Alcohol

So on day two I wanted to cover my biggest pet peeve with weight loss clients. The story is always the same. They come in, tell all about how serious they are about wanting to lose weight and be healthy until I ask the one question. "Well, how much alcohol do you drink?" The responses are always the same, one drink a night, two drinks a night. some people make it seem less bad by telling, "Oh, no more than 15-20 a week.." 15-2- a week! that's close to if not more than 1500-2000 calories a week in alcohol alone. You've essentially just added an entire day to you calorie intake. So for all reading this, I am going to say what most other diet books won't. Alcohol is not a nutrient. You do not need alcohol. If you are trying to lose weight, don't drink it. period. I am sick of reading articles on the internet that will tell would be dieters not to have any sugar, none at all, but limit yourself to 3 drinks a week or something. Or how many times have you seen the phrase, "If you must drink..." and than its followed by a list of healthy drinks. No one must drink, except alcoholics, and if that is the case with you the alcoholism needs to be taken care of first, then we will deal with the weight issue.
Now don't get me wrong, am I saying never have another drink? No, I am saying while losing weightdon't. Once your in the maintenance phase, have 1-2 a week. However, If your serious about fitness (as well as the LORD) than 1-2 drinks a week is a fine goal. Sure can you splurge every now and again and be ok, yes. However, I'll say it again. If you are trying to lose weight, just don't drink alcohol.
One of the worst things to happen to this country's diet in recent memory, is that we were told that red wine/alcohol were good for your heart. What they didn't tell you is that the 20 lbs in fat you'd rack up from drinking all the time would be worse for your heart in the long run.
That's my rant for the day. Stop drinking, lose weight, get fit and happy, have a toast! Do not repeat.

Happy Saturday!