Thursday, December 13, 2012

6 Month 6 Pack Challenge

                                      

                                        6 Month 6 Pack Challenge

                 Once you start a journey you have to keep moving forward to head to the completion.

 

     I just want to start of saying that I have been on this journey on and off a long time and have lost about 60 pounds and have kept it off. I have 60 more pounds that I want to lose and it has been hard trying to get back in the right mindset to complete this journey. When you have been as large as I was or larger It is hard to look at the whole journey in its entirety. If you do that you will get very discouraged and want to give up completely. So I feel like this new journey I am on is only pt. 2 of my weight loss journey. I am going to put my weight loss journey in three parts so I don't get overwhelmed. Losing weight is an extreme battle not just because you have to diet and exercise but when you are fighting obesity there are other reasons why you have gained the weight. No one just eats and gains 100 pounds in 2 years without something being wrong. I gained weight like that before and it has been a journey to take off the weight. I remember from 2003 until 2010 I had gained 161 pounds and I couldn’t believe it. How does a person gain that much and not realize it? I got an answer for you that may not blow your mind and it’s called depression. Depression and eating to control my feelings had caused me to isolate myself and eat myself into frenzy.

      In 2010 I began to gain my life back by attempting to lose all of this weight. I remember attempting walking around the block and not being able make it half way around the block. Just years prior to this weight gain I was very athletic and jogging. It took me from 2003 to 2010 become the heaviest I had ever been and being totally unhappy. In 2010 I became very dedicated to walking every day and trying to eat right. My eating right consisted of 6 small meals a day. At my largest weight and trying to attempt to lose weight didn’t make me feel good about myself because all I could think about was how did I allow myself to get that heavy? I would get on the scale and get angry because I was so mad at myself. I would just cry and want to give up but I was determined to lose this weight. I started seeing results very fast, but the problem was that I still didn’t know how to control my emotions so when I got angry, upset, happy, or nervous I ate and ate until I could eat anymore. That’s a pattern with me.

    Now in 2012 I have become a little lazy because I have lost 60 pounds and I started to forget how fast the weight could come back on. I looked on the scale and I had gained 7 pounds because it is around the holidays and I decided to gorge myself. I looked at myself in the mirror and realized that I had to get back on this journey because I have to finish what I started. Exercise alone will not help you to lose the weight. 70 percent of weight loss is diet alone and 30 percent is exercise. I was still doing my exercises which I do Zumba Fitness but now in December 2012 I am ready to start what I finished and I am ready to tackle pt. 2 of this journey. So I have put myself on a 6 Pound 6 pack Challenge where I will complete this pt. 2 of my weight loss journey so I can this weight loss process almost finished. I am just eating 6 small meals a day and staying away from simple carbs. I will be drinking half of my body weight in water and staying away from sugar too. Eating small portions and working out 6 days a week will be my goal. I am allowing myself one can of coke zero a day so I don’t feel deprived!!!! High protein meals and very low carbs will be my goal. I will keep you updated.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

I'm not finished yet!!!!

 I have been dealing with a serious battle with being consistent and staying on top of blogging. I have still been working out and losing but I have been stuck in the writing part...I am back writing so please check this blog site daily for new blogs...Love you guys!!!! Here are some pics!!!!
                                  

         
                                                                      Before
                                                     Now

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Day 84:I have increased my exercise!!!!

  I have dramatically increased my exercise for the 90 days. I am going to workout 5 to 6 days a week for the next 90 days in order to challenge myself. I am also going to watch my portion control. I think it is time to make sure that I push myself i order to make myself better than before physically. We should always be taking ourselves to the next level and that is what I plan on doing. I want to see more results and I want to improve my fitness level so that I can do more than I ever have before. Here are some other things I am going to do in the next 90 days. My source of exercise is zumba fitness.

What is zumba fitness?
Zumba Fitness® is the only Latin-inspired dance-fitness program that blends red-hot international music, created by Grammy Award-winning producers, and contagious steps to form a "fitness-party" that is downright addictive.
Since its inception in 2001, the Zumba program has grown to become the world's largest – and most successful – dance-fitness program with more than 12 million people of all shapes, sizes and ages taking weekly Zumba classes in over 110,000 locations across more than 125 countries.

This is what my diet will now consist of for the next 90 days.
 
