Given up boooze and piled on weight

[bornonvalentines]

I finally accepted 2 weeks ago that I was alcohol dependent and stopped drinking alcohol. I was probably doing 1 and a half bottles of wine a night. Today is Day 15.

So, the weight should just be dropping off, no? NO. No lie - I have put on 10 pounds in 15 days.

I ate sweeties in week one to dull the sugar craving, but not enough to cause this. My only theory is that as I'm sober all the time I'm not skipping meals. I honestly feel like picking up a glass again just to keep the weight off. What the hell?

Thanks for reading and grateful for any insight into this madness!

😱

How depressing!

It's probably a short term thing? Your liver will be very thankful.

I think this might just be the way it goes. Just keep it up and you will start to see a difference. I was dry for all of Jan and most of feb and really feasted on choc as I was missing the sugar. I suddenly, after that time, started to see a change and weight started to come off. Just hold on and you will see a change. Good luck.

God nooooo, don’t succumb.apparently around two weeks is danger zone when you think you can handle just a glass. You’ll be back to the beginning again in no time.
congratultions.ive only achieved two weeks once 😳so very very well done. I imagine your body will sort itself out, give it a chance poor thing!
Also weight easier to sort out than cirrhosis!
keep going, you’ve got this, well done!

First of all, congratulations on Day 15! That’s great going.

The weight gain? Sometimes it happens. It may well change in coming weeks and months, so don’t despair.

Thank you @RandomMess @Litthefirealready @Cleansheetsandacuppa @HappyAsAGrig for your encouragement. As extra info , in the week leading up to packing it in, I got asked to leave my hairdressers (mortifying) and nurse appointment in the same week for presenting drunk. I really did/do need to stop.

Well done OP, you're doing the right thing and are hopefully on a positive journey. The sugar cravings are bad when you come off the booze, but persevere, and get some exercise in - easier with a fresher, clearer head.

The alcohol support board is very friendly and supportive, @bornonvalentines should you need a friend or two.

I’m 4 months dry, in part thanks to their wonderful support.

We are a very friendly bunch over on https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/alcohol_support/5051277-new-april-continuing-thread-for-living-an-alcohol-free-life-all-welcome?page=30&reply=136051962 @bornonvalentines

Come and join us! I am 14 Days AF today and have found the women in there a huge support

I have just finished listening to The Sober Diaries by Clare Pooley and she said she didn't lose at weight initially either and thinks it has to do with hormones and metabolism being fucked from years if being "very thirsty" . Having listened to The Huberman Podcast about what alcohol does your body and brain as well as This Naked Mind audiobook, I think there is some truth to that.

Be kind and gentle with yourself these first few weeks and months. The most important thing right now is that you don't drink. Worrying about weight etc can come later.

IWNDWYT

Well done OP and keep going, don't go back now!

This won't last. I'm 3 years sober, I put on a bit of weight in first couple of months due to higher intake of sugar and probably treated myself more because I wasn't drinking. My drink was G&T which is pretty low cal.

Then about 6 months in everything settled and I lost all weight I put on and some more.

Well done, keep going, best thing I ever did

Thank you all so much - your encouragement is EVERYTHING. I think Saturday nights are tough anyway, so I really appreciate your words.

Your weight will level out, please don't use it as a reason to undo all your hard work!
Wine contains a LOT of sugar, and with you stopping, your body will be adjusting and you will likely be eating more because your body is craving the energy. Your sleep is usually affected the first couple of weeks too and that has a big impact on weight and how much we eat. It will level out once you've given your body proper time to adjust!

Thank you again to everyone who commented - I DID not drink.

Just need to get through a Sunday roast now. Hey Ho.

Sending gratitude

Well done! You inspired me not to drink to, so thank you!
suggest cooking roast before you get tired and hungry! Have sandwich before you start cooking.
i drink because I’m hungry/ thirsty/ tired/ trying to recreate carefree days , sigh.
Put it off minute by minute, then suddenly you’ve eaten and it’s another night done! Hurrah for you !

First off, seriously well done on your first two weeks of soberity, not easy.

Also, be brutally honest, has your food intake since you have been alcohol free really amount to a few 'sweeties in a week'. It is common for people to massively underestimate their calorie intake and often 'treat' themselves as reward for sacrifices elsewhere. Often those treats end up exceeding the initial savings from giving up X.

@TheCadoganArms Very good point.

I "intellectually" get why weight gain is better than liver disease. It's just visible and tactile and flipping depressing.

I will not drink today, though. @Cleansheetsandacuppa Great tips, thank you x

@bornonvalentines bloody well done on starting your sober journey. I'm 6 months af so I know your struggles. You may have put on 10lbs in WEIGHT but it's not 10lbs of FAT. You'd have to be eating something like an extra 2000 on top of your maintenance to put on that much fat. (Forget the exact science/numbers so forgive me). Your body is adjusting. Your weight will stabilise. You'll be more motivated to move more and eat healthier very soon. It took me months to completely adjust. Hang in there, eat what have to eat to stay sober. I'm rooting for you.