Did giving up alcohol make a massive difference.....?

[Nancery]

I lost ten pounds (I weigh myself every three weeks) since Jan but last weigh in showed I'd put one back on. I know why, I'm doing MFP but have got increasingly lax about recording wine; I drink most nights (I kniw, i know), not loads (I am rarely drunk) and think it's sabotaging my calorie cutting. So, I'm trying to cut it out, at least during the week, so I can get down to a stone lighter by mid April (want to lose about two and a half stone but taking it slowly.) Has anyone done similar and seen a significant difference? I'm hoping to feel inspired rather than just desperate for the weekend!

[iwantgin]

Yes, it makes a huge difference to me. In actual weight, but physical appearance is less puffy and bloated.

Try cutting out the alcohol - nothing to losse -apart from the weight :)

[JoyceDivision]

I hope it does. I haven't had any wine for a week. I want to be 2 sizes smaller by teh weekend

am contemplating taking up running. which is really bad.

[dementedma]

Yes, it makes huge difference. Hard to do but really has an impact.

[SunnySomer]

Makes a massive impact. I cut down to 3 glasses of wine a week (so half a bottle on a Saturday) and in conjunction with calorie counting and some exercise lost 2.5 stones. I'm sure alcohol made the biggest difference because whenever I e stopped concentrating on limiting it, my tummy starts reverting to its bloaty fat state...

[Nancery]

Gosh, so it's a dramatic difference then? I am not surprised, and totally agree re the puffy / bloated look. I am semi thinking that it would be brilliant if I could give up till we go away (mid April) although it's often easier said than done (God, how awful does that sound!)

Good luck JoyceDivision!

[Nancery]

SunnySomer how long did it take you to lose two and a half stone?

[Nancery]

(Am now hoping you'll say a fortnight...!)

[mooth]

Cutting out alcohol doesn't seem to make any difference to my weight.

[Milllli]

Stopped drinking a couple of years ago. Don't get the bad headaches that alcohol caused but didn't lose any weight.

[TalkinPeace]

A bottle of wine is 600 calories
the late night munchies you get when pissed is another 500 calories .....

[Effii]

No made no difference.

[Nancery]

TalkingPeace I am aware of the calorie content of wine, and possible subsequent munching.

[007JamesBond]

And the carb / fried food cravings the next day if you have one too many.

[timeaftertimeagain]

Nope, not for me. Used to drink like a fish but gave up 3 months ago. Haven't lost a sausage.

[FifiLaFoofie]

I haven't touched any alcohol since December last year and it's made a big difference but I've also changed my eating habits too (which is easier to do now all my food choices are made completely sober-like )

[Nancery]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I have read that alcohol slows the metabolism you see so was wondering how it applies to real life (seems 50/50 so far from your replies!)

[JoyceDivision]

It would be niice to see people bob back on here and update on how long they stay off teh booze and any positive changes they see...My tipple of choice non booze is warm milk with vanilla syrup! Rock n roll

[UseHerName]

No booze since new year and haven't lost an ounce even with exercise and calorie control

[JoyceDivision]

UseHerName.. come on,throw some positives to spur us on! Is your skin glowing and are your eyes shining with your booze free life? How come you went booze free, is it just for a certain length of time after new year or other factors for your decision, if you don't mind me asking?

[Quiero]

As long as you count the wine in on MFP I can't see that it would make any difference weight wise. It's the fact that you aren't recording it that's the problem.

[Nancery]

I was being good re wine on my MFP but it's tapered off a bit lately. And reading the metabolism / alcohol stuff has given me a new perspective too.

And, AND, I weighed myself today and am now under 12 stone (I has gone back up to 12st 2 last time I did it.)

[Lottapianos]

Made a huge difference for me but then I was a pretty heavy weekend binge drinker. I do drink now but probably a fifth of what I was knocking back a couple of years ago. Alcohol was my main sugar source and cutting back has been a great thing in many ways. My face has changed shape and I now have cheekbones!

[motleymop]

When I don't drink alcohol, I go massively overboard on the sugary snacks and drinks instead...so no!

[Effii]

No alcohol for 3 years. Made no difference to weight.

[ChillySundays]

What's MFP? No doubt it will be obvious when you tell me!

I do weightwatchers so I point everything so as long as I don't go over my points it doesn't matter what I eat or drink

I also only but one bottle when I do the food shop - once it's gone it's gone