Just Started And Don't Want To Give Up Alcohol!!!

[kellyf]

Okay, so let me give a little background. Today is my second day on Atkins and I have tried absolutely every possible weight loss program. I lived in Spain for a year, about a year ago and gained 25 pounds which is what I desperately want to get rid of. I work out about 4-5 days a week and have been and plan on eating under 20 carbs a day during the first few weeks. However, due to my social life and likings I am not willing to give up on drinking alcohol. But I am aware that rum and vodka do not have any carbs and I plan on drinking only this mixed with diet soda. How much will this affect my weight loss?

[Enchantedraisin]

Hey, I had the same problem. I didn't have much weight to lose... just 20 total lbs on the Atkins program... and I still lost half of that... even when having liquor with diet drinks. However, I STRONGLY advise that you BE CAREFUL! When you are in ketosis and you drink alcohol, you don't need much!!! Your boy switched from fat burning to alcohol burning. I usually need 4-5 drinks to get drunk and it only takes me 2 now!


I also got severely sick from overdrinking one time and I woke up EXTREMELY sick. I mean so sick, it hurt so bad to move, I could barely walk. Be careful.

As to weight stalling... I've been stalled for 2 months now. Maybe it's the alcohol, maybe not. I'm sure it doesn't help.. it DOES stall you until the alcohol has been burned up, but I dunno how long that takes, I'd assume one night... but not sure. I just wouldn't overdo it.

BTW... drinking liquor with diet drinks is totally not the same... and pretty gross. But I guess I'd recommend Crystal Light lemonade.

[Iapetus999]

I think your post explains everything.
You've "tried" various programs and failed. Now you want to do Atkins but with drinking.
You know most diets work if you stick with them and don't deviate from the plan. It's the same here. If you're serious about changing yourself then read the book (DANDR) and follow it to a T. Otherwise if you want to make up your own plan you can pretty much expect the same results as before.

[Elizellen]

If you do induction without the alcohol - only 2 weeks minimum - then move to OWL you will find that after moving up the first 4 rungs - 4 x 2 weeks - you will reach the alcohol rung and be able to drink 'legally'.

However you might find that by the time you get there you may be so pleased with how the weight is dropping off that you won't want to risk a few day's 'stall' and decide to wait till you are in maintenance to indulge.
I really looked forward to reaching the alcohol rung but when I did reach it I decided to skip that rung until I am at goal.

Lots of our members here have reported that after fearing they would not be accepted by their friends if they didnt drink (or thinking they would feel 'out of it' if they stuck to water) they were pleasantly surprised to find no-one really noticed they were having water with 'ice and a slice' instead of vodka and tonic.

[tickletussler]

Not trying to sound harsh, but why are you setting up yourself for failure right from the beginning?

Ok, you could be like Enchantedraisin and still lose weight, but she said she's lost half of that. What if you don't have as successful results as her? What if Atkins doesn't work for you? Is there a possibility that Atkins will end up on the diet scrap heap as one of those "diets that didn't work"?

All because you wouldn't even give up alcohol for 2 weeks. Elizellen did say you can drink alcohol in the OWL rung - depends on how "quickly" you get through the rungs, the alcohol rung isn't too far off.

So what's it to be? Induction/Atkins clean and proper or some other low-carb "diet" with alcohol and possibly not-as-satisfactory results for you?

[G-Mom]

Let me tell you that your body will switch from burning fat to burning alcohol during that time, so if you refuse to lose cleanly, then know that this will happen. FYI

[not2late]

Here's what it says in the book.

The body burns alcohol for fuel when alcohol is available. So hen burning alcohol, your 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 alcohol is used up. But keep in mind that alcohol consumption may increase yeast related symptoms in some people (see Chapter 25) and interfere with weight loss.

By the way, I don't want to sound too preachy, but if you aren't willing to give up alcohol in order to lose weight, you might want to explore the reason behind that.

[Moochiecat]

You're probably hearing a few things you'd rather not be hearing, but these are the facts we're giving you.

When there is alcohol in your system, your body will stop burning fat so it can burn the alcohol, thus delaying your weight loss.

I don't know about you, but I want this weight off ASAP. I think in terms of nutrition when it comes to what I eat and drink, and if it's not really something that's going to get me to my goal, then what's the point in having it?

I have to agree with what Megs just said to you about examining the reasons why you aren't wanting to give up alcohol.

