Alcohol question

LynzeeHarouff

If i stay under my calorie intake of 1200 calories a day and that includes alcoholic drinks I should still lose weight yes? I've been having a really hard time with this. I go out for the weekend and each day stay under my 1200 calories still and i'm still gaining weight on my sides and midsection. WHAT IS HAPPENING!?? help!!

Lucy_6678

I can't wait to hear what people say. I bet they say cut out all booze period. It is easier said than done. I know I so look forward to my beer after a long day. It literally feels good & tastes good. I have been watching what I eat and try to limit myself to 1 beer a day. This weekend we are going out- I'll have more, but will try to walk more calories off Saturday and Sunday.

dumb_blondes_rock

To be honest it's probably because you need to eat more than 1200 calories. Plus if you think about it, alcohol dehydrates you, so when you drink 10000 gallons of water the next morning to try to get over a hangover, your body holds on to the water weight. Try upping your calories to 1500 *ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE WORKING OUT* and see if that helps you lose weight. Also stick with clear liquor and like tonic or whatever diet drink they have at the bar

*we as people have a sick relationship with calories. So even though it may seem that upping your calories will make you gain weight, do some research just on mfp alone and you will see so many threads about people who tried this and saw great results on the scale. 1200 calories or less isn't for everyone, and it seems like it may not be for you since you aren't losing weight on it

tigersword

If alcohol is the question, "yes" is the answer.

Seriously, sounds like you're eating way too little. Weight gain is probably water.

rosebarnalice

Yes.

But just remember that alcohol is entirely empty calories that does crazy things to your blood sugar-- and hence, your perception of hunger, your judgment, etcetera.

I have what I call the "BREAD, BROWNIE, or BOOZE" RULE-- -- which is basically that I allow myself ONE source of empty calories per day, but I have to make choices, so that I don't have too many empty calories.

If I REALLY want bread, I eat it. But then, I DON'T have dessert, and I avoid the alcohol. If I REALLY want something sweet ("brownie" being the rule's alliterative placeholder) I have it. But then I don't have bread and beer. And if I want a beer dammit-- and if you look iat my diary you will see that is often the case-- I will avoid other sweets and carbs.

Oh yeah: and about that daily calorie goal thing: I also "save" my calories during the week so that I can "spend" them on the weekends. . .

etoiles_argentees

If i stay under my calorie intake of 1200 calories a day and that includes alcoholic drinks I should still lose weight yes? I've been having a really hard time with this. I go out for the weekend and each day stay under my 1200 calories still and i'm still gaining weight on my sides and midsection. WHAT IS HAPPENING!?? help!!

That'll do it. While your liver is working on the alcohol it can't work on weight. I DO drink wine, but when I cut it out for a week or two I lose all the excess on my midsection.

likeschocolate

skip the alcohol

LoosingMyLast15

yes please.

oh wait what was the question?

ldrosophila

wow if you have a glass of wine or a beer you've almost had 10% of all the calories for your day. If you are going to stay that low I'd probably nix the booze because you need to get in the most nutrient dense foods in less calories.

Personally I say up the calories, drink more and be merry.

h9dlb

Alcohol has a triple whammy effect even if you only drink say once a week and stay within your calorie targets -

1) It's empty calories with no nutritional value and wont fit in your macro targets
2) It increases your appetite causing you to eat more or make unwise choices
3) Most importantly it STOPS YOU BURNING FAT - The liver sees alcohol as a poison and prioritizes getting rid of it first and fat burning is put on hold, therefore even if you are within your kcal limits and/or exercise a lot, you won't lose weight.

So I'm afraid alcohol is off the menu

Good article here http://www.builtlean.com/2012/11/26/alcohol-weight-loss/

melindasuefritz

skip the alcohol

mammakisses

Makes perfect sence. Gotta lay off the booze!

Wanted to add: I didn't have a drink for an entire week and lost 6.5 pounds.

Alcohol has a triple whammy effect even if you only drink say once a week and stay within your calorie targets -

1) It's empty calories with no nutritional value and wont fit in your macro targets
2) It increases your appetite causing you to eat more or make unwise choices
3) Most importantly it STOPS YOU BURNING FAT - The liver sees alcohol as a poison and prioritizes getting rid of it first and fat burning is put on hold, therefore even if you are within your kcal limits and/or exercise a lot, you won't lose weight.

So I'm afraid alcohol is off the menu

Good article here http://www.builtlean.com/2012/11/26/alcohol-weight-loss/

Shelby1582

1200 calories is probably too little, especially if part of that is alcohol. A margarita can have around 600 calories so maybe the drinks you are having when you go out have more calories than you factor in.
It is possilbe to lose weight and not give up alchohol, it's working for me. I switched my cocktail of choice to vodka, club soda, lemons and a little splenda and it's around 65 calories. Try it, it's good. And up your calories!!

