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MyFitnessPal Community

anyone cut out alcohol completely to lose more weight?

mstrickland9

Hi there, I am not losing weight as fast as I would like and I am wondering if I cut out alcohol completely if it will speed things up for me. I usually drink about 3 regular size glasses of wine each evening, and I do make space for those calories in my allotted calories for the day. I just don't even feel really good about it anymore. Just wondering if anyone else has made that sacrifice to not drink, except on a rare occasion, and then found you lost weight at a faster rate? Thanks in advance for your opinions!

Replies

mstrickland9

Yes, I cut alcohol out of my diet and noticed a difference immediatly.. Alcohol is worse than just the calories it contains for many reasons. One, it almost immediatly turns to sugar, so if you're not doing anything, it will likey just go right to fat. The high calorie content contains no nutrients, so you're swapping calories and getting no nutrients out of it. And finally, as we all know, our inibitions go way down after a drink or two, and it is really easy to justify snacking (cheese goes so nicely with wine) that before we know it, we've eaten more than intended. Finally, it makes you retain water, so you're "puffy" in the face, and your whole body is swollen.

I think if you're really serious, cut it out of your regular diet, and have it for special occasions only, like a party or weekend BBQ.

If I'm going to consume over 150 calories (roughly the amount in a glass of red wine) I would rather have something my body wants and can use in my next work out. And I don't know about you, but I never really had just one glass of wine.

Yes, wink wink, we always say one glass and it never really is, is it! :laugh:

I_Will_End_You

I have cut down, but more so to prevent migraines than to lose weight. I won't cut it out completely, because there's no way I'll live the rest of my life without drinking! I plan on drinking a ****ton tomorrow night, as a matter of fact...

yankee_grl

Yes, I cut alcohol out of my diet and noticed a difference immediatly.. Alcohol is worse than just the calories it contains for many reasons. One, it almost immediatly turns to sugar, so if you're not doing anything, it will likey just go right to fat. The high calorie content contains no nutrients, so you're swapping calories and getting no nutrients out of it. And finally, as we all know, our inibitions go way down after a drink or two, and it is really easy to justify snacking (cheese goes so nicely with wine) that before we know it, we've eaten more than intended. Finally, it makes you retain water, so you're "puffy" in the face, and your whole body is swollen.

I think if you're really serious, cut it out of your regular diet, and have it for special occasions only, like a party or weekend BBQ.

If I'm going to consume over 150 calories (roughly the amount in a glass of red wine) I would rather have something my body wants and can use in my next work out. And I don't know about you, but I never really had just one glass of wine.

Yes, wink wink, we always say one glass and it never really is, is it! :laugh:

HA! I drink only one glass. It's one seriously large diva glass. I work my upper arms while lifting it

I have given up drinking during the week and allow for one or two on the weekend. I have been drinking herbal tea in the evenings instead of my usual glass of wine. I power walk in the evenings to relieve the stress from my day. I feel so much better and it is much easier to wake up in the morning to work out.

sunshyncatra

I think cutting anything out completely is setting yourself up to fail.

In terms of alcohol? No, this is not the same as cutting out food. Unless your dependant upon it how can you equate this?

I cut it out not for weight loss but bc it interferes with my goals. I have a drink here or there over the span of a few months, but weekly outings are not my thing. I do see people struggling to lose the same weight they have been trying to lose for 6 months and this is an area they refuse to change. Alcohol made me feel sluggish, dehydrated me and if I was hungover it interfered with my workouts and eating. Not worth it in my opinion.

Yes, I agree with you completely. Everything in moderation, and making the "bad" things an occasional treat is best.

eric_sg61

Alcohol also decreases testosterone levels for up to 24 hours making it impossible for your body to repair or build lean muscle (yes, even for women!). People who drink on a regular basis (more than twice a week) tend to carry a lot less muscle and more fat regardless of how hard they weight train or exercise in general. Even people with small amounts of body fat will not see as much muscle definition. There are other causes for lack of muscle, of course, but this can be a big one.

Really, the old time stongmen and bodybuilders drank everyday. I used to drink 4-5 nights per week, tell me again how it was impossible for me to build muscle?

KathreneW

I didn't @ first, but I am just not loosing weight as fast as I should be. I am on day 4 with out any, and like another lady said I usually drink 3-4 glasses of wine each evening (budgeting my calories for those glasses). Day 4 without & I am already down 2lbs, and my stomach seems less bloated. I am going to keep at it, and perhaps just allow myself to have a glass or two on the weekend as my 'cheat meal' . Good luck to you all on your journey.
Add me if you wish!

cohalo

I admit I like my wine at night too, and I know it has caused me to gain a pound a week since last november. I am going to limit
my intake as well, and maybe just too a bbq over the weekend. I was just prescribed phentermine that I am going to start tomorrow to help aide me in my weight loss in addition to getting out and walking. With as big as I am walking is really my only
way to get any excercise at this time. I am very interested in learning more food combining recipes but cannot seem to find any. Does anyone else do food combining?

SmartAlec03211988

Didn't cut it out; just limited it to two days a year (my birthday and New Years).

Jasmine_James

I do believe it stalls weight loss -- but only temporarily as your body uses it for energy. I cut it out completely for 6 weeks and then 4 weeks earlier this year. I didn't lose enough as a result to make it worthwhile. So now, I limit it to one or two glasses of wine just one night a week. I do see my weight loss stall for 24-48 hours after that, but it's worth it to me.

Everyone is different, but for me, cutting down the carbs and focusing on real foods (vegetables, some meat, a little dairy) works really well. So you might try a different approach from what you have been doing (carbs have been your highest macro).

kennie2

I've thought about it.

Then I open a bottle of wine and laugh and laugh...

yes!

marhattap

Bump! Nice Facts!

*Read below, maybe this will help answer your question, I was given this in a weight loss seminar that I tool last year*

When it comes to alcohol, the biggest question I get is "what is the best drink to have calorie-wise if you are watching your weight.?".
The tricky thing is that caloric content isn't the only thing to consider. Light beer, a 5 oz. glass of wine (yeah right), or a shot of liquor has a mere 150 calories or less. Not too bad right? But here are some other things to consider.....

Successful weight loss is all about keeping your body in "fat burning mode". A car engine only has gas to use for fuel, but your body on the other hand can draw from a number of sources such as carbohydrates, fat, protein, and ACETATE. The source of fuel it chooses largely depends on its availability. So let's say you have a few drinks ...
Alcohol is converted in the liver to a substance called acetate - a premium choice of fuel for the body. Therefore even a small amount of alcohol causes a sharp rise in acetate and puts the breaks on fat burning/fat loss. This is very similar to how your body reacts to sugar and simple carbohydrates. The body uses these preferred sources for fuel, and fat gets pushed to the back of the line - exactly what you DON'T want when trying to lose weight/body fat.

Alcohol also decreases testosterone levels for up to 24 hours making it impossible for your body to repair or build lean muscle (yes, even for women!). People who drink on a regular basis (more than twice a week) tend to carry a lot less muscle and more fat regardless of how hard they weight train or exercise in general. Even people with small amounts of body fat will not see as much muscle definition. There are other causes for lack of muscle, of course, but this can be a big one.

Alcohol increases your appetite and decreases your resolve to be good and not overindulge. And although we think it will help us relax, sleep more, and feel better, it actually interrupts sleep patterns, and over time can cause anxiety and depression. You see the vicious cycle there?

So bottom line, if you are serious about feeling better, losing weight, and/or seeing some of that lean muscle show through, skip the alcohol or limit it to one or two drinks ONCE a week or on the weekend - not every day.
If that truly is a challenge for you, at least for a short time, you might need to ask yourself some tough questions.

Find another way to unwind and relax. Re-define your fun!

triciab79

I cut it out completely while I was trying to lose. Drinking your calories always makes things harder on you even if you are well behaved. Save your calories for food.

spetermann190

I think would make huge difference ... But I can't get excited enough about losing quicker to do it .... I'd rather lift harder and longer ... Maybe take longer to get where want but not such a complete trade off

luckyjuls

I've read studies (can't find them now) about how one glass of wine a day is beneficial but once you go over that it starts becoming detrimental and impeding the beneficial products of the wine.

As far as alcohol calories, I recently read that alcohol is utilized by the body quicker than proteins and fat and therefore your body is using that energy immediately instead of the kind from fat, which is the aim of calorie deficit.

Lastly, when my dad cut out alcohol when he was diagnosed with diabetes, he lost a TON of weight. And he was a vodka drinker.

SmartWhatever

I've thought about it.

Then I open a bottle of wine and laugh and laugh...

Yes! Glad I'm not the only one!!

I'm with you guys. Wheres the corkscrew???
**edited for spelling.... (hic)

Capt_Inzane

I just posted in the Food section how I haven't had an alcohol in a week. I feel better than I have in a very long time.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/977833-alcohol-free

I don't feel bloated, hung over, dry, and so many other internal feelings. I read where alcohol can lower your testosterone which can lead to fat cells being kept. Nights where I'd get drunk and overeat and feel so guilty the next day and it was just a vicious cycle.