1. Portion Control.  The best way to make sure you have the correct portion is by measuring but sometimes that is not possible so here is some other ways
Use your hand to Estimate
Fist = 1 cup or 1 medium whole fruit
Thumb(tip to base) = 1 ounce of meat or cheese
Thumb tip(tip to 1st joint) = 1 tablespoon
Fingertip(tip to 1st joint) = 1 teaspoon
Index finger(1st to 2nd joint) = 1 inch
Cupped hand = 1-2 ounces of nuts or pretzels
Palm(minus fingers)= 3 ounces of cooked meat, fish,    or poultry
 
Use the Plate method
Divide your plate into quarters.  Fill 1/4 with a grain based side dish, 1/4 with a protein source and the remaining 1/2 with 0-1 Point vegetables and/or fruit
 
2.  5 servings of Fruits and Vegetables:  For leafy vegetables like lettuce and spinach one serving is 1 cup; for all other fruits and vegetables 1/2 cup is a serving.
 
3.  2 or 3 servings of Milk and or Milk products.
 
4.Make sure you get enough protein.  Have one to two servings of protein besides your milk servings
 
 
I believe that the way you eat truly determines the outcome of your weight loss so I want to modify my eating habits to make sure I am doing this diet thing correct.
 
I am also going to pray and meditate more in order to clear my mind of all negativity. I know that when I am stressed out or hurt I usually want to eat. Before I go to the kitchen and fill my stomach of food when I am not hungry I will began to pray and meditate.
 
 
Here is a poem that I found online and It has really helped me put this weight loss thing into some type of perspective.
 
Only One Pound
Hello, do you know me?
If you don't, you should. I'm a pound of fat,
And I'm the HAPPIEST pound of fat that you would ever want to meet.
Want to know why?
It's because no one ever wants to lose me;
I'm ONLY ONE POUND, just a pound!
Everyone wants to lose three pounds, five pounds, or fifteen pounds, but never only one.
So I just stick around and happily keep you fat.
Then I add to myself, ever so slyly, so that you never seem to notice it.
That is, until I've grown to ten, twenty, thirty or even more pounds in weight.
Yes, it's fun being ONLY ONE POUND OF FAT, left to do as I please.
So, when you weigh in, keep right on saying, "Oh, I only lost one pound."
For you see, if you do this, you'll encourage others to keep me around because they'll think I'm not worth losing.
And, I love being around you - your arms, your legs, your chin, your hips and every part of you.
Happy Days!!!
After all, I'm ONLY ONE POUND OF FAT!!!
- Author Unknown
 
 
 
 
 

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Day 79: Lord please strengthen me for this Journey...My help comes from my awesome heavenly Creator

This blog is just a prayer to my heavenly Creator. I need some serious strength on this journey. I know my strength to fight this battle of obesity can only come from God so I totally look to him!! I hope this encourages you to know that in our weakness God’s strength is made perfect!!!

  Almighty loving creator I thank you for another day!!! You are so majestic and so wonderful and I praise you just for who you are. I thank you for allowing me to live this life and the opportunity to get to know you. I know that you didn't create me to have issues with obesity. I know you created me to be healthy and strong so that I can fulfill my purpose in the earth. So I want to apologize and repent for risking my life and allowing food to master me. I have had issues with food my whole life, and have been looking for pleasure and comfort through food and as a result of me doing this I have become extremely overweight putting me at risk for obesity related diseases. Lord instead of coming to you with my problems I would go to food which is the reason why I am in this situation to begin with. So God please forgive me for my gluttony. God I know that you can get the glory out of anything Lord for your word says
  "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28 Holy Bible)"
 
 So God please heal my heart and mind and strengthen me to lose this weight. God I ask of you to use me Lord as an example to others that that you can heal all iniquities and diseases including my emotional eating disorder for your word says God. I would like to be a vessel used to help others including myself become free from this horrible disease.

   "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; (Psalms 103:3-4 Holy Bible.)

  I know that their are so many who are battling obesity all over the world who have tried again and again to lose weight only to fail. I know what this feels like God because I have tried so many times only to fail until now. So God allow my words to encourage, exhort and comfort many who feel like they are on their last leg on there weight loss journey. God I am so thankful for your forgiveness, sufficient grace and loving kindness towards me. In the midst of me not taking care of myself I could have become extremely ill or died because of some obesity related illness but God you kept me in alive and well. Lord I need during this journey so bad. God I can't do this without you. Lord strengthen my determination, willpower, drive and ability not to give up so I can be effective in the earth. Heal my mind, will and emotions on this journey and allow me to stay focused on you at all times and the vision at hand so that I won't see the obstacles but the victory. Renew my mind Lord so that I can present my body as a living sacrifice to you!!! I love you God....Amen

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Before and recent pics...Just to show my progress

This was the biggest I have ever been in my life. This was taken 2 years ago



This was last month

This is today!!!



