dkyser

I have dropped 70 lbs over the last 6 months and am doing Weight Watchers with a lot of cardio and weight training. Averaging 45 mins of cardio 5 days a week and 20+ minutes of weight training.

As I loose weight, I also loose points which is equal to calories for those who are not familiar with weight watchers.

I work extra hard, and save points for a few drinks, a few days a week. I have switched from Beer to Vodka, and now even to Scotch since I do not have to add the extra calories of a mixer. Its about as low as you can go and enjoy a drink.

I have not had a slow down in weight loss, actually have been steadier but guessing its from eating less food.
I do get all my nutrition, I have a few meal replacement protein shakes, and drink 1 1/2 gallons of water a day take my multivitamins etc.

Just wondering if eventually I may run into a stall due to the alcohol, figured some on here can share there experience.

Again I don't go nuts, but do enjoy a few drinks 3-4 days a week, as long as I have the points for them.

lilpoindexter

I didn't do weightwatchers, but by eating better, exercising, including bike riding, and changing my eating habits, I have made BIG (pun intended) changes in my appearance. In 18 months I have gone from size 42 pants that were a tight fit, to buying a pair of size 34 pants last night...and they fit a little baggy, because I still think like a fat guy when I buy clothes, and because I'm conscious of my butt. I was 250 lbs + and now I'm probably about 195 and 5' 11" tall.
Bro, no one enjoyed beer as much as I did...Every week, the baseline was a 12 pack of stella or a 12 pack of peroni, and then trying new beers, hanging out with friends and family and pounding some brews of various qualities. I gave up beer cold turkey, and I saw DRASTIC changes in weight...so much so, that I had no desire to drink again. Giving up beer lead to giving up other garbage like orange juice and soda...Yesterday in my size 34 pants, seeing my reflection in glass doors, I didn't recognize myself...I saw a slim dude who was widest at the shoulders, I am blown away by how I look and feel. This feeling is much, much, much better than enjoyment you will get from alcohol. I was on vacation a few weeks ago, and I had beer, it tasted ok, but I had no desire to be a drinker again...3/4 drinks a week won't derail your weight loss much, but it really isn't that serious.

nymtber

I'm a homebrewer (beer only). I won't give up beer, I will cut calories SOMEWHERE though. Or go for a 45 minute walk. Ive given up soda instead. But I keep it at a beer or two a day, some days none. Rarely more.

I like the taste of beer to any soda made. Good beer. IPA, Stout, Hefeweizen, Kolsch...etc. None of this Miller, Bud, coors, etc crap Which is even more calories, so that is why I have a pretty solid 2 beer limit/day.

Enjoying a nice Victory Hop Devil IPA right now. So good 2 years ago I would have turned IPA down. Now that I am used to the smell of hops from brewing, I enjoy it.

Also enjoy my Gentleman Jack here or there. 2-3oz on ice is all. A 750mL bottle last me 3-6 months or so.

All in moderation. Come spring/summer when I plan on doing 20-40 mile rides on the weekend, I will allow an extra beer or two THAT day. Might slow down weight loss, but I have dropped a pant size this last month alone so...whatever

dkyser

Thanks guys, I have given up Diet Mountain Dew, I used to drink at least 2 liters a day easy. I figures it was diet, so how could it hurt, but it did, was a weight loss killer.

I will make sure I keep it in check, may quit the mid week drinks and save it only for the weekend.

bbeasley

Congratulations on the weight loss! I gave up alcohol 2.5 years ago and have not looked back. You're headed in the right direction, and by asking the question you know the answer. I bet at some point you ditch the booze.

Keep up the good work!

Myosmith

Alcohol has calories with no additional nutrition but possibly some minor health benefits in moderation. As long as you aren't cutting back on nutritious food just to save calories to drink, an occasional alcoholic beverage isn't going to cause any problems for anyone who does not have an addiction to it. Just don't displace healthful foods with empty calories. I enjoy a glass of wine or a Corona lite with meals a few times a month. All things in moderation.

nymtber

Actually unfiltered beer (my homebrew) and wine both do have nutritional benefits. Active yeast in unfiltered beer is good for you (obviously its bout one beer/day type of thing) and red wine has good stuff from the grapes. Again one drink/day.

Addicted? nope. I can go without if I want. I just like the flavor of good beer or good red wine Its not about the alcohol at all for me.

Ive substituted junk food for beer and added more veggies. Fair trade off I think Moderation is key. However I will not punish myself with lite beer or "american lager" which are tasteless and really empty calories!

BamaBulldawg

My experience is very similar to yours was in that quitting drinking was very consentual. No desire to be a drinker again either, the weight loss and performance on the bike is more important.

That said your 3-4 drinks shouldn't be a problem, but I'd rather eat food than hold back my calories for alcohol. If you still have the desire to drink and are still losing then don't quit, you may get to a point where it's not something you feel is important and at that point you won't have a problem giving it up.

vesteroid

I have gone from 272 at a high to 211 at a low and been drinking the entire way. I have a solid love affair with wine. I even drink nice cognacs, and scotch on occasion.

I enjoy drinking.

You absolutely can do both if you want.

None of this is to say that if your drinking somehow effects another area of your life you should ignore that.

Nightshade

If you're going to cut back on the booze then make what you drink a "food drink". By that I mean a nice full bodied dark beer or ale that is enjoyed slow with a meal or just sippin.

My favorite "Food Beer" is Guinness Stout or a local home brew ale. Both are a dark full flavored brew that don't need to be drunk in excess to be enjoyed.

All the rest of those yellow colored "beers" is nothing more than urine IMO not fit for man nor beast.

irwin7638

The day I woke up in my college chemistry class, the professor was describing "simple sugars." He made a point to let us all know that alcohol is one of those. The day that I woke up in my health class, they were talking about the fact that simple sugars had to be used immediately for energy or the body would automatically store those calories as fat. Those two events made a lasting impression on me. It occurs to me that nobody runs a marathon after a sixpack. And (except for Ragbrai) people don't generally ride off the alcohol calories right away either. I just keep that in mind.
Congrats on the weight loss though!

Marc

nymtber

Actually, alcohol is not stored as fat, it is converted to acetate which is burned quickly. Its more complex, but thats the main thing that happens. If your burning more calories than you take in (or all of the calories that you take in) alcohol is no issue. IF you are not using all your calories, the FOOD calories get saved as fat.

Again, calories in have to be equal to or less than calories out. Its the only way to lose or maintain weight.

irwin7638

I stand corrected, but the principle is the same; use the calories or store them, the alcohol just contributes to the overall calories.

Marc

CommuteCommando

I have had a glass of wine in the middle of a ride, and can attest anecdotaly, that is isn't the same as sugar when it comes to aerobic performance. I will never do that again.

Alcohol can be consumed with weight loss, but for me, it does slow it way down.

chefisaac

If you work the plan (WW thats is), the plan will work for you. Are you tracking what you drink? That is the key really.

vesteroid

one last tidbit since I came out saying drinking and dieting is fine. There is a catch. I know the hardest part for me to learn, was that two things happen when I drink wine. one, it was more points than I thought it was, and two, if I have more than a glass, it tends to make me hungry.

SO I have to be very careful about what I eat outside of my wine consumption.

indyfabz

Sounds like you are doing fine doing what you are doing. Don't anyone convince you that you must stop drinking in order to become a true Jedi Master. Only you can determine if that's the case. And as for that empty calorie spiel, if that's the way we are supposed to live than there should be no rollercoasters or birthday party hats. And remember, you can always up the caloric burn side of the equation to compensate for all caloric consumption, including alcohol.

Penny4

I'm down to 32 WW pts/day (started at 35). With each point loss, I've cut out some unnecessary things. You may find that eventually you'll need to cut some things to stay within your points value, and perhaps that will be some of the adult beverages. But it's not forever. Once you get to maint, I think your points will go back up a bit, and you can see where alcohol fits. I'm at the point where I only have drinks periodically, because right now, it's not really helping me with my goal. But it's not totally off limits. Just a choice...

dkyser

Thanks everyone for the opinions. I have decided to only consume alcohol on the weekends for a while. I do enjoy a few drinks and right now have no trouble giving up snacks for a few drinks. What I don't give up is the healthy foods I must eat, as I know alcohol does not replace.

I have come a long ways, and have a long ways to go but unlike any diet I have ever been on, this truly is a lifestyle change.
Its a funny thing, the more weight you loose, the more active you become. The more active you become the more calories you burn. It also means it takes less alcohol to have an effect on you.

indyfabz

Which, in turns, frees up money to buy bike toys. It's a vicious cycle. (Pun intended.)