Glass of Wine Geesh.

[PeteinVA]

I've read and understand about not having ANY alcohol during induction and being "allowed" in OWL.

I really don't think one or two glasses of wine is going to make or break my long-term progress. I know if I do I may have a couple of days of having to re-correct my body but I don't think any diet can be so restrictive it says NEVER. How can one eventually be on a healthy lifetime maintenance plan if they're unable to have a somewhat moderate outlook on things?

I have a work event on Thursday evening where they're showcasing Virginia wines (which I love tasting!) I've thought about it and plan on indulging- especially as I'm wearing a hot & good looking suit I haven't been able to fit into in ages!

Just my humble opinion...

[Georgiana]

Re: Glass of Wine Geesh.

Pete, you've said it yourself that Atkins does allow alcohol from OWL Rung 5 on. So it does not say that you can "NEVER" have alcohol. I don't have to tell you this, but Induction only has to last two weeks. After these two weeks, one can move to OWL and add back foods/drinks, in moderation. However, if these foods/drinks were allowed in moderation on Induction, than it would make more sense, imo, if we were allowed to have some nuts in moderation, some fresh cheese in moderation, some yoghurt in moderation, some berries in moderation, etc., rather than alcohol. In my time at ADBB, I've rarely seen people arguing that we should be allowed to have some berries on Induction (extended or not). However, a lot of members try to argue that we should be allowed to have a glass of wine or some vodka during Induction, as if alcohol would be a special category, more nutritious and necessary than any other food group.

I don't understand what wearing a "hot" suit has to do with drinking, but congrats for fitting into it. As for drinking, I've seen many members fail after indulging in some alcohol, and coming back days, weeks, months or years later, sometimes with only a few pounds gained, other times with all their weight back or even heavier than they started. I really hope this will not happen to you. Good luck.

As a side note, if you enjoy tasting foods, you can try different cheeses, for example. Some cheeses, even when they come under the same name, taste differently depending on the region where they come from, on the season when the milk was collected and on the ageing time. Or, if you prefer tasting drinks rather than tasting foods, you could try different teas.

[mizski]

Re: Glass of Wine Geesh.

OK, Pete and others, I guess I'm confused...if people really desire certain OWL foods, why do they stay in Induction where they are not allowed? By moving up the OWL rungs you get to find out what foods work with your weight loss and what ones don't. You don't have to have all those foods all the time either (i.e., I don't eat blueberries all the time).

When I was caregiver for my parents I never drank alcohol...now I'm just used to it. It broke that habit of having to drink at social occasions. Now it is a choice as in I may have a glass of cranberry wine on Thanksgiving, but I'll be in that OWL rung by that time. And it's nice to be able to control my foods rather than them controlling me.

Just a thought....

p.s. Congrats on looking good in your suit.

[Slapshot]

Re: Glass of Wine Geesh.

How can one eventually be on a healthy lifetime maintenance plan if they're unable to have a somewhat moderate outlook on things?

OWL, pre-maintenance and maintenance are very much a "moderate outlook on things." Some would even say a "liberal" outlook on things given the amounts/varieties of foods allowed.

I view induction as the equivalent of the first 10-30 feet or so of trying to ride a bike with no-hands. (bear with me). Let's assume riding a bike with no hands is the goal. Do we start off pedaling with no hands? No, we get going, nice and steady with our hands on the handleblars, get our balance, then slowly remove one or both hands once we got the first 10-30 feet under our belt. Kind of a rough analogy, but I hope I got my thought across...

[msanjelpie]

Re: Glass of Wine Geesh.

How can one eventually be on a healthy lifetime maintenance plan if they're unable to have a somewhat moderate outlook on things?

But you're not on a healthy lifetime maintenance plan... you are on induction... so by doing so, you have put the no alcohol restriction on yourself... you have made the decision to not move up to OWL 5 where you could enjoy that glass of wine and other things as well... The plan is only as restrictive as you make it... and since you are well past your 2 week induction period, it's up to you to get yourself where you want to be...

[GRAPES]

Re: Glass of Wine Geesh.

I'll just throw in that it sounds like you could be in the industry(since they're showcasing a wine)? I was in the fine wine industry for many years and I know how hard it can be not to partake...good luck!!!!

[stephbob]

Re: Glass of Wine Geesh.

I'm going to chip in with what the others have said - you want to lose this weight, you've "committed" yourself to Atkins. Missing a couple of glasses of wine isn't going to be the end of your world. What if these "few" glasses of wine throw you off the wagon? What if you regain the weight you've lost and struggle to get back onto induction? Is it worth it then?

