I thought red wine one glass of it was acceptable on some diets but I havnt read the book yet, Ive read somewhere where its healthy for you.

RunningMom: it's your choice of course - in very simple terms, the body/liver will immediately stop burning fat to burn off the alcohol and for each ounce you drink it takes one hour for the body to get rid of. So say you drank 5 ounces of wine - that is 5 hours your body will be working on the wine rather than decreasing fat stores and working on increasing lean muscle. So it makes sense that after an intense HIIT or strength workout, you want your machine to burn as long as it can because you worked out so hard!!

Thats interesting thanks for the information

Stick to alcohol on free days! =) Adding to Legs' post, it stays "in the system" for three days (read that somewhere)...so do you want to fuel your body with good fuel (water) or bad fuel (alcohol)? I vote good ol H2O! =)

Well Blessed to be a blessing I like thaT slogan debbien thanks for all the good advice. can yall see my post?

You are right Legs, except it is that you burn off one drink and hour, or up to one oz of pure alcohol, because your body can metabolize 3/4-1 oz of alcohol per hour, and wine is not 100 percent alcohol. Alcohol does lower testosterone and increase acetate in your body though, so it will slow down your fat burning for a few hours, and it can also increase appetite.

Having said that... I have a light beer or two a couple of times a week, but no more than that, but I hold myself very accountable. I'll throw in some extra cardio a few times a week too. Not HIIT, but medium intensity, fat burning cardio. (walking, basketball, hiking, or just some medium intensity cardio on an elliptical machine). I am one that if I screw up...I am willing to pay the price to stay on track. I have lost 12 lbs in 3 weeks, and I am increasing in strength in all my lifts, so i hope that means an increase in lean muscle mass as well. We'll see when I get my body fat tested again.

The system works, but we are human...if you want to cheat, just be willing to pay the price for the cheat. That's just my two cents. Take it for what its worth. Remember...you want to change your life for good, so adapt. If a glass of wine a night helps you get through the day and stay strong, and helps you keep on track and less stressed. Do it. Just understand its potential to hinder you as well. I used to drink everyday, and the healthier I get, the less I seem to need alcohol every day. I only drink it once or twice a week now, and I'm only in week 4 of my challenge.

Good luck, stay strong. You are going to do great!!

I stopped drinking when I started BFL.

I knew that several things needed to change in my life.

Over eating, not exercising, and drinking too much.

For me, for me, going to the gym, and being dedicated to losing weight and getting in shape has replaced my desire to drink.

And it's been a little bit of  a struggle at times, last week I literally had to change the route that I used to drive home so I wouldn't drive past the liquor store that I used to frequent.

Can you have a glass of wine and still make your 12 week goals ?  Maybe.  But what's more important?  losing an extra 3 or 4lbs or that stress releiving glass of wine ?

Excellent comments, I agree.

Hey florabelle. I dont do an all out free day but yes i do have "a" glass occasionally during the week.  I am like vegas dave. I either correct my calorie count for the day allowing for that glass or put in a few extra cardio minutes to burn up those calories. I also drink water like crazy the next day. i feel it flushes out the toxins...I dont think it has slowed me down too much.  just dont over do it or you will miss that morning workout!!!!

One other thing to keep in mind is that if you already have issues with staying on plan with food, alcohol really numbs the "give a crap" nerve and you are more likely to indulge in foods you wouldn't while consuming alcohol.  It's all about choices.

Once they come out with a high protein beer I might consider a weekday beverage. I only want to put healthy beneficial things into my body. I have goals and alcohol is just another speed bump to try to slow me down. I personally would avoid a nightly drink and save it for the free day. With free day being on a sunday I am not likely to binge or overindulge on alcohol.

Well thanks for all the input! I so appreciate it!

While I don't NEED to have a drink I was certainly curious about the effects if taken in moderation once or twice a week. Your comments definately got me thinking.

I have already lost 3 pounds in this first week..While I am hoping to lose 10 pounds on this venture my main focus is a transformation through muscle definition. But geez, I am shocked at 3 pounds already and this definately motivates me to stick to that glass or two of wine on my free day only!!

Feeling good and successful so far!

I'll Cheers To That on the Free Day! LOL :)

Sounds like a good choice. Having an affinity for the spirits I indulged a couple of times a week when I did the challenge in 2000. Needless to say, I wasn't a champion and only disappointed myself. None for me this time around. It only feeds that caution to the wind attitude.

that whole idea of alcohol stopping fatloss till the liver gets rid of it is a load of ballony, i mean if you drank alot every day but still came in below maintenance you would still lose weight, calories in v calories out has been and always will be the most important factor, however we still need to eat healthy to be healthy and to feel good, regarding your question, i would say for every action there is a consequence, and the consequence of having that glass of wine on a non freeday is less results in your final 12 week photo shoot, are u willing to pay that price?