Originally Posted by eh1988

A lot of alcoholics tend to gain weight when they quit, I think because their appetite comes back to normal. Well, for me I actually tend to lose weight when I stop drinking for periods of time. I feel like beer only adds excess fat and I feel slobbish after a few weeks of drinking.

Originally Posted by desertsong

Dawnie, when I quit drinking I lost nearly 30 pounds in just a couple of months without even trying. I ate like a pig when I drank and now I have much less of an appetite, so I'm sure that is helping, plus I'm eating healthy when I do eat. But also, I've eliminated a TON of empty calories from my diet by not drinking and I have lost that "alcoholic bloat" too, so that must have contributed too. Soooo many health "plus's" since we quit. Amazing, the healing capacity of the human body, even after many, many years of abuse. Miraculous, really.

Originally Posted by justhadenough

hi Dawnie

Its 2 months for me since I stopped(though had 2 glasses of wine 1 night a few weeks ago) I've lost 20 pounds in weight despite eating lots of choc and cakes. Alcohol is just full of empty calories 1 bottle of wine has about 600-800 calories in it. I was drinking 1 1/2 bottles of wine a day so when i stopped that's 1000 calories reduced per day. Also when I was drinking I ate more the next day due to hangover etc. So I don't want to eat as much now tho not consciously on a diet.

Originally Posted by lillyknitting

You don't need to go on a diet, just quit drinking. Alcoholism full of calories and anyone will tell you puts weight on drastically.

Originally Posted by stillsleeping

Hi Dawnie, they're right. Whenever I quit, the pounds fly off. It's not just fat - when you're drinking your body becomes aware that it's constantly being dehydrated and filled with toxins, so your cells retain fluid as a kind of backup - Google it and see what I'm talking about. A lot of the weight you're carrying will be bloat, and it's the first thing to go when your body starts to trust that you're going to stop abusing it for a minute. Do you remember that show You Are What You Eat? Remember how Gillian used to put the fatties on a healthy diet and in, like 2 weeks, they'd gone streamlined? Lost the bloat. Good luck hon, that Manchester winter's almost over. Get your walking shoes on!
x

Originally Posted by babycat

Last year, I did not quit fully but cut waaay back for about 6 months. Drank in moderation maybe 3-6x a month and even then, the weight melted off. It was awesome. Had not been so thin in years. Of course, as soon as I returned to my near nightly binges, it came back as quickly as it came off. Bummer. I think its definitely a combo of extra calories from alcohol, eating crap when drunk, and not having the energy or drive to work out the day after.

Originally Posted by BillyPilgrim

cut down and taxis and drink dawnie, and you will be able to afford a mansion!!

Originally Posted by BillyPilgrim

They are full of sugar, for people who are working out and need the cals. You will find with quitting drink that your body shouts for the calories you used to drink (all empty) and you are probably thirsty all the time, because your body was used to calories via booze, so thinks they will come the same way.
Drink water and tea, and low cal drinks or juice

Originally Posted by stillsleeping

That's rough. Sounds like you're carrying a lot of problems right now - are you getting any help for the bulemia?

Originally Posted by WhySoSerious

when i drank i lost weight, but i also never ate. I'd go 2-3 days no meals after that maybe 1 meal a day. went from 260lbs down to 205lbs. when i quit drinking for 4 months on my own last year my appetite came back and since i have a desk job i shot back up to 230 in a matter of months. so now i gotta get back to the gym. 205-220 is a good weight for me being 6'5"

Originally Posted by sugarbear1

One's diet is what they consume. Try eating a well balanced healthy diet. Make sure you are active. It will all balance out!

Everyone is different. Lots of factors to consider when living a healthy life.

You are young and with proper eating and movement, you'll look be healthy soon!

Originally Posted by NoTime4Tricks

Last year I took a break from drinking when my body just had enough after years and years of drinking heavily, and my liver wasn't getting along with me (at 31 years old). I was able to quit for 6 weeks cold turkey and lost 30 lbs with no effort at all. After those 6 weeks I thought I could just drinking moderately and only on weekends...wrong! 30 lbs came back almost instantly and I was back to my old self. So I think if you don't indulge in comfort food to makeup for the alcohol, you will def lose weight without it.