LynzeeHarouff

Thanks everyone. I wish i didn't have to give up alcohol all together but i feel like i might have to cut it down to once or twice a month. I've been having a hard time with munchies now lol Always having problems! What are some quick workouts that can burn alot of calories so i can have several small meals a day?

storm15918

Alcohol has a triple whammy effect even if you only drink say once a week and stay within your calorie targets -

1) It's empty calories with no nutritional value and wont fit in your macro targets
2) It increases your appetite causing you to eat more or make unwise choices
3) Most importantly it STOPS YOU BURNING FAT - The liver sees alcohol as a poison and prioritizes getting rid of it first and fat burning is put on hold, therefore even if you are within your kcal limits and/or exercise a lot, you won't lose weight.

So I'm afraid alcohol is off the menu

Good article here http://www.builtlean.com/2012/11/26/alcohol-weight-loss/

Empty calories makes sense. Increased appetite I could see too. But I'm not so sure I believe number 3. I don't know if the statement about the liver is true, but even if it is, once the alcohol has been processed, wouldn't your body go back to burning fat? How does having a drink cancel out any deficit you may have? Are you trying to tell me that even if I have a 500 calorie deficit, I won't lose any fat because I had one drink? That does't really make sense. Alcohol isn't some magical anti-fat burning substance. If you are at a deficit, you will lose weight, even if you drink alcohol. I would know since I've lost fat in both my legs and stomach while eating at a deficit and drinking heavily at least once a week.

wanthealthylife

I hate that my first post on MFP is a bummer, but here it is. I have for the last 6 years drank 2 glasses (large) of Wine a night. Three weeks ago I went to Dr. for a regular check up. CBC came back with high (slightly elevated) liver enzymes, high cholestoral and my hypo-thyroid was triple the normal range. The Doctor then sent me for an ultra sound of my right quadrant. I have been diagnosed with a FATTY LIVER from ALCOHOL.

I am 5' and 125 lbs. In order to get healthy again and reverse the damage I inflicted upon myself due to alcohol consumption, I have to eat a healthy, low fat, low carb diet with plenty of fresh food - not processed. Thank GOD what I have is reversable if I make those changes. If I do not I am slowly killing my liver / body.

Needless to say I have chosen the healthy life and completely given up alcohol. I was so amazed when I read about Fatty Liver Disease that Obesity, Insulin Resistance, Alcohol and Cholesterol all play a major part in it. Even social drinkers can get FLD.

Sorry to be a downer - but drop the alcohol and enjoy losing weight the healthy way. FLD is usually a silent disease until it progresses in the more dangerous zones.

izzymum123

I'm on my 2nd week now and I have been having four shots of vodka and diet coke Friday and Saturday night, I am losing ok at the moment. I include the alcohol in my daily limits though.

lmyers132625

Way to go on cutting out the alcohol. I am myself have recently come to realize that I need to do the same. It won't be easy, but it is for the best!

jdhoward_101

Alcohol has a triple whammy effect even if you only drink say once a week and stay within your calorie targets -

1) It's empty calories with no nutritional value and wont fit in your macro targets
2) It increases your appetite causing you to eat more or make unwise choices
3) Most importantly it STOPS YOU BURNING FAT - The liver sees alcohol as a poison and prioritizes getting rid of it first and fat burning is put on hold, therefore even if you are within your kcal limits and/or exercise a lot, you won't lose weight.

So I'm afraid alcohol is off the menu

Good article here http://www.builtlean.com/2012/11/26/alcohol-weight-loss/

This. I know it probably isn't the answer you want to hear, but i'm afraid it's true.

RllyGudTweetr

Eat more food, with an eye on a healthy balance of macros. Your body is holding onto what fat it has primarily because your calorie intake is so low, not necessarily because you happen to choose alcohol as part of your caloric intake.

eric_sg61

Alcohol hinders fat loss but it doesn't STOP fat loss. Your metabolism doesn't have on/off switches, it has dimmer switches,. Alcohol is a major dimmer though. My personal concern with alcohol is its effect on sleep and hormonal changes. Moderation is key.

jran3

I hate that my first post on MFP is a bummer, but here it is. I have for the last 6 years drank 2 glasses (large) of Wine a night. Three weeks ago I went to Dr. for a regular check up. CBC came back with high (slightly elevated) liver enzymes, high cholestoral and my hypo-thyroid was triple the normal range. The Doctor then sent me for an ultra sound of my right quadrant. I have been diagnosed with a FATTY LIVER from ALCOHOL.

