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Post by bbbearsmom on Jul 30, 2019 23:34:46 GMT
Wednesday, 07/31
Admin · 2 mins
Wednesday, 07/31
Day 31 Decide About Drinking
Whether or not to drink alcohol is a personal choice. If you decide to drink alcohol you need to plan on how to fit it into your food plan.
According to Beck alcohol has 7 calories per gram which is about twice the 4 calories per gram of protein and carbs. Mixers for drinks often are caloric too so mixed drinks can end up being a lot of calories. She points out that if you eat less to be able to drink you could rebound by eating more later because you are hungry. You can also end up overeating because alcohol lowers your inhibitions.
Beck feels that if you don’t plan ahead about your drinking of alcohol you can easier end up drinking too much.
If you want to include drinking alcohol in your food plan she suggests you list the advantages and disadvantages and figure out how to fit it in.
Do you plan on drinking alcohol? If you do how do you fit it in?
Do you have sabotaging thoughts about drinking alcohol? How do you handle them?
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Post by bbbearsmom on Jul 30, 2019 23:35:13 GMT
I don't drink anymore because I found out it bothered my depression.
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irisinnia
Transcendent Member
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Post by irisinnia on Jul 31, 2019 2:27:14 GMT
I drink super rarely. Like my neighbors birthday and occasionally Christmas... that's it.
That being said, I've decided to hijack today for my own purposes:
I don't think Beck is against alcohol per se, it's more about drinking your calories. In that regard, I am a soda addict. If I could have two or three cans a day, I would be happy. And if I get a big thing of fountain soda (oh yes, there is a difference to a soda connoisseur) look out world, that thing is gone! So...
How do I fit it in?
First of all, you can't be on SmartPoints - 9 SP's a can, yikes! - PointsPlus is easier at 4PP, and I have been tempted to switch to Momentum - 3 Points! - but I figured switching to drink even more was a bad reason and I really need those fruits and veggies to be free. Secondly, I use it as a tool to get me to eat more low point meals like soups and salads, that keeps the points down and encourages me to get more veggies in my diet.
Do you have sabotaging thoughts about drinking [soda]?
The first thing I said when I started Weight Watchers in 2013 is... I'll do whatever I have to, but I'm not quitting soda. lol So yes, I have lots of sabotaging thoughts about soda:
- It's fountain soda, I rarely get to have it!
- It's a celebration, I should have some soda!
- Pizza (or another food) isn't the same without soda.
How do you handle them?
Well, first I made my own rule about it. One soda a day maximum. Ouch! Now did I calculate into ounces? No, I'm only drinking cans at home, and if I'm out getting a fountain soda, I'm drinking the whole thing. I think down the road, I could decide to get water at restaurants once in awhile or only have soda once a week, but I'm not there yet. I have to stop throwing hot dogs into mac and cheese and calling it lunch first, and I finally cut down to 2 pancakes at a time instead of 3, so let's be realistic about where we're at!
Second, I'm trying to drink more water, so I don't drink soda because I'm thirsty.
Lastly, I really try to think about making it work with my plan. If a salad and a soda would do it, great. But if I really need food, I get the food and some water. Soda makes a great snack too! And an hour walking is like an extra soda!
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Post by cathygeha on Jul 31, 2019 5:51:26 GMT
I need to spend more time thinking about this one and don't have time this morning - people coming soon and I need to shower...
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Post by lani on Jul 31, 2019 14:31:49 GMT
I drank way too much when I was younger. Now I keep it to 2 glasses of wine on Friday night with DH with a bigger meal than we eat the rest of the week. That's it unless I'm going out which is very seldom. Then I keep it to one or two drinks max. On vacation I will have one glass of wine a day. I have only gone on vacation once a year for the past several years, except this year we are going twice: new furniture at the condo and we want to check it out.
I factor in the calories. I only drink wine, mostly red. My uncle was a well-respected wine maker and I grew up with the stuff.
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Post by cathygeha on Aug 1, 2019 6:39:53 GMT
Growing up alcohol was forbidden by the church my parents belonged to. I never had a sip till I was mid-twenties. I have found alcohol can use up a lot of a day's points/calories if one is not careful so I do best when counting calories or points and am focused. When doing WW in 1984 I went out for a glass of wine or margarita once a week and limited it to the calories/points allotted for that treat...one or two was the limit and I worked around that known amount. When not on program or following a program it becomes more difficult to limit it and some days most points (in 1998/9 when I rejoined) would go to the wine and food was zero points foods...not healthy. Finding a balance for me is what I am looking to do.
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Post by starchild68 on Aug 1, 2019 17:22:10 GMT
Not a major issue for me now. Growing up, alcohol was for special occasions, holidays, a tiny sip at church, etc. We didn't have much in the house, just some red wine for holidays. At college, I social-binged on beer at many weekend "beer blasts" (drinking age was 18 then...and the beer trucks were parked on campus!) but thankfully, alcohol is not addictive for me, so I stopped binge drinking in my late 20's. It was not so available & cheap & I realized that it was contributing to my gaining weight. For several years, I did live with someone who indulged in lots of addictive behaviors, and I indulged socially but eventually decided I didn't like that lifestyle.
I think it is easier to be sober now because my current sweetie does not drink except for the rare special occasion when he'll have one small glass of wine. Most of our circle of friends do not drink regularly, either. (Interesting that our circle includes one recovering alcoholic and several guys who went to Methodist colleges and had parents who didn't drink.). We do go to a pub for meal/snacks once a month, with a few folks who do love their draft beers, but I only rarely have a beer because I'd rather eat my points than drink them! I guess I do occasionally use the tactic of drinking a beer and eating a salad.
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