Beer belly

adam1885282

I'm losing weight but can't shake the gut. Having lost 50+ pounds from 232 to 176, I FIRMLY believe in calorie in, calorie out (appreciating that low carb, etc, works better/different, etc). However, I haven't seen much improvement in my gut for two months. I'm losing in my face, arms, legs, but I want that gut gone.

I stopped drinking beer when I decided to lose weight 6 months ago. But, I'm back at it on a fairly regular basis, every weekend, 4-6 drinks per weekend day. I drink 64-calorie beer and always fit those calories in my total daily. Is it possible that these alcohol calories are impacting my ability to lose the gut, even though I'm still under my goal (a goal that has worked consistiently).

I'm 6' and have a 36" waist (down from 42!), and I could accept that my gut will just be the absolute last thing to go.

TL;DR: Is an (alcohol) calorie a calorie

Any personal experiences are greatly appreciated.

Acg67

I'm losing weight but can't shake the gut. Having lost 50+ pounds from 232 to 176, I FIRMLY believe in calorie in, calorie out (appreciating that low carb, etc, works better/different, etc). However, I haven't seen much improvement in my gut for two months. I'm losing in my face, arms, legs, but I want that gut gone.

I stopped drinking beer when I decided to lose weight 6 months ago. But, I'm back at it on a fairly regular basis, every weekend, 4-6 drinks per weekend day. I drink 64-calorie beer and always fit those calories in my total daily. Is it possible that these alcohol calories are impacting my ability to lose the gut, even though I'm still under my goal (a goal that has worked consistiently).

I'm 6' and have a 36" waist (down from 42!), and I could accept that my gut will just be the absolute last thing to go.

TL;DR: Is an (alcohol) calorie a calorie

Any personal experiences are greatly appreciated.

You can't spot reduce and if you're going to drink shoot for something a little better quality than 64 cal beers.

Just keep at it and you will lose the gut eventually

phildawson75

Liquid calories are the same as solid. With beer I tend to go for higher quality but stick to just 2-3 at the weekends.

My gut is the last place to go (I lost a lot in my legs, arms and face too) I'm just starting to see it go as iv got to ~15% BF. I'm 5.7 and maintaining at 140 atm.

mavrick7

I'm losing weight but can't shake the gut. Having lost 50+ pounds from 232 to 176, I FIRMLY believe in calorie in, calorie out (appreciating that low carb, etc, works better/different, etc). However, I haven't seen much improvement in my gut for two months. I'm losing in my face, arms, legs, but I want that gut gone.

I stopped drinking beer when I decided to lose weight 6 months ago. But, I'm back at it on a fairly regular basis, every weekend, 4-6 drinks per weekend day. I drink 64-calorie beer and always fit those calories in my total daily. Is it possible that these alcohol calories are impacting my ability to lose the gut, even though I'm still under my goal (a goal that has worked consistiently).

I'm 6' and have a 36" waist (down from 42!), and I could accept that my gut will just be the absolute last thing to go.

TL;DR: Is an (alcohol) calorie a calorie

Any personal experiences are greatly appreciated.

You can't spot reduce and if you're going to drink shoot for something a little better quality than 64 cal beers.

Just keep at it and you will lose the gut eventually

@adam - I totally agree with Acg67. In order to trim the waistline, you must trim the calories. For me, the sodium actually makes me a little bloated.

Rawr1978

ive always had a belly.

My bf drinks at least 3 times a week and has a flippin washboard.

freedski1

My observations: alcohol causes me to bloat and retain more water; as such I see higher numbers on the scale the morning after I drink than when I abstain. I also notice more puffiness around my middle when I've had a few a couple days in a row.

Also, not to cause alarm, but I might check with my doc if I were in your shoes to rule out a gluten intolerance or allergy, which can cause bloating.

adam1885282

Thanks for all the great responses! I overthink this stuff sometimes and need to refocus.

cedarghost

Bottom line, if you want to get rid of your BEER belly........quit drinking BEER every weekend......
It's called a beer belly for a reason.
Need a more scientific reason? Alcohol is converted to acetate in the liver. That acetate replaces fat as fuel when it is released into the blood stream, which is rather quickly. Your body will burn that before fat. So those beers are protecting that beer gut every time you drink.

magerum

It will come off eventually. Keep on trucking.

joannathechef

I lose in waves my hands feet , legs arms, the finally my mid section ...but it goes eventually

I think you just have keep goign it will reduce eventually

joannathechef

Bottom line, if you want to get rid of your BEER belly........quit drinking BEER every weekend......
It's called a beer belly for a reason.
Need a more scientific reason? Alcohol is converted to acetate in the liver. That acetate replaces fat as fuel when it is released into the blood stream, which is rather quickly. Your body will burn that before fat. So those beers are protecting that beer gut every time you drink.

I can not agree with this ^^^^

If it is within his calorie goals he can drink...calories in calories out ....clean is nice but not for everyone

cedarghost

Bottom line, if you want to get rid of your BEER belly........quit drinking BEER every weekend......
It's called a beer belly for a reason.
Need a more scientific reason? Alcohol is converted to acetate in the liver. That acetate replaces fat as fuel when it is released into the blood stream, which is rather quickly. Your body will burn that before fat. So those beers are protecting that beer gut every time you drink.

I can not agree with this ^^^^

If it is within his calorie goals he can drink...calories in calories out ....clean is nice but not for everyone

I'm not saying he wouldn't be able to lose. It's just going to be a lot slower. Calories in calories out, yes. BUT the body has to digest calories from food. Calories from alcohol get absorbed into the blood stream (not digested), so fat loss slows down because the body has to deal with processing the alcohol.
Also, alcohol is a toxin, so the body puts it at a higher priority than fat etc. and wants to get it out as quickly as possible. It's the body's natural defense mechanism.
In turn, the fat at this point gets stored in the body's tissue instead of being burned while the body has to deal with the alcohol.
So again, let me be clear. The fastest way for the OP to get rid of his "beer belly" is to quit drinking beer....
Either that or put in a lot more time and effort to get rid of it.

disasterman

Bottom line, if you want to get rid of your BEER belly........quit drinking BEER every weekend......
It's called a beer belly for a reason.
Need a more scientific reason? Alcohol is converted to acetate in the liver. That acetate replaces fat as fuel when it is released into the blood stream, which is rather quickly. Your body will burn that before fat. So those beers are protecting that beer gut every time you drink.

I can not agree with this ^^^^

If it is within his calorie goals he can drink...calories in calories out ....clean is nice but not for everyone

I'm not saying he wouldn't be able to lose. It's just going to be a lot slower. Calories in calories out, yes. BUT the body has to digest calories from food. Calories from alcohol get absorbed into the blood stream (not digested), so fat loss slows down because the body has to deal with processing the alcohol.
Also, alcohol is a toxin, so the body puts it at a higher priority than fat etc. and wants to get it out as quickly as possible. It's the body's natural defense mechanism.
In turn, the fat at this point gets stored in the body's tissue instead of being burned while the body has to deal with the alcohol.
So again, let me be clear. The fastest way for the OP to get rid of his "beer belly" is to quit drinking beer....
Either that or put in a lot more time and effort to get rid of it.

Agreed. [http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/70/5/928.full]

"...and lipid oxidation was indeed reduced by ethanol consumption..."