Drinking too much alcohol contributes to excess weight gain

Looking back at photos from the time when I was drinking, the difference in my appearance is striking. My face was bloated, and my body carried much more weight. The puffiness in my face and body was a direct result of both the alcohol consumption and the poor eating habits that often accompanied it. Alcohol, as a diuretic, can lead to dehydration, which paradoxically makes the body hold onto water, causing that puffy, swollen look.

But it wasn’t just about the alcohol itself.

When I was drinking, my judgment around food was clouded, and I found myself reaching for greasy, salty, and highly processed foods—choices I wouldn’t typically make when sober. These unhealthy foods, combined with the alcohol, led to a cycle of weight gain and inflammation. The excess calories from both the alcohol and the poor food choices quickly added up, resulting in significant weight gain over time.

Inflammation was another issue. Alcohol can trigger an inflammatory response in the body, and when combined with the consumption of inflammatory foods, it exacerbated the problem. My joints often felt achy, and I lacked the energy and vitality I have now. The water retention, poor food choices, and overall unhealthy lifestyle created a perfect storm for physical discomfort and mental dissatisfaction.

Now, looking at those old photos serves as a reminder of how far I’ve come. The decision to stop drinking has not only helped me shed the excess weight but has also led to a healthier relationship with food and a body that feels more balanced and at ease.

What have been some benefits of me quitting drinking for good?

There have been countless advantages of quitting alcohol. Both physically and mentally.  My skin is not as dry or red.  Face is less puffy.  Overall body is not as puffy or bloated.  Better sleep.  Fewer alcohol related symptoms like headache, heartburn, indigestion and upset stomach.  Today I’m able to get proper sleep and rest.  Anxiety and nervousness have been suppressed.  I no longer crave greasy fast food as I did before.  When drinking my joints used to hurt.  Overall now I’m completely aware of how important it is to take care of myself both mentally and physically.

What are my food staples I keep in my refrigerator

It’s important to keep certain items stocked in my fridge to avoid temptation.  Plain Greek yogurt is always something I keep on hand.  I’m always mixing it with protein powder for a guilt free dessert.  Other things are a carton of egg whites, eggs, ground beef & turkey, baby carrots, berries, frozen berries, salad,  healthy meal prepped options in my freezer.

View exercise and eating healthy as a lifestyle not a diet

We need to make the choice that exercising and eating real healthy foods is a part of our lifestyle and not a “diet”.If we commit to a diet for an amount of time, we will only go back to making poor choices when we stop the diet.  When I was around 17 years old, I drastically reduced the amount of food I was eating.  This really reduced the amount of energy I had.  I also became flabby skinny from not eating properly.  I later learned it was better to consistently eat healthy foods to support a healthy lifestyle.

Feeling stuck is common. Small changes can help us get unstuck!

I have have a lot of projects going at once and still feel as if I’m not doing enough.  If I feel like this I will try something new or change enviornments.  Sometimes even the slightest shift can have a positive impact.  I have learned that when we are climbing the mountain of life, we will reach a plateau.  This means that we have become comfortable in these situations and need a new challenge.  Feeling stagnant could come up in our workouts, job, living situation, diet or relationship to name a few.

Never stop learning

Act like a sponge in life and always be willing to soak up new information

It’s so important to constantly challenge ourselves and learn new things.  I stay away from people who think they know everything.  I also choose to surround myself with people who have more skills than me.  If I’m the best at something on a team then I will never get better.  Always be willing to read, take classes, meet new people and constantly learn.

Logging your food and caloric intake

For the past few years I have been wanting to dial in on my macros and know exactly what I’m consuming.  Never be ok with “guessing” what you’re eating each day,  When we get busy or stressed we have a tendency to reach for snacks for comfort.  For the past year I’ve been grazing way too much during the day.  Recently I started tracking all my food and feel incredible since.  I’m not as bloated as I was.  By knowing why I’m consuming each day, I don’t even have to think about it.  It takes the guess work out of things.