The Drink Less, Weight Plan: How Cutting Back on Alcohol Can Help You Shed Pounds

You’ve tried going to the gym or even controlling the amount of food you eat, but you’re still wondering why you can’t seem to lose that big belly fat. Despite trying to eat less than you usually would, you’re still filling your body with unwanted calories due to the alcohol you drink.
There’s a reason why people call it “beer belly.” That alone can give you a hint as to what’s causing your problem.
This article will give you an insight into the direct relationship between alcohol and weight loss.

Alcohol and Weight Loss
We don’t want to sugarcoat things by saying you’ll lose weight immediately if you cut back on booze. The weight loss associated with alcohol use is based on a calorie deficit.
Assume you drink a 200-calorie gin tonic every night as a nightcap. That implies adding 1400 calories to your regular calorie intake. If you go out with your buddies for unlimited mimosas at least once a week, you’ll add more.

You will save 2,800 calories if you abstain from alcohol for two weeks and save 5,600 calories over a month. Given the calories, it may appear that refraining from alcohol and decreasing weight are mutually exclusive.
However, because everyone’s metabolism and physical activity levels vary, how much weight you lose may differ from someone else’s.

What Happens To Your Body When You Stop Drinking?
When you quit drinking, you may experience symptoms of alcohol withdrawal as soon as six hours after your last drink. Anxiety, slight agitation, restlessness, sleeplessness, tremor, perspiration, palpitations, elevated blood pressure, headache, and alcohol desire are some of the symptoms. You may also have a loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting.

The severity of your withdrawal symptoms is determined by how much, how long, and how frequently you ingest, as well as hereditary variables.
Alcohol withdrawal occurs when your brain becomes overly used to continual exposure to alcohol. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that slows down the brain. If you drink frequently, your brain will compensate by generating stimulating substances. When you quit, your brain produces many chemicals, resulting in withdrawal symptoms.

Unfortunately, withdrawal symptoms cannot be avoided, but they can be reduced gradually by weaning yourself off. Reduce your alcohol consumption by one or two every week, then by three or four, rather than quitting cold turkey all at once. This gives your body time to adapt to the change.
If you want to lose one pound of body fat every week, you should cut your caloric intake by 500 calories per day. Of course, you’ll still need enough food to sustain your body, so aim for no more than one or two pounds every week.
The final message is that quitting drinking to lose weight will not result in weight loss immediately, although it will help a great deal in your journey to a healthier and fitter body.

A Timeline on How Your Body Adjusts To Lesser Alcohol Consumption
During the first week, your body goes into detox mode. Your nervous system will begin to notice the absence of alcohol. If you are a heavy drinker, your body might start craving. This is when withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, headaches, agitation, insomnia, and even tremors will manifest. Be prepared to experience any of these symptoms within the second to the seventh day after your last drink. These symptoms can last within two to three days, but severe withdrawal can last longer.

After the first week of withdrawal, you may still crave alcohol, but you will notice that it is easier to resist. You’ll start to feel more like yourself, especially if you aren’t a heavy drinker. If you are, recovery may take a bit longer. Your nervous system will be sharper, and your liver will start to repair itself. You’ll also start noticing that you will sleep much better than you did. Nonetheless, you’ll feel better than you did during the first few days of withdrawal. This progress will continue going on for over a month.

From the first month of your cutting back on alcohol, things will only get better. Of course, the results will depend on how regularly you drink and how much. You will start to notice that your body is functioning better than what you are used to. Your skin will look healthier, your blood pressure will be lower, along you with a better operating nervous, immune, and digestive system. Your liver will thank you immensely for giving it a chance to repair itself.

Tips on Losing Weight with Lesser Alcohol Consumption
One of the first ways to lessen your alcohol consumption is learning how to say “no.” Planning out what to say and being firm with your decision is the key to avoiding any awkward encounters later on.
It’s also helpful to train yourself to face things confidently instead of relying on liquid courage to get you through.

It will also be easier if you stop thinking about what you miss out on. Looking for substitutes when going out will also help you. Mocktails are a great alternative. However, if you are watching your weight, mocktails also tend to be sugary and may contain many calories.
If it’s possible, you can also swap night outs with dinner dates, gym dates, or just by taking a walk together. There are better alternatives to hanging out with friends.
There are several compelling reasons you should reduce your drinking even if you don’t lose a pound. Aside from feeling better, looking better, sleeping better, and performing better at the gym, your body will also be better internally.

Conclusion
Basically, losing weight is easier with lesser alcohol consumption. Your body will undergo a lot of changes but ultimately, you will be feeling so much better.
Now that you know how much cutting back on alcohol can help you shed your extra pounds, you’ll need a friend to help you along the way and to guide you on keeping the right track. This app for weight loss from Sunnyside will help you stay on track with your fitness goal.