Alcohol and weight loss

[tiger104]

Has anyone gone cold turkey with alcohol and lost weight just for cutting that out ? I love my wine ;-) But I need to cut down, I am just struggling to lose weight even if I count the wine in on my plan. Up and down like a yo yo...Any experiences anyone, would love to hear, how long you cut it out before you started noticing a difference....? I am at the top end of the healthy weight range and feel uncomfortable and want to be in the middle somewhere, I have lots of belly fat........anyone noticed waistline reductions etc etc ? I know that the body burns alcoholoff before anything else while it could be burning of your food. Thanks

[Drisgirl]

I did and I have so far lost between 3-4 stone in 6 months.I occasionally have wine -usually when my husband is at home (he works away) but yip its still coming off and boy do you feel better for it.
Good Luck!!

[BigMac]

If you reduce the number of calories you take in, you will see an effect over time - never instantly. Rember (it's probably not true, but is everyone's experience) that the weight you put on goes straight to your waist/bum/hips but when it comes off it does so evenly, from your fingers and toes as well as the aforementioned areas.

So yes, you should see a difference - but if you have replaced the alcohol calories with the odd chocolate bar or piece of cake, or even a cheese sandwich, then you won't see any difference, because there's been no change in the toal calorie intake.

If you want to reduce belly fat then you will have to do exercises as well as keeping an eye on the intake. The best way to tone-up/lose weight is to reduce calorie intake and exercise. If you don't currently take any exercise then you may want to check it is safe to do so with your GP; when you start, start gently - 20 minutes walking three times a week.

Look at the NHS direct website - I seem to remember that it had some good, basic advice on increasing levels of exercise.

But whatever you do, enjoy it.

[joannie10]

one of my friends who feels she has a bit to lose, is definately not overweight has cut out alcohol over the past 3 weeks. She is not considered a bit drinker but enjoys wine (of course more than she should) over the weekend. She has lost 7lbs. She is a healthy eater and only sometimes snacks. During this 3 weeks the only food change has been not snacking. I periodically try to totally cut out alcohol for a few weeks. The last time I did it for 3 weeks, no other changes and I lost an inch of waist.

[Bathsheba]

Hi tiger104 Yours is a difficult question, because in my experience it was difficult to get a true picture of my weight when I was drinking, due to the dehydrating effect of alcohol. Also, once I started on the pre-dinner drink I could quite happily skip the meal altogether! But now I don't touch alcohol at all, and I have lost about half a stone and remain fairly stable (physically!) x

[Drisgirl]

I also have to say that I replaced alcohol with copious amounts of water fresh fruit and veg daily -as much as I want and have chicken also augment with bitamins and supplements -basically have covered all the bases.

It has been a strict but constant diet and now I am way lighter I have loads more energy for walking - I am always on the go !!

Depends on how much you have to lose -I had loads so it was bound to come off me quicker.

[BigMac]

I should also have said that this year I have had half as much Guinness as I used to drink in a week and have drunk almost no other alcohol - maybe a total of three bottles of wine. I have not supplemented my diet with sweets/cakes etc.

I continue to eat a balanced diet with lots of water, fresh fruit and vegetables, as I did before, as well as taking some vitamin/cod liver oil supplements.

Despite walking for an hour a day - a minimum of three miles every day - I have seen almost no difference in weight or shape, so I'm going back in the swimming pool as of tomorrow.

[Loosehead]

I find that I lose weight much easier if I give up boozing. The alcohol itself is a source of calories but I think that is minor compared to it's effect on appetite and also the general willpower. After boozing I tend to get very hungry and at the same time waive any attempt at restraint I may have had whilst sober. So the result is, loads of booze, followed by loads of food, usually something high calorie, chinese/indian/kebab etc.... Then just when youve had loads of calories to burn you go to sleep! Not good, 5 days of living like an amateur monk can be undone by 2 days of binge!

[tiger104]

Thanks loads everybody, - Bathsheba - I can relate soooo much to what said, if i stick to a calorie controlled diet, and don't go over at all, measure my wine etc .....I am just so up and down, I have been known to put 3lbs on, then lose 3lbs, then on then off....as you said dehydration makes u think you've lost when u really are just dehydrated. Well all well so far, I am gonna my second day and i have to say my tum feels lighter already !!

[DONNAKEBABUK]

I had a Gastric Band last year hun and have lost nearly 11 stones in 9 months. I replaced food (because it makes me so sick) with alcohol (because it filled me and slips right past the band). I have given up drinking alcohol now as it made me really ill with the GB as well.

Just balance it sweetheart and I am sure you will be fine.

Katie. x