Long weekend of beer drinking

(Brian Schröpfer) #1

Hi guys, this is my first post on this forum. I’m excited to join this new community!

Anyway, I have been on keto for 6 weeks now. I am a 27 year old male, 5’6" with a starting weight of 196. In the 6 weeks of keto, plus going to the gym 5 days a week (strength 4 days, HIIT cardio 3 days), I am down to 183lbs (13lbs loss).

I had tried keto before but never really saw results because I was just treating it as a loose weight quick fad. This time around though, I realize it is about actual lifestyle changes. I have decided that if I am going to be eating low carb for the rest of my life, I have to be able to enjoy some cheats on special occasions.

For example, for my mom’s birthday, when we went out to eat at an expensive-once-in-a-lifetime restaurant, I had a piece of cheesecake.

I IF the next day, and was back into ketosis within 24 hours (according to urine test which I know is not super accurate, but should be directionally correct).

My question though is, what if the cheat meal turns into a weekend? A bunch of my friends from college are renting a beach house, and while I still plan on eating my burgers bunless, I know there will be a lot of beer drinking. I know that alcohol is never great on a diet, and I can get by for most of the weekend on whiskey (the lesser of all alcohol evils), I know there will be beer pong and flip cup that I don’t want to miss out on.

If I keep up with my exercise and eat low to no carb for the rest of the weekend, will I be ok or will I seriously mess up the progress I’ve made by drinking?

Thanks for the advice!

(Doug) #2

You stop or even go in reverse a little, but it’s nothing like if you had done nothing. Get back on your program and don’t sweat one weekend.:slightly_smiling_face:

(Mandy) #3

I just had a weekend vacation of the same. I ate keto the entire time but I drank wine and a few beers. Now, I did keep my alcohol intake less than my net carbs should be. My ketone production stopped while I drank but by the next morning I was back at .8 or so and by noon I was at 1.4. I wouldn’t stress about it to heavily as long as your drinking doesn’t cause you to indulge in carbage.

(TJ Borden) #4

I’m a huge craft beer geek. When I started keto I thought I was going to have to give it up for good. I went for the first few months without having more than a sip from time to time.

Now, 6 months in, Ive found that I can go out and have several without much issue. I eat mostly zero carb/carnivore, so if I have one beer, I’m usually still under 20g… of course when do we have one?

The alcohol itself will stall weight loss because your liver will shift to process the alcohol. If you’re far enough along and haven’t had a bunch of other carbs, then the sugar/carbs from beer will first go to replenish glycogen stores before it really has too much of an effect. After that, it will generally cause you to put on some water weight, but that usually comes back off in a couple days.

I don’t drink anywhere near the volume I did before keto, and I know it’s likely slowing my weight loss, but I’m fine with that in order to keep my Craft Beer Geek membership. I’m in it for the long haul.

This is actually the often forgotten element of keto. This is a lifestyle, so live. We didn’t get fat from eating cake on our birthday. We got fat from eating cake the other 364 days too.

I also agree with @rhltechie. If/when you get a buzz on (which happens WAY faster on keto), it can be tougher to not indulge in other carbage. Remember: drink the beer, skip the pretzels.

Above all, KCKO

(Troy Anthony) #5

Been there! Use it as a learning opportunity vs seeing it as a mess up. I have learned what I could get away with doing this. I will say however that if you aren’t even fat adapted yet, which is possible, then you will slow that progress. Not the end of the world though. Once you are fat adapted it becomes easier to pull this off with not much negative results, in my experience.

(Brian Schröpfer) #6

Thanks everyone for the input!

@uniprod, what dies fat adapted mean exactly, and how do I know if I am there yet?

(Troy Anthony) #7

It simply means your body is using fat as it’s primary fuel source. In the beginning, you can start to create ketones pretty quickly restricting carbs, but it’s a process for your body to switch from searching for glycogen for fuel to utilizing the ketones for energy. This is why there is sometimes an unpleasant transition, along with possible electrolyte issues that comes with that water loss. The longer you are on keto the more efficiently your body will become at using ketones for fuel. How do you know? Typically it takes 6-8 weeks or so, but I knew because my energy increased drastically, no food cravings, felt mentally clear, basically the benefits of keto we hear about became very real. Another point is that fat adapting doesn’t work all of the sudden. It’s a process that continues to gain traction over time, even after we feel the initial signs of fat adaptation. The longer you are far adapted the more efficient your body becomes. It’s not just as simple as am I fat adapted or not, it’s more where am I in the process? It’s a process that continues far beyond weeks 6-8. I have found the longer I’ve been adapted, the easier it is for me to get back to feeling great after a night of fun.

(What The Fast?!) #8

My b/f switched Mich Ultra. Sure it tastes like water and you might get a little razzing from your friends, but you’ll feel way better. Also. I find most people know what Keto is now - and if they see that you’ve lost weight, they’ll get it. Most of my friends drink vodka soda now, even if they’re not keto, because dad bods aren’t in style.

(Troy Anthony) #9

I love this! I love craft beer as well so although I don’t drink it every week anymore, I definitely indulge on occasion. Gotta have some balance if this going to be long term.

(TJ Borden) #10

That’s for sure.

(Doug) #11

Yes - more than I can stand. :wink:

(What The Fast?!) #12

If his friends need to lose a few lbs as well, he’ll be able to razz right back. :slight_smile:

#13

@Baytowvin mentioned it – your alcohol tolerance goes WAY down on Keto, so be careful lest ye be shellacked.

I drink a lot less now, but come to think of it, my alcohol cravings went down with my carb cravings. Coincidence?

(Katie the Quiche Scoffing Stick Ninja ) #14

I drink all the beer in the world but it is 0 carb beer.
I cannot go without it. I have one a day.
Can you find a low carb beer to enjoy?

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(Doug) #15

I drink all the beer in the world. Period. :smile:

Yet not every day, and I know that it’s counter-productive.

#16

Wut? How does it taste? Almost but not quite entirely unlike beer?

(Troy Anthony) #17

I have a low carb dry cider I enjoy, but beer I need the bad stuff :wink:

(TJ Borden) #18

I soooo want to try that. I’m pretty tight with a few brewers in the area. I’m thinking about asking a couple of they’d be willing to try a test batch (most keep the 1/2 barrel system the started brewing with for experimental batches) of a zero carb beer if I promise to buy the keg.

(Troy Anthony) #19

If you could get them to wizard craft a low carb ipa that taste like one, they have a customer for life. Many customers for life I’m sure

(Katie the Quiche Scoffing Stick Ninja ) #20

You are correct, it’s not as carbonated as other beer, tastes almost flat. I don’t like it a GREAT deal but it does the job.