So...in my introduction here I believe I mentioned that my worst enemy when it comes to calories and weight loss has been alcohol. Don't get me wrong, I am in no way an alkie, but I do enjoy (did enjoy?) my martinis and tequila shots! The thing of it is, on my own and left to my own devices, I pretty much don't think about drinking it during the week at all. My husband, on the other hand, is the trigger. For a long time now he would always be wanting to have a few cocktails (every night) which would of course turn in to WAY too much drinking and up to 800 extra calories per night! This because I was easily swayed and truth be told I also wanted those cocktails. The worst thing about it was that not only were we getting so many extra calories each day, but it would also hinder our workouts or even getting to the gym.
We moved to our house in late July, and since then I have gained 7 pounds. That being said, it isn't the bulk of the weight I've gained. Over the last 4 years or so I have put back on the 17 pounds I lost in 2006 before we got married...mostly going up and down between 155 and 163, which I wasn't too alarmed about, but after a while the habits that caused the initial gain were leading to additional weight gain! Since I joined on here I have lost I'd say around 7 pounds, but realize that some of it is water weight. I am NOT drinking any sort of alcohol AT ALL during the week!!! I even got through last weekend only having a couple glasses of wine on Friday and Saturday night - my hubby still had his hard booze but I refrained completely and really don't even want it. It doesn't even sound good! He had some beers last night for the finale of Sons of Anarchy, offered me one, and I was strong and declined. I am feeling so much better without the booze, and the longer I don't drink the more I don't care to. So...I win!
Everyone has to have a hobby. And my hobby used to be irish carbombs and beer. I love beer. I love drinking. I always have, and I probably always will. Do I miss it? Yep. Sure do.
BUT, the day I got serious about this, was the day every bit of alcohol was dumped into the trash and the prettier bottles were made into flower vases or stuffed with white lights for decorations. Maybe every once in awhile, but that once in awhile is a long ways away.
I look at myself in the mirror today and can say: Beer built that!
Left to my own devices I would drink every night. And while I don't get raging, it's still a ton of calories I take in and it leaves me feeling hungover enough to not make good choices. It's never kale I crave after I've been drinking. And don't get me started on the carb aspect of it. Ugh
My kid is really into tea so I've been having her brew me up some nightly, which has helped. And yeah.
My main problem with drinking is not the calories in the drink itself but the lowered inhibitions. As soon as I start drinking I start hoovering up everything in sight generally.
My weakness is for fine dining and of course the fine wines that go along with it... Give me a 7 or even 9 course Tasting Menu with matching wine pairings and it's Nirvana for me But unfortunately, and as much as I hate to admit it... They weren't really helping my weight loss efforts
So for now, the whole wine with dinner thing is on the back burner for me...
But that being said... I definitely still see some amazing blow out dinners in my future
Exactly, what all of you have said! It seems that most of the time, the actual act of drinking became the entertainment! And for the most part, I just love a good vodka martini or vodka straight, or vodka rocks, or vodka mixed with whatever...you get the picture. I've just had to admit that once I get started, I don't want to stop - the key for me is not to start. AT ALL. Usually after a time of not imbibing, I can have a little on the weekends and still keep my weight down if I don't have any during the week...but I won't even chance that until I've lost a good amount of weight. For now, and for the near future, no hard booze. Wine only, and only on Friday or Saturday night. Period. Otherwise, I will be drinking every night, (and wanting to), myself!
Congrats on losing your 7lbs so far, who cares if it's water weight!
Owlsteazombie could so be my best friend with our hobby in common!
I haven't had a drink since the beginning of August and let me tell you, I want one! But I don't trust myself. I like the social part of drinking and having munchy food but it's not good for me and what I am trying to achieve.
I can't wait til I am thinner and can indulge once in a while!
I hear ya!! My DH loves it too, but I say that "we" are not allowed to drink during the week, and we pretty much don't. Alcohol has so many calories and it def lowers my inhibitions (eat more!) and stimulates my appetite quite effectively, so I have cut down.
Oh those days after a party when I had a little too much... I cannot stop eating!
ME TOO! I used to love sake bombs and things like that...good job on being dry since August!!!! That's a long time - good willpower! I can't wait to be able to go out and sit on a patio somewhere, drinking martinis or margies and eating appetizer-type foods. Fav thing was strawberry martini from Cheesecake Factory...I'll let myself have one of those after the first 10 pounds are off as a treat. Just ONE, though...*sigh*
Beer is my nemesis right now. When I travel for business, I stay in a hotel that has a social our with free beer, wine and food. I have a couple of beers and then end up face first in the salty, crunchy, cheesy, high calorie food.
My main problem with drinking is not the calories in the drink itself but the lowered inhibitions. As soon as I start drinking I start hoovering up everything in sight generally.
Oh, alcohol. The way I've managed this is to have ONE wild night every couple months or so. Otherwise, I don't really care to drink. That one wild night serves me pretty well. I had one the other night; spent way too much money and probably ate way too much food but I went out and I danced and I had a fabulous time and it was all WORTH it. And I won't be doing it again for quite some time.
If I only have one once every month or so, I don't have to give up my margaritas!
Drinking is hard to give up! I have...but a beer or glass of wine always sounds good. It doesn't help that my hubby has at least one or two every night. So far..I doing good at avoiding it. Hopefully it will stay that way!!
I gave up drinking years ago for various reasons, none of which had anything to do with weight but I very recently started dabbling in it again. I have a 2 drink maximum and keep it light like Miller 64. My heavy partying days were a blast but those days are long over. Been there done that...and it's not worth the calories, or hangover.
ALCOHOL...I got you beat!
But unfortunately, and as much as I hate to admit it... They weren't really helping my weight loss efforts 