This is today!!!! I'm on my way!!!



Day 73 The battle between my emotions and my mind


Emotions versus my Mind                    

  I have been in my feelings lately about this weight loss journey and other things in my life. I know that hard work pays off and if I put in the work I can see remarkable changes. I know that if I eat right and exercise that I will see results but my emotions are trying to sabotage my success. I am literally in a war with my emotions and my mind. I really need to fight to lose more weight. Yesterday I was fighting myself trying not to eat starchy carbs and I was truly in a battle with me. I won yesterdays battle but it was very hard.

  Every Sunday is my cheat day, and I allow myself to eat starchy carbs, 6 days a week I eat high protein low carb (veggies). When Monday came around I was having the hardest time letting go of the carbs. Usually after I have my carb fix I am ready to let them go but Monday was a different story. Monday was day 70 and I wanted to pig out. What I have learned about myself is when I crave sugar or starchy carbs (bread, pasta, cake, brownies, cake etc.) there is an emotional problem that I don't want to deal with. Those carbs make me feel so good because when our bodies release starchy carbs into our system it produces a feel good chemical in our bodies called serotonin. When serotonin is released it gives our bodies a euphoric feeling that we can become easily addicted to. I know when I had a taste of that euphoric feeling I wanted to feel it again and again. I don't know if my body can handle a cheat day, it really threw me for a loop as far as my weight loss journey is concerned. I will pass on the next cheat day to remain sane. I have to find a healthy way to cope with stress.

Healthy alternatives to overeating or breaking my diet:

1.      Prayer
2.      Reading a book
3.      Going for a walk
4.      Calling a support buddy for help
5.      Speaking positive affirmations to myself
6.      Going to Zumba fitness




What is serotonin?
Serotonin, also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine is a hormone in the pineal gland, the digestive tract, the central nervous system, and blood platelets. A hormone is a substance our body produces that regulates and controls the activity of certain cells or organs.

The molecular formula of serotonin is C10H12N2O.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter - this is a chemical substance that transmits nerve impulses across the space between nerve cells or neurons. We call these spaces synapses.

Serotonin plays an important part in the regulation of learning, mood, sleep and vasoconstriction (constriction of blood vessels). Experts say serotonin also might have a role in anxiety, migraine, vomiting and appetite.

Alterations in serotonin levels in the brain may affect mood. Some antidepressant medications affect the action of serotonin, i.e. they are used to treat depression.

About 80% of our body's total serotonin is in the gut, in the enterochromaffin cells - where it regulates intestinal movements. The rest is synthesized in the serotonergic neurons in the central nervous system.
Serotonin and insulin
Here is how ingesting sugar -- or some carbohydrate that is broken down into sugar after digestion -- can alter our mood for the better. When we digest carbohydrates, our blood sugar levels rise, and then insulin is secreted, lowering the blood levels of most amino acids with the exception of tryptophan, which is a precursor to serotonin. When there is more tryptophan than other amino acids, it enters the brain at a higher rate. The brain then produces more serotonin. Serotonin is a substance found both in our brains and in our gastrointestinal tract. Serotonin has many functions. In the brain, it acts as neurotransmitter, and it helps to regulate mood.
Antidepressants are also called serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, preventing the supply of serotonin in the brain from going down. However, antidepressants are not the only way to elevate serotonin levels. Many ordinary people self-medicate when they are feeling depressed by eating lots of carbohydrates. We don't need a doctor to prescribe us a placebo. We crave carbs when we are feeling down, and eating carbs can be an effective means of elevating our mood. The problem is that the effect only lasts for a little while, and then the patient comes crashing down, in need of an even higher dose of carbs.

What are non starchy carbs?

