Effect of large amounts of alcohol on weight loss?
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8R1C60
Posts: 17 Member
I'm a 5'11 male , currently at 70.6-ish kg down from around 75kg over the last 5 weeks (weights logged on MFP are wrong.) My problem is that I've now been 70.6-ish kg for at least a week despite eating at a 1200-calorie net religiously. The only way I can think of that this deficit could turn into a surplus is through drinking alcohol; I'm a university student and as such it can be a little hard to avoid at times. I've drastically cut back, allowing myself to go out with friends only once a week and trying to stick to vodka without calorific mixers (so vodka/soda water) wherever possible; however, obviously, judgement becomes impaired and I'll end up drinking beer and potentially eating some *kitten* food (which for some reason has shifted from cheesy chips to a falafel wrap. Big up falafel btw.)
I've done some extremely elementary maths and worked out that if I'm eating at 1300 below maintenance every day (which I believe for a guy is 2500/day?), I should weekly be in a 9,000-ish calorie deficit before alcohol/*kitten* food, which by my estimation gives me a worst-case scenario overall deficit of 3,000 calories/week if I manage to consume 6,000 calories over maintenance on my one night out. I recognise the reality of my liberal use of "ish", but I do weigh my food and log everything carefully (whilst sober). Surely I shouldn't have maintained for a week?
It seems to me this "plateau" (lol) may be down to three reasons:
1) I overestimated my weight loss a week ago by using the scale whilst particularly dehydrated or something and have now actually reached 70.6kg. The fact that my initial MFP figures were off may be an indicator of this.
2) I'm overestimating the number of calories I'm burning during exercise. However, it's not like I'm eating back several thousand calories every day so I should still be significantly under maintenance.
3) I'm underestimating the amount I'm consuming on these nights out/the effects of alcohol on weight loss.
I've done some extremely elementary maths and worked out that if I'm eating at 1300 below maintenance every day (which I believe for a guy is 2500/day?), I should weekly be in a 9,000-ish calorie deficit before alcohol/*kitten* food, which by my estimation gives me a worst-case scenario overall deficit of 3,000 calories/week if I manage to consume 6,000 calories over maintenance on my one night out. I recognise the reality of my liberal use of "ish", but I do weigh my food and log everything carefully (whilst sober). Surely I shouldn't have maintained for a week?
It seems to me this "plateau" (lol) may be down to three reasons:
1) I overestimated my weight loss a week ago by using the scale whilst particularly dehydrated or something and have now actually reached 70.6kg. The fact that my initial MFP figures were off may be an indicator of this.
2) I'm overestimating the number of calories I'm burning during exercise. However, it's not like I'm eating back several thousand calories every day so I should still be significantly under maintenance.
3) I'm underestimating the amount I'm consuming on these nights out/the effects of alcohol on weight loss.
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Replies
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One week is just noise really. And 1200 net isn't enough for a tall young guy like yourself.
If you want to drink once a week I read somewhere to eat light/low carb that day (meat and veggies) then, as you are doing, stick to hard liquor w/low cal mixers.
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How much weight are you trying to lose? You are already on the lower end of your BMI.0
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One week is just noise really. And 1200 net isn't enough for a tall young guy like yourself.
If you want to drink once a week I read somewhere to eat light/low carb that day (meat and veggies) then, as you are doing, stick to hard liquor w/low cal mixers.
I've survived for five weeks with no adverse effects, and I actually feel healthier than I ever have. 1200 was MFP's recommendation; what sort of alternative would you suggest?
The light/low carb thing is generally what I'm doing on those days; I don't usually eat many carbs anyway now that Zoodles have replaced spaghetti.tiptoethruthetulips wrote: »How much weight are you trying to lose? You are already on the lower end of your BMI.
End goal is 65-66kg. It's for sporting reasons.0 -
One week is just noise really. And 1200 net isn't enough for a tall young guy like yourself.
If you want to drink once a week I read somewhere to eat light/low carb that day (meat and veggies) then, as you are doing, stick to hard liquor w/low cal mixers.
