Alcohol and Weight Loss

Des92

I've noticed that sometimes when I go out drinking, I see a dramatic drop in weight the next morning. For example, Friday I weighed in at 137.3 lbs, and after a night out, weighed 135.9 lbs yesterday morning. Today, I was right back up to where I was Friday. Of course, while it's exciting to see those numbers, I know this isn't real fat loss, but I was wondering what causes the momentary drop. Does it have to do with dehydration caused by the alcohol? Or all the dancing I did while I was drinking :laugh: I'm really just curious about what causes this! Thanks for any responses :drinker:

silhouettes

I have the opposite problem! If I drink, I gain weight and not a little.. like 5 or more lbs.. and they won't come off for at least a week.

So, I try to stay away from alcohol unless it's a special occasion... or going to a concert.

srp2011

It's dehydration. Dancing won't create that big of a calorie deficit, especially not when you are drinking back many of those calories. But drinking and sweating will dehydrate you.

borichfan

I went out partying at a club one night and drank some beers and danced alot. It must have been the fact that i did not eat much and i danced alot. I lost 5 lbs that weekend.

RebelBrew

dancing yes will burn but depending on what drinks you are ordering have a ton of calories and some have no calories

chovest81

i would say dehydration

fitwatch

Dehydration. Wait a couple days, drink lot of water and see where the weight eventually settles and you will get an idea of where you are. Alternatively, just measure your waist size.

grrrlface

It could be dehydration.
I've drank for the past two weekends and I haven't lost a single pound. Before I was losing 1lb a week at least so it's just completely slowed me down. Or at least I think it has. :S
I'd try and avoid alcohol where ever possible as it's just empty calories. If I want to drink I stick to spirits with a diet mixer, lower calories than beer or wine.

bcattoes

dancing yes will burn but depending on what drinks you are ordering have a ton of calories and some have no calories

There is no alcohol beverage that contains no calories.

martinh78

There is no alcohol beverage that contains no calories.

Damn!

Des92

Just to clarify, the dancing part was a joke I know a couple hours of dancing won't result in a couple pounds of weight loss!!
Also, I should mention that I don't drink high-calorie drinks. I usually order vodka with diet Pepsi and estimate (ahead of time) how much I'll drink, enter it into my diary, and work my day around that so I don't go over.

StevLL

It's dehydration and probably some from the dancing, but mostly dehydration. Below is a couple of pastes from UC San Diego althletics dept.

DEHYDRATION
Alcohol is a powerful diuretic that can cause severe dehydration and staggering electrolyte imbalances. Severe dehydration can require several days to a week for full recovery. While dehydrated, an athlete is at greater risk for musculoskeletal injuries including: cramps, muscle pulls, and muscle strains. Also, dehydration can lead to severe brain impairment and even death when coupled with extreme temperatures and intense practices (most notable during two-a-days). Dehydration leads to decreased appetite and muscle wasting (you lose muscle mass). A loss of muscle mass results in a decrease in strength and performance. Decreased food consumption associated with appetite loss will result in fatigue and over training, which may further heighten injury risk.

FAT STORAGE
Alcohol has seven calories per gram. Fat has nine calories per gram. Alcohol is stored much like fat in the body. Also, alcohol deaminates (destroys) amino acids and stores them as fat. Alcohol consumption, therefore, increases fat storage and adversely effects body composition (increase % body fat). Powerful energy pathways (like glycolysis) are impaired and large amounts of lactic acid are produced, this results in decreased energy, decreased muscle recovery, and increased muscle soreness. Also, alcohol is usually consumed in addition to the person’s normal food intake. Since alcohol has seven calories per gram these extra calories can add up really fast increasing the persons bodyweight and percent body fat..


Good luck.