Non-starchy vegetables include the following categories: leafy greens such as lettuce and spinach; cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage and bok choy; and allium vegetables like onions, garlic and leeks. Cucumbers, squash, peppers and tomatoes – botanically classified as fruits – also fall into this category. (For a comprehensive list, see below.)
Starchy vegetables, defined in the report as roots, tubers and plantains (most notably, potatoes, cassava and sweet potatoes), differ from their non-starchy cousins in their nutrient content and calorie count. While non-starchy varieties provide just 5 grams of carbohydrate and 25 calories per serving, starchy vegetables have three times the carbohydrates and roughly 80 calories per serving.
Although starchy vegetables are more concentrated in calories than non-starchy veggies, they remain nutritious staples in a balanced diet. These foods provide many nutritional benefits. Potatoes, for example, supply almost twice the potassium of a banana. Starchy vegetables also provide dietary fiber, which may play a role in colon cancer prevention.
Over-reliance on starchy vegetables, however, can prove problematic. First, a diet devoid of non-starchy options is lacking in many vitamins, nutrients and phytochemicals. And second, starchy varieties, like potatoes, are frequently prepared with added fat, salt and sugar. In fact, although potatoes consistently rank as the favorite vegetable in America, they are rarely consumed in their unprocessed form. A plain baked potato would garner thumbs-up from any dietitian, but tater tots, potato chips and French fries are clearly foods that should be eaten rarely.

What is serotonin?
Serotonin, also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine is a hormone in the pineal gland, the digestive tract, the central nervous system, and blood platelets. A hormone is a substance our body produces that regulates and controls the activity of certain cells or organs.

The molecular formula of serotonin is C10H12N2O.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter - this is a chemical substance that transmits nerve impulses across the space between nerve cells or neurons. We call these spaces synapses.

Serotonin plays an important part in the regulation of learning, mood, sleep and vasoconstriction (constriction of blood vessels). Experts say serotonin also might have a role in anxiety, migraine, vomiting and appetite.

Alterations in serotonin levels in the brain may affect mood. Some antidepressant medications affect the action of serotonin, i.e. they are used to treat depression.

About 80% of our body's total serotonin is in the gut, in the enterochromaffin cells - where it regulates intestinal movements. The rest is synthesized in the serotonergic neurons in the central nervous system.

Serotonin and insulin

Here is how ingesting sugar -- or some carbohydrate that is broken down into sugar after digestion -- can alter our mood for the better. When we digest carbohydrates, our blood sugar levels rise, and then insulin is secreted, lowering the blood levels of most amino acids with the exception of tryptophan, which is a precursor to serotonin. When there is more tryptophan than other amino acids, it enters the brain at a higher rate. The brain then produces more serotonin. (See the GO Ask ALICE link provided.)
Serotonin is a substance found both in our brains and in our gastrointestinal tract. Serotonin has many functions. In the brain, it acts as neurotransmitter, and it helps to regulate mood.
Antidepressants are also called serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, preventing the supply of serotonin in the brain from going down. However, antidepressants are not the only way to elevate serotonin levels. Many ordinary people self-medicate when they are feeling depressed by eating lots of carbohydrates. We don't need a doctor to prescribe us a placebo. We crave carbs when we are feeling down, and eating carbs can be an effective means of elevating our mood. The problem is that the effect only lasts for a little while, and then the patient comes crashing down, in need of an even higher dose of carbs.

What are non starchy carbs?

Non-starchy vegetables include the following categories: leafy greens such as lettuce and spinach; cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage and book Choy; and allium vegetables like onions, garlic and leeks. Cucumbers, squash, peppers and tomatoes – botanically classified as fruits – also fall into this category. (For a comprehensive list, see below.)
Starchy vegetables, defined in the report as roots, tubers and plantains (most notably, potatoes, cassava and sweet potatoes), differ from their non-starchy cousins in their nutrient content and calorie count. While non-starchy varieties provide just 5 grams of carbohydrate and 25 calories per serving, starchy vegetables have three times the carbohydrates and roughly 80 calories per serving.
Although starchy vegetables are more concentrated in calories than non-starchy veggies, they remain nutritious staples in a balanced diet. These foods provide many nutritional benefits. Potatoes, for example, supply almost twice the potassium of a banana. Starchy vegetables also provide dietary fiber, which may play a role in colon cancer prevention.
Over-reliance on starchy vegetables, however, can prove problematic. First, a diet devoid of non-starchy options is lacking in many vitamins, nutrients and phytochemicals. And second, starchy varieties, like potatoes, are frequently prepared with added fat, salt and sugar. In fact, although potatoes consistently rank as the favorite vegetable in America, they are rarely consumed in their unprocessed form. A plain baked potato would garner thumbs-up from any dietitian, but tater tots, potato chips and French fries are clearly foods that should be eaten rarely.