I've survived for five weeks with no adverse effects, and I actually feel healthier than I ever have. 1200 was MFP's recommendation; what sort of alternative would you suggest?
The light/low carb thing is generally what I'm doing on those days; I don't usually eat many carbs anyway now that Zoodles have replaced spaghetti.tiptoethruthetulips wrote: »How much weight are you trying to lose? You are already on the lower end of your BMI.
End goal is 65-66kg. It's for sporting reasons.
My understanding is that MFP will not give men anything less than 1500 calories a day. If you are happy eating less then I do hope that you are eating plenty of protein and don't plan to continue eating so little long term.
And, none of my business, but I can't help speculating what kind of sport would make 144 at 5'11 ideal. Wrestling maybe?0 -
while processing alcohol the body will not use food as energy, it all gets stored as fat essentially (well, carbs and fat do, not lean protein). Basically everything you ate during the day and everything you ate after drinking is being stored. That being said, one week is not enough data to accurately predict anything.1
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MFP has given you 1200cals because you've set an aggressive weekly weight loss. Set a more reason weight loss target, such as 0.5lb or 1lb per week.
Make sure you are getting plenty of protein to maintain lean body mass, otherwise such significant under-eating will likely result in more lean body mass than fat loss if not eating sufficient protein.1 -
My understanding is that MFP will not give men anything less than 1500 calories a day. If you are happy eating less then I do hope that you are eating plenty of protein and don't plan to continue eating so little long term.
And, none of my business, but I can't help speculating what kind of sport would make 144 at 5'11 ideal. Wrestling maybe?
I can assure you that I was given 1200, and am willing to provide screenshot evidence. This will continue for approximately 5 more weeks.
Coxing, with an eye to lightweight rowing as I'm rather oversized for the cox's seat.while processing alcohol the body will not use food as energy, it all gets stored as fat essentially (well, carbs and fat do, not lean protein). Basically everything you ate during the day and everything you ate after drinking is being stored. That being said, one week is not enough data to accurately predict anything.
Interesting, thank you.tiptoethruthetulips wrote: »MFP has given you 1200cals because you've set an aggressive weekly weight loss. Set a more reason weight loss target, such as 0.5lb or 1lb per week.
Make sure you are getting plenty of protein to maintain lean body mass, otherwise such significant under-eating will likely result in more lean body mass than fat loss if not eating sufficient protein.
Why exactly? The goal is aggressive short-term weight loss. 5 weeks more isn't likely to kill me, and the plan is to gradually increase intake afterwards.
I'm eating 1 gram per lb of bodyweight. Sufficient?
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I didn't pick this up from your original post, but are you logging the alcohol you are drinking? Every drink adds up; even less calorie dense beer can be 150 calories per bottle. That could sabotage your goals really quick.
At 5'11" and 70kg, you'll maintain at roughly 2100 calories per day (if sedentary, using this: http://www.fat2fittools.com/tools/bmr/ ). If you're only looking to lose 5kg, you should not be losing at more than 0.5kg/week. That's a 500 calorie per day deficit, meaning you should be eating roughly 1600 calories per day. If you're more active, you should be eating more. So you might want to relook at your settings here on MFP and look to lose at a more sustainable rate.0 -
My understanding is that MFP will not give men anything less than 1500 calories a day. If you are happy eating less then I do hope that you are eating plenty of protein and don't plan to continue eating so little long term.
And, none of my business, but I can't help speculating what kind of sport would make 144 at 5'11 ideal. Wrestling maybe?
I can assure you that I was given 1200, and am willing to provide screenshot evidence. This will continue for approximately 5 more weeks.
Coxing, with an eye to lightweight rowing as I'm rather oversized for the cox's seat.while processing alcohol the body will not use food as energy, it all gets stored as fat essentially (well, carbs and fat do, not lean protein). Basically everything you ate during the day and everything you ate after drinking is being stored. That being said, one week is not enough data to accurately predict anything.
Interesting, thank you.tiptoethruthetulips wrote: »MFP has given you 1200cals because you've set an aggressive weekly weight loss. Set a more reason weight loss target, such as 0.5lb or 1lb per week.