Once you've finished your two week induction, you're 5 weeks away from reintroducing alcohol - it's not an eternity! You'll make it to then and get it done properly.

I know how hard it is to go to such social events and not drink. I gave up alcohol a year ago, and I dread people asking me why I'm not drinking with them, but you know what, that's my choice. I chose to do something which requires me not to drink (albeit my reason to stay sober was not atkins) and I have to respect my own decision.

Make your own decision, but people here talk from experience, and that one night could undo all the hard work you've done.

[PeteinVA]

Re: Glass of Wine Geesh.

I appreciate your responses and of course am not surprised! hehh You gave me the answers I did want to hear actually. It's true I'm on extended induction and am aware that alcohol will be introduced when I move up the rungs. I guess it's simply an innocent question about very occassionally going off the diet i.e. with one glass of wine. To me it's really not a big deal and I really could live with it either way. Meaning if I have a glass of wine it's not the end of the world and if I don't, it's not any testament really to anything.

I'm doing really well at this point and am committed to what I'm doing for my long term overall health. I'm sure my Atkins will eventually evolve into what works for me personally (if that makes sense)

Thanks again!

[not2late]

Re: Glass of Wine Geesh.

. I guess it's simply an innocent question about very occassionally going off the diet i.e. with one glass of wine.

Actually, it's not "going off the diet". It's going off the Induction Phase of the Diet, which we all know isn't the entire Atkins Diet, nor is it the only weight loss phase of the Atkins Diet.

If you want to have an occasional wine, then move to OWL Phase. At that point, having a glass of wine isn't "going off the diet"---it's a legitimate part of your OWL Phase Atkins Diet.

By the way, I attend Great Grapes and Wine in the Woods every year in Maryland. I sip-swish-and spit, because my objective at a wine tasting is to taste the wine, not drink it . When I do that the sommeliers and vinters have a tendency to talk to me more about the wine than they do to the people who hold their glasses out like beggars in the street waiting for a someone to hand them a dime. In fact, I had a really nice conversation with one of the Deford of Boordy Vineyards about screw cap versus corks and an equally nice conversation with a vinter from Austria about his Gewertraminer. I guess they mistake me for an oenophile.

[mizski]

Re: Glass of Wine Geesh.

I guess they mistake me for an oenophile.

I had to look that up!! That definitely sounds like something not allowed during Induction!!!

[not2late]

Re: Glass of Wine Geesh.

I had to look that up!! That definitely sounds like something not allowed during Induction!!!

Or it sounds like something very illegal in most parts of the world.

Anyhow, I go to those things just to see if I can really taste the different flavors in the wines. For example, you hear the hard-core oenophiles wax poetic about the "earthy" undertones or some other kind of esoteric mumbo-jumbo. So I try to see if I can actually taste it.

[sallyseachange]

Re: Glass of Wine Geesh.

...To me it's really not a big deal and I really could live with it either way. Meaning if I have a glass of wine it's not the end of the world and if I don't, it's not any testament really to anything.

If it's not a big deal then I'd stick on the side of safety (and following the plan) and avoid the wine until the correct rung of OWL.

Unlike you, for me, going without alcohol was a huge deal and very hard. Dunno how I got to the alcohol rung without indulging, but I did... and have never regretted it.
If you stick to plan, you won't regret it either.

Don't be afraid of OWL. You still get to lose weight (some lose even faster on the early rungs) and the extra foods are very welcome... as is alcohol for those who like it, when you get there.

Congrats on your successes so far!

[PeteinVA]

Re: Glass of Wine Geesh.

Thanks Sally for that affirming response. Again I know the advice I'm getting here is correct. I'm just trying to justify that it's okay hehh I guess. AT tonight's event I'll have my staff there looking/feeling good about the hard work we've been doing. It's kind of a celebratory evening and something just looked right about me holding a glass of wine and spending quality (and well deserved) time with colleagues.

There's something in my background or whatever where I believe that alcohol is a reward or part of socializing. I haven't had a problem with it for the time I've been on Atkins and I'm just being stubborn about it.

Have a great day! Your before/after pics look great- congrats on being a good role model for Atkins.

[EmDee]

Re: Glass of Wine Geesh.

Pete, I hope you have a great time at your event!

[sallyseachange]

Re: Glass of Wine Geesh.

I hear you on the "alcohol as a reward" thing. It's true... we're conditioned to see it that way, aren't we?
It's also true that we deserve to reward ourselves for jobs well done etc. We can also choose our rewards!

Have a wonderful evening, whatever you decide.