Day 71...This is my confession!!!!

Day 71...CONFESSION TIME: Soooooo on day 70 I was feeling very out of control and anxious about my life. I have made so many changes lately as far as walking into my purpose, my relationship (I never listed this person on fb under a relationship) my future career, school and so forth. I know I can only tackle one thing at a time but I still felt very impulsive and a mess. I allow myself 1 cheat eating day a week so that my body doesn't get use to my routine and to give myself a break. I have my cheat day on Sundays which I did but then yesterday day 70 I allowed myself another cheat day smh. I feel so bad right now. All I did last night was dream about staying in track on this diet. I am not going to throw in the towel now, I'm gonna stand firm. I need to confess that I fell short but I'm not giving up. I just will use that cheat day yesterday as the one I get on Sunday...I gotta find a better way to deal with stress.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Day 69: It's time to walk in my destiny!!!

 
  I had been sick the last few days with bronchitis that took me out of the game for a little while. I did some much needed soul searching while being sick, which I hadn't done for a long time. Sometimes in our everyday journey we rip and run and don't take time out to see what moves we need to make next. Sometimes we have to be quiet in order to hear what our higher power is saying to us. I was in a very uncomfortable place while being sick, but I am very thankful for that time to reflect on the next move of my life. I took off all activities including work for 3 days and it literally changed my life. I feel more rejuvenated than I have been in a long time.

   Willpower Definition        
The strength of will to carry out one's decisions, wishes, or plans.

  I have been on this weight loss journey so many times and have always come to the same conclusion every time. If I don't have the willpower to carry out this journey then I will never complete this journey. To have strong willpower means that you have to come to a conclusion that you aren't going to allow anything to stand in your way of what you want to accomplish. I know that I have been on so many diets, and have dreamed so many times that I can accomplish this journey to only go back and fail. This time I have to strengthen my willpower and let nothing stop me.

I am thankful for all of the times I have failed in the past because it has taught me what not to do. That's what failure does; it teaches and points us in the right direction. I have learned what my purpose is through all of the failures. I know what my struggle has been with weight loss and obesity and I just want to help other women to beat this battle.


What is obesity?
The condition of being obese; increased body weight caused by excessive accumulation of fat.

Here are 20 diseases or conditions related to Obesity:
1.      Diabetes, a disorder where the pancreas is not producing enough or sometimes not any insulin. Diabetes can lead to a whole host of other medical issues and obesity is one of the main causes.
2.      Cancer has many different forms and types; many of them could be prevented with more attention to eating healthily and avoiding obesity.
3.      Congestive heart failure is a condition in which your heart can’t pump enough blood to your body’s other organs.
4.      Enlarged heart is another heart condition where the muscle of your heart becomes larger due to being overworked, which naturally happens if you are overweight.
5.      Pulmonary embolism is a sometimes fatal blockage of an artery. Being overweight causes most people to reduce activity, and after time lack of activity can result in an embolism.
6.      Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a condition in which cysts develop in your ovaries. These can burst, causing even further problems.
7.      Gastro-esophageal reflux disease happens when stomach acid and juices flow from your stomach back up into your esophagus. It is common in overweight people.
8.      Fatty liver disease is a reversible condition in which large pockets of fat accumulate in liver cells.
9.      A hernia is caused when the hole in the diaphragm weakens and enlarges.
10.  Erectile dysfunction is the inability to develop or maintain an erection, which can be caused by a medical problem due to obesity.
11.  Urinary incontinence is the inability to control urination. It is frequently associated with obesity, weak bladder and pelvic floor muscles
12.  Chronic renal failure, meaning your kidneys fail to work, is a much greater risk to those who are overweight or obese.
13.  Lymph edema is a condition that occurs from a damaged or dysfunctional lymphatic system, sometimes caused by people suffering from obesity actually crushing their own lymphatics.
14.  Cellulitis is a spreading infection, involving both the dermis and subcutaneous skin tissues, resulting from poor lymph flow caused by obesity.
15.  Stroke is caused by a lack of blood supply to your brain.
16.  Pickwickian syndrome is characterized by sleep apnea resulting from obesity placing an excessive load on your pulmonary system.
17.  Depression is a condition where a person feels miserable constantly, even to the point of being suicidal. It can be worse for someone who also has a weight problem.
18.  Osteoarthritis is a clinical syndrome in which low-grade inflammation results in pain in your joints. It is caused by abnormal wearing of the cartilage, oftentimes due to obesity.
19.  Gout occurs when uric acid accumulates in your blood. Nerve endings then become irritated, causing extreme pain, which is made worse by carrying extra weight.
20.  Gallbladder disease commonly affects overweight people as a result of high blood cholesterol levels, which cause gall stones.

