Drinking while cutting

[uclaLabrat]

Anyone do it? I stick to bourbon mostly, and try to limit to a couple per week... Will it totally kill progress?

 

[Koing]

No I don't drink much if at all.

Whatever you consume in booze you will have to not eat or do more cardio/ HIIT. It is about calories in vs calories out and macros. Alcohol is empty calories much like soda or most deserts.

You can definitely get lean but it'll be hard to be really lean while drinking as you will want to eat instead of drinking empty calories.

Koing

 

[smackababy]

Considering alcohol is extremely high in calories, I would say it would hurt progress a lot. I believe only fat as a higher calorie per gram(7 vs 9).

I suppose if you drink in moderation and count those calories, it wouldn't be terrible, but you are getting a lot of calories for very little substance.

 

[Java Cafe]

When I started cutting, my biggest concern was giving up alcohol. That is the one thing I thought I wouldn't want to/couldn't do. But, after I got started with Intermittent Fasting, my craving (desire for) alcohol went down.

Anyhow, what I found out is exactly in line with what Koing said. If you compensate for the alcohol calories (by cutting out calories from other meals), it can be done. It just makes the management of macro ratios and counting of calories a bit more complicated for me.

In this context you might want to read what Martin Berkhan (of the Leangains.com site/movement) has to say. Or not. ;-)

 

[uclaLabrat]

Well, in context, two double bourbons is about 300 Cal, which makes for a much better desert on a Saturday night, and can be pretty easily accommodated in the calorie budget... I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing anything besides the macro issue

 

[mple]

Just fit it into your macros.

 

[Koing]

Well, in context, two double bourbons is about 300 Cal, which makes for a much better desert on a Saturday night, and can be pretty easily accommodated in the calorie budget... I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing anything besides the macro issue

Just fit it in your macros and you are good to go.

Koing

 

[smackababy]

Well, in context, two double bourbons is about 300 Cal, which makes for a much better desert on a Saturday night, and can be pretty easily accommodated in the calorie budget... I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing anything besides the macro issue

Are you sure that is correct? A double bourbon should have around 3oz of bourbon and I believe most bourbons are around 80 proof (so 40% alcohol). That is close to 240 calories PER double bourbon assuming there is no other calories besides the alcohol. So, it can add up rather quickly if you are not careful.

I don't even want to know how many calories I consumed on nights I drank 12 beers. =(

 

[Saint Nick]

I stick to diet soda + clear or spiced rum (65 cals per oz). It tastes like shit but it'll get a buzz going. I plan for it early in the day, however. Since I'm a taller guy, it does take me a bit to get going, so I allot myself six ounces (390 cals).

I don't do this every weekend though.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Anyone do it? I stick to bourbon mostly, and try to limit to a couple per week... Will it totally kill progress?

a couple of drinks a week is not going to have any effect.

 

[uclaLabrat]

Are you sure that is correct? A double bourbon should have around 3oz of bourbon and I believe most bourbons are around 80 proof (so 40% alcohol). That is close to 240 calories PER double bourbon assuming there is no other calories besides the alcohol. So, it can add up rather quickly if you are not careful.

I don't even want to know how many calories I consumed on nights I drank 12 beers. =(

You're right, I was basing a shot off a single oz, not 1.5 oz