The short answer: Yes. The long answer: Yes, but you need to be smart about it.

We live in the UK. The pub is our living room. Telling someone they can "never drink again" to get in shape is the quickest way to make them quit their diet entirely.

You don't need to be a monk. You just need to understand the maths.

The Problem with Pints Alcohol contains calories (7 per gram). But the bigger issue is the sugar in the mixer or the beer.

• A Pint of Lager: ~200-250 calories (Basically a sandwich in a glass).

• A Large Wine: ~200 calories.

• A Cider: ~250+ calories (Pure sugar).

Drink four pints on a Friday, and you’ve drunk 1,000 calories. That’s half your daily allowance gone before you even order the kebab on the way home.

The "Smart Drinker" Menu: If you want to enjoy the social side without ruining your progress, swap to these:

1. Spirit & Diet Mixer: Gin & Slimline Tonic, Vodka & Diet Coke, or Rum & Diet Coke. usually 60-80 calories per drink. You can have three of these for the price of one pint.

2. Prosecco: Generally lower calorie (~80 cals) than a large heavy red wine.

3. Bottle vs. Pint: If you must have beer, grab a bottle (330ml) instead of a pint (568ml).

The Golden Rule: Track it before you drink it. Once you’ve had two drinks, your decision-making goes out the window. Log the drinks in the app before you leave the house.