I know that one of my purposes in this life is to help encourage women to take better care of there bodies. What better person to help encourage than a woman that has been through it. I am on this journey again but I am deciding to be open about my journey to tell women that they can fight this journey and win, and we can do it together.
      

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Day 52- Finding gratitude for the weight I have already lost (Before and now pics)

Sometimes we get so caught up in reaching that final goal that we forget to appreciate where we are now. Thank you Almighty Creator and self for allowing me to achieve right where I am today
This was the biggest I had ever been in my life. I couldn't stand looking at this picture because I couldn't believe I had allowed myself to gain so much weight

I had lost my first 20 or 30 pounds... I was so happy because this was the first picture i could look at without being upset at myself for the weight gain.



I had gained some of the weight back after i took the picture above. I knew it was time to lose this weight once and for all so this is a recent picture of me, this picture was taken 4/26/12. I have a long way to go on this journey but i can truly see a difference in my body and am very proud of myself because I have been working very hard. I am now on day 52 of my weight loss journey and have lost a total of 26 pounds

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Day 50...Guilty pleasures can sabotage success.

 
   I am having an awesome day. I love the fact that I feel so motivated in my life right now. It has been a long time that I have felt so inspired. I believe I feel like this because of the weight loss journey I am on. This journey is teaching so much about me, everyday I am learning something new through obstacles I have been faced with. I know that every area of my life have been tried lately. I have a habit of quitting my weight loss journey when life gets hard because I am what you call and "Emotional Eater."The saying is "When life gives you lemons you make lemonade." I not only make the lemonade but also fried chicken, fried potatoes, greens and a two layer cake literally lol.

  Something that I have been learning lately has been that weight loss is very intricate and meticulous. You have to look at every area of your diet just to make sure there is something not sabotaging your diet. I am on day 50 of my eating right and working out lifestyle change, I have lost 25 pounds and I’m just noticing something about my diet that can be better. On my days off of work I like to have 1 or 2 alcoholic beverages, or sometimes I like going to ladies night with my friends where I will consume alcohol. My diet consists of high protein, very low carbohydrates and no sugars. I thought that I was doing ok because I was mixing the beverage with a diet soda and I didn't think that the alcohol had any sugars in it but I was wrong. I have noticed a stall in my weight and couldn't figure out why. If you are consistent with the diet that I am on you can lose a large amount of weight quickly. I checked out my diet and there were no problems there. It was the alcoholic beverages I was consuming. I googled info on drinking alcohol and weight loss and it stated that drinking alcohol slows down your weight loss process. When I learned this info I was very shocked, but at this point in my weight loss journey I am willing to give up anything in order to get this ball rolling once and for all. I am not going to allow something so small ruin everything I have been working hard for. I love to have a drink or 2 on my off days and ladies night at the club but if it was causing my progress to slow down I will give up my guilty pleasures. So no more alcohol for me, I am finished. Sometimes having a moment of fun or pleasure isn't worth hard work you sacrifice. Alcohol isn’t good for you in the long run anyway so it’s better that I stop now anyway. The effects of drinking alcohol have serious effects. A lot of young people such as I think we are invincible and that drinking won’t hurt us but it can in the long run. There are no nutritional values to drinking alcohol.

                                 The Effects of Alcohol and Weight loss- (Sparkpeople.com is the source)

Alcohol and weight loss are enemies, but an occasional drink can have a place in a healthy lifestyle. In fact, many experts note the potential health benefits of consuming a single drink per day, including a reduced risk for high blood pressure if, however, you are exceeding one drink daily, you might be sabotaging your weight loss plans.

Alcohol is metabolized differently than other foods and beverages. Under normal conditions, your body gets its energy from the calories in carbohydrates, fats and proteins, which are slowly digested and absorbed within the gastrointestinal system. However, this digestive process changes when alcohol is present. When you drink alcohol, it gets immediate attention (because it is viewed by the body as a toxin) and needs no digestion.

On an empty stomach, the alcohol molecules diffuse through the stomach wall quickly and can reach the brain and liver in minutes. This process is slower when you have food in your stomach, but as soon as that food enters the small intestine, the alcohol grabs first priority and is absorbed quickly into the bloodstream.

