My, somewhat, unexpected weight loss

I was aware that #weightoffyourheart is a good thing when it comes to AFib.

And, yet, in spite of carrying a few extra pounds (as in, I was lighter when I was younger but, who knows, I might have had AFib back then already anyway), I never really tried to lose weight.

I have always eaten very well. I have always exercised and, since learning about my AFib, I upped my exercise consistency. I did not do that to lose any weight; rather to exercise my heart. As I expected, the weight did not change much (exercise is great but in order to lose weight, diet is more important and, as I already mentioned, I was already eating pretty well, very close to a mediterranean diet minus the grains, so fairly low glycemic).

And then, it (weight loss) just happened (and it is still happening).

It happened without me changing anything but ONE thing.

What was that ONE thing? It was my (always red, dry, sustainable, practically "health food," right? ) wine consumption. When my stress and anxiety from frequent international trips increased, it dawned on me that I had to stop drinking. My sustainable dry red wine habit was no longer serving me.

I did not change what I was eating (in fact, I actually indulged in eating rich creamy (the only kind I like) dessert, here and there, just to make my mind off any thoughts of drinking wine.

How much have I lost so far? About 15 pounds in three months. The weight loss seems to have slowed down a bit but it is still continuing.

Was it calories? No, I do not think so. I think it was my liver finally being able to focus on burning fat, building muscle and processing hormones (did you know? it is the liver that processes hormones) instead of having alcohol detox be job #1.

I am sharing this here in hopes that it might help you. You do not have to be drinking a lot of alcohol for this habit to override your liver's capacity to focus on burning fat allowing you to lose weight. The less you drink, the easier it might be for you to stop. Stopping completely (not "decreasing") will move that needle.

I quit my "stress releasing" wine after I realized that my wine consumption was elevating rather than decreasing my stress levels, and I had to come to that realization all by myself. Find your reason, it is well worth it (the benefits will, of course, extend far beyond weight loss - the weight loss aspect is what I am focusing on here because every pound does make a difference when it comes to AFib).