While some may say a glass of wine a day is good unfortunately I can't do that right now. My desire for alcohol doesn't allow me to limit or control myself so I found its just better not to have any at all.

I'll continue to drink socially just not binge drink at the house by myself. Nothing wrong with alcohol I just can't have it by myself.

Mistyfied_MD

To be honest, no, I haven't, in fact I drink on a near-daily basis. I do include those calories in my diary though, forcing myself to be accountable for it.

Since I was put on metformin in February though, my desire to drink is much lower than it was. Although my overall consumption has gone down in recent years, the metformin reduced it drastically. It's rare that I have more than a beer or one or two glasses of wine.

chandratro

not completely - but cut it down to 2 drinks every three weeks or so

finallydetermined

*Read below, maybe this will help answer your question, I was given this in a weight loss seminar that I tool last year*

When it comes to alcohol, the biggest question I get is "what is the best drink to have calorie-wise if you are watching your weight.?".
The tricky thing is that caloric content isn't the only thing to consider. Light beer, a 5 oz. glass of wine (yeah right), or a shot of liquor has a mere 150 calories or less. Not too bad right? But here are some other things to consider.....

Successful weight loss is all about keeping your body in "fat burning mode". A car engine only has gas to use for fuel, but your body on the other hand can draw from a number of sources such as carbohydrates, fat, protein, and ACETATE. The source of fuel it chooses largely depends on its availability. So let's say you have a few drinks ...
Alcohol is converted in the liver to a substance called acetate - a premium choice of fuel for the body. Therefore even a small amount of alcohol causes a sharp rise in acetate and puts the breaks on fat burning/fat loss. This is very similar to how your body reacts to sugar and simple carbohydrates. The body uses these preferred sources for fuel, and fat gets pushed to the back of the line - exactly what you DON'T want when trying to lose weight/body fat.

Alcohol also decreases testosterone levels for up to 24 hours making it impossible for your body to repair or build lean muscle (yes, even for women!). People who drink on a regular basis (more than twice a week) tend to carry a lot less muscle and more fat regardless of how hard they weight train or exercise in general. Even people with small amounts of body fat will not see as much muscle definition. There are other causes for lack of muscle, of course, but this can be a big one.

Alcohol increases your appetite and decreases your resolve to be good and not overindulge. And although we think it will help us relax, sleep more, and feel better, it actually interrupts sleep patterns, and over time can cause anxiety and depression. You see the vicious cycle there?

So bottom line, if you are serious about feeling better, losing weight, and/or seeing some of that lean muscle show through, skip the alcohol or limit it to one or two drinks ONCE a week or on the weekend - not every day.
If that truly is a challenge for you, at least for a short time, you might need to ask yourself some tough questions.

Find another way to unwind and relax. Re-define your fun!

My trainer would hug you for this explanation! when I started with my trainer I stopped drinking for a good month and the weight came off easier than when I do drink. I was actually thinking about abstaining completely until the end of May and see if it makes a difference

goexpos

I quit drinking any alcohol over 18 months ago at the same time I decided to lose weight and get back into shape. I've lost over 30 pounds (SW 170 CW 139). Was a huge part of my lifestyle change and I dont miss it at all. I also quit drinking any juice - I eat the whole fruit now and drink plenty of water. but I still love my dark chocolate :-)

ryry_

Hi there, I am not losing weight as fast as I would like and I am wondering if I cut out alcohol completely if it will speed things up for me. I usually drink about 3 regular size glasses of wine each evening, and I do make space for those calories in my allotted calories for the day. I just don't even feel really good about it anymore. Just wondering if anyone else has made that sacrifice to not drink, except on a rare occasion, and then found you lost weight at a faster rate? Thanks in advance for your opinions!

Given equal calories, alcohol will not effect weight loss. I would say it is easier to reach a calorie deficit without alcohol than with, but plenty of people have been able to drink alcohol in moderation and still lose weight

Are you drinking 3 glasses of wine that you weighed out? Or are they 3 plus size glasses that you ball park? You could be ingesting more calories than you think which might be affecting your weight loss.

craigmandu

I quit drinking alcohol altogether September of 2011, best decision I've ever made. Not for weight loss...but for life loss. I was one of those "can't drink only a couple" people. It seriously was starting to **** up my life.

crystalflame

I lost weight without cutting out alcohol. I lost weight while drinking large quantities on the weekends. However, 3 glasses every night is probably causing you a lot of problems. You're getting 450 empty calories instead of nutritious ones. If you're eating high-fat foods while drinking your wine (and who doesn't - what's better than cheese, red meat, and chocolate with wine????), the alcohol is preventing your body from oxidizing the fat and using the calories. Unless you're drinking a TON of water, you're probably going through a dehydration/water retention cycle that masks your progress on the scale. I'd suggest either cutting back to one glass a night or picking one or two nights out of the week where you splurge.

