Staying off booze for a month

legallyblonde29
legallyblonde29 Posts: 1
edited November 2023 in Getting Started
Has anyone done this and seen a difference in terms of their weight loss and general well being?
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Replies

  • rileyhall00
    rileyhall00 Posts: 98
    Yeh, huge. I used to have a couple of beers a night and half a slab on the weekend. Now I rarely drink. I feel tons better and not wasting my days in bed with a hang over.

    It terms with weight loss, its a huge helper. I had a party on the weekend and allow myself 4000kj's for drinking (went over by 2000kjs :P ) and its such a waste of Kj's ya know? I never drink my kj's anymore, only coffee. I usually just drink water or black tea.

    Not only will your body appreciate but your wallet too..!!
  • Chevy_Quest
    Chevy_Quest Posts: 2,012 Member
    Hi I stopped at the beginning of August because I wanted to "tie it in" with my new committment to health. I am going to stay off it for 6-9 months while I get to my goal weight and maintain.

    I like my beer and unfortunately I tie beer with wings, fries etc.
    I know that I can balance and plan and eat all those things and drink the beer.. but this just gives me some "momentum".

    I plan to drink again sometime next year.. but for now... I am "going for it".
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  • KombuchaCat
    KombuchaCat Posts: 834 Member
    Definately! Especially the bloating around my middle.
  • footiechick82
    footiechick82 Posts: 1,203 Member
    Yes absolutely! I've been off 'booze' for about a month now and I'm going until October 12. I've also cut out junk food and sugar... so that helps too. Nothing fits. Mind you, not much fit before but now NOTHING fits! 45days/nights - booze is a little longer, but hey - I don't drink much anyway.
  • PMOwl68
    PMOwl68 Posts: 15 Member
    Yep! I have to agree with you! Cutting out alcohol makes the weight fall off! And I feel like doing stuff instead of laying around feeling guilty. I am throwing a party on Oct 5th and I have decided to let myself drink that night, but I am dreading Oct 6th, so I might just not even bother. I am just thinking about how much better I will feel! Thank you for this post. Down 11 lbs in 1.5 weeks.
  • fbmandy55
    fbmandy55 Posts: 5,263 Member
    I've never been a fan of booze. At 24, I realized it wasn't worth the hangover to go out with friends. Even now, if I have one or two drinks, I get a migraine as soon as I stop drinking. I will occasionally drink socially but I'd much rather have the option to do other things. :wink:
  • Zomoniac
    Zomoniac Posts: 1,169 Member
    Yes, I have, and no, it didn't. As long as the net amount stayed the same it made no difference. I don't really buy into the can't enjoy a night out unless you're wasted ethos so I'm not a serial weekend binger, but giving up an occasional nice wine or a social single malt tasting session forever for no perceivable benefit didn't really seem worth it.
  • bantamspaul
    bantamspaul Posts: 77 Member
    I give up for a month every year - this year I picked June. My main reason for doing this is to prove I have the willpower and commitment to succeed rather than to lose weight but this year I added in some calorie-counting. This helped me lose a fair bit of weight in June which convinced me to continue the calorie-counting until I reach a more comfortable weight. I have lost about 21lbs in total since beginning of June but have been back on the booze since early July.

    I am not by habit a heavy drinker - I don't drink Mon-Thurs unless I am going out for something special - but I have changed my weekend drinking to reduce the calories by replacing beers with wines and reducing the amount consumed.
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  • So_Much_Fab
    So_Much_Fab Posts: 1,146 Member
    I've done it. It really didn't speed up weight loss, but I felt better overall.
  • 5pmsomewherenow
    5pmsomewherenow Posts: 163 Member
    I used to drink quite a bit. I cut way back, and definitely saw enough benefits to want to continue as part of a healthy lifestyle.
    Here are some of the benefits I wanted to share:
    **Spend a lot less money on wine and spirits
    **Effects of just one glass to savor, makes me more mindful of the taste, and appreciative of the relaxing effects. More is not better.
    **Better, more restful sleep.
    **No snoring. Hubbie especially likes this one.
    **Resistance to finger foods is not hampered by alcohol's affect on willpower.
    **1000 less calories per day, is a welcome "friend" in the weight loss, and now maintenance journey.
    ** Clear morning, unfogged by drink the night before.
    **Definitely a good part of a healthy lifestyle -- I drank too much, and it couldn't have been "good" for me. Really.

    edited to add: I also realized I was addicted to caffeine. I switched over to 50/50 caf-decaf coffee, and have gotten rid of the withdrawal headaches, etc. Feel much better now, and still enjoy coffee without the addictive side effects.
  • mmckee10
    mmckee10 Posts: 405 Member
    I give up for a month every year - this year I picked June. My main reason for doing this is to prove I have the willpower and commitment to succeed rather than to lose weight but this year I added in some calorie-counting. This helped me lose a fair bit of weight in June which convinced me to continue the calorie-counting until I reach a more comfortable weight. I have lost about 21lbs in total since beginning of June but have been back on the booze since early July.

    I am not by habit a heavy drinker - I don't drink Mon-Thurs unless I am going out for something special - but I have changed my weekend drinking to reduce the calories by replacing beers with wines and reducing the amount consumed.

    I thought beer and wine are the same? A red wine, which is mostly what I drink is around 120 cals for a 5 oz glass. A beer is usually around the same.

    Bud Light is around 110 calories for 12oz.

