5 Negative Effects of Alcohol on Weight Loss
By Richelle Melde
1. Increased Calories: If you are trying to lose weight, paying attention to the number of calories you are consuming on a daily basis is important. You want every calorie to count, and give you the maximum amount of nutrition possible. Calories from alcohol are not good calories, but in fact they are empty calories. Alcohol contains 7 calories per gram, which is almost more then protein and carbohydrates by gram, combined. Alcohol is just slightly less in calories by gram, then fat. Fat has 9 calories per gram, but keep in mind that fat does contribute various nutrients the body needs, alcohol contributes none.
- Alcohol is nothing more then empty calories, and should be eliminated or drastically reduced when engaged in a weight loss program.
2. Dampened Energy: The lure of alcohol and binging is hard to overcome, as it is present everywhere in our modern society. The effects are not short lived either. Today, many are being affected because of the alcohol they consumed yesterday. One of the prominent areas affected is energy. Those suffering from hangovers due bingeing alcohol generally do not have the energy to do much, never mind exercising vigorously. This is the result of the chemical affects on the nervous, circulatory, and respiratory systems of the individual. Initially alcohol may produce a stimulating effect, but quickly that effect turns into breakdown, and sedation.
- Although alcohol may produce a temporary surge of energy, eventually it will dampen most of the body’s energy, and vitality.
3. Slower Metabolism: One of the unique aspects of alcohol consumption is that it is absorbed directly through the stomach walls into the blood stream, and converted into fat. The effect is a slowing down of the metabolism. This will then make it much more difficult to engage the aerobic energy burning system required to burn stored fat. Of course the burning of stored fat produces weight-loss. A slowed metabolism can last anywhere from 24 to 48 hours, depending on the amount of alcohol consumed by the individual. The presence of this extra fat in the blood stream changes the rate that calories are burned, and makes weight gain more probable.
- The practice of binge drinking will change the rate in which calories are metabolized, thereby making weight-loss more complex.
4. Reduced Motivation: Initially, the consumption of alcohol can produce a surge of energy in the bloodstream, but very quickly it will begin to sedate the individual. With this sedation comes reduced inhibition, and if you are on a diet this effect on your brain makes it more difficult to resist those foods that are counterproductive to your weight-loss program. It is much harder to maintain limits when under the influence of alcohol as well. The motivation to make good food choices, and exercise portion control are slowly lost as alcohol consumption increases. The effects are not only immediate, but the after effects, which include hangovers, and other bodily discomforts, can inhibit motivation for days.
- Alcohol consumption will not only reduce motivation, but will diminish your capacity to make good choices regarding your weight-loss which will more then likely result in additional weight gain.
5. Health Affects: The long-term use of alcohol comes with some rather steep consequences that will also affect an individual’s health. When alcohol is consumed on a regular basis it can damage the liver, kidneys, and digestive tract. As alcohol is absorbed into the body, the metabolism breaks it down into ether, and formaldehyde. The ether is what makes you feel drunk, dilates the capillaries/blood vessels, and interferes with brain function. As these chemicals make their way through the bloodstream, they are filtered out by the kidneys, and liver which are damaged in the process.
- As a consequence of the habitually use of alcohol, damage to the kidneys, and liver can be irreparable, resulting in major medical problems.
About the Author:
Richelle Melde is a CHEK Practitioner Coach and Boot Camp Expert Instructor. She has owned and operated Ultimate Body Boot Camp for nearly 5 years and has helped hundreds of people achieve their goals.
Visit her online at www.cometobootcamp.com for more information or call
