The Hidden Connection Between Alcohol and Weight Loss
Written on
Chapter 1: My Journey with Weight Gain
Growing up, I was always on the slimmer side, so it was a shock when I noticed my weight increasing in my mid-twenties. Initially, I welcomed this change, moving from 150 pounds to 160, then 170, thinking I was finally “filling out.” I believed I could finally face my grandmother without her comments about needing to eat more.
However, my weight didn’t stop there. At my height, the threshold between a “healthy” weight and “overweight” is 174 pounds, and I became increasingly alarmed as I approached that figure. When I finally surpassed it, my concern deepened. By the time I reached my late twenties, I was gaining over ten pounds annually, culminating in a peak weight of 216 pounds—definitely within the “obese” category.
This dramatic weight gain was deeply uncomfortable and costly; I had to frequently replace my entire wardrobe, including suits. I hardly recognized myself in the mirror. In response, I began to diet more frequently, but like many dieters, my efforts yielded minimal success. I attempted calorie counting for a week at a time, only to abandon it, never managing to lose more than a couple of pounds or keep them off for long.
Then, about five years ago, I stumbled upon a genuine method for weight loss. By eliminating a significant source of calories from my daily routine, the pounds began to fall away. I achieved my target weight around four years ago and have maintained it since.
My Secret to Sustainable Weight Loss
So, what was the key to my transformation? How did I shift from a cycle of gaining weight to shedding it without much effort? The answer was simple: I stopped consuming alcohol.
Alcohol was the hidden factor contributing to my weight gain, and achieving sobriety became the foundation of my weight loss journey. During my twenties, I was a daily, heavy drinker, consuming a minimum of a six-pack of IPAs each day, often more.
This addiction had numerous negative repercussions on my life, but the most apparent was my weight gain. Drinking over a thousand empty calories daily explained my escalating weight. Looking back at my early dieting attempts, I realize how misguided they were. I would count calories and restrict my food intake while still engaging in daily drinking. This was not only absurd but also perilous, as I was not consuming nearly enough nutrients.
I once reflected on this by stating:
"In retrospect, it’s clear my primary issue in my twenties was my drinking, not just my weight gain."
The weight gain was merely a symptom of my addiction. An objective observer would have easily recognized that my drinking habits needed immediate attention. My daily consumption was swiftly undermining my physical and mental health, far beyond merely increasing my weight.
Yet, like many addicts, I overlooked the core issue and fixated on losing weight. When I finally decided to quit drinking—around five and a half years ago—losing weight became surprisingly manageable. I lost most of my excess weight effortlessly, despite actually eating more than before.
By eliminating alcohol, I cut thousands of calories from my weekly intake. Even if I had tried, it would have been challenging to replace that caloric deficit with food. It was impossible for me to lose weight while drinking daily; the risks were too great. The sole path to shedding those pounds lay in giving up alcohol.
In reflecting on my time as an alcoholic, I recognize this pattern frequently. While I attempted to enhance my life in various ways, alcohol consistently hindered my progress. Quitting drinking didn’t resolve all my issues, but it was an essential first step in beginning to rebuild my life.
About Benya Clark
I am a former lawyer turned writer, dedicated to discussing sobriety and mental health. If you found this article insightful, consider subscribing to my weekly newsletter featuring essays on sobriety.
Exploring the Impact of Alcoholism
One of the most common ways for an alcoholic to rationalize their drinking is to compare their habits with others…
Chapter 2: The Role of Alcohol in Weight Management
This video discusses effective strategies for managing weight while addressing alcohol consumption. It shares six essential tips for balancing weight loss and social drinking.
This video explores the concept of liquid calories and how they affect weight loss, particularly for those who struggle with alcohol consumption.