Has cutting out alcohol helped you lose weight?

savinapopp

I have a very hectic work schedule and am often drained when I get home.  I usually have a few glasses of wine a night to unwind.  I eat healthy and take my dog on a walk everyday, so it's not over eating that is hindering my weight loss. 

I gained almost 20 pounds my senior year of college and would like to lose the weight before my wedding in a year.  Has anyone ever cut alcohol from their diets and lost weight?

Nebb

I think everything in a healthy diet is about moderation. If you want pizza, eat it, in moderation. If you want a glass of wine, go for it, in moderation. I personally cannot/will not cut alcohol out of my life, which has probably slowed my weight loss down, but I still lose. I generally have a 12pack of beer each weekend, a bit more in the summer, and it does me fine. I still lose, but I make an effort to fit the calories into my day and not drink if I cant afford the calories.

mehgank

It's definitely worth a shot!

I know that in my experience, I've gained weight from drinking, so it's definitely a possiblity for you that that's where your extra weight is coming from. My FI is in the military and deploys a lot, and during that time I tend to drink less (less going out and more staying in) and I do notice a change in how snug my jeans fit.

LittleKatie13

I find that drinking is a gateway into ice cream, fried foods, etc.  After a few drinks, those things just don't seem like that bad of an idea.  For me, cutting down (but not out) has helped.  I've definitely pretty much cut out day drinking.  A full day of drinking (which almost always includes some kind of greasy, fried food) can ruin a week's worth of hard work.  Give it a shot and see if it works for you!  GL!

desertsun

Try cutting down to ONE glass of wine, or only having wine a couple days a week instead of most days. Include it in your daily calorie counting.

You could also try upping your activity level to counteract those extra calories.

Personally, I have cut way back on my drinking, and find exercise works just as well for stress relief for me. The combination of drinking less and working out more def helps me stay on track with my WLJ.

crnota

I was never much of a drinker, but since trying to get healthy, I've almost completely cut alcohol from my diet. Maybe an occasional glass of wine if we go out for dinner.

It really is empty calories (just like cheetos or any other junk food that adds 0 nutrition)- and while you can plan around it to include the calories without going over your limit, for me personally, they are calories that don't add much. I'd rather be getting nutrition from my calories (or if I am going to save up for something, I would like it to be a piece of chocolate cake or something, not a drink!). But that may just be because drinking has never been my thing.

I have also read that drinking your calories (in any form...not just alcohol) is not ideal, because it's so much easier to consume a lager quantity without even realizing it. Like, I would never eat 4 giant scoops of ice cream at one time...but that's what's in a milkshake, which is so easy to drink up!

number55

I would say yes, it would make a difference. But I also think Nebb is correct is saying it is about moderation.

Personally, I drink wine. And usually I would say that red wine is fine since it is 'good for you'. It is good for you, IF you drink about 4 - 6 ounces per day.

So I took a look at how much I was drinking most nights. A whole lot more than that! So then I literally started making sure I only drank between 4 and 6 ounces.  That way I had a taste, but not 350 calories worth!

When I lost about 50 pounds several years ago, there were things I did completely cut out from my diet (not whole food groups!) and they included a lot of liquid calories (I gave up my 'double double' fix (250 calories each for a large), so no more coffee, I also gave up my 'grande five pump, non-fat, no-water Tazo Chai' addiction (about 300 calories a shot) I took up green tea for my caffeine (um, 0 calories I think!), and I didn't drink for several months (about 90 calories per glass of red wine).)

So that in and of itself probably saved me about 5000 calories a week!  I also didn't eat a chocolate bar or french fries for about 8 months. Those were the only things I completely gave up. I ate six times a day and was never hungry. 

That is my long answer to your short question. I think it would make a difference but it may not be something you want to give up long term!  I certainly didn't!

FavoriteOne

Wow, Number. I just calculated my weekly coffee caloric intake. If I quit Starbucks, I'd save myself 1330 calories a week. Yikes!

EmThumma

I have not really cut out wine. I love it too much but what I did cut out was the two sodas I drank everyday. With some more exercise and cutting out soda I have lost 14 pounds in about two months. I want to lose about 10 more but my wedding is not until December so I have plenty of time. I just hope when I get there I can keep it off. Good luck to everyone!

jabeckner

If you drink a few glasses of wine a night each glass containing approximately 150 calories a glass (25 calories an ounce). its anywhere from 300 to 450 calories extra a day. If you were to give this up completely you would lose about an additional pound a week. Or if you are not losing weight and are just eating the needed amount of calories you would gain a pound of fat a week.

The idea of weight loss is really simple. Each pound of fat = 3500 calories. So for example if you burn 2,000 calories a day and only consume 1500 calories a day you will lose 1 pound of fat a week. If you burn 200 calories a day and consume 2500 calories you will gain 1 pound of fat a week. Keep in mind I said the idea of weight loss is simple. Discipline is waht is tough. But happy being healthy. Hope this helps you see it is just empty calories and by simply elimiating it will increase your weight lose by 1 pound a week.

Erica1127

I have actually heard that Alcohol slows down your metabolism, so i would think that if you are going through all that trouble and eating healthy you might as well cut that too. Thats what Im doing

bbg676

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_cutting-out-alcohol-helped-lose-weight?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:238Discussion:41180fc8-ea6c-4719-a122-2a0a6dcde396Post:ea8f3093-52af-4a40-92ec-785c6bc12bbf">Re: Has cutting out alcohol helped you lose weight?</a>:
[QUOTE]I find that drinking is a gateway into ice cream, fried foods, etc.  After a few drinks, those things just don't seem like that bad of an idea.  Posted by LittleKatie13[/QUOTE]

This!  Chips, lots of pasta, candy (of course, I never get cravings for fruits/veggies when I drink) are my go to once my inhibitions are down.  Plus, drinking (especially beer) tends to make me retain water and feel bloated, which makes it harder to maintain a positive attitude towards eating healthy. 

I found that almost completely cutting out alcohol (drinking it only when there is a reason to - a glass of wine with a nice dinner, or a beer or two when I go out with friends) was a quick way to lose weight.  Then again, I also cut down severely on "splurge" foods I couldn't afford in my calorie intake.