Alcohol

gmcastil wrote: »

Something else that never gets mentioned is the effect alcohol has upon sleep quality, particularly on the time required to enter REM sleep. Even moderate alcohol intake in the evenings (e.g., after dinner) can really nuke that, which probably has some serious effects on cortisol levels. Matthew Walker has written extensively about this - a lot of people think of alcohol as "just empty calories" but there is a lot more to the story. Not that anecdotal evidence should be meaningful to anyone, but a huge factor for me in losing 50 lbs in less than five months was cutting alcohol out entirely. My sleep quality improved dramatically once I had eliminated it - the calories involved, largely from beer, were not the only major player here. Insulin sensitivity, liver function, and depression in HGH production were significant factors as well.

****Tongue in cheek****
Oh how I wish that were true for me...I don't drink, haven't since my teens, and am a chronic insomniac also since my teens. Considering taking up drinking to see if it improves my sleep quality, lol.

Haven't had a drink of alcohol for quite some time now. I only curtailed consumption because I started having flare ups of GOUT (a hereditary gift from my dad). I'd rather do without alcohol than go through that pain. I did notice that when I stopped drinking alcohol the weight came off faster and the gout flares ceased along with medication. Imagine that!

I looooove my drinks, but decided that if I'm serious about losing weight, then there would have to be some changes. I used to have a vodka soda every night that totaled close to 500 calories. I have since replaced it with a light seltzer with 100 calories, barely and carbs and barley any sugar. I only allow myself ONE in the evenings.

I'm still seeing significant progress and enjoying my treat.

Quitting alcohol was a game changer for me. It improved my sleep, revitalized my energy levels and jump started my weight loss. I've also enjoyed having the extra cash to spend on workout clothes and fitness gadgets. I won't say I'll never have another drink again ever, but I definitely don't want to go back to the habit of it. It's amazing how much better I feel not drinking, and I'd rather eat my calories than drink them. I can do moderation, but at this point, why bother? I've lost my taste for alcohol, and there's nothing positive it would add to my life. I didn't expect to feel that way when I decided to take a break from drinking, but that's how it turned out.

I can't say I've quit, because I'll still have 2-4 drinks on the weekends, however the size of the drinks have changed dramatically. Before, I would have 3-4 drinks on Friday and 3-4 on Saturday. However, that would consist of half a liter of Vodka on Fri and the other half on Sat. Couple that with munching on peanuts (THE WHOLE NIGHT), I estimated I was getting nearly 3500 calories on Fri and Sat nights. Which explains why my cloths were shrinking?

Now my 2-3 drinks on Fri/Sat are metered and a Liter of Vodka will now last a month. Not only has this made my cloths start to grow, it has saved me over $650 at the liquor store, not counting the mixers and peanuts. Maybe I should take that money and buy some cloths that actually fit???

In addition to the weightloss, the increase in cash flow, I don't wake up on the weekends feeling like I woke up in a fog and pray the coffee offsets the night before. Now I simple sit on the deck and drink my coffee and enjoy it. As others have said, it is a game changer. That's not to say I don't have a drink, but it's in MODERATION. With some it's an all or none, but I've gone down this road before and I've been much more successful at reducing consumption and measuring, then limiting or eliminating. Hopefully I can update, when I drop another 50lbs.

empty calories with nothing to show. I would give it up every year for lent. This past lent I just gave it up all together. Less calories to track and more calories to use for positive health and muscle growth

I budget in my beer into my diet. I am happy for all those who have kicked alcohol from their diets. But for me, I like my beers (not lite beer) in the evening and I sleep very well. I have lost 26 pounds in just a little over 3 months and I average a loss of 1 to 2 pounds a week now. What's life if you can't enjoy the things you like, especially in moderation. Cheers!!

While moderation in alcohol isn't destructive to weight loss, it CAN affect how you can lose stored body fat dependent on when it's consumed.
Alcohol CANNOT be stored by the body. It has to be metabolized to leave the body. So while it's metabolizing, you don't burn any carbs or fats till it's gone.
So having alcohol when before you go to bed at night isn't a great strategy since the majority of stored bodyfat is burned off while you sleep...................unless you have alcohol in your body.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition