alcohol and weight loss. grr.

It's the alcohol. Even though I see a significant difference in my waistline after not drinking for about 4 days, I always start again anyways. I guess I haven't gotten to the point where I want to give it up completely. I know that's what I have to do to get the figure I want though. And one glass of wine or beer doesn't do it for me. I've built up such a high tolerance that to even get a relaxed, fuzzy feeling I have to have at least a few glasses of wine. And it's hard to "just figure it in your calories" and still eat normally.

http://www.caloriesecrets.net/low-calorie-alcoholic-drinks-drink-wisely-without-gaining-weight/

Unlike the other nutrients, protein, carbohydrate and fat, our body cannot store alcohol. Hence removing it from the body takes preference over normal functions. This can result to an interruption of the fat burning process, giving extra potential for weight gain

A calorie surplus hinders weight loss and I doubt you are building muscle.

I agree. You might be losing water causing inch loss. That won't last.

If you feel like it's the alcohol, you might be undercounting the calories or it might be causing some upset to your system that makes you bloated. It does that to me. But if that was your issue, you wouldn't be seeing inch loss.

Do you eat after drinking and forget to log?

What worked for me is cutting my drinking down to once a week. That way I can workout more and eat less during the week and then have a good time with friends and still eat relatively normally that day. I'm the kind of person that can drink a bottle of wine no problem so it's something I've been forced to plan for.

Hey girl! Good for you for recognizing that it "might" be a problem. Like you, I am part of a social circle of friends that get together and drink numerous times a week. As many indicate here, you may be not be losing weight in part due to your alcohol comsumption, but in my experience there is always a lot of factors at play. As one person mentioned, your body cannot burn fat when you are drinking because it is working hard to rid itself of the alcohol. what does this mean in real life - try not to eat/drink at the same time...because essentially whatever you eat will be retained as fat. I know that the "right" answer is abstain, don't drink and yes it's the reason, but as someone who lost 60 lbs at age 27 (last year) while still drinkiing here are some "tricks" I used so that I didn't lose that social connection.

1) like you, I swtiched from a carb heavy beverage of choice to wine on occasion, but mostly vodka (flavoured) and soda or diet pop.
2) Refused to eat and drink at the same time. One or the other
3) tried to make drinking nights active - i.e. dancing at a club or a friend's place for fun instead of pub/restaurant sitting
4) went period of time "off the scene" In my case it was more extreme like I went a month at one time, and then some two week stints, but I think just like taking a week off here or there makes a difference
5) low cal the day of drinking..essentially saving cals for the night

For what it's worth, your friends will still be there drinking when you're done what you need to do, so I do recommend you abstain for periods of time; maybe hang out and just drink a diet soda or something 1 out of the few nights, etc.
GOOD LUCK!

Anytime I want to get serious about losing the weight; it all begins with giving up the alcohol completely! I really believe that by cutting it out completely, that's the only way I am going to finally get to my goal.

Best of luck to you, it is very hard to quick drinking ... I have tried and failed many times. But I am finally on track and I have it down to one drink, once a week.


you can do it.

Alcorexia! Saving the calories from food so that you can drink more :drinker:

Thanks, everyone! I kinda knew alcohol on the reg and weight loss is not conducive, I guess i just needed to hear it from experienced weight-losers. If I'm drinking, I usually don't eat. I am definitely a drunkmuncher, so abstaining from food is a top priority if I'm drinking. At worst, I just bash of veg and salsa. The once a week idea is probably my best bet and that way, I don't feel deprived. And yeahhh, probably should up my exercise. meh. Wish this whole not being a chunk thing was easier. Anyway, thanks again!

Everything in moderation. As long as it fits your macros, enjoy your wine.

I usually have a pre-dinner cocktail around 6:30 or 7 pm, and often a glass or two of wine with dinner at 8. On weekends I might have a digestif or a nightcap. I've lost 46 lbs. in the last 11 months. It can be done.

If you do drink while losing weight, you need to log the calories accurately, just like everything else. That means careful measuring, and ensuring that you use accurate data. A lot of alcoholic drinks in MFP's database have laughably inaccurate data (like 80 calories for a 5-oz. glass of wine! It should be 125-130).

If you're going to have more than one drink, you might also need to work harder to resist the urge to snack.