcohol, or at least not much of it,to enjoy oneself. There is alternatives if you take the time to look for them. Rant ,preaching over,sorryðŸ˜႒

No need to be sorry at all, thanks for sharing your experience, never crossed my mind to count how much alcohol I drink in a month and how many calories that is overall. I never drink to get drunk, its more of a "style" choice I guess, to have half glass in the evening maybe one after lunch..
Will think about it so thanks

Kantava

I have noticed a fairly large effect on my health since I cut back on alcohol at Christmas. Lost about half a stone as well. Was having one or two drinks most evenings

Dtp1979

Lavinia wrote: »

I do have 1 - 2 glasses of wine a day on average, as Ive heard it helps lowering cholesterol.

And I've heard that 0 glasses of wine helps a lot more

Spirogyra

Lavinia wrote: »

No need to be sorry at all, thanks for sharing your experience, never crossed my mind to count how much alcohol I drink in a month and how many calories that is overall. I never drink to get drunk, its more of a "style" choice I guess, to have half glass in the evening maybe one after lunch..
Will think about it so thanks

what your saying Lavinia, actually doesn't sound too bad. none of us are perfect. By the way standing for an hour,burns 50 calories,some of us are very stationary. I've tried to simply stand a little more. A physical education lecturer types standing up. Her desktop is at chest height.

Spirogyra

Lavinia if (as I'm sure you know) if you could try reducing your alcohol intake to 3 or 4 nights a week, it would be better for your system?. Could you go for a walk a few evenings instead,especially when the days are long ?ðŸ˜႒

Lavinia

Spirogyra wrote: »

Lavinia if (as I'm sure you know) if you could try reducing your alcohol intake to 3 or 4 nights a week, it would be better for your system?. Could you go for a walk a few evenings instead,especially when the days are long ?ðŸ˜႒

That's a very good idea, I counted the calories and even it amounts to ~0.6kg per month, it is about 7kg per year..
So last night I skipped my thing

Spirogyra

Lavinia wrote: »

That's a very good idea, I counted the calories and even it amounts to ~0.6kg per month, it is about 7kg per year..
So last night I skipped my thing

Well done Lavinia ☺

Lavinia

Thanks

However I also just for the first time measured the size of the glass I am having the wine from, turned out it is much smaller than I thought... I thought it is 200ml but it is 150, so what I thought is 175ml is actually about 125...


But good to know these things

Spirogyra

Absolutely Lavinia ☺ . Sipping boiled water or herbal tea might might be something you could do on an alcohol free night.☺