Is Alcohol Weight Loss's Enemy?

YES, YES, YES! Too many times people come to me and can’t figure out why they are not losing weight even though they have a solid exercise routine and eat the right foods. When we sit down to do a food journal it’s quickly realized their weak link, alcohol. Alcohol, plain and simple, will affect weight loss and here is why:

1. Alcohol is metabolized differently than Carbs, Fats, or Proteins. Alcohol, because it cannot be stored, absorbs almost instantly and bypasses the digestion process. It takes priority over the body and stops any nutrients from absorbing. When it enters the liver, the liver than stops metabolizing fatty acids and focuses only on the alcohol. In short, alcohol prevents your body from weight loss because it stops the processes of burning fat and absorbing nutrients.
2. Alcohol is a diuretic meaning it depletes fluids from your body. We all know how important water is to the function and efficiencies of our body, therefore affecting weight loss. If you need a refresher on the value of fluids click here.
3. Alcohol is 7 calories per gram. Furthermore this is 7 empty calories per gram. A shot of alcohol is roughly 90 calories (not to mention any calories in the sugary mixers), 12oz beer about 150 calories, and glass of wine (by rule is 5oz) is 106 calories. When on a restrictive diet, every calorie counts and should be full of a high nutrient value. Filling body with empty calories will not only allow your body to get the incorrect amount of nutrients but will slow down the metabolism due to this reason.
4. Alcohol directly affects the depth of sleep. Without getting a deep sleep, this in turn affects recovery of your body from exercise and also increases the stress hormones within your body. 

Of course I am not telling you to cut out drinking alcohol altogether, but I am saying that to see the best results with the hard effort you are putting into your exercise and nutrition regiment, it’s best to leave the alcohol out. Weight loss isn’t a “forever” thing, so set a goal to limit your alcohol intake for a limited period of time, maybe 3 to 4 weeks and see how much of a difference it affects your fat burning program. Of course when you start consuming again, keep it in moderation so the weight won’t pack back on.