having fun while trying to get in shape/drink less

[gradhodude]

This has been tough for years and wondering what people have done. I like having fun, and the fun I have almost always has drinking involved (happy hr, concerts, sporting events, festivals, etc) I live in a big city where stuff is going on everyday of the week, so its easy to get into something, which again is fun!

Last few weeks I have been working out hard, but the fun has disappeared. Is it just worth it to suck it up for a month or two and work hard, I do have a goal of weight loss I want to hit. But is it worth the cost of fun?
Looking for someone that has been in a similar situation. Not looking to change and start attending **** I won't find fun so don't bother.

It really is a challenging situation with balance. Just looking for some advice.

 

[Bible_Belt]

I have been working out hard, but the fun has disappeared.

You need to find an activity that is fun and exercise at the same time.

 

[Jitterbug]

I go out a lot (music gigs, festivals and sports) and have plenty of fun but don't find that I have to drink excessively to enjoy anything. I either don't drink at all or have a glass of wine.

I love training - not working out, there's a distinction. Love every moment of it, and don't feel like it's some kind of pain I have to endure to get something good out of.

 

[speed dawg]

Whatever happened to just going out, having a few drinks and having a good time? Why are so many people so extreme, as in, if they are drinking, they have to get hammered. It's either all-in or all-out. To me, that's not how alcohol is meant to be enjoyed. Three beers is like 300 calories. So the fvck what?

Weak personalities, if you ask me. Exercise some self-control, mother fvckers.

 

[gradhodude]

Some good advice and some additional notes.

It's not that I am a fatass. Last July friends were calling me out a bit when I was 230 lbs at 6'2" saying I looked a little chunky. (Glad they did) I didn't really notice it because I was in a LTR and just kinda let go a bit. Once I broke up with the chick and people were razzing me I knew I had to get to work. I got down to 220 in about 2-3 months and held it. That was the first plateau. I took a holiday break, which I shouldn't have but whatever. I am back at it the last couple months and I am down to around 212 with a goal of 200-205 by July. But this is where I have hit a plateau again and can't get past it. I am not looking to get ripped but more just looking to lose the love handles and beer gut. Gyms are out...in my lifetime I have wasted way too much money on them, just not for me. So I am hard Cardio and some light weights and workouts. I also been keeping tabs on my calories.

For the question about how important it is for me to drink? I love drinking...I know it's not for everyone but it is for me. I am not a alcoholic. I never drink at home. I just drink when I am out...because the East Coast drinks at everything and I really do love it.

The city has tons of social sporting events and I just need to quit being a *****. My friends aren't really into it other than Golf. Just need to sign up and play some coed soccer or something. (get some chicks involved)

Speeddawg - If you day drink and all your friends are drinking all day. You drink 3 beers? Sorry not feasible. It has nothing to do with personality. It has to do with fun environments. I am not talking about some town out in the boonies where you go out just on weekends and get hammered because there is nothing to do. If I lived somewhere like that and didn't have any friends that drank I would be 190 and bored to death.

Average Week
1 sporting event, 1 dinner, 1 happy hr, and 1 weekend adventure. I am just asking if anyone has been in a similar situation and has some advice is all.

 

[JBB84]

If you want to get into good shape, you're most likely going to have to cut down on the booze consumption or stop altogether for a while. 4 times per week while trying to get in shape is way too much. Drink once per week at most, the less the better. You'll work out better without a hang over, your body will release grown hormones when you get proper sleep, and you won't have beer calories. Whats more important to you, looking good or drinking beer?

 

[DanZy]

Maybe try using keto. That way you can drink spirits and still be in ketosis, it's not a perfect situation but it should work

 

[user43770]

http://www.leangains.com/2010/07/truth-about-alcohol-fat-loss-and-muscle.html?m=1


It can be done. Four nights of binge drinking is a bit much, though.

 

[Zerro]

Whatever happened to just going out, having a few drinks and having a good time? Why are so many people so extreme, as in, if they are drinking, they have to get hammered. It's either all-in or all-out. To me, that's not how alcohol is meant to be enjoyed. Three beers is like 300 calories. So the fvck what?

Weak personalities, if you ask me. Exercise some self-control, mother fvckers.

I've pretty much given up on trying to get that point across to my younger friends whenever they tell me that I didn't party "hard" enough the last time we were out. I just tell them that they'll understand when they get to my age, especially now that one of them has already gotten a DUI while in his 20's.

 

[gradhodude]

Thanks guys lots of good stuff. Keto looks interesting and that leangains article was cool. I don't binge 4 days a week, but it could be 2-3 beers each of those days. Lately its been just weekends. Appreciate the input