Tricep_A_Tops

During my 83 lb weight loss I only drank 12 beers during my 13 month weight loss and was able to get down to 8 % BF. at 42 years of age.

eric_sg61

Did anyone actually read the studies that say alcohol reduces testosterone? By the responses, I am guessing that is a big NO. The dosages of alcohol in those studies varies between 10-15 drinks PER DAY. I am not an alcohol advocate, but quit letting "fitness experts" cherry-pick studies and give you misguided information. A lot of big strong guys drink and they probably have more testosterone in their mustaches then a group of skinny jeans wearing teenagers.

BhanGoes

Great topic. My friends and I have made a pact to be alcohol-free for one month. I have been *amazed* with the secondary benefits of being completely 100% sober. Here are a few off the top of my head:

* Save calories and money -- I consider these primary (obvious, immediate) benefits. By not drinking, I probably save 200 calories a day (that's half a Body Pump class!) and ~$30/week (2 bottles of wine). This is a *huge* savings when extrapolated over time.

* More productive in the evenings: instead of that glass of wine (or two...) triggering my time to unwind and sit on my *kitten* and watch tv, I remain in motion doing chores, taking the dog on longer walks, listening to podcasts while spring cleaning, etc. I bet I have up to an hour of productive time back in my day simply because for me a glass of wine triggers me to stop moving and now I'm not doing that.

* Better (more recuperative) sleep: by removing the alcohol variable from the equation, I've been able to isolate just a couple remaining causes for my sleep issues, and therefore work toward a resolution. No longer is late-evening wine causing me to need to pee in the middle of the night, or get the less-than-restful sleep that follows a drink or two.

* Never a groggy morning: Related to the sleep item, but we've all been there. The one or two glasses of wine sometimes has a bigger impact on the following morning than we'd like to admit. This has resulted in impulse eating the next day (burritos for lunch!), increased irritability, lack of energy late into the afternoon.

All in all, I have decided that unless I *really* have *nothing* going on the following day, even one drink is unnecessary and probably not worth it.

Looking forward to others' responses!

CTCMom2009

I don't think I could quit alcohol completely... I have a 3 yr old and he likes to do things that make me want to drink!

That said, I don't drink much anymore and when I do, it is whiskey and water. I used to drink Captain Morgan and diet... I had one a few months ago and couldn't believe I ever drank that! Too sweet!

Do what works for you! Even cutting back is a good thing.

mstrickland9

Hi there, I am not losing weight as fast as I would like and I am wondering if I cut out alcohol completely if it will speed things up for me. I usually drink about 3 regular size glasses of wine each evening, and I do make space for those calories in my allotted calories for the day. I just don't even feel really good about it anymore. Just wondering if anyone else has made that sacrifice to not drink, except on a rare occasion, and then found you lost weight at a faster rate? Thanks in advance for your opinions!

Given equal calories, alcohol will not effect weight loss. I would say it is easier to reach a calorie deficit without alcohol than with, but plenty of people have been able to drink alcohol in moderation and still lose weight

Are you drinking 3 glasses of wine that you weighed out? Or are they 3 plus size glasses that you ball park? You could be ingesting more calories than you think which might be affecting your weight loss.

I have not been faithfully measuring out 5 oz. glasses of wine each and every time. I am sure I have underestimated my caloric intake on many a day. I'm really ashamed about that and I just feel the best thing for me as someone else said is just not to drink at all except on an occasional social event, it's just not worth wasting all those calories.

craigmandu

Did anyone actually read the studies that say alcohol reduces testosterone? By the responses, I am guessing that is a big NO. The dosages of alcohol in those studies varies between 10-15 drinks PER DAY. I am not an alcohol advocate, but quit letting "fitness experts" cherry-pick studies and give you misguided information. A lot of big strong guys drink and they probably have more testosterone in their mustaches then a group of skinny jeans wearing teenagers.

That's alot of alcohol

BhanGoes

[/quote]

Given equal calories, alcohol will not effect weight loss. I would say it is easier to reach a calorie deficit without alcohol than with, but plenty of people have been able to drink alcohol in moderation and still lose weight

[/quote]

----> Just wanted to respond to this specifically: I do not believe your statement is true for everyone. For me, drinking alcohol does have a direct, negative impact on weight loss even calorie-for-calorie. Drinking alcohol has so many secondary effects than just calorie ingestion. For me, the secondary ones are what have amazed and impressed me so much these last three weeks.