Hi, I used to post here a bit while on my previous weight loss journey(s). A bit of background:

For the last few years I've been dealing with a bit of an alcohol habit (about 3-4 drinks/day + mixers.) I was able to drink pretty moderately while losing weight, and got back down to my goal of 130-135. Then I went back to school, got really stressed, and my alcohol habit came back. It didn't affect my weight much in the beginning, and I stopped caring... In the past year my weight went almost up to 160! I was shocked to see this. This might not seem like a lot to some, but it is to me (I have a small frame.) Losing weight is also really hard for me, even if I do everything right...it just goes really slow.

I was worried about my health, and of course my weight gain was a wake up call. So I stopped drinking. I figured that the weight would fix itself, since I don't eat a lot of bad stuff (kind of hard when you're vegan.) About 3 lbs fell off in the first week. It's been a month now, and it's stagnated. I feel so discouraged, and most of my clothes (which used to be baggy) don't fit me anymore. I'm out of school now so it's not the stress...unless that takes a while to fix itself. I want a miracle to happen! I feel so defeated. I've been a yo-yo dieter since I was 13, and I know it's not good for me....and every time I put the weight back on I lose more will power. I don't know how to keep myself on a wagon. I fall off every wagon!

Sorry for the sob story! My basic question is, will the weight ever come off if I stay off the booze, and generally take care of myself? I know there are things I can do to help it (like more exercise), but the thought of battling my weight again like I did so many times before has me feeling down...

Alcohol is really tricky. At least for me it is. I lost about 30 pounds over the course of the year when I first moved to Korea. During this time I also drank A LOT more than I ever had before. There were weekends where I had as least 20 beers, not healthy I know, however I was a big girl and could hold my booze. My eating was that much healthier that even consuming way too much booze over a week I'd still be losing weight without even trying.

When I moved back to Korea after a couple months travelling last July I told myself I wasn't going to drink at least not to the extent I had in the past. I had gained about 20 pounds while I was travelling so I was hoping just cutting down on the booze would result in weight loss. Fast forward over 3 months and my weigh-in November 1st when I decided to try to lose weight for real and I had lost absolutely nothing. My eating wasn't terrible, however my portion sizes were a bit too big but I hardly drinking, 3-4 beers once a month.

So for me, I was able to lose weight when eating so much healthier but still drinking a lot, however when I was eating less healthy but not drinking I lost nothing. From Nov 1st-April 1st I followed a much healthier diet and rarely drank, a glass of wine with dinner that fit into my calorie count was about all I drank. During that time I lost 35 pounds. Nothings really changed diet wise since April 1st, I just have only lost around 5 pounds since then. I am slowly starting to increase my alcohol intake as I do enjoy it and don't want to live without it, like food though it's all about moderation and fitting it into my calories.

I know this doesn't exactly answer your question but I figured it may help to see what happened with me.

Only cutting out alcohol doesn't do it for me personally. I'm a firm believer in counting calories for weight loss. I love to eat, and not just junk but "healthy" foods as well. I could over-eat pretty much anything. Just because you're vegan does not mean that you're eating low-calorie foods, or eating reasonable portions.

I'm glad you posted, keep coming back. This site has really helped me when I feel like giving in. I think that by eliminating or reducing your alcohol you're off to a good start, but I would start thinking about what your next change should be if you want the weight to start coming off. Good luck!

Thanks, both! I've lost about 5lbs since I stopped drinking, but I've decided to gear up and start logging my intake. I guess it is a generalization to say veggies eat healthy, but I do avoid processed stuff and cut out sugar a while ago. Most of my calories come from beans & nuts. To me there are 5 food groups- fruit, veg, grains, nuts & legumes. Since I'm logging I'll be sure to eat less. I'm exercising too now.

Changergirl, that's very interesting. I did manage to lose weight in the past while drinking moderately, so it's something to think about. I just can't figure out how I gained SO much weight... I felt like I wasn't eating that much. I'm thinking maybe stress had more to do with it than I thought. I'm a horrible procrastinator (something I believe is addictive,) and with depression college has been hard to get through.

I'm just scared of letting go of the booze. It's a crutch for me. I have anxiety and never found a way of dealing with it. Alcohol is totally numbing... but I'm getting tired of it too. I need to make a long list of why this isn't a good "friend"....

I love to have a drink or two with dinner. However, I gain wait with too much alcohol. So I only have it now when I have calories for it & I work out. Plus I limit myself to one. I would say most my weight gain in the last year came from wine & margaritas.