Does drinking alcohol stop weightloss?

my trainer said it's not an issue unless you get down to your last few pounds and can't drop. I have personally cut it out for the next 6 months until I can get used to my new diet plan/eating regime. then I will reintroduce it within calorie range. in the past, when I was down to my last 10 lbs or so, I did notice that cutting alcohol helped.

As long as it fits within your caloric goal, you're good.

I would say not if you fit it into your calories. However, some people don't count it or don't estimate how many calories are in some mixed drinks like margaritas. I find beer tends to bloat me and add an extra pound or two, but that might just be the volume. After all, 12-16 oz of beer has the same amount of alcohol as a glass of wine, but if I drink beer, I am definitely heavier and more bloated the next day.

No, it doesn't. If you're in a deficit, you'll lose weight. A lot of people just find that because most alcoholic drinks have a lot of calories, it can make it difficult to stay in a deficit.

Oh...and the 3AM Taco Bell that often comes along with drinking. Or is that just me?

+1

That's not true. Alcohol has macros and nutrients. Beer has carbs, protein and vitamins. Wine has carbs and vitamins.

This is correct! While a shot of vodka has next to no nutritional value, both beer and wine have macro and micronutrients in them!

As far as alcohol slowing fat loss, here's the deal. When alcohol is in the system the body will stop burning fat and divert it's attention to ridding itself of the alcohol. A gram of alcohol provides more energy then carbs or protein but less then fat (gram for gram). This is why some people say alcohol makes fat burning impossible. Technically their statement is correct but there a big catch. It's a very temporary thing. Once you process the alcohol, you will again begin using stored fuel if you are in a deficit. If at the end of the day/week you are in a deficit, your net fat loss will be based on the size of the deficit, not whether or not you drank alcohol.

It is best to treat alcohol the same way you treat everything else. Consume it in moderation and track it against your goals. Now here's the fun part, alcohol has a higher thermic effect of food then carbs, protein, or fat. This means it requires more energy to break it down. What's that mean? Alcohol is listed at 7.1 calories per gram but after you figure out what it takes to break down the alcohol, the number is really closes to 5.7. So you are actually going to be in a slightly larger deficit then you think if some of your calories are from alcohol. Don't get me wrong, its not an earth shattering difference and alcohol is not the new weight loss miracle product. Just feel happy knowing you have a little extra deficit on the days you drink.

As was pointed out above, the problem with alcohol is sticking with your calorie goals once under the influence. Drinking a glass of wine of a beer or two usually isn't an issue but leaving yourself 1000 calories to get sauced on vodka/diet sodas can sometimes leave you inebriated enough to say "F this diet, I want me some TACO BELL!".

TL/DR: Treat alcohol like everything else, consume in moderation and track against your goals. Don't get so drunk that you overeat or binge.

I haven't found a couple of drinks to stop weight loss. Love me some good drinks! I personally just have to be careful that it doesn't lead me down the road to uninhibited snacking. :drinker:

That's not true. Alcohol has macros and nutrients. Beer has carbs, protein and vitamins. Wine has carbs and vitamins.

This is correct! While a shot of vodka has next to no nutritional value, both beer and wine have macro and micronutrients in them!

As far as alcohol slowing fat loss, here's the deal. When alcohol is in the system the body will stop burning fat and divert it's attention to ridding itself of the alcohol. A gram of alcohol provides more energy then carbs or protein but less then fat (gram for gram). This is why some people say alcohol makes fat burning impossible. Technically their statement is correct but there a big catch. It's a very temporary thing. Once you process the alcohol, you will again begin using stored fuel if you are in a deficit. If at the end of the day/week you are in a deficit, your net fat loss will be based on the size of the deficit, not whether or not you drank alcohol.

It is best to treat alcohol the same way you treat everything else. Consume it in moderation and track it against your goals. Now here's the fun part, alcohol has a higher thermic effect of food then carbs, protein, or fat. This means it requires more energy to break it down. What's that mean? Alcohol is listed at 7.1 calories per gram but after you figure out what it takes to break down the alcohol, the number is really closes to 5.7. So you are actually going to be in a slightly larger deficit then you think if some of your calories are from alcohol. Don't get me wrong, its not an earth shattering difference and alcohol is not the new weight loss miracle product. Just feel happy knowing you have a little extra deficit on the days you drink.

As was pointed out above, the problem with alcohol is sticking with your calorie goals once under the influence. Drinking a glass of wine of a beer or two usually isn't an issue but leaving yourself 1000 calories to get sauced on vodka/diet sodas can sometimes leave you inebriated enough to say "F this diet, I want me some TACO BELL!".

TL/DR: Treat alcohol like everything else, consume in moderation and track against your goals. Don't get so drunk that you overeat or binge.

this was very helpful, ty for the information! :drinker:

If you strictly subscribe to calories in vs. calories out and any deficit will result in weight loss - the answer would be that it has no ill effects. However, bodies are all unique and burn/utilize calories differently. A couple of drinks a week - you probably won't have an issue. A couple of drinks per day - you might.

Experiment to see what works for you.

If you like to drink just factor it in. I was drinking frequently when I lost the largest amount I've ever lost by factoring it all in. I have cut way back in the last few months but that is because of vanity as I think it ages people. We'll see how long that lasts!

I would say some drinks are better than others. Beer is so delicious but it also makes me feel like I'm eating a loaf of bread per bottle (puffy and gross). "Girly drinks" have too much sugar and that is bad for you and adds too many unneeded cals. I have turned into a whiskey neat or wine girl when I drink. I also log each drink and the time I had each drink as I go so I can try to avoid going down the drunken rabbit hole!

Good Luck!

I cant say I can quit alcohol cold turkey but I am trying to reduce the amount I drink and how often I drink (maybe once or twice a month vs once every weekend)

My problem with alcohol is the choices I make when you get late night munches. It's too easy to make poor choices at eat bad foods late at night. I am sure this is a major contributing factor that leads me to where I am today.