I have a few questions.... I started my vigorous quest to get in shape on Monday. Day 3 is over woohoo.....27 to go! I am going to push myself to do 5days/wk for 6 weeks.

Anyway, I was wondering about liquids.. I drink a lot of water throughout the day and night, but after working out, I can't resist my big cup of coffee. I use fat free french vanilla creamer. How much do you think this cup of coffee holds me back?

Also, how much drinking do you think is ok? I know that it's not the calories, it's the fact that alcohol prevents burning fat and building muscle, but I would like to let loose once in awhile. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what alcoholic drink is the healthiest while trying to get in shape??

Last, I am wondering if since I had a baby a few months ago, it's ok for me to lose more than the "healthy" 1 pound/week. So far I am not on track for this rapid of weightloss, but I am just wondering.

Thanks in advance for all your advice!!!

How many months ago did you have your baby? If it was recent, as in 1 month ago, then it is best to consult a doctor before beginning any type of weight loss program. You put yourself and your baby at risk if you're breast feeding.


As for coffee, I think it's 0 cals (I may be wrong since I'm not a drinker). Just don't add very little or no creamer to it.

As for alcohol, best to drink light beer. If you search around, you can find one with the fewest cals.

Coffee does contain 0 calories. However, like the potato people like to add things to these, that tend to make it bad: Sugar in coffee, bad creamers,etc. and bad cheeses, and other bad toppings for potatoes. Coffee and potatos are good to consume--to save confusion.

But with most things, it depends on what we are discussing with coffee.

For example, I have drank and continue to drink coffee everyday. It has not effected me at all. However, if your sensative to caffiene, be careful with it in this sense.

Alcohol poses two type of problems (just two among many actually): First, you ever notice that when one drinks a beer, how quickly the effects are felt (albeit a small fraction). This is because as soon as the alcohol hits the stomach, its absorbed through the stomach wall and hits the blood.

Now, when one continues to drink, this process continues (even if food is eaten, though it slows down some of the absorbtion at first). Over time, the blood circumference of ratios get messed up. The blood starts to carry percentages of alcohol through the entire system, and thus (BAC). During this time the LIVER is working overtime to clean out and detox the blood. In addition, Alcohol tends to dehydrate the body. Thus the need for some to drink gallons of water the next day.

The other problem is a function of caloric consumption or empty calorie consumption in conjunction to what you eat (if you didnt throw this up).

Moderation is fine once in a while. But if over done, it can DELAY and impose upon, ones goals, but not necessarily stop ones goals. Some over drink and do just fine: they just tolerate the "after effects".

I dont like the idea of my body putting focus on detoxicating my body while Im trying to get fit. I want it to be more focused on my goal, and my mind will do that for me.