question: Is alcohol ONLY ok on your free day? Is it ok to have ONE glass of red wine on another day throughout your week? I seem to remember a glass of wine being included on one of the meal examples in the book, but maybe its just wishful thinking! Thanks :)
I think you should stick with sweet tea! Sugar free of course. ;-)
Ok, all joking aside. You should save alcohol for free days. Not only is it high in calories, without going into a lot of scientific mumble jumble, it has a different metabolic affect and unfortunately when it comes to fat loss, that affect is negative. For this reason, most body builders will eliminate it completely prior to competitions.
*sigh* thats what I was afraid of! So far I've been able to avoid it, but it tends to surround me in my business so I can already tell it's going to be an intense challenge.
Darn. That's probably my downfall, too. I usually drink both weekend nights (but typically not during the week), but that's two free days instead of one. *Sigh.* Maybe I need to pop out some babies...that will stop me from drinking! Of course, then I'd have the baby weight. I should probably just drink less. :-P
As I recall, an occasional glass of wine with dinner was ok (according to the book).
The book does allow it sometimes, but I would highly advise against it, even on free days. It can hold up your metabolism for 3 days after drinking. It can be a contest killer. When not on contest, when this is "for life", then of course it's unreasonable to not drink at all if you wish to sometimes have a few. It depends on your goals.
Jessica- Mighty Max, I agree totally. I tried dieting so many times in college just to see all my efforts go away to the weekend. Friday id look good feel good and weight less, Monday after the weekend I would be right to where I started. I started BFL 11 weeks ago and said no drinking (stuck to it and "ate clean and worked out dirty") I am down 20 lbs and 5 inches on my waist. I think the drinking was causing my failed efforts. I still go out with friends but order club soda (NOT TONIC) with lime. Makes them not pressure you in to drinking because as the night goes on they never realize you weren't drinking with them. The nagging is hard to stand so make sure ur friends support u and the goals, otherwise don't tell them you're not drinking. I'm looking forward to going out for drinks off the program when in the maintenence phase, that being said its 12 weeks of your life. Give it a shot
BFL Jeff,
I hear you. I had the same problem in college. My school was mostly commuters and party nights were usually Thursday night. A lot of people refused to take classes on Friday. All my efforts would be undone on one Thursday night alone. Sundays are football days and I would drink beer and eat football food. I'm not drinking at all while on the program and I won't drink much after my goals are reached.
I drink selzer with lime on nights out with my friends. I've been volunteering to be the designated driver so my friends won't want me to drink.
Sweet Tea - I have a (only one) glass of red wine occasionally with dinner. I'm in week 5 and I'm down 15 lbs, and 3 inches off the waist and seeing pretty good results. If you can go without it, that's always the better. Do what works best for you. If you notice you are not getting the results you set your goals for, then it's a no go. If you are happy with your progress, then why not? For me I focus on this being a life time commitment with the 12 week contest helping me to get into it and showing me the way to do it right for life. I plan on keeping my work out and eating habbits at this stage beyond the contest.
I'm definitely looking for this to be a lifetime change. That was part of why I asked. I am attempting to do the challenge, but in truth its more important for me to find something that doesn't feel like a diet that I can keep going. I understand that if I am doing the Challenge to the letter, cutting out alcohol would be a HUGE key. :) Thanks guys!
femystique - I am cracking up at your post... believe me, it is much easier to have a glass or two on your free day than it is to have a baby!!! Too funny...*sigh*... it sucks huh?
I am going to have major chocoloate/sugar withdrawal soon... today is my 1st day ever on this challenge... scared!
Good luck!
Sweet Tea,
As I find the pounds shedding off of me and my body getting firmer, I'm discovering that it's just not worth it to me. Neither is desserts. My friends are telling me now, that I'm not human. Hee hee. With my lifestyle, I end up out watching a friend's band or out with food and drinks pulling everyone together. It's not easy, but every time I turn out a drink or glass of wine, I want to celebrate.
How about having your free day on a day you would be most likely to drink wine? I usually make Saturdays my free days when I'm seeing a band or out with friends. When football season starts, Sunday will be my free day, so I can have beer and buffalo wings!
MB get fit: I know having a baby is MUCH more difficult, but it's also very hard to say "no" to that ever-alluring glass of wine! I have no problem saying no to sweets after years of training myself, but red wine is a different story altogether! *Sigh.* It DOES suck. Good luck with the sweets!
Hey femystique... so TRUE isnt it? I had a bottle of Kendall Jackson over the weekend and got it out of my system so I can stay "clean" until my free day. It's hard...
Hey, good job about training yourself w/ no sweets ... hmm... any advice? I'm on day 2 of challenge and havent had any sweets... so far so good...
Jessica, are you doing the contest now?