I am 5' and 125 lbs. In order to get healthy again and reverse the damage I inflicted upon myself due to alcohol consumption, I have to eat a healthy, low fat, low carb diet with plenty of fresh food - not processed. Thank GOD what I have is reversable if I make those changes. If I do not I am slowly killing my liver / body.

Needless to say I have chosen the healthy life and completely given up alcohol. I was so amazed when I read about Fatty Liver Disease that Obesity, Insulin Resistance, Alcohol and Cholesterol all play a major part in it. Even social drinkers can get FLD.

Sorry to be a downer - but drop the alcohol and enjoy losing weight the healthy way. FLD is usually a silent disease until it progresses in the more dangerous zones.

I find it incredibly difficult to believe 2 glasses of wine a night over 6 years caused any damage to your liver.

cherchechristine

bump:laugh:

cgrout78

I have alcohol if it fits into my calories...and I still lose weight. I wouldn't use ALL my cals for booze though

thenpluck

I think its pretty much already been covered, but I had exactly the same problem this week!

After researching it I found the main thing is Alcohol stimulates hormones to store fat, so although the calorie intake is not above it is telling your body to store fat, not burn it.

I hope that helps!

CubicCutie

Sugar in alcohol is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream so cancels out a lot of the hard effort you have put in over the week. Could you try a spritzer to reduce it? Don't forget too that your body doesn't necessarily think in 24hr blips. I bet you are losing on a week to week basis.

kuntry_navy

I save mine for a cheat day, only because I usually drink about 2000 calories worth. But, if you're only having a drink or two a night and you're reaching your calorie goal, I don't see why you wouldn't keep losing. Your situation isn't much different than someone who drinks a few cans of Coke a day.

jran3

You can lose while consuming alkyhall, just not as fast as you want, and it does have "side effects" on the way your body handles other things such as: fat, calories, sugar, sleep cycles, hormones, etc, all of which can have an effect on your weight loss.. How much effect? That depends on your alcohol to wt ratio to begin with. Your overall body composition. Age. Sex. The intake of other foods, and/or medications. What is moderate drinking for one, can be heavy or light for another.

Not even going to address the 1200 Cal a day, or whether your "munchies" are being counted in that, etc. etc.

catodd

I often wondered the same question for many years why if you gave yourself a cal limit of 2000 a day with alcohol and then without do i remain fat with the alcohol and became very lean without. The answer is simple. It is all to do with your bodies hormonal response to carbohydrates and alcohol is very high in carbs and causes insulin levels to rise quickly. Insulin does three things it decreases your blood sugar levels and stores glycogen then turms the rest to FAT and then high insulin keeps the fat locked away so you then feel hungry because your brain needs energy but the high insulin levels stop the fat unlocking hormone Glucagon from doing its job. This is a very simple description of the hormonal effects of carbs/insulin/glucagon. Read a book called enter the zone its all in there and a lot more. The author refers to this situation as "carbohydrate hell". Y ou see losing weight is not just counting calories there are many responses from your body when you limit certain macros or increase others. Until you know what these are you will always struggle.
Good luck

lauren3101

I am surprised at so many people saying cut it out completely. You shouldn't have to cut out anything completely. Alcohol is perfectly fine in moderation, as is anything else.

I should imagine the problem is more to do with the fact that 1200 calories is not enough.

TheVimFuego

I often wondered the same question for many years why if you gave yourself a cal limit of 2000 a day with alcohol and then without do i remain fat with the alcohol and became very lean without. The answer is simple. It is all to do with your bodies hormonal response to carbohydrates and alcohol is very high in carbs and causes insulin levels to rise quickly. Insulin does three things it decreases your blood sugar levels and stores glycogen then turms the rest to FAT and then high insulin keeps the fat locked away so you then feel hungry because your brain needs energy but the high insulin levels stop the fat unlocking hormone Glucagon from doing its job. This is a very simple description of the hormonal effects of carbs/insulin/glucagon. Read a book called enter the zone its all in there and a lot more. The author refers to this situation as "carbohydrate hell". Y ou see losing weight is not just counting calories there are many responses from your body when you limit certain macros or increase others. Until you know what these are you will always struggle.
Good luck

Yeh, I believed all that carbs/insulin/glucagon stuff not so long back too. It's easily done, sounds so plausible.

I am making it my mission to get as wrecked as possible, as often as possible and still drop fat. AND attempt to get all that good protein and essential fats inside me AND not exercise like a loon.

Currently enjoying my nightly fill of 'empty calories' ... Love 'em