Alcohol

[gunnabfit]

I wasnt sure where to post this...but I do indulge once a week while the kids are at there dads house, I am 21 so I feel I want a social life as much as posssible while Im young. However, I dont NEED to drink I just like to, but what is the damage alcohol does during the atkins?

[gman]

Yep been there. Check out page 181 of the doctor's red book. I had some vodka and olives a week or so ago knowing they were very low carb...but it was like rocket fuel on the other hand since I avoided adding sweets like juices or vermouth.

[kmrsail]

I'm not sure what rung you are on, but I'm guessing not the alcohol rung?

This is my second time around on Atkins. I do everything by the book, except when it comes to alcohol. I never ever completely gave up alcohol last time, even during Induction.

First, I tried to find the lowest carb options for what I like...
I like wine, but I'd only have red wine.
I like beer, but I'd only drink mich ultra.
I like mixed drinks, but I'd only drink vodka, diet tonic, and lime.
Then, I'd do it only occassionally and only in moderation.

I found with those substitutions, I never had a problem with stalling out due to alcohol. But, everyone is different. I think the main things with alcohol are: a lot of liquor and mixed drinks contain a LOT of sugar, alcohol can stall you out, and because of the way you are eating BE CAREFUL you will feel the effects a lot faster (no bread to soak it all up in your system)!

[julirama723]

If you don't need to drink, then don't do it. Simple as that.

If you do drink it, be patient and wait until you get to Rung 5. If you drink it before then, you're not following Atkins, you're following Gunnabfitkins.

I enjoy alcohol as much as the next legal adult. But you will find that regular consumption of alcohol is quite detrimental if you're trying to lose weight.

When you drink, your body has to burn off the alcohol first, meaning anything you eat during that time will automatically be stored as fat. Even if you stay on plan, you're making it harder to lose weight. I'm not saying that a celebratory event or special drink is going to totally derail you; just WAIT UNTIL RUNG 5, and then drink occasionally with caution

Another common side effect is loss of inhibitions, or loss of willpower, or loss of common sense, or loss of good judgement. Call it what you want. Many people find that when they drink, they suddenly decide that the large pizza with cheese-stuffed crust is an excellent food choice, or that chili cheese fries and ice cream would really hit the spot. I'm not saying that's exactly what will happen, but I've seen it happen to people too many times to know it's not a fluke or coincidence.

You can have a social life without drinking. Be the DD, drink water or club soda, or heck, even diet soda. Usually the DD gets free non-alcoholic drinks. Go out, have fun, but stay true to the plan. You don't want to jeopardize all of your hard work! You have lost 27 pounds, which is truly a HUGE accomplishment. Just ask yourself what you want more, the drink, or weight loss?

[gunnabfit]

Wow thats great! Thanks you guys!!!!!!

[coribazz]

In the book, page 181:

"The body burns alcohol for fuel when alcohol is available. So when it is burning alcohol, you're body will not burn fat. This does not stop weight loss; it simply postpones it. Since the alcohol does not get stored as glycogen, you immediately get back into lipolysis after the alcohol is burned up. But keep in mind that alcohol consumption may increase yeast related symptoms in some people (discussed in chapter 25) and interfere with weight loss. If it does not slow your weight loss an occasional glass of wine is acceptable once you are out of induction so long as you count the carbohydrates in your daily tally. (A 3 1/2 ounce glass of wine contains about 4.3 grams of carbohydrate.) Spirits such as scotch, rye, vodka, and gin are acceptable, but do not mix with juice, tonic water or non-diet soda, all of which contain sugar. Seltzer, diet tonic, and non-aspartame diet soda mixers are permitted. If you have added alcohol to your regimen and stop losing weight, discontinue your alcohol intake."

Hope this has helped. Best of luck!

[gunnabfit]

thanks!

[Aisha]

This happens to be my problem as well. My birthday was this past weekend (which was my 1st week of induction)… I partied and drank a lot . A co worker of mine is doing Atkins as well. She lost 9 total pounds last week. I only lost 5, I am sure my drinking this weekend slowed me down …. I decided to take it a day at a time. I have a lot a parties going on until the New Year. I will just stay focused and be strong.

[caroann]

I'm trying to work through my addiction to the glass of wine in the evening. I KNOW it's not allowed on induction - haven't started yet and that's the big reason why. Also, I must have the wrong book. What are the "rungs"??? Guess I'll be going to the book store today.

[ShannonK]

The red wine is also part of what is keeping me from recommitting to this lifestyle. How sad is that? I really do enjoy that glass of wine at the end of the day or with dinner.

What a great question, though. "What do I want more? The drink or the weight loss?"
Ouch. What does it mean if I have to think about it. Ugh.