I learned a lot about myself and my relationship to sweets and treats. I focussed more on the birthday cakes than I ever did on the friends at the party.
Change isn't easy, and dealing with any kind of addiction (whether it's to carbs, sugar, alcohol, drugs) can really turn your life upside down, but in the end, it's worth it.

I am in no way saying you are addicted to alcohol, I haven't a clue what your life is like, nor would I presume to make that assumption...but I've seen many a person come on her over the last year+ and say they 'were not going to give up thisthatortheotherthing'.

You just need to make a decision. Do it your way: probably lose slower, possibly get discouraged because you aren't getting the results you were expecting, always wonder if you could have lost the weight faster....or do it the way Dr. Atkins laid it out: and get the predictable results that come with following the plan correctly, building good eating and nutritional habits for your future plus the satisfaction that you are doing all you can to make your body healthy and strong.

Atkins works if followed as it's laid out. Your mileage may vary if you do your own version of it.

[kellyf]

Thank You very much for your advice. However, I feel somewhat attacked in the sense that people are suggesting I have a "drinking problem". I simply asked a question and did not mean to imply that I was NOT willing to give up alcohol, but rather that I did not want to. Once again thanks for the advice, but I think people should be a little bit more encouraging (and truthful) than discouraging making wrongful suggestions.

[Enchantedraisin]

Thank You very much for your advice. However, I feel somewhat attacked in the sense that people are suggesting I have a "drinking problem". I simply asked a question and did not mean to imply that I was NOT willing to give up alcohol, but rather that I did not want to. Once again thanks for the advice, but I think people should be a little bit more encouraging (and truthful) than discouraging making wrongful suggestions.

It's OK, I understand. I'm not an alcoholic either and it's still hard to give up a drink once in a while with your friends.

[not2late]

Thank You very much for your advice. However, I feel somewhat attacked in the sense that people are suggesting I have a "drinking problem". I simply asked a question and did not mean to imply that I was NOT willing to give up alcohol, but rather that I did not want to. Once again thanks for the advice, but I think people should be a little bit more encouraging (and truthful) than discouraging making wrongful suggestions.

Actually you not only implied you were not willing you plainly stated you were not willing.

Okay, so let me give a little background. Today is my second day on Atkins and I have tried absolutely every possible weight loss program. I lived in Spain for a year, about a year ago and gained 25 pounds which is what I desperately want to get rid of. I work out about 4-5 days a week and have been and plan on eating under 20 carbs a day during the first few weeks. However, due to my social life and likings I am not willing to give up on drinking alcohol. But I am aware that rum and vodka do not have any carbs and I plan on drinking only this mixed with diet soda. How much will this affect my weight loss?

Any rational person reading your initial post will conclude that you are not willing to give up your alcohol, because you plainly stated that.

At any rate, your question on alcohol and its effects on weight loss have been addressed truthfully. Please refer to the book, if you want to make sure we are being truthful in our responses.

[BreakfastSurreal]

if you really like being drunk, then maybe you should check this out...its basically an alcohol vaporizor, you get none of the calories or carbs from the alcohol when you use it:

http://www.awolmachine.com/

[kellyf]

Oh Come On--its not about being drunk--its simply just a social occasion that occurs in my life, especially since I am young and only 21! I really do appreciate everyone's advice and I completely understand that its entirely valid and truthful but I just feel like having alcohol on any diet is not good--alcohol is not good for you--but I am not just going to give up on losing weight all together because I still want to have the occasional cocktail!

[CathyR]

I think you would be OK with the occassional cocktail. But, many times, for me, one is not enough. I really like my wine, and when I started this plan, that was very hard for me to give up. I understand how much harder it can be being out with your friends. Everyone is different, and maybe, if you stick to the plan and keep a good log of your drinks (when, how much, etc) you will get a good idea of how much you can have and still lose the weight you want to lose. You are young, and you do have that on your side, hopefully, your metabolism is high. My thoughts would be to trial it out, see what results you get with the Alcohol and what results you get without, and then make a decision. Everyone here feels very strongly about sticking with the plan, but thats not to say it is the only plan.... does that make sense??? Only you can decide for yourself what will work for you and will make you continue reaching the goals you set.

[Iapetus999]

Yes we've been untruthful.
The real secret to Atkins is to only drink alcohol and nothing else.:nod

NOT!


The truth is a lot of us having been doing this a long time and we know all the pitfalls and traps along the way. Alcohol, caffeine, certain meds (OTC & scips), artificial sweeteners, etc etc can all trip you up.:help
Learn from our mistakes!!

Also welcome to the boards!