I'm fat because I homebrew

[Warrior]

Here I am...... 6 months into homebrewing and 5 pounds heavier from a usually very consistent weight.

I know this is a touchy subject and I don't mean to put down homebrewing in any way.

Be honest, how many of you have put on weight since you started homebrewing?

I exercise regular because I like to drink craft beers and enjoy eating. I didn't used to exercise at all but had to start because of high blood pressure and cholesterol. Since then I maintain a very consistent weight with in about 5 lbs from year to year.

A plus for homebrew is that it has actually helped my cholesterol. I quit brewing for about 8 years and started again in Jan. My last blood test for cholesterol was the best it has ever been. My HDL's were 78 and I never had a reading that high even with agressive exercise and diet. Did a little research and found brewers yeast really helps the good HDL levels. Most beer you buy does not have this benefit because the yeast is usually filtered out. I started back brewing making hefe weiss, of couse it has a lot of yeast in the bottle. My vote is for homebrew and I'll continue to exercise!

 

[FREHAND]

Absolutly Up A Few Lbs. Resorted To One Beer A Day And Drink Several On Brew Day.

 

[Ryanh1801]

Im 40 pounds lighter since I started brewing.

 

[AnOldUR]

I’m in the calories in, calories out group. That combined with lots of running to keeping the metabolism up works for me.

kenche wrote:
Beer is good. And while running sucks, it is good for me.

You need a change in running regime. Trail running is the way to go. Nothing sucky about a few hours in the woods on a Sunday. Walk, run, enjoy. It’s all about attitude.

(I have to admit that most of my weekday runs are on the treadmill, but I’m an endorphin junky, so I may be I don’t count.)

DrewsBrew wrote:
There's nothing better than cracking open some cold ones after a 10 mile run or after a half marathon race.

Add to that, sharing your homebrews with friends after that long run.

 

[david_42]

I've lost weight, but I don't drink much and was overweight when I stared brewing. Most of my beers are on the small side, as well, and homebrewing lets me make flavorful, low-ABV beers.

On the other hand, the guy I was brewing with in CA put on 25 pounds in a year.

 

[MikeFlynn74]

You need a change in running regime. Trail running is the way to go. Nothing sucky about a few hours in the woods on a Sunday. Walk, run, enjoy. It’s all about attitude

Nothing can make running fun.

Ok well maybe not when your 237lbs anyway

 

[beta pleated sheet]

I've gained a little weight (like, 4 pounds, which is noticeable when you barely clear 5 ft), but (you're gonna hate me) it's a good thing because I have trouble keeping weight on. So, yay for beer because it keeps me from becoming twig-like!

 

[Warrior]

I run a fair amount, and am continually saddened by the realization that the 500 calories just burned are erased by that one pint of homebrew.

It would be a whole lot less effort to skip the pint to avoid the 5 mile run, but hey no complaints.

Beer is good. And while running sucks, it is good for me.

500 calories in one pint! What are you drinking, an Eisbock that finished with a 1.041 gravity???

 

[Homercidal]

Nothing can make running fun.

Ok well maybe not when your 237lbs anyway

No doubt! Gotta start somewhere though. I'm only about probably 180ish right now. Way up from the 140 I used to be when young and running a machine all day. Since I got a sit-down job (and got into my 30s) I gained some pounds.

The funny thing is, now that I'm drinking more beer (usually a 12oz in the evening, but not always, and sometimes 2-3 on weekend) my doctor says my blood pressure and cholesterol have gone down. Still need to get on a regular exercise program though.

My problem is not enjoying my exercise. I need something other than running, and I think trail running would be good. Migh thave to start looking around here for a trail. I like basketball, but dnot' have a hoop, and don't know anyone to play with. Also badmiton (seriously, a good badmiton game can knock you out!). I can't stand to do exercise just to do exercise. I need a goal or competition.

Need more suggestions from people to help us drinkers lower our body weight! :rockin:

 

[MikeFlynn74]

Need more suggestions from people to help us drinkers lower our body weight!

Nto trying to lower my body weight- I do plenty of Cardio. Just that running is severly detrimental to your joints and building muscle. Im probably sitting 11% bf at the moment.

Running will never be my thing, short legs, heavy bone structure and decent mass. I can swim like a fish but thats size 13.5 fins I got. Im only 5'9".

 

[k1v1116]

everyone has mentioned weight and years but a lot of you left out how much you drink and what kind of stuff your drinking. at 5' 10" and 145lbs im fairly skinny but im only 22, so im curious to know what i have to look forward to. I like darker and stronger beers but i dont drink that much maybe I average one a day.
I love to ride my bike both road and trails and i would recommend riding to anyone looking to lose weight, the sense of accomplishment when you look back and realize you rode 40 miles even if you burn less per mile than running the psychological advantage is there. its also a bit easier on your knees and feet than running.

 

[MikeFlynn74]

I love to ride my bike both road and trails and i would recommend riding to anyone looking to lose weight

Thats mainly what I do- But Im not trying to lose weight. Im trying to lose fat. There is a fine line between burning muscle and fat.

 

[blacklab]

I've definitely had to up the workout routine to maintain my weight since I started homebrewing.

My knees are shot from snowboarding and running, so I've got to use the elliptical trainer. BORING. I should start mtn biking more as the other guy mentioned. I lift weights as well, but that has never helped lose weight like aerobic activity.

 

[MikeFlynn74]

I lift weights as well, but that has never helped lose weight like aerobic activity.

Thats because you are too focused on the #s. Let the mirror/cloths dictate your progress.

But if your happy thats all that matters.

 

[blacklab]

I know I need to up my reps / lower my weight...

