I'm in my second week of induction and I really miss my beer!! I did the low carb thing on my own for about a month before climbing aboard the Atkins train and forced myself to switch to Michelob Ultra from my beloved Bud Light that I grew up on. But I still miss being able to "binge" and let loose on the weekends. Does anyone have any suggestions on anything to avert my attention on the weekends to keep my mind off of it?

foosqueen - it's a rough one alright! I LOVE Blue Moon's Belgian White - unfortunately it doesn't love me (I gained an awful lot of weight and it was primarily related to that stuff). Mich Ultra is fit only to clean toilets, as far as I am concerned. So, I switched to wine. Not as good as the white spirits but still better than the beer.

Jen
175/130/120

what kind of wine do you drink? I love wine, but I thought it was off limits altogether!! This gives me hope!! (I love that goofy little wine buzz!!)

I like pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc - red wine of any type gives me a migraine. Caution: low carbing enhances the effects of alcohol, so be careful. I had two and a half glasses of wine the other night and was way more than goofily buzzed!

Jen
175/130/120

I respectfully suggest finding another weekend hobby. Seriously, IMO, you will never achieve and maintain your goal weight with a binge mentality.

foosqueen, you have labled yourself, so I need not. Please get the help you need to find non-self-destructive ways to relax.



BC
172/108/108
Zone since 4/98

ummmmmmmmmm.....My theory is this:Would you rather drink and get a buzz or not drink, lose weight and be happy so that you do not need a buzz cause you are "high" on life cause you feel so darn good! Maybe its just me that feels that way...but I hear its effects on losing weight are major...(stall and weight gain) ask yourself if its worth it...Are you worth it? Maybe this woe is more than just losing weight...maybe its finding a whole new you and strength you never knew you had. That is my 2 cents....sorry if its a downer its meant to be encouraging to stay with it! GL!

209/203/140

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Does anyone have any suggestions on anything to avert my attention on the weekends to keep my mind off of it? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Bingo
Bowling
Shopping
Working out
Redecorating
Movies
Reading
Spending time w/ family
Mini-golf
Haunted Houses (I live in WI - There's TONS)

(296/223.5/135) 04/01/03
The Downward Spiral Begins

Ah, as an fun alternative, which will likely enhance your weight loss efforts rather than forestall them (as drinking could), why not consider dancing?

There are lots of dance forms suitable to just about every taste from pop, to ballroom, jazz, swing, country dancing, contra dancing, international folk dancing, square dancing... and so many more. DH and I like Scottish country dancing - it's social, fun, and great exercise. Like Irish dancing, the figures can be complicated; so it requires enough attention and thought that you don't want to be drinking and dancing at the same time.

Check out the calories you burn with different dance types at: http://www.caloriesperhour.com/index_burn.html

As for alcohol, I think the Atkins book says that spirts (i.e., gin, vodka, whiskey), used in moderation, would have less impact on an LC diet than wine, beer or drinks made with sweet mixers or juice. This suggests to me that an occasional gin and tonic or whiskey and soda would be the lesser evil, relative to wine or beer.

Keep in mind, the body will burn calories from alcohol before anything else, so it could stall weight loss.

~~~Teelbee

174 (Mar. 2002, highest weight), 164 (Jan. 2003, begin LC)
174/132/137-134
remember, amateurs built the Ark, professionals built the Titanic

When you have finished induction you can drink gin, whiskey, vodka etc. With a 0 or low carb mixer. I agree with you that the Mich just does not compare to Bud Lite.

Alochol may stall your weight loss. Personally, I have not given up my few drinks on the weekend. Just remember to drink 8 oz. of water for every alcoholic drink you have.

Extra Caution--like Jen said, you will really be a cheap drunk on the WOE . Be careful!!

Susan ( AKA Northwest)
207/173.5/160/
size 16/12/8
LC since 4/03

I'm with Amanda...

Miller lite has only 3.2 carbs and it doesn't give me a headache michelob has always had that affect on me. When I drink I stall but I don't gain like before low carb.I know if I stuck to the plan really well I could lose , but I'm having alot of stress and I eat a burger or drink some beer or wine now and then. I'll buckle down soon. I'm just happy I'm not gaining.Thank god for the little things.

Jen...
&lt;&lt; Blue Moon's Belgian White &gt;&gt;
mmmm, good stuff!!
have you tried hoegaarden?

Yanno,

At risk of being the *party pooper* I'm going to shut this thread down.
I have watched with interest (and dismay) the direction this thread has been going.

You may think of me whatever you'd like; it doesn't matter to me. I have no problem with alcohol and before I began this woe, LOVED a top shelf margarita as much as the next person.
But I draw the line at encouraging binge alcoholism.
Maybe it's *nothing* to you, but I have binge alcoholics in my family and I don't consider it to be a laughing matter. I think it is a very real problem. If you cannot give up alcohol long enough to get your weight and health in control or if you feel a NEED to get drunk on the weekends, then you have a problem; pure and simple.
I am pregnant.
I will not drink for the next 2 years or so of my life.
Would I like a glass of wine with dinner tonight? YES. But I won't have it because I don't *need* it.
I like the earlier replies that challenged you to consider which you valued more: the drink or the better health and healthier weight.

I'm sure this thread could go on forever with all of us suggesting our *favorite drinks*, but somehow I don't think that is what you need to hear and that is certainly NOT what this board is for.
If you're going to do LC, you should do it right and abstain from alcohol during the initial phases.
"And that's all I'm going to say 'bout that!"

Summer


www.herstorygirl.com