I've been trying to find some information on how alcohol affects weight loss and ketosis. My understanding so far is that it stops ketosis as it burns before fat. I'm trying to find out how long it takes to burn the alcohol and go back into ketosis. I wanted to use a shot or two of cognac or maybe a glass of wine to ward off the evening "I really want to eat something but I can't have a chocolate cupcake or ice cream sandwich." I don't have a problem with alcohol as I can take it or leave it. Just wondered if anyone knows the general timing of how long it stops ketosis or if it really would stall any weight loss. One thing I do know is that alcohol never raises my blood sugar. I don't do any mixing or sweet drinks - just straight.
Thanks for any insights or information - MaryLee

I think it's a matter of what you are willing to give up and how much of a hurry you are to lose the weight. WIth this diet, I find that I'm in no hurry since I'm determined to make this a way of life and not a short time thing. So, I decided that I would have my beers on bowling night and, if that made me lose weight slower, then so be it. When I went on Jenny Craig, I lost 27 pounds in nine weeks, three pounds a week. It was great! And expensive, so I was in a hurry to get to my goal. Now, I'm losing about a pound a week, with a couple of whooshes thrown in for good measure. I'm cool with that. But, everybody's body is different. I hope those cravings go away. Good luck!

CIsco

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I originally started low carb eating just to control my blood sugar without insulin. I actually stated I wasn't trying to lose weight. Then when my blood sugar leveled out to better than it has been on insulin, I started losing weight fast and was concerned that I'd lose too much eating this way. Now I'm so thrilled and almost obsessed with pounds I thought were mine to keep forever that I'm concerned about the process stopping. I was satisfied with my weight prior to starting LCE. I haven't backslid on the LCE since I started over a month ago. I've recently added some organized easy to do at home weight training from a book I recognized at the used book store while getting Atkins books. (Joyce L. Vedral, PhD - Weight Training Made Easy-1997 edition).
I just wanted to figure out what kind of effect the alcohol would have on the process. I'm planning to eat this way forever now to avoid the insulin injections and the weight that never goes away. I generally find it easy to do but there are occasions that a craving at night will bring me to tears (I'm 54 and I'm sure hormones of some kind are adding to that).
I started LCE 10/16/08 and I'm down 17 pounds and holding. Five years ago I lost 60 pounds at 10 pounds a month and I wasn't trying to lose weight. (Life happens) I looked better than I'd looked in twenty years and weight trained a bit to tighten and strengthen.
Now it seems possible to go all the way to a really trim figure which I thought was not important or within my reach.

MaryLee

Alcohol is a pretty much "ready to use" fuel, so your body will always use it first (when provided) and will not get into the more complicated process of using anything else for fuel. For that reason, alcohol will generally slow weight loss, since (while it's available) the body doesn't have to work to metabolize other things.

Remember, the choice isn't just "cognac versus cupcake", LOL! As a matter of fact, many diabetics find that a protein snack in the evening helps reduce the "dawn effect" on BGL's. Just a thought.

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Thanks Maggie - actually ended up with olives and cheese as my evening snack - I make cupcakes for family who likes/needs baked goods periodically. I don't buy mixes but still use flour and sugar so off limits to me. Not usually a problem staying away from their "goodies." However, my reward/treat has always been to consume the batter left in the bowl. I actually cried as I rinsed out the bowl the other day instead of consuming it. Thanks again. MaryLee