If you’ve tried and failed to lose weight, you might wonder what you’re doing wrong. The truth is that your level of alcohol consumption could be the reason your new diet plan isn’t working, or why you can’t seem to lose belly fat.

While some studies claim that there is no direct link between alcohol and weight loss or gain, others show that heavy drinking may contribute to weight gain due to alcohol’s high-calorie count and could slow down weight loss efforts.

In this article, we’ll go over five simple strategies for cutting back on alcohol, which will boost your weight loss efforts.

5 Easy Steps to Start Cutting Back on Drinking

Drinking in moderation can seem like a tall order for many, but if you follow these tips you’ll get right back on your weight loss goals in no time:

1.Keep count of how many drinks you have

The first step is to track how much alcohol you’re consuming. You want to ensure your daily limit is in line with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which recommends no more than two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women. To lose weight, you should drink less than this limit.

Binge drinking, defined as five drinks or more per pay period for men and four drinks or more for women, is frequently the cause of most alcohol-related harm and may be why you’re struggling to lose weight.

On the other hand, keeping track of how many drinks you’ve had may be complicated. As a result, you should think about using an alcohol tracker like Sunnyside. Alcohol-tracking apps can help you log and track your alcohol consumption daily, weekly, and monthly.

2.Have alcohol-free days

Assume you’ve tracked your alcohol consumption and discovered that you’re exceeding the daily limit recommended by the Dietary Guidelines; what should you do next to boost your weight loss efforts?

One piece of advice is to begin portion control by using smaller glasses. Portion control is critical for achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. You could also incorporate a few alcohol-free days into your weekly schedule; it is an excellent way to form new and break old habits. If you usually have a couple of drinks after work, you could switch to a healthier drink or go for a run instead.

Furthermore, because alcoholic beverages contain empty calories, it is best to avoid drinking them daily when trying to lose weight.

3.Make sure you’re not drinking on an empty stomach

Drinking on an empty stomach increases the effect of alcohol and makes you feel tipsy faster, which can lead to overeating or drinking. Furthermore, studies show that people who drink more alcohol are less likely to make healthy food choices. They tend to eat foods high in unhealthy fats and sugars.

As a result, you should eat before drinking. Eating before you drink reduces absorption and aids in impulse control. You’ll also be more aware of your food choices this way.

Also, to avoid gaining unhealthy calories, keep some healthy snack options for when you get hungry after drinking. Vegetables, fruits, hummus, and air-popped popcorn are all good snack options.

4.Opt for low-calorie alcoholic drinks

While it may appear that you must eliminate all forms of alcoholic beverages from your diet if you are trying to lose weight, this is not the case. You don’t have to go cold turkey to lose that pesky belly fat.

Yes. Most alcoholic beverages contain empty calories, which means they provide no nutritional value to the body. Therefore, instead of reaching for drinks high in unhealthy sugar and calories, try these 100-calorie alternatives.

Here are some alcoholic beverages that you can enjoy while trying to lose weight:

• Whiskey. 1.5 ounces of 86-proof whiskey contains approximately 97 calories. So, try your whiskey on the rocks instead of a soda cocktail for a low-calorie alternative.
• Tequila. 1.5 ounces of tequila contains 100 calories. A traditional tequila shot with lime and salt is all you need for a low-calorie drink.
• Brandy. In 1.5 ounces of brandy, there are approximately 100 calories. Even if you’re trying to lose weight, have a glass of this as an after-dinner digestif.

However, it is essential to note that when choosing a low-calorie alcoholic drink, you must still adhere to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans: one drink per day for women and two for men. Do not binge drink, as this will hinder your weight loss efforts even though they are low-calorie drinks.

5.Slow down

Just as eating too quickly can lead to overeating, drinking too fast will cause you to drink more than usual. Sip your drink slowly and savor the flavor; also, put your drink down between sips.

When you’re finished, drink some water or a non-alcoholic beverage. Also, rather than having a few drinks before dinner, wait until dinner is served. That way, your body can reduce the effects of alcohol, and you’ll need fewer drinks.

How Alcohol Affects Weight Loss Efforts

 Here are a few ways that alcohol can interfere with your weight loss efforts:

• As previously stated, alcohol frequently contains empty calories that pack your body with calories that have little to no nutritional value. Drinks with mixers may contain even more calories.
• Aside from causing weight gain due to high-calorie counts, alcohol is also a primary energy source. Then the excess glucose and lipids are stored as adipose tissue or fat when the body uses this energy source.
• Most people believe that “beer gut” is a myth. However, alcohol, like most foods high in simple sugars, can quickly lead to weight gain. Unfortunately, you cannot choose where your excess fat is stored, but it frequently ends up in the abdominal area.

Conclusion

While eliminating alcohol from your diet is not the only way to lose weight, it can provide numerous benefits that can aid your weight-loss efforts. 

The best way to control the calories you get from drinking is to limit how much you drink. Set a limit for yourself before you go out and stick to it. Use an alcohol tracker or an app for weight loss to aid your journey.