Starting May 1st. going to give up alcohol for a month!

Lisa1971
Lisa1971 Posts: 3,069 Member
edited December 18 in Health and Weight Loss
I love my wine and my diet coke and jacks but I really think the alcohol consumption almost every night has definitely stalled my weight loss and I've noticed in the past few weeks the scale went UP!:noway:

Has anyone given up alcohol for a period of time and if so, did you lose weight? I hate to give it up but May is my month to eat completely clean! No alcohol, sugar, grains or dairy. I'll see what happens! :sad:


I was going to start Sunday but I can't watch my beloved Flyers play without a drink or 2!:drinker: :drinker:

Replies

  • Lisa1971
    Lisa1971 Posts: 3,069 Member
    Anyone?
  • Swopkin
    Swopkin Posts: 53 Member
    I never drink any alcohol and I've been losing weight quite steadily. I can only support your goal!
  • Lisa1971
    Lisa1971 Posts: 3,069 Member
    Thanks!
  • laceylou0702
    laceylou0702 Posts: 226 Member
    I find when I drink I snack.... there in lies my issues... I have a beer here and there but not often it helps.
  • Angiesolomon
    Angiesolomon Posts: 144 Member
    When I've tried to give alcohol for a month I end up getting really bored and then partying hard after two weeks! This time I'm only having a couple of glasses of wine on a Saturday night within my calories and it hasn't effected my weightloss whereas I think the deprivation did.
  • starcharm3
    starcharm3 Posts: 12
    i kinda want to join, but i'm afraid i'll fail. i was doing well most of march as far as drinking, but then i was given a bottle of wine as a gift, then i went to a boring wedding and needed a mai tai.

    good luck to you though.
  • crysaldivar
    crysaldivar Posts: 10
    I gave up drinking at home a couple of months ago, now the only time I drink is on special occasions or at get togethers with friends. I definetly can tell the difference! My body is not retaining as much fluid and I am no longer starving the day after drinking trying to replace all my lost nurishments. Hope it helps!
  • Danielledee86
    Danielledee86 Posts: 1 Member
    I stopped having even ONE occasional drink for a month and it worked wonders for me! (My drink of choice was rum and diet)

    I found it a way better use of my calories to eat something nutritious and it payed off :)

    Good luck!
  • ladyjoie
    ladyjoie Posts: 165 Member
    I gave up sugar and yeast (in ANY FORM, including fruit) for six weeks and lost 9lbs. Haven't had a drop of alcohol... it's tough, and time-consuming, and I'm hoping it was worth it (the weight loss wasn't intentional, but a happy side effect!)

    If you want to, you can do it. Good luck!
  • ckes84
    ckes84 Posts: 52
    I was drinking Pinot Grigio daily for over 2 years. During the fall and winter of 2011 I was consuming way too much for a variety of reasons. At the end of December I decided to quit all alcohol (and cigarettes). Without exercise I lost 10lbs just cutting out the alcohol. Good luck! :)
  • SuffolkSally
    SuffolkSally Posts: 964 Member
    I gave up for the month of February. I don't think my calorie intake was that much different in a way (I just treated myself to chocolate instead, LOL) but my motivation was much higher and and I didn't give in to savoury crispy snacks, which are another vice) or Chinese takeaway (I think that's number four now... enough about my vices!).

    I lost 16il in February, but it was the start of MFP so probably it's not surprising to lose more at first.

    I felt better in myself; more in control, although with some moments of boredom when I'd normally have a glass of wine. It wasn't difficult really, just a question of being in the right mindset, and I learned that its easier for me to give up completely for a defined period than just to cut it right back.

    Anyway I am planning to give up again from tomorrow (spending the weekend with friends who don't drink) until 29th May when I go on holiday. Would you like to add me and we can do some support?
  • Prettylittlelotus
    Prettylittlelotus Posts: 239 Member
    I say good for you! I don't drink much, and I am trying to make sure I don't have more than 2 glasses of wine a week :)
  • cld630
    cld630 Posts: 7
    I am praying for you. I know how hard it is to give up things your enjoy. I love KFC and Mcdonalds. (I know Nasty) but I love it and I haven't have either in two weeks and going steady. Have faith! You can do it
  • julie781
    julie781 Posts: 221 Member
    Better you than me :drinker:
  • Amber50lbsDown
    Amber50lbsDown Posts: 255 Member
    Nope I wont give it up. I love my beer I rather eat less during the week and drink on the weekend then give it up.
    I want to make a life change but alcohol is in that life change so I make it work, me giving it ip isnt realistic so I will continue the way im going.....
  • tuffytuffy1
    tuffytuffy1 Posts: 920 Member
    Good for you! I cut way back for a few weeks and definitely lost a bunch. Now I am back at drinking too many beers and I'm not losing like I want to. So I am going to cut back again to jump-start my weight loss. You can do it!