    OP- I cut out alcohol when i realized that they were just empty calories. This helped with bloating and all that lovely stuff.
  • karinmyhre
    karinmyhre Posts: 2 Member
    I'm in the middle of doing this now (although I had one night off right in the middle of the month)...it's definitely helped with bloating, and I find the fact that I sleep infinitely better when I don't drink leads to less mindless tired comfort eating! :-)
  • Wisegirl4
    Wisegirl4 Posts: 26
    I have decided to stop drinking for good. I am on my 4th day. My main reason for this was a big wake up call from blood work results. I am 50 lbs overweight and showing signs of insulin resistance, fatty liver, inflammation and I am on my way to type 2 diabetes. I am not going to let this happen......I was starting to drink a bottle of red wine every day which also increases carb cravings. I have read a lot of reports about vitamins and mineral support while in the first phase. Anyone have any other suggestions??
  • Wisegirl4
    Wisegirl4 Posts: 26
    hi

    do you not find it hard to just pour another one???? I think I have to stay away from it completely as I am afraid I cant just have one
  • jennifox63
    jennifox63 Posts: 44 Member
    BUMP
  • suzyfj8
    suzyfj8 Posts: 257 Member
    I gave up alcohol in April (apart from few glasses of wine) and it has really improved my gym training and fitness, and my weight has gone down as well :)
  • cacklingcat
    cacklingcat Posts: 150 Member
    I give up for a month every year - this year I picked June. My main reason for doing this is to prove I have the willpower and commitment to succeed rather than to lose weight but this year I added in some calorie-counting. This helped me lose a fair bit of weight in June which convinced me to continue the calorie-counting until I reach a more comfortable weight. I have lost about 21lbs in total since beginning of June but have been back on the booze since early July.

    I am not by habit a heavy drinker - I don't drink Mon-Thurs unless I am going out for something special - but I have changed my weekend drinking to reduce the calories by replacing beers with wines and reducing the amount consumed.
    .
    I thought beer and wine are the same? A red wine, which is
    mostly what I drink is around 120 cals for a 5 oz glass. A beer is usually around the same.

    It depends on the beer, the darker the beer the heir the cal usually.
  • KANGOOJUMPS
    KANGOOJUMPS Posts: 6,474 Member
    NEVER!!
    when you get back on the booze, contact me,
    we will drink together
  • lbuseth
    lbuseth Posts: 41
    I have been off it for 75 days. I don't miss it and have lost 7 pound because of it. I am at the point I don't want to drink again cause I don't want to gain weight.
  • gwenr
    gwenr Posts: 139 Member
    I did it for 6 months. It was a life changer. Not so much for weight loss, although it does make that much easier because alcohol is just completely empty calories. But, also, you realize that you don't need it. It's great for being social and on weekends for having fun. But, everyday is a little weird, to be honest. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with it, but once you stop, you realize how mindless the habit of it is. It's great when it's intentional and purposeful, but just mindlessly reaching for a drink straight away after work is a bit weird. Kind of like mowing through an entire bag of chips in front of the TV. It's senseless.

    Hey, thanks for this. Something I needed to hear.
  • Wisegirl4
    Wisegirl4 Posts: 26
    I have been off it for 75 days. I don't miss it and have lost 7 pound because of it. I am at the point I don't want to drink again cause I don't want to gain weight.
  • rjmudlax13
    rjmudlax13 Posts: 900 Member
    It will only help with weight loss if it results in a calorie deficit. However, binge drinking tends to lead to late night binge eating.

    Also, you will just feel a lot better.
  • husseycd
    husseycd Posts: 814 Member
    I've lost weight and haven't given up booze. I do avoid beer and make sure I log calories, but no, it hasn't made a difference in my weight loss. Not that I had a ton to lose, but still. I'm also way leaner than I have ever been in my life. My body fat is right around 19%, and I'm maintaining a weight I have been since my Freshman year in high school.

    Now, I could probably stand to ease up on the weekend drinking, but that's more for the health of my liver than weight woes. Giving up wheat made a huge difference in my weight. Wine/vodka not so much.
  • St_Paul
    St_Paul Posts: 32 Member
    I don't drink that much but I've reduced quite a bit the last month and the benefits to weight loss are enormous. ALSO, I've quit completely for 3 weeks and even if you just drink a little, you'll notice a ton of difference. You'll wake up feeling fantastic and get more done at night, maybe even be motivated to pick up a new hobby. Go for it. You have nothing to lose.
  • St_Paul
    St_Paul Posts: 32 Member
    I did it for 6 months. It was a life changer. Not so much for weight loss, although it does make that much easier because alcohol is just completely empty calories. But, also, you realize that you don't need it. It's great for being social and on weekends for having fun. But, everyday is a little weird, to be honest. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with it, but once you stop, you realize how mindless the habit of it is. It's great when it's intentional and purposeful, but just mindlessly reaching for a drink straight away after work is a bit weird. Kind of like mowing through an entire bag of chips in front of the TV. It's senseless.

    +1
  • howardheilweil
    howardheilweil Posts: 604 Member
    I'm not following any of this.... If I have a beer or 2 or a glass of wine or two in the evening and it fits into my calories for the day, how is that inhibiting my weight loss? I'm not trying to be a wise *kitten*, I'm genuinely interested. Thanks
  • l911jnt
    l911jnt Posts: 164 Member
    I can tell u that beer , a six pack a day put 50 lbs on me in about 9 months. That was four yrs ago and I quit drinking about two yrs ago and still trying to get the weight off. I was in deep depression and finally ame out of it.
  • gwenr
    gwenr Posts: 139 Member
    I'm not following any of this.... If I have a beer or 2 or a glass of wine or two in the evening and it fits into my calories for the day, how is that inhibiting my weight loss? I'm not trying to be a wise *kitten*, I'm genuinely interested. Thanks

    I can't speak for others but for me personally once I have two glasses of wine I crave (and eat) way over my calories for the day. It's not the alcohol calories it's all the ones that the alcohol drives me to eat.
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