Diet

8 Genius Ways to Lose Weight Without Giving Up Booze

Thanks to these diet and fitness tricks, you can have your happy hour and a tiny waist too

by Amanda Montell | COMMENT

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Cool Down to Slow Down The Boozy Problem: It's easy to overdo it at happy hour, especially considering what we know about our overworked livers. One round turns into two turns into five, and before you know it, you've totally lost track and your diet goes out the window.

The Boozy Solution: "Ice your drinks," Cooper advises. "Most drinks, especially red wine, are served warmer than they were intended to be imbibed." Icing your drink adds hydration, coolness and enlarges the volume of your drink without upping the calorie content, she explains, meaning it will take longer to finish. "As for ice cubes in red wine, some people turn up their noses, but I do it anyway," she says. "I learned this on my honeymoon in Provence -- even the French chill their reds in the summer."

More of a cocktail gal? Another tip for slowing down your pace is to ditch the sugar. "Sugary drinks [like margaritas and daiquiris] are easier to down, and those can be a problem when you're on a roll," says Baumberg.

"Skip the mixers altogether," recommends corporate dietitian at Medifast, Alexandra Miller, RDN, LDN. Order a spirit or flavored liquor on the rocks -- one that you enjoy sipping. Not only will it curb your pace, you'll earn cred for being badass enough to drink straight liquor.

SEE NEXT PAGE: Make Water Your New Drinking Buddy

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