alcohol and weight loss correlation

So I know there have been many topics speculating the correlation between alcohol consumption and weight loss and whether or not it will slow down the weight loss process.  Well I decided to do a little experiment, here is my weight log for the past couple of months...

9/7: 135 no loss

9/14 135 no loss

9/21 135 no loss

9/28 134 -1

10/5 132 -2

10/12 131 -1

10/19 129 -2

10/26 127 -2

11/2 127 no loss


By this you can totally tell when I quit drinking and when I decided to drink.  Yep the weeks with no loss were weeks that I drank, no binge drinking, still within my calorie range for the day, maybe 1 or 2 nights that week. 

When I first started my weight loss journey in June it didn't make a difference if I drank two or three times a week, but now that I'm closer to my goal it clearly makes a huge difference.

So I've decided to do a one week a month allowance for drinking one or two nights that week, and the rest of the month, or longer if I feel like it=alcohol free

Did you stay well-hydrated on the days you drank?  

i did, and my diet was almost the same, - the calories i saved for drinking.  My activity level was the same as well, the only real difference was the alcohol

I just wanted to make sure, since that could easily cause those results.  Alcohol does tend to dehydrate, after all!

 Definitely some food for thought.

Thanks for the data. And I like your idea. I think I'll start paying more attention to how my weekend 2-3 glasses of wine are affecting me! 

One thought, I am amazed that you stayed within your calorie range on the days you drank.  I can barely stay under my stupid 1300 recommended allotment. I have to be sure to work out on the weekend, because I want one or two glasses of wine and it adds calories so fast. 7oz of wine is 158 calories!  Two of those and I'm barely eating any food if I stay under my suggested limit and don't work out. 

You know how our bodies metabolisum slows down when they don't get enough food.  Do you think this is also a factor to your body stabilizing and not losing weight..... because you are eating less to accommodate the alcohol?         &nb sp;  

What are your thoughts?

Cat

I noticed a similar thing.  I didn't keep track of my weight like that but when I stopped having a glass of wine every night the weight starting dropping quicker.   I don't see why if it's within the calorie limit that it keeps weight on.  So sad too because I love having my glass of wine at night, :( haha.

i totally understand shimmerangel, I am a beer, meat and potatoes girl so it has been difficult.  I've read that it has something to do with how your body breaks down alcohol, but not too sure on the science. 

Cat: I run 3 miles (-315 cals) to balance out my three beers 102 cals each, so I eat about the same, on days I run and don't drink I get an extra snack, so it's not so hard to cut that out for me.  But it might be a contributing factor, because I was getting less than 1200 calories from food.  (1400 cal limit, 1100 from food, 300 from beer)  so that might have an impact as well, although I'm not sure starvation mode is so quick like that.

It was interesting for me to notice all of this anyway

I decided to stop drinking when I tailgate at football games for the same reason.  I couldn't precisely pin the slow loss  on drinking but I have a hunch that it is the major factor.

alcolol is empty non food calories. Easy to consume and tuff to burn off. I spent 1 1/2 hours doing cardio to burn the 800 calories I took in last night. Alcohol is asstringent and can cause you to hold water. So I am not surprised by your results. Good for you in keeping track. Alcohol, and oriental food tend to make me retain water. It's a tuff deal trying to drop those pounds and still going out with friends and having a drink. Good topic, good post and good luck with your diet program.
M

To be honest I have not found that it effects my weight loss.  Sometimes I actually have noticed I have lost more when I have drank.  Maybe my body motabilizes it differently or something but I guess it goes to show for most people it's the truth.

Nikki: that's what it used to be like for me too!  I wish it wouldv'e stayed that way, but now that I'm just 10-15 pounds from my goal my body is breaking it down differently...weird

Alcohol impedes weight loss regardless of calorie intake. There are some great articles, all of which I am too lazy to find. Basically it has something to do with your body having to stop everything and process the alcohol, or something like that. Anyone less lazy than I am?

Wow.  That is compelling.  Thank you for sharing!!! 

Alcohol is a depressant, so it slows down all of you body functions, including your metabolism.  I have also noticed that it's easier for me to lose weight when I cut back on alcohol.  Plus, I just feel better.

Yep.  I've found that alcohol totally sabotages my weight.  It doesn't help that my favorite drink is BEER.

Well in my case alcohol does not have an affect, and i do drink mainly on the weekends only and socially.  Though its not real excessive.

Don't know why, but whenever I drink, I end up having a huge weight loss the next morning (1-2 pounds)...

Tree that happens to me also.  If I drink wine on Friday night by Saturday morning I have dropped 2 pounds.  But, it does come back.

Don't know why, but whenever I drink, I end up having a huge weight loss the next morning (1-2 pounds)...

Dehydration. Plain and simple.

Original Post by tree32497:

Don't know why, but whenever I drink, I end up having a huge weight loss the next morning (1-2 pounds)...

Alcohol has diuretic properties. After a night of heavy drinking, just think of how often you have to go to the bathroom, and there's your answer. :P