Alcohol and weight loss.

[Snarf1987]

Hi Everyone. I’m trying to lose a little bit of a tummy I have got since lockdown and I am also trying to cut down on my alcohol consumption. Any ideas to stop the craving. It’s more out of boredom that I drink really.

[CHPA]

Suggestions. Yes. Water. It is hard to partially quit. So just drink water. Don’t buy the alcohol so it isnt in the house. If you feel stress you would normally resolve with a beer, go take a walk.

[Snarf1987 in reply to CHPA]

Thanks so much for the advice CHPA. 😀

[AsianGuy]

I agree with CHPA that water is a solution for craving. You could try tea and/or any zero calories products, because it will help your stomach feel full. When I started OMAD diet - one meal a day - three years ago, water and liquid "food" was my choices until I got used to. I am still having OMAD and I recommend you should have some research and try. Totally lose weight and do not need to control anything!

[LtRandy]

The thing that works for me is a Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA for short). When I think of having a drink I compare the costs and the benefits in my head. I stat out with short term like, " benefit = will lower stress" "cost = will add lbs. and will lead to poor decisions". Then I go into longer term, "benefit = not many" "costs = organ damage, money, guilt". I play with it for a few minutes and the urge goes away. I also ALWAYS have a healthier drink around like a protein shake, coffee, or flavored water. Then I find something interesting to do as a reward.

[kenster1]

I was the opposite lost two stone during lockdown having no alcohol put most of it back on but only have a few beers on a Saturday plenty of walks and water always helps me.

[HondaCBR1100]

I lost quite a bit of weight a couple of years ago and I think the biggest factor was reducing my alcohol intake! I started off just tracking what I was drinking, not trying to reduce, got an app on my phone so I always had it with me! Turns out I was drinking 2-4 times what is recommended... Say no more I changed to just drinking two nights a week and then focused on the Fri and Sat intake . Then cutting out a bottle of beer at the start of the evening, having a couple of glasses of red and managing my spirits at the end of the night. Biggest thing I think is to understand where you are now and what is the biggest contributor. Hope that helps, Peter

[Getsize32]

Hi, I think there is more to it than just water as other suggests here, but keeping you hydrated will help you lose weight 🙂 I myself am on a journey towards a smaller waist size and I have almost reached my goal. I have been off alcohol for almost 13 weeks and have just followed three simple rules.

Drink enough water -- Don’t get hungry -- Move

So basically eat more often and smaller healthier meals. I usually have a smoothie for breakfast so I get enough vegetables. Then during the rest of the day I eat 4 types of lunch/dinner spaced about 3 hours apart. With these meals I drink half a liter of water to make sure I get enough water throughout the day. I also usually eat a homemade low-calorie muffin with a cup of coffee sometime during the day. And as a last thing regarding food and drink, I have a bag of walnuts (250g) in the cupboard that I allow myself to pick from during the week when I feel some craving.

Please take some walks and do it your way, the aim of taking walks is to get some bodyheat and help your body to burn some calories. If walking in a steady pace for a longer time, start out with shorter period. The most importent things are that you take walks almost every day, keeping a steady pace so you get warm and that you don't get any injuries or get bored and give up. I usally take a 40 minute walk every day and more than that is never needed, but if this i to hard for you in the beginning do start small.

Good luck and do check my progress at: getsize32.blogspot.com