As the alcohol reaches the liver for processing, the liver places all of its attention on the alcohol. If you drink very slowly, all the alcohol is collected by the liver and processed immediately—avoiding all other body systems. If you drink more quickly, the liver cannot keep up with the processing needs and the alcohol continues to circulate in the body until the liver is available to process it. That's why drinking large amounts of alcohol (or drinking alcohol quickly) affect the brain centers involved with speech, vision, reasoning and judgment.

When the body is focused on processing alcohol, it is not able to properly break down foods containing carbohydrates and fat. Therefore, these calories are converted into body fat and are carried away for permanent storage on your body.

Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning that it causes water loss and dehydration. Along with this water loss you lose important minerals, such as magnesium, potassium, calcium and zinc. These minerals are vital to the maintenance of fluid balance, chemical reactions, and muscle contraction and relaxation.

Alcohol contains 7 calories per gram and offers NO nutritional value. It only adds empty calories to your diet. Why not spend your calorie budget on something healthier?

Alcohol affects your body in other negative ways. Drinking may help induce sleep, but the sleep you get isn't very deep. As a result, you get less rest, which can trigger you to eat more calories the next day. Alcohol can also increase the amount of acid that your stomach produces, causing your stomach lining to become inflamed. Over time, excessive alcohol use can lead to serious health problems, including stomach ulcers, liver disease, and heart troubles.

Alcohol lowers your inhibitions, which is detrimental to your diet plans. Alcohol actually stimulates your appetite. While you might be full from a comparable amount of calories from food, several drinks might not fill you up. On top of that, research shows that if you drink before or during a meal, both your inhibitions and willpower are reduced. In this state, you are more likely to overeat—especially greasy or fried foods—which can add to your waistline. To avoid this, wait to order that drink until you're done with your meal.

Many foods that accompany drinking (peanuts, pretzels, chips) are salty, which can make you thirsty, encouraging you to drink even more. To avoid overdrinking, sip on a glass of water in between each alcoholic beverage.

Skipping a meal to save your calories for drinks later is a bad idea. Many drinkers know they'll be having some alcohol later, whether going to a bar, party, or just kicking back at home. Knowing that drinking entails extra calories, it may be tempting to "bank" some calories by skipping a meal or two. This is a bad move. If you come to the bar hungry, you are even more likely to munch on the snacks, and drinking on an empty stomach enhances the negative effects of alcohol. If you're planning on drinking later, eat a healthy meal first. You'll feel fuller, which will stop you from overdrinking. If you are worried about a looming night out with friends, include an extra 30 minutes of exercise to balance your calories—instead of skipping a meal.

What are more important, calories or carbohydrates? You might think that drinking liquor is more diet-friendly because it has no carbohydrates, while both wine and beer do contain carbohydrates. But dieters need to watch calories, and liquor only has a few calories less than beer or wine. Plus, it is often mixed with other drinks, adding even more empty calories. Hard liquor contains around 100 calories per shot, so adding a mixer increases calories even more. If you are going to mix liquor with anything, opt for a diet or club soda, instead of fruit juice or regular soda. Sweeter drinks, whether liquor or wine, tend to have more sugar, and therefore more calories. In that respect, dry wines usually have fewer calories than sweet wines.

The list below breaks down the number of calories in typical alcoholic drinks. Compare some of your favorites to make a good choice next time you decide to indulge in a serving of alcohol.

Drink
Serving Size
Calories
Red wine
5 oz.
100
White wine
5 oz.
100
Champagne
5 oz.
130
Light beer
12 oz.
105
Regular beer
12 oz.
140
Dark beer
12 oz.
170
Cosmopolitan
3 oz.
165
Martini
3 oz.
205
Long Island iced tea
8 oz.
400
Gin & Tonic
8 oz.
175
Rum & Soda
8 oz.
180
8 oz.
200
Whiskey Sour
4 oz.
200


Alcohol can easily be the enemy when it comes to weight loss. It adds extra calories to your diet, encourages you to eat more food, and alters the normal digestive process. Not only are the extra calories a hindrance, but the changes in food breakdown sends turns those extra calories into unwanted body fat. Alcohol does have a bad reputation when it comes to weight loss, and rightfully so, so be smart about your alcohol choices if you're watching your weight. This article has been reviewed and approved by SparkPeople's nutrition expert Becky Hand, MS, Licensed and Registered Dietitian.