No, I'm not a lush or anything! lol

I was on Atkins for about 6 months in 2003, but I went off it because I started going out with friends more and more. Since I started drinking more regularly it was difficult to stay LC.

Well, I'm trying to jump back on the wagon, but I know I will still be drinking at least one night a week. Do you think there's any hope? Any drink suggestions? All I can figure is rum and diet coke *shrug*

Thanks for your help!

I think at least during induction, to not drink alcohol at all. That's what I've been told, I'm sure the more experienced ones will give you more info of why not to.

168/160/115

When I am blue.....I remember to breath again

Well there's no alcohol on induction but a glass of red wine after induction or a mixed drink should be okay. Well I know what it's like to be out with friend's so maybe 2 or 3?
It's your woe and if you can figure out a way to incorporate alcohol and still lose weight then I have no criticism. Except (you knew that was coming, didn't you) that while burning off the alcohol there will be no fat burning. If you insist on trying this then here's a suggestion. Let's say you go out every friday night. Start induction on Saturday. then skip one friday going out. I know you can skip one night or be designated driver. Then if you go out the following friday you've done 12 days of induction. Then be good as gold all week and try to be as good as you possibly can with how many drinks you have each Friday. IF you increase going out to more than once a week then I don't think Atkins will work for you very well. Even with one night your success will vary depending on your and metabolism, how much alcohol you consume. Again I'm not recommending this to you. I'd just rather see you losing weight any way it can be accomplished.

Rob
310/234.5/180

Me, a skeptic? I trust you have proof.

OK, so call me an old stick in the mud, that's fine. But you've been down this particular road before, Starr. I'd urge you to ask yourself "why is it going to be different this time" because, I'll tell you, chances are it won't be unless you make low carbing, and not drinking with friends your priority. I know you'll start low carbing with good intentions, but you already know how you've handled the "drinking with friends" thing. You've even said in your post you'll be drinking "at least" once a week--and as Rob stated, your chances of success diminish the more and more often you drink.

You really can't have it all. Choose your health now; it will be harder every time you have to do this over.



BC
172/108/108
Zone since 4/98

Losing weight while drinking occasional alcohol is possible but it's a lot more difficult.

Going out with your friends is fine. But why do you need to drink alcohol with them? Be the designated driver and they'll appreciate it.

**************
"Sometimes I think you have to march right in and demand your rights, even if you don't know what your rights are, or who the person is you're talking to. Then on the way out, slam the door."

This is a problem for me, too, as my fiance is in a band and he gigs fairly regularly. I have dedicated myself to this, though, and won't be partaking as I have in the past. It's a choice but it's also a necessity.

Starr
Maybe I'm out of line here, but I'm going to say this out of concern for your health:

I happened to check your profile and it states you weigh 109# currently and want to get down to 92#. How tall are you?

What I guess I'm getting at is...do you really need to lose weight?

Not that eating LC for your health would be a bad idea, just more of a maintenance plan may be right for you


"Do, or do not. There is no 'try'."
- Yoda ('The Empire Strikes Back')
Start Atkins 9.1.03
225/198/130ish
Valentine's Day Goal: 180

OMG Starr! I wish I was as fat as you! Honey, you have no reason to lose any weight! As a matter of fact, tell me how to look like that!

Jen

Atkins since 11/11/03

5'3" 140/130/115


I used to be indecisive...But now I'm not so sure!

Thanks for the comments, everyone

As for the height/weight issue, keep in mind I'm only 4'11" and very small boned. My "ideal" weight is about 90-95 lbs. I am honestly not underweight in the slightest at 92 lbs, even then I'm still a bit "hippy".

Also though, when you're as little as me even 5 lbs can make a HUGE difference....it can be a whole different clothing size, in fact. My main goal is really just to fit in (and look good) in my clothes again. (I refuse to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe of larger clothes...and I couldn't even afford to do that anyway!).

As for the going out thing, here's the short story. I went several years with pretty much NO social life. All of the sudden last year I made some friends again. It means more to me than I can even say after having no one to hang out with for several years.

So, that's how I started drinking more often. Usually we go to bars, play drinking games, yadda yadda yadda. So I fell off the LC wagon.

Once that happened, the sweets and breads crept back into my life...and you guessed it. I'm back at the weight I started

So, I'm going back on, at least for the most part. I will admit I did have a couple rum & diet cokes the other night, but I'm doing pretty good besides that. I am finding it a lot more difficult this time...I'm just not enjoying the high-protien foods as much this time.

But, I'm sticking to it! I'm determined to fit in my cute little summer clothes once it warms up again!

Once again, thanks for the responses!

~*Have a wonderful LC Day! *~

Starr,

I completely understand where you are coming from, unfortunately not for me though. My sister is only 4'10 and she weighs about 100lbs which is completely normal for her. Sickening for me, yes but normal She eats healthy and whatnot and is just a very very small person. She even worries about her weight sometimes even though to me its like, WHAT?!?!?! oh well....

Carpe Diem!!!
Atkins since 8/15/03
5'4
231/194/155
Fiesty Red-Head

Dear Starr,
I drank a lot of beer before I started LC.
I thought I couldn't give that up. But I'm doing LC mostly for my health and weight loss will be a great bonus. So I stopped drinking beer the first day. Now I've so much more energy which makes me happy and I am more ready to go to sleep at night because of it and I can have a good time with a small amout of alcohol occasionally because I love my new diet and I don't cheat on myself during the day. However it doesn't take much alcohol to make me feel satified. I mix a small amount with some flavored seltzer. Basically it's no carb and a little alcohol seems to go a long way. Sometimes I don't need to drink at all because of all the water I've been drinking. Put your body first and you'll be happier drinking or not.
Your friends don't live in your body.

You could always go with the Diet Coke and skip the rum. Have them put a slice of lime in it - no one else will know but you and the bartender. That works for me when we are doing the social thing with people my DH works with - almost all drink a glass or two of something.

Connie

[img]//www.lowcarbeating.com/lcesupporter.gif[/img]

As a practicing drinker and LCer...my 2 cents.

Alcohol will slow down (if not stop) your weight loss...period. With that said, when out and about with friends, I order Miller Lite, Mich Ultra, or Rolling Rock's Green Light (with a glass of water in between...) or a mixed drink with a diet mixer.

Drinking is not a show stopper for this WOE...its just not recommended or helpful. Everything in moderation!

Wolfman
Restarted Atkins 1-02-04
202/191/175

Starr, you already know the verdict on LC and drinking. There's just now way to do BOTH with a lot of success. And, drinking lowers inhibitions, which could lead you to make improper food choices at a bar. (We all know what wonderfully healthy foods they serve at bars,
)
So..........it's really up to you whether you want to mix alcohol into your WOL. But you know what the consequences will be. Can you live with that?

Barb - 30 lbs gone FOREVER!
www.iwsgroupinc.com - website design and development


Atkins-3/14/03
174/144/135 5'2"
"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing."
Knowledge is POWER