Given up alcohol and gaining weight! Yikes!

('Jackie P') #1

Hi! I stopped drinking on April 1st. I’m guessing I could of consumed 4,000+ calories a week of vodka (I know, shocking!)
I expected to lose weight, I’m not eating more, in fact I have stopped the late night lumps of cheese and nuts etc.
I’m wondering if maybe I am rehydrating after years of chronic dehydration? Or if there is any other phenomena at work here?
Generally, after a few days feeling 'hungover ’ for no good reason, I am feeling better and have started exercising a little more (not too much!). I have an active job.
Any thoughts would be appreciated. I know it’s early days.

#2

Initially, that was my plan too. I’d just give up alcohol and magically lose weight. What I found was that it made me want to replace with sugar and I didn’t see much weight loss.

Assuming you’re keto already since you’re on this forum. Also not sure how often you were drinking but betting it was pretty frequently for that level of calories. Maybe your liver is trying to sort itself out after that? Just a thought. You might try some fasting to give it a bit of a break.

Your “hungover for no good reason” may very well have been mild withdrawals. Fear of that kept me from quitting for years because I couldn’t let my secret out of the bag. Turns out I got lucky and didn’t have them at all. That said, it can definitely happen to anyone who routinely drinks and suddenly takes it away.

That’s only 9 days…I would hang in there and not worry too much yet. Be kind to your body with good food and rest, electrolytes, and I bet it corrects with a little time.

Oh…and you think you feel better now…wait a few weeks and see how great you feel! GREAT job caring for yourself!!

('Jackie P') #3

Thank you Maisri. I appreciate you sharing your story.
I am doing this predominately for my health, like Keto, weight loss as a side effect! Hopefully!
Yes I drank a few large vodkas every day, except when working night shifts.
Never considered myself drunk - just chilled! But 2 litres a week! Just had to stop.
I’m guessing my body is waiting to find out if I really mean it, or whether the vodka demon is going to resurface!!

#4

Same here, for a very long time. I felt exactly the same way until the last couple of years when it started progressing. I STILL don’t consider myself a drunk :slight_smile: Just a bad habit like any multitude of others out there. I did it for my health as well. Feeling like crap gets old after a time.

(John) #5

Give it a couple of weeks of abstinence for your body and mind to adjust. Just don’t replace it with a different unhealthy consumption habit and you’ll be fine. Drink water, unsweetened flavored sparkling water, club soda, tea, decaf coffee, whatever non-caloric non-alcoholic beverages you like.

(Michael - When reality fails to meet expectations, the problem is not reality.) #6

For what it’s worth from a non-alcoholic, although someone who is definitely NOT an abstemer it’s not good to be addicted to anything, especially something that is going to kill you. The addiction rules your life. So congratulations for recognizing you needed to change.

That said, don’t expect miracles. It’s going to take time to heal the damage already done but it will be healed if you stay the course. Psychological dependency is complex and not easily resolved, but can be and will be if you decide to do it.