02/16/2026
We get asked this all the time at Vitality — can you lose weight and still enjoy alcohol and fast food? The answer is yes. But only if you’re honest with yourself.
🍷 Alcohol is sneaky. It has 7 calories per gram — almost as calorie-dense as fat. And people massively underestimate how quickly it adds up. One or two glasses of wine? That can easily be 250–400+ calories.
Add heavier pours, cocktails with mixers, or multiple nights per week… and suddenly you’re in a consistent calorie surplus — even if your meals look “perfect.” And alcohol in excess? It directly impairs muscle protein synthesis and recovery — meaning it can absolutely slow your muscle gains.
Less muscle = slower metabolism.
More muscle = higher resting metabolic rate and better body composition.
If you’re frustrated that the scale isn’t moving, but you’re not tracking your drinks accurately, this might be the missing piece.
Now let’s talk fast food 👇🏼
🥪 I constantly hear:
“But I got Chick-fil-A.”
“But I chose Subway.”
“But it was grilled.”
And yes — that might be a better choice than a Big Mac. But “better” doesn’t automatically mean aligned with fat loss. Calories still count. Portions still matter. Quality still matters.
A grilled sandwich, sauce, fries, and a drink can easily hit 1,000+ calories. And even if you’re in a deficit, losing weight on lower-quality food without adequate protein and resistance training looks very different than losing fat while maintaining or building muscle.
Now — coming off Valentine’s Day 🍫🍷❤️Chocolate, wine, dinner out with the people you love — that’s life. That’s normal. But then set the candy and extra drinks aside. Spring is basically here with this weather lately. And your summertime sexy is waiting on you. ☀️🔥
If you aren’t realistic and accountable about how many calories you’re consuming — especially from alcohol and “healthier” fast food — you may stay frustrated with stalled progress.
Sustainable progress isn’t about perfection.
It’s about awareness, ownership, and consistency. You can live your life and hit your goals. Just be honest with yourself about the math. 💪