    And there is a group of us on here you may like, here is the link:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/639-like-minded-lushes

    It is a no-judgment zone and I've made several good friends through that group. Good luck to you in achieving your goals!
  • sexyrosey
    sexyrosey Posts: 137
    I did for a little over a month didn't notice a huge change. I only would drink like 2xs a month but I would DRINK!
  • cheskax
    cheskax Posts: 25 Member
    It may work for you but when I gave up drinking I didn't lose any weight I gained weight lol wtf right?
  • Caro1991
    Caro1991 Posts: 97
    Wish i could join, but i can support if thats ok... I just turned 21 a month ago so am trying to have fun every now and then, but i havent had alcohol in 2 weeks since i started my "diet" and have lost almost 5lbs in does two weeks. Bust is wine bad as well? I dont drink everyday just on special occasions.
  • KrisyKat
    KrisyKat Posts: 740 Member
    <
    hasn't had a drop of alcohol since St. Paddy's Day :wink: If I can do it, so can you!!!
  • jemachharo
    jemachharo Posts: 144 Member
    I gave up alcohol when I started this journey. I found alcohol was a gateway to poor food choices for me. When I'd poor a glass of wine, I wanted cheese and crackers or some other snack. If I went out and ordered a margarita at a Mexican restaurant, I ate a lot more chips. I make much better choices drinking water instead. I also don't drink soda anymore. I LOVE Dr. pepper, but it's empty calories. Diet soda causes you to crave more sweet and leads to poor choices. It was easier for me to go cold turkey than have occasional glass of wine or soda.
  • stanvoodoo
    stanvoodoo Posts: 1,023 Member
    No alcohol, No soda and limit the fast food, up the exercise, protiein, water and fiber and I bet 30 day will make abig change for you!!!


    Best of Luck!!
  • prism6
    prism6 Posts: 484 Member
    I gave up alcohol when I started this on Jan. 3rd. It was a problem for me and I felt it best to quit. Yes I have lost weight but have gained my health. Good luck and if you can go a month......
  • J0ET
    J0ET Posts: 33 Member
    I'm not a big drinker to begin with, but I haven't had any alcohol since this past Christmas (2 glasses of red wine). Alcohol calories are the worst, completely empty & useless. Why is it impossible to watch a game without alcoholic drinks? Not judging, just trying to understand... As for right now, I'd rather eat clean and be covered in sweat at the gym rather than be covered in clothes at the beach this summer!
  • holliwood322
    holliwood322 Posts: 92 Member
    sounds like alot to start with. maybe make just ~1~ life change at a time. a few drinks a night adds up to 200-300 calories a day and over a week's time probably equals a pound gained or lost. maybe all those restrictions in the same month is setting yourself up for failure. good luck to you!:drinker: (that little guy is drinking water!!)
  • ChLoE1130
    ChLoE1130 Posts: 1,696 Member
    If you like your wine like me this is going to be rough. People that don't like to drink wont understand. I gave it up during the week I only allow drinks Saturday and one other night of the week, usually Friday or Sunday and I make sure its within my cal limits and that is helping. I really think I could give it up totally, but I just don't want to that bad. But, if you do then I am all about support :happy:
  • soontobesam
    soontobesam Posts: 714 Member
    I was quite a booze bag before I joined MFP and before I moved in with my boyfriend. Most of the time I would drink a bottle of wine on Friday and again on Saturday on top of eating crap and sitting on my *kitten* streaming movies on Netflix. The first weekend we had together we had some Crown and Cokes (like 1 or 2) and that's pretty much all I've had since March 31st.

    I've been exercizing and have been maintaining my daily calorie goal (for the most part) but I feel not drinking has DEFINITELY helped me drop some additional lbs.
  • striveforhealthy
    striveforhealthy Posts: 137 Member
    The only time I really drink is when I go back to my hometown like twice a year. Pretty much all there is to do in small town living is go out to the bars; therefore, that's what I end up doing with my friends who still reside there. Every time I have gained weight regardless of not really changing much else diet wise.

    If you drink often you'll probably notice some weight coming off if you quit. For me the weight put on due to drinking was pretty easy to take off.
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