But you'd be wrong.

I know alcohol is not the healthiest drink going, but, provided you drink it in moderation I don't think that it's the devil some people would like you to believe. And who wants to spend their lives only drinking water and stewed weed (that's herbal tea by the way, not any form of illicit substance).

I will certainly suggest that you only drink in moderation but I really don't believe that giving it up completely is going to help you lose any weight at all. Unless you’re a beer drinker.

Alcohol is a relaxant and stress is an enemy of weight loss, so logically drinking in moderation and feeling relaxed and de-stressed can only help your weight loss.

Of course there are some factors that you need to take into consideration. The issue with alcohol and weight management is not the alcohol in the drink but what else you add to it. It's the sugary mixers in rum and Coke or gin and tonic which are the problem, not the alcohol itself.

What I would suggest, is that you give up sugary mixers with your drink. No more vodka and orange or spritzers with lemonade in. Instead go for low sugar mixers, soda, or stick to wine.

I love a nice cocktail especially those that have a coconut cream base, but these are almost always full of sugar. So if I'm trying to lose weight this is another drink where I make sensible choices. I choose a shorter spirit based cocktail if I'm out with the girls. Otherwise I just avoid them altogether - too much alcohol = too few inhibitions :-(

Wine has many health benefits when drunk in moderation. Red wine particularly is good for your heart and I personally think that a little wine helps me relax very happily of an evening.

Beer however is a different beast altogether. The fermentation process in beer making gives a product which your body metabolizes into sugar in your body. This sugar is then stored in the body as fat. It's a fact that beer is more fattening than most other drinks - any you only have to look at regular beer drinker’s fat bellies to verify the truth of that…

Here is a fascinating video about the effects of alcohol on your brain and explains why it's best to know, and stay within your limits when drinking.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXjANz9r5F0

So here is a roundup of my top tips for losing weight without giving up alcohol:

When I'm on holiday or it's a special occasion then I'm happy to indulge a little more. But on regular days and weekends I find these guidelines easy to follow and what's more I don't feel deprived!

Enjoy!

Originally seen on Why You Shouldn’t Give Up Alcohol Just To Lose Weight. Find out more at YourKeys To Weight Loss Success's Blog