 

[stever]

I have been a runner for the past 5 years or so and just started switching over to more of a HIT method. Sprint as fast as you can for 30 seconds, walk for 1:30, repeat that about 7 or 8 times. So far is seems like it burns more calories and is a better work out for the lower body. If anything it shortens my run times and breaks up the monotony of running.

 

[MikeFlynn74]

stever

Thats awesome- Other method is sprinting from telephone pole to pole- then walking- then sprinting. Really effective

 

[stever]

stever

Thats awesome- Other method is sprinting from telephone pole to pole- then walking- then sprinting. Really effective

We don't really have telephone poles in the subdivisions, its all buried cable. Also I run around a lake that has a path so nothing there but wildlife and cattails. I like the idea though and I'm sure I can find other obstacles to run between, like geese or ducks.

 

[kenche]

Um what the hell are you drinking? Most have 250ish.

Barley wines only range about 360.

Besides- after exercise you continue to burn until your body reaches back to norm.

My 'pint' glass is 600 ml. It probably comes in at close to 400 calories. Running one hour to effectively burn 100 calories is pretty much a wash.

 

[AnOldUR]

k1v116 wrote:
everyone has mentioned weight and years but a lot of you left out how much you drink and what kind of stuff your drinking. at 5' 10" and 145lbs im fairly skinny but im only 22, so im curious to know what i have to look forward to. I like darker and stronger beers but i dont drink that much maybe I average one a day.

54 years old
155-160 lbs
2 beers / night weekdays
more on the weekends
5-10% ABV
300 calories / beer (per BeerSmith)
average about 50 miles / week
more when aiming towards an event

You have a lot of good year ahead of you (jumping jacks?)

 

[MikeFlynn74]

Then thats not a pint

 

[riored4v]

i've actually managed to lose around 15lbs since starting homebrewing.. still got another 25 to go though.

i try to make sure i drink in moderation, so mainly just on weekends only. i'll eat healthy during the week and try to take in a small bit of exercise if possible.

 

[Warrior]

No doubt! Gotta start somewhere though. I'm only about probably 180ish right now. Way up from the 140 I used to be when young and running a machine all day. Since I got a sit-down job (and got into my 30s) I gained some pounds.

The funny thing is, now that I'm drinking more beer (usually a 12oz in the evening, but not always, and sometimes 2-3 on weekend) my doctor says my blood pressure and cholesterol have gone down. Still need to get on a regular exercise program though.

My problem is not enjoying my exercise. I need something other than running, and I think trail running would be good. Migh thave to start looking around here for a trail. I like basketball, but dnot' have a hoop, and don't know anyone to play with. Also badmiton (seriously, a good badmiton game can knock you out!). I can't stand to do exercise just to do exercise. I need a goal or competition.

Need more suggestions from people to help us drinkers lower our body weight! :rockin:

My wife and I take the dogs for brisk walks along a rail trail that usually last 45 mins to an hour. I also starting riding bike last year. I need to get on the bike again and get conditioned again. In about 3 weeks I'll start riding the bike back and forth to work, which is 10 1/2 miles each way. I only do that about 2 or 3 times a week but it's great exercise and you are getting outdoors.

 

[Sigafoos]

i've actually managed to lose around 15lbs since starting homebrewing.. still got another 25 to go though.

i try to make sure i drink in moderation, so mainly just on weekends only. i'll eat healthy during the week and try to take in a small bit of exercise if possible.

I actually found that beer helped me lose weight

I was eating too 'healthy,' basically, and not getting enough calories (which is why I put healthy in quotes). The extra 150-200 calories a day kickstarted my metabolism and the pounds melted off.

 

[MikeFlynn74]

I was eating too 'healthy,' basically,

Caloric deprovation is def bad- Puts your body into a store/fat mode.

Plus a beer or two really helps regulate cholesterol

 

[maltMonkey]

Caloric deprovation is def bad- Puts your body into a store/fat mode.

?????

Reducing calories below your maintenance level is how you lose weight.

 

[MikeFlynn74]

Reducing calories below your maintenance level is how you lose weight

Not always- Your body is designed to store fat. When you starve yourself it slows down your metabolism. You can lose weight to a point- But you will still retain more fat as your body tends to burn muscle for fuel instead of fat.


Its a lot more complicated- But I can lose more fat by taking in 3500 calories a days and Burning 2000 then only taking in 1800 and burning 1000. Even though I have 700 calorie difference.

 

[Sigafoos]

Yeah, cutting down on calories is good. However, depriving your body of them is bad... I was at <1700 a day while doing half an hour of cardio 5-6 times a week and resistance (free weights) 3 times a week. For a (then) 210 pound guy, that put my body into 'omg you're trapped on a deserted island and are gnawing lichen off a rock' mode.

 

[riored4v]

I actually found that beer helped me lose weight

I was eating too 'healthy,' basically, and not getting enough calories (which is why I put healthy in quotes). The extra 150-200 calories a day kickstarted my metabolism and the pounds melted off.

I never really counted calories. As lame as it sounds, me and the girl did Weight Watchers for a few months and I was able to lose around 60lbs in 7 months or so.

6'4" - 285. Got down to 225.. stopped the diet due to holidays and thats about the time homebrewing started. I started dieting again recently by basically using the same method WW taught us any i'm back down to 225 again (after 6 weeks or so) after gaining 10lbs over the holidays.

I still definitely enjoy my beers, but i've tried to cut back as much as possible to help me get down to 200.

We also picked up some mountain bikes and plan on doing that to help lose these last few pounds of well-earned beer belly. The Ab Lounge we picked up off of craigslist is a pretty fun little machine as well.

 

[Donasay]

I am actually down, I have replaced things like dinner with beer... partly because I don't have time to cook and partly because I need to get rid of all of this beer.