When it comes to effective weight loss strategies there are many factors to look at. Being a San Diego fitness trainer it is my job to not only address all those factors but give you the solutions and tools to have effective weight loss results. Many of us understand that strength training, cardio, and a sound nutrition plan are crucial to weight loss but what many people fail to realize is that consuming alcohol is really counter intuitive to their fitness goals.
It has become a social norm and almost an expectation that in social situations alcohol consumption should take place. Most holidays, nights out, dinners, and parties all offer many ways to consume alcohol. It can be challenging and almost chastising to refuse drinks. There is a stipulation in society that in order to relax and socialize one must consume alcohol. However, not only is alcohol harmful to the body for many reasons in which I will not get into, it also is counter intuitive to weight loss.
Look at it this way. Alcohol is 7 calories per gram compared to protein and carbohydrates at 4, and fat at 9.In a glass of wine there are about 90 calories, beer 150 calories, and mixed drinks can be anywhere from 150-350 calories. These are empty calories; imagine if you consumed a glass of wine a day with dinner that’s 700 extra calories a week! If you just stopped drinking you could essentially loose a little over a pound a month without changing anything else.
What makes alcohol different from fat, carbs, and protein is that it cannot be utilized as fuel by the body. It has no beneficial nutrients to provide to the body. Also, alcohol can also slow the process by which your body burns fat. The alcohol calories you consume aren’t stored. Instead, they’re converted to acetate, a type of fuel that the body burns quickly. As a result, you burn off your alcohol calories before you burn the fat you are trying to eliminate by increasing your exercise and cutting back on your food intake.
Alcohol also has been proven to not only stimulate your appetite allowing you to consume larger quantities of food it also loosens your inhibitions. This change in mind set can lead to a lack of willpower and undermine adherence to your program.
In conclusion, alcohol should be one of the first items to eliminate or at least cut back if you’re looking to loose weight successfully. For more San Diego weight loss tips follow my blog.
It’s great to recommend eliminating alcohol as part of a weight loss plan! However, as you said, it can be hard to turn down alcohol in social situations. What tips would you give to help achieve that goal?