Dry Jan and NO weight loss

[Holdonforsummer]

I’m so annoyed. I’ve done Dry January and just weighed myself and I have lost NO weight. Nada. But of background: I am 46 years old, 5’ 7’’ with a sporty build (big shoulders, bubble butt), and my usual weight is around 11 stone 9 pounds. After Christmas I was alarmed to find out it had risen to 12 stone 1 which is big for me so decided to do Dry January for weight loss, and to be nice to my liver. I usually drink about 2 bottles of red wine a week and as far as I am aware, I did not replace this with anything in January. I walk the dog three times a day, cook from scratch most evenings, do cardio about three times a week (Parkrun, Body Combat etc) and my weight today is STILL 12 stone 1. Is it my age? I feel so deflated that my dry January made no difference to my weight at all.

What do you mean by “wide”?

And erm she did say how she drinks the wine.

You can’t tell someone they don’t binge drink and so it’s all fine. We don’t know each other anyone could say anything online. They also might be kidding themselves about their habits. And other people could read this and think oh 2 bottles of wine a week is fine because I am not out on the lash like I used to be and it’s normal everyone is doing it.

It’s well over recommended limits for women however you drink it. Home poured measures could easily be 6 units or more. So you cannot definitively know. I think it’s irresponsible to try to define excess of alcohol consumption into something that is more palatable to make you feel better about your own choices when it’s well established that it’s not good for you and doesn’t have any health benefits (they might be very small but wiped out by excessive consumption). If you want to drink frequently and know the risks then that’s fine, your choice but just because you do it too doesn’t mean scientific evidence is not real or relevant

I think I do know! There are never more than two bottles of red wine in the house a week and my husband always snaffles some too. I am trying to be better (hence this thread) but I am really not overly worried about that aspect of it specifically. I just thought losing a bit of weight was going to be an added bonus! Lots to think about, tho. Thank you

If you have kept everything else the same (so you're eating the same diet and exercising the same amount) then you won't be in enough of a calorie deficit to lose weight. You'll just stop gaining it - if it was the booze that was causing you to gain weight.

You're no longer drinking an extra 1500 calories, but unless you are now in an overall calorie deficit you won't lose weight, you'll just stay as you are.

Calm down - you clearly didn’t read my post properly (or the OPs). No need to talk to others like they are naughty children.

I'm not learning anything from their posts either. Do they think we've all been living under a rock and do not know this information already. They are derailing the thread too.

I think a pound equals 3500 cals so cutting out two bottles of wine (about 600 cals each) wouldn't equal losing a pound a week. I think you have to drink a lot more than two bottles a week (which is bugger all in my opinion but this is Mumsnet so what can you do) for Dry January to make a difference to your weight.

Can you do something like a pump class? Its got cardio vibes and will help with muscle mass keeping your bmr and daily calorie requirement up.

One thing i find helpful is absolutely nailing my breakfast in terms of nutrition and setting a hydration target. They indirectly reduce my calorie consumption

I do berries, chia and flax, greek yoghurt and bran (350 cals)
I also calorie count and "off set" meals and treats.

2 bottles a week isnt great but its not particularly unusual. I regularly did more than that prekids but now i just cant hack it. 4 or 5 units and i feel horrendous 😭

Have you tried combining strength training and cardio? It doesn’t have to be as manic as cross-fitters (head bands and all) but you will definitely notice the difference.

@Holdonforsummer i don’t know but very similar height and weight and same age and I have not really been drinking and calorie counting for the whole of January and lost a total of 4lbs… it sucks.. maybe it’s just getting older and loosing weight is getting far harder than it used to be (sob)

No, binge drinking is if it's all in one go. She not drinking a bottle at a time.

She asked for advice on losing weight, not on her drinking.
I'm doing dry January and so far have been losing weight, but I'm also cutting calories and tracking everything. I had a bad night last night as it would have been rude to refuse food so I'll have to see if I lose this week.

Ah @Holdonforsummer I feel your pain!

I'm doing DJ and bearing in mind how much I had been drinking in December, this has been a real change and definitely for the better. However no weight has been lost (except for 3 pounds in week 1 which was water weight)

I've not drunk alcohol, not eaten one cake/biscuit/pudding, stuck to my 1600 calories (even at weekends) and been in the gym 4-5 times a week.

I am lifting heavy weights and getting heavier each week so I probably can't expect to be light as a feather! It's just a bit demoralising...

I do feel better though, my sleep is loads better and my clothes fit well again and I do look slimmer around my waist. I just haven't lost weight 😁

This is definitely not binge drinking because it’s two bottles spread over a week if it was two bottles a night that would be a binge.

It's at least 20 units (possibly more) and woman are meant to have under 14/week so it's def too much but I don't think I'd classify each drinking episode as binging