Can drinking alcohol actually speed your weight loss?

So I went to a Halloween party last weekend. I have done nothing but study and eat protein forever. So I decided to go, relax and have a few drinks and maybe even eat  a few carbs.

I had been losing like 2lbs a week as I have lost 60% of my excess weight so far. Well, I expected to see a small dip in my weight loss for the week but when I got on the scale, I had lost 4.2lbs this week! I haven't lost in one since right after surgery. I was shocked. 

I really didn't end up eating many carbs. The only real source was Bacardi (he he) and the fruit punch it was in. I only drank like 3 glasses of the juice. 

I have been super strict with myself on the carbs since a couple weeks ago I realized that they were what was slowing me down (was down to 1lb a week for a couple weeks). I don't know if it's the super low carb or if it was drinking that caused such a huge jump in the losage department. He He

I have given up drinking and almost all carbs to try to make my goal on time. After this week, I am kind of rethinking that idea. What do you guys think? Maybe a few drinks and/or carbs on the weekend might actually help? I know the military wife on here seems to go to lots of partys. I wonder how this has afffected her. She sure seems to keep it off well. And looks fantastic by the way;)

I am determined to make my goal, no matter what I have to give up, so don't think I am looking for an excuse. I am just baffled as to why I lost twice what I was losing the one week I decide to loosen up and just enjoy the party.

Any advice?

 

Dont' know if this could be your answer or not, but alcohol does cause dehydration which is mostly what a hangover is.  Not saying you did or didn't drink much im just saying it could be water loss

Hmm. I think that could be right except the party was last Satuday night and I have gotten all my liquids in this week, so I am thinking I should be rehydrated by now.

Thanks for idea though. If I would have weighed myself the next morning, I am sure you are right, I would have weighed a lot less. I was very dehydrated the next day. I drank water all morning. I could not get enough of it, I was soooo dehydrated on Sunday.

Thanks for the posting!

 Alcohol is not a good idea for weight loss....the way the body metabolizes it, I've read it goes straight to fat stores...which is why heavy drinkers get the beer belly....

However, the next day after drinking, you will be dehydrated, and likely see a big scale loss...once you get your fluids back in, it  usually goes back to normal.

With that being said, I've always seen through the years, that a few drinks on an occasional weekend, I wind up with a bigger net weight loss that week...but I have always attributed that to the extra activity I get....My philosophy is I never drink at home...never drink at a restaurant....that would be a waste of cals....the only time I would have drinks, I better earn it....by walking a downtown strip, checking out the live bands and DJs and even dancing....so I think the extra activity is what does it, rather than the actual alcohol....

Also, changing up our routines, does tend to trick the body and give us a nice loss....eating bigger calories & different foods/drinks when you have been very low calorie and low carb can result in the loss...

Hmm. Maybe it was the change in routine thing. I really didn't do any activity. I laughed and visited with all my neighbors but it wasn't really a place for physical activity, so I sure didn't burn extra calories doing that. He He  

I would love to though! He He! I used to LOVE going dancing. I lost interest when I gained weight and my hubby is not a bigger dancer, so I guess I just kind of left that behind. It sure sounds like fun though!

I guess I will just shake my routine up some times and not feel guilty. I am just trying to see the pattern here so I can know how to do it again. Fun at a party, twice the weight loss, let's do that again! He! He!

Thanks for you input!

Must've just been the change.  I know when I drink, I will actually jump up a couple of pounds and it sets me back a week or two since it takes that long for me to get it back off.  But...sometimes...it's just worth it! 

I've had the slowest weight loss in history.  16lbs in 3 months ad this week i made some changes.  one inadvertently it seems.  on Dr's advice i upped my calories and protein and carbs and in frustration i had a couple of glasses of wine at a party last week since i wasn't losing anyway.  Anyhow not the most scientific of studies but when i saw your post i had to respond since i have lost 2lbs a day since last week.  2lbs a day is almost the same amount of weight i lost for the past 3 months and that includes 20days of liquids.  like i said not a scientific study but i did feel better about my lousy weight loss after the wine.