Alcohol and weight loss are traditionally not the best of friends…However, if done correctly, many of us will be happy to know that you CAN still drink alcohol and still lose weight.
The most important thing when it comes to weight loss is remaining in a calorie deficit for the day. Meaning that you are burning more calories than you are consuming. This is also true when it comes to alcohol, however, drinking does make losing weight far harder than it needs to be.
YOUR LIVER STOPS WORKING
It may sound dramatic, but it is true. When we drink, our liver burns through the alcohol instead of burning body fat. This means that not only will you be consuming the extra (empty) calories from the alcohol, but your liver will be storing additional fat around your stomach area. This is where the affectionate term ‘beer belly’ comes from.
The same applies to your blood sugar levels, you will find that when drinking alcohol, your blood sugars go all over the place. They can raise, decrease and generally mess with your body. This can be particularly dangerous for those with diabetes and you should consult a medical professional to see if alcohol could be dangerous for you.
THE HANGOVER
We’ve all been there…It is often easy to overlook the day after when drinking alcohol and how that may be impacting your weight loss goals.
Let's be honest, no one goes for a salad when they are hungover.
The kinds of greasy foods that you will be wanting to consume instead will not be doing anything good for your diet and will definitely not be helping you reach your goals. Likewise, the headaches and tiredness will leave you far less likely to want to do any exercise the next day, so the likelihood is that you will not be in a calorie deficit for the day after you drink either.
ITS NOT ALL BAD NEWS!
Whilst avoiding alcohol is the easiest method of helping you reach your weight loss goals, there are still some great alternatives to allow you to still have fun and minimise the impact of drinking.
Water should be an essential part of your night, by keeping yourself hydrated, you will not only be reducing your chances of the dreaded hangover, but because of the amount of liquids you will be consuming, you will be consuming less alcoholic drinks and thus less empty calories. A good rule of thumb is to match every alcoholic drink you have with a full glass of water.
CHOOSE YOUR DRINKS CAREFULLY
When it comes to weight loss, not all drinks are made equally. Instead of going for beers or ciders, clear spirits are a far less calorific choice. Something like a single vodka lime with soda water (or even small amounts of lime cordial) is a far better alternative.
Another good solution is to have something like the vodka lime soda, then make your next drink just a lime soda. This way, no one needs to know that you aren’t drinking and will still able to get involved without facing any peer pressure to drink.
FIND YOUR BALANCE
Just like everything else to do with weight loss, moderation is key. Find a balance that works for you. Whilst alcohol is not doing anything good for your body or results, there is a fun, social side to it which should not just be ignored. So long as you are realistic about your results and know how the alcohol will be impacting your progress, you can still enjoy your night without worrying too much.
