i'm recently doing very well with some new daily eating habits and workout routine, but i know my biggest weekness.



as a college student, it's not uncommon for me to drink an average of 3 or 4 pitchers of beer a week. understand that this is down from my very overweight college binge drinking days, and it's almost always "lite" beer, but my social circle is beer drinkers and bar goers.



any advice on how to cut back or eliminate the amber suds while still getting out to the pub to spend time with friends?



(ps- anyone want to be a motivators?)

Hey a g,



I am also a college student and recently had similar concerns. Right now I just drink non-alcoholic beer (O'Douls) when it is available and light (Michelob Ultra) when it is not. Then, I adjust the rest of my meals to compensate for the extra calories. I basically drink water, Gatorade, milk, and beer. This is working pretty good for me, although I do not go through as much beer as you do. Hope it helps.



Oh, I am also looking for a motivator.

The low alcohol beer often doesn't change its calorie content - try something like Pure Blonde (if you can even get it - it's an Australian brew) that's a low-carb beer. A nice, fresh summer beer, it's full strength, tastes damn fine and with much lower calories is a really great choice.

Or, if you're going to drink, drink something like Gin & Slimline tonic, or JD & Diet Coke - low calorie, but still has the desired effect.



Also, I'm told Guinness is Good for you

Like anything else learn moderation. I love my ales and darks and will not give them up, but I sure have less of them when I need to be cal conscious. If you need a buzz thats one thing but if you're downing pitchers just because or peer situations you're going to have to learn control at some point. That or accept that you are not and balance the equation by 5 days a week of cardio before anything.



Balance must always be struck, even by indecision or misdecision, you'll still balance..just generally not in the desired way. Know what you're up to and use the one thing you've got in the world, choice.



-a

Like Max said above, things like JD and diet Coke aren't too bad. I'm not sure about the Guiness being good for you part though, but maybe he knows something that I don't...



Other than that, I just try to go easy on my drinking when I go out with friends. Instead of having 3 or 4 drinks, I'll have just 1 or 2. If I know I'm going to be going out that night, I try to take it easy with my calorie intake that day to help make up for the extra I'll be having that night.



You could always volunteer to be the DD!

AG & Doug - I would be happy to motivate you (and anyone else who's looking for help)

Switch to red wine.



Loaded with antioxidants, and fewer calories than beer, just don't chug it like fruit juice.

"Guiness for Strength"



I also read that it has fewer calories, but I'd have to search for the article, which also states that lite beers aren't so lite.

A clear liquor like rum or vodka with diet coke. Being a beer drinker myself though it is almost like a habit change b/c you are not constantly drinking rum & diets like you would lite beers. Well, I guess you could, but then you wouldn't remember doing so



Even though this mix has low calories it still draws on your metabolism and reduces your ability to burn off energy. But in my opinion it is still better than a typical light beer (100 calories per beer).

Alcohol slows your metabolism to a crawl. Have some cold water with a lime instead, your liver will thank you down the road....



Mark

I too struggle with the beer monster. Pure Blonde is good as a treat as it's low carb etc but as far as American beers go I have no idea.



I'm training myself to drink vodka, lime and soda, but beering - oops i mean being - the beginning of a hot aussie summer sometimes you just can't go past a cold brewski after a day at the beach.

My drink of choice is vodka and water with a lemon... it just tastes like water, so be careful!

Guinness is a food -- treat it as such.



Lots of water --- at least 2 glasses for every beer you drink.



Me, I'm an Arrogant Bastard/Stone Ruination fan



I used to drink Guinness, but when I went vegan, I started hunting for vegan brews.



I try to limit myself to one per week.

Booze (of any sort) is not conducive to my weight loss program.



I haven't had any booze whatsoever since August. I really don't miss it at all.