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11/23/09 10:31 A

Great discussion - here's to limiting consumption to one glass with dinner!

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11/21/09 4:29 P

I enjoy a glass of wine and since i've been on sparkpeople - i have limited myself to a glass of wine with dinner when i have calories to spare - thanksgiving will be interesting because our family has a lot of european influence which enjoys wine with a long leisurely dinner - good side of that is people don't tend to get drunk - down side is that there tends to be a good deal of food over a bunch of hours. So far i've done pretty well at family gatherings this year. Here's to a good holiday season.

Posts: 186
11/21/09 9:24 A

I look at alcohol as fitting into that category of not eliminating your favorite foods (if you enjoy the occasional drink). Just like it's impossible to succeed at a lifestyle change if we don't allow ourselves to make room for foods (like pecan pie) that we enjoy in moderation, if I enjoy a glass of wine or something else, I just count it into my calories for the day (empty or not). The key for me is planning for it ahead of time & then sticking to the amount I know that fits.

Posts: 11
11/21/09 7:00 A

This is going to be my biggest challenge as well. My family loves wine and it is always flowing when everyone is together. I am already planning to stay away from it, with the exception of two glasses on Thanksgiving day. Hopefully by budgeting for it this way, I won't go overboard. I definitely do not want to be hungover the next day or dive into leftover food. ugh.

Posts: 394
11/20/09 12:31 A

I have no problem resisting alcohol, partly because I was raised in a "no-drinking" environment, my husband doesn't drink (due to an alcoholic familial tendency), and I just see no reason to put "empty calories" into my diet. Sounds like it's not so easy for everyone else, though.

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11/18/09 8:33 P

I'm really enjoying this thread--thanks, everyone! I've found the various tips helpful, and I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who enjoys a drink now and then.

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11/18/09 1:09 P

mmm, well I'm semi-following the Body For Life plan (but also trying to make sure that I hit mid-range for my calories everyday). The "plan" food-wise isn't really restrictive, but they encourage you to take a "free day" and eat whatever you like. Some people take this to mean a "free meal" or two instead of the entire 24 hour period. I find that even though I started off giving myself the whole day, now it's really my allowance for the week to go out and have a few drinks, dinner with friends, etc.

Some people are against it, others say that they give themselves the whole weekend free, but I really think it depends who you are and what boundaries/liberties you need for yourself. A cheat day can help keep your metabolism going, alleviate cravings throughout the week, and help keep your sanity in general (especially during the holidays!).

They can also be a slippery slope for a lot of people that find it hard to get back on track once they are off. Personally, I have an "all or nothing" mentality in general, so having an allowance for indulgences in moderation makes sure that I keep on track the other 90 percent of the time.

I think that there's a whole forum dedicated to this on the message boards, if you're interested in more takes on the idea.

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11/18/09 10:55 A

I'm interested in learning about the free day - how does that work?

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11/17/09 7:51 P

Mmmm, I really do enjoy the winter holiday libations best, so I'm just going to plan my calories around them. I get one free day per week, so that will help make sure that I get back on track.

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Posts: 65
11/17/09 4:25 P

I love my drinks too much to worry about it. I would rather have a fab dry martini or a french brandy than any holiday dessert. I don;t care for sweet drinks, which is where a lot of calories pile up, so I drink my booze straight up (brandy in a snifter, plain original martini's or rum on the rocks). I drink socially and not in a party mode, so I never drink more than three drink at most. A glass of water in-between each drink it my best advice.

For parties, (back in the day, lol), I never made the mistake of "not" eating before going to a party. Those cocktails hit the system way too fast. I ate a few cubes of cheese at a bare minimum before the first drink and a regular dinner if I could. I also did the water trick, and for dark coloured booze, I used tea....I kept a bottle in my purse and secretly refilled it in the bathroom. I always drank as much water as I could before going out (and after) to help keep hydrated.

The thing that keeps me from drinking too much, however is not the calories, but the feeling of being tipsy. I hate that feeling, I don't mind the warm glow, but feeling and acting stupid is not my idea of having fun. I always was more on guard at parties than I was at home with friends and family.

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11/9/09 2:56 P

We don't drink so thankfully this is one situation I don't have to worry about.

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11/7/09 1:50 P

It's not the alcohol for me it's that fact that I lose all will power when I drink and end up overeating. This is something that I continue to need to work on.

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11/7/09 12:05 P

I think it is determined by age--some young people are always put into drinking atmospheres. That is just the norm for them--when I was younger I was married and pregnant--lol--no partying for me--lol

Now it is much easier--if I want a drink --I can have one--but I am not a good drinker so one is my limit. Also I have alcoholics in the family so I have always watched myself carefully!!!

This is never a problem for me--just eating all the good stuff is the problem!

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11/7/09 7:50 A

I am so up and down with this. Last year I quit drinking any alcohol for a few months, just to see if I could! And I could, and it was fine, so I went to drinking les when I did drink. It's not an every day thing (!) but when I do drink, I have a tendancy to drink a lot. So I have discovered the ability to have 1-2 (usually 2) drinks and that is it. Some days that is very easy. Others it is not. Just the other night had too much and then yesterday I was so tired I didn't work out. It is a struggle. I think I need to make it a rule to do the 1-2 thing, but the thing is I've always rebelled against rules like that!! When I alternate with water it helps, but I often forget b/c it was a long time that I didn't alternate compared to a short time where I try to. Also, I think I have a compulsion to finish drinks in my hand - water OR alcohol. So the carrying the same drink around thing wouldn't work for me. I need to work on that. I don't know if I could pull off filling it with water. Well, clearly this was something I've been needing to work through! Thanks for the opportunity!!

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11/7/09 4:42 A

I'm always the designated driver. By doing that 1. the bar gives me free water and sodas, 2. our friends know it so they don't try and push drinks on me. Also I would choose to drink we would have to walk home. It isn't very far usually right around the block but in the rain and cold it seems so much further so no one even offers me a drink anymore, they just bring me bottles of water all night.

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11/7/09 3:22 A

Alcohol (red wine) is my weakness too, but I've found that by tracking my food during the day, I know what I have left @ night - generally OK for 2 glasses of wine and so I