People who gain fat from alcohol tend to gain it in the midsection of their body, causing an alcohol or “beer belly.” Cutting back on regular, moderate-to-heavy alcohol intake can make it easier to lose weight. People also find that they experience fewer unhealthy food cravings when they cut back on alcohol.
After two weeks of giving up alcohol, some people find that they begin to effortlessly lose weight during this time, thanks to removing the excess calories associated with alcoholic beverages. If you don't lose weight, don't panic, it's normal for this to take longer too.
It takes a caloric deficit of 3,500 calories to lose one pound, meaning even moderate daily drinkers could expect to lose at least one pound per week by doing nothing more than eliminating alcohol from their diet.
If you stop drinking alcohol for a whole month, you can reduce the stress placed on your GI tract. It could help you with bloating. Alcohol is also an inflammatory agent. If you stop drinking alcohol for a month, you will have less inflammation throughout your body, getting rid of aches and pains.
Overall benefits of three weeks without alcohol
Weight loss. Clear skin. More energy. Improved gym performance.
For one, I am physically renewed with a new sense of normal, one gloriously free from hangovers. I wake up most days by 6:30 a.m. and meditate. Often, I will do some yoga or stretching before work. Mornings are quiet and calm, and I move through them with a grateful mind.
In excess, alcohol consumption may cause adverse effects on your body, leading to weight gain. For example, alcohol may affect hormones that control appetite, hunger, and stress. Alcohol is high in calories and is likely to increase abdominal fat.
Cutting alcohol out for two weeks can have some impressive benefits, including weight loss, improved sleep, and increased energy levels.
Although positive changes may appear earlier, 3 months of not drinking can not only improve your mood, energy, sleep, weight, skin health, immune health, and heart health.
By 4-8 weeks after quitting, your gut will start to level out. Your sleep-quality will improve. Though we may fall asleep faster when we drink, our brains actually increase alpha wave patterns, which cause our brains to be more active than they should be while we sleep.
However, by day 4 without alcohol, most people will have got beyond any initial withdrawal symptoms. All the alcohol will have left your system by now, and your body will begin to bounce back. If you're not as focused on alcohol, you may be eating better, drinking water, moving more, and perhaps sleeping more deeply.
Quitting drinking for 30 days can have a number of positive effects on both your physical and mental health. Some of the potential benefits include improved sleep quality, increased energy levels, better concentration and focus, weight loss, and improved overall health.
Why the calories in alcohol can lead to a 'beer belly' Drinking alcohol will add to the overall calories we consume each day. Calories from alcohol are 'empty calories', meaning they have little nutritional benefit. So consuming extra calories through drinking can lead to weight gain.
Dry January doesn't always lead to weight loss in part due to the way the body metabolizes alcohol. Some gain weight after giving up booze since their guts heal and their bodies get more nutrients. Focus on what you can control, like nourishing your body and appreciating the benefits of sobriety.
In general, it is too many calories that cause the waistline to expand, not calories from a specific source such as beer. Whether they come from alcohol, sugary drinks, fried foods, desserts or oversized portions, any type of calories have the potential to increase belly fat.
It is packed in tightly and, as it builds up, it will push the abdominal wall outward, exaggerating the appearance of the beer belly. The abdominal wall itself is made of muscle and tough fibrous tissues and is very firm; thus the belly will feel hard.
Alcohol and the stomach
Some evidence suggests alcoholic drinks can make your stomach produce more acid than usual, which can gradually wear away your stomach lining and make it inflamed and painful (gastritis). Over weeks or months, this could mean you develop painful ulcers in your stomach lining.
Once you quit drinking, serotonin production can eventually return to normal. If you continue to struggle with depressive symptoms during recovery, you may require medication. By eliminating alcohol from the equation, you can better understand your mental health and determine what it is you need to feel your best.
Getting sober from an alcohol addiction or substance use disorder is a huge accomplishment, and the first 30 days are crucial. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, remember that help is available. There are many resources out there to get you through this difficult time.
6 Months - Improved Focus
At this stage, you've continued to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer. This is the point where some more intangible benefits start to appear. Some people find that their self-esteem improves and ability to be self-compassionate also increases (Collison et al., 2016).
Research has also shown that taking a month-long break from alcohol can be good for the liver. For a successful break from alcohol, as with dieting, it's important to have a plan in place for when the allotted break time ends.
WHAT YOU'LL NOTICE: Within a week or so, you'll likely notice more energy and that you're thinking more clearly and sleeping better. You'll probably also notice less puffiness, especially in your face and around your eyes, and might even shed a few extra pounds.