Make sure you are getting plenty of protein to maintain lean body mass, otherwise such significant under-eating will likely result in more lean body mass than fat loss if not eating sufficient protein.
Why exactly? The goal is aggressive short-term weight loss. 5 weeks more isn't likely to kill me, and the plan is to gradually increase intake afterwards.
I'm eating 1 gram per lb of bodyweight. Sufficient?
The working theory is that our bodies can access 31 calories per day from each pound of fat. After that the energy has to come from somewhere else. And, bad news, a pound of muscle doesn't have 3,500 calories, more like 800. So if your deficit is too drastic you can burn up your muscle mass. Not helpful for any sport really.
Good luck on the rowing BTW.
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My understanding is that MFP will not give men anything less than 1500 calories a day. If you are happy eating less then I do hope that you are eating plenty of protein and don't plan to continue eating so little long term.
And, none of my business, but I can't help speculating what kind of sport would make 144 at 5'11 ideal. Wrestling maybe?
I can assure you that I was given 1200, and am willing to provide screenshot evidence. This will continue for approximately 5 more weeks.
In order to give you 1200 calories, MFP must think you are female. Double check your gender on http://www.myfitnesspal.com/account/change_goals_guided
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kshama2001 wrote: »In order to give you 1200 calories, MFP must think you are female. Double check your gender on http://www.myfitnesspal.com/account/change_goals_guided
I did, before I commented. Male.1 -
I'm a 5'11 male , currently at 70.6-ish kg down from around 75kg over the last 5 weeks (weights logged on MFP are wrong.) My problem is that I've now been 70.6-ish kg for at least a week despite eating at a 1200-calorie net religiously. The only way I can think of that this deficit could turn into a surplus is through drinking alcohol; I'm a university student and as such it can be a little hard to avoid at times. I've drastically cut back, allowing myself to go out with friends only once a week and trying to stick to vodka without calorific mixers (so vodka/soda water) wherever possible; however, obviously, judgement becomes impaired and I'll end up drinking beer and potentially eating some *kitten* food (which for some reason has shifted from cheesy chips to a falafel wrap. Big up falafel btw.)
I've done some extremely elementary maths and worked out that if I'm eating at 1300 below maintenance every day (which I believe for a guy is 2500/day?), I should weekly be in a 9,000-ish calorie deficit before alcohol/*kitten* food, which by my estimation gives me a worst-case scenario overall deficit of 3,000 calories/week if I manage to consume 6,000 calories over maintenance on my one night out. I recognise the reality of my liberal use of "ish", but I do weigh my food and log everything carefully (whilst sober). Surely I shouldn't have maintained for a week?
It seems to me this "plateau" (lol) may be down to three reasons:
1) I overestimated my weight loss a week ago by using the scale whilst particularly dehydrated or something and have now actually reached 70.6kg. The fact that my initial MFP figures were off may be an indicator of this.
2) I'm overestimating the number of calories I'm burning during exercise. However, it's not like I'm eating back several thousand calories every day so I should still be significantly under maintenance.
3) I'm underestimating the amount I'm consuming on these nights out/the effects of alcohol on weight loss.
Yes, chronic under eating often leads to binges, and throw alcohol into the mix and you have no idea how much calories in booze and food you've actually consumed, and can easily wipe out your deficit on your binge day alone.0 -
You're 5'11", 154 and aggressively dieting, with "large amounts of alcohol". What could go wrong?
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Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »You're 5'11", 154 and aggressively dieting, with "large amounts of alcohol". What could go wrong?
Not much so far, but I'm willing to take bets.0 -
Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »You're 5'11", 154 and aggressively dieting, with "large amounts of alcohol". What could go wrong?
Not much so far, but I'm willing to take bets.
Best of luck.2 -
Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »You're 5'11", 154 and aggressively dieting, with "large amounts of alcohol". What could go wrong?
Not much so far, but I'm willing to take bets.
you will lose muscle.2 -
If you are an athlete you should be0
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I know, I was being facetious. It's a bit of a kick in the teeth to stick to this aggressive goal for 5 weeks and then be told that it was a dumb idea.singingflutelady wrote: »If you are an athlete you should be
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