For those who do go out a drink on occasion, I'm curious how you handle the eating/drinking calories aspect and control. I went out for a drink last night with my long-time friend (who recently lost 45lbs post baby weight) to meet her new man. It was the first time I've been out for alcohol in 10 months, the last time I had a terrible experience that turned me off to even going out. I had an awesome time, I didn't go overboard with the alcohol, drank lots of water, played a bad *** game of bowling, and then there was the eating. lol. I had eaten before I left home so I wouldn't be hungry, but after my drink I went a little overboard on snacks and then later ate a French dip dinner at Sherry's even though I wasn't hungry. Damn social eating under the influence, what kind of check system do the chicks here institute to help them in these situations?

As far as drinking goes, I order something i don't mind but don't really like, like white wine. That way I'll drink only one or two through out the evening. Give me a girlie drink and I'll drink 'em faster than a glass of water! Or I've often told a waitress I'm preggers (lol)and don't want anyone to know just yet. So she'll bring me a diet coke in a highball glass. That way no one knows I'm not drinking and I'm limiting my calories. I must have the longest pregnancy on record by now!

I don't really know what so say about the eating coz I could use some advice on that topic myself. I'm usually pretty good, I'm not a big eater when I'm drinking but every now and then I fall into the social eating trap. Any advice would be appreciated too.

OMG the pregnancy thing is HILARIOUS! Must be so effective! Then you don't get pegged as that girl who's no fun and won't drink... and have 0 impact on your calories You're a genius! You should patent that trick

The only way to avoid the eating trap is to not get drunk enough to forget what you want most. Do you want the french dip more than a healthy weight? Or if you know it's going to happen after drinking, plan for it in your calories. Don't go drinking on an empty stomach but eat lightly through the day so you can afford it cals-wise.

My friend group has a regular Friday Happy Hour and Dinner outing.

Generally what I do is really watch what I'm eating on Thursday and limit Friday to salad/fruit/raw veggies for breakfast/lunch/snack.

And I usually either split wherever dinner is with a friend and/or box up at least half if not more for later. Though lately we've been hitting up the sushi and vegetarian restaurants in town so it's not as guilt ridden as barbecue and burgers.

I'll do one of a few things.

1. If I know I'm going out I'll eat lightly during the day and the next day as well.

2. I'll order one glass of wine or one beer and nurse it. The bars around here don't serve food during the week (just weekends) so if we go out on Wed. there's no temptation.

3. If I want to munch on snacks I'll order a club soda with lime as my drink.

I think it's easier with the group I go out with though. One of the girls doesn't drink at all due to a health issue so no one even comments if you aren't drinking.

I picked up the pregnacy trick from a woman who was a regular at the resturant where I used to work. She kept telling everyone that she was pregnant but never showed and I'm pretty sure she was pregnant for 2 years strait! Note if you're going to use that trick...do not do it at an establishment where you're a regular!

My guy friends think I'm amazing coz I can hold my "liquor"...

Honestly, I go out once a week for drinks. I eat before I go... and hope that I'm not hungry while I'm there. I always go with my friend who is also trying to lose weight, so we will eat before.. and if we really have the munchies...we'll just come home to eat versus ordering bar food. One new thing I'm trying out is to have water every other drink. I look at this day though as my "me" day since I'm working out every other day.. I just want one fun day to go out with my friends. But I still stay on diet

great thread! this is such an issue for us 20 somethings no?

here is what i try to do (in theory haha).

limit my cals from beverages - if i want to drink ill have white wine (60 cals for 3 oz so about 120 cals per normal pour at a restaurant) that way i can have 2-3. or if i REALLY want to drink ill have vodka and diet redbull, rum and diet coke, or a flavored vodka (i like absolute mandrin) and soda with a twist of lime. but im a sucker for vodka tonics and still order those way too much. those are like 450 cals PER drink yipes.

as for food theres two things i have a prob with - portion control when eating out - if its on my plate you better believe im going to eat it. especially with lowered inhibitions. and i want a late night snack. preferably somehting greasy like pizza which adds another whole MEAL to my day!

so what to do - if i want to eat i try to do light the rest of the day (although becareful alcohol will affect you more!) then just try to be somewhat reasonable and not worry about it.

or i tell myself there will be absolutely NO eating snacks. i eat a full healthy dinner before i go out and have 2-3 drinks and thats it. no food. tough but actually easier for me that trying have "just one" or make good decisions when intoxicated.


hehe sorry for the novel! this slows up my weightloss a lot! if i didnt go out i swear i'd weigh 115 by now. hehe

HaHa. I agree. If I didn't have to go out and have drinks every weekend... I would have lost more weight. BUT If I don't go out on the weekends- this whole diet will never work. I am addicted to margaritas.. and can't live with out them.... LOL

I go out regularly and what I have done is let the group know what I am trying to do if they question my choices. They usually are really supportive. Also I eat light during the day and maybe the day after if I anticipate the fact that I might over eat while I am out.

I stick with drinks that are relatively low calorie-ish. My drink of choice is a screwdriver.... Mmmm.... yum. I usually stick to one. Or I'll order a beer because I almost never want more than one, and usually nurse them. I find that I need to make sure I'm not hungry before I leave, order what I'm eating before I start drinking, and decide ahead of time how much I'm going to eat and drink. Individual appetizer plates are good for this.

I also avoid free-for-alls. Though I LOVE chips and salsa more than most moms love their children, I don't eat them when I'm drinking. No portion control. I try to find things that are a bit healthier- like shrimp cocktails.

Most importantly, I enjoy myself and remember that I'm there to spend time with friends, not to eat. Yes, there's eating involved, but that's not the focus. If it were, I'd be eating alone.

Great advice!

My poison is Margaritas. Tons-o-calories!

Ditto!!!! Can you say...... ADDICTED? LOL that's what I drink on the weekends when I go out... mmmm!

Oh ya'll are so good! You have plans and structure!

I, on the other hand, do not. But truthfully I like it that way. I go out and party 2-3 times a week. I do not limit the amount I drink or choose what to drink based on my diet. It's just one of those things that I refuse to alter, I fully believe that my lifestyle and the choices I make should not ALL be dictated by my weight loss goals. It has not been a hindrance to my weight loss so far. I generally drink beer but on occasion got for a hard liquor like a gin and tonic or whiskey sour.

As far as the eating out....well THAT on the other hand could definitely use some work! Luckily when I'm drinking I just don't really feel like eating that much but if I'm just going out to eat I get cravings for the biggest, greasiest item on the menu!

I went from drinking 3-4 days a week to only 1-2. I don't limit myself on how many I drink. But I do limit myself to how many days I'm drinking. I am a margarita addict and I'm not settling for anything else- because drinking is my way of "rewarding myself". If I didn't drink on the weekends I wouldn't be able to stick with my diet and exercise through the week. The way I think of it is: To each their own. But remember the more you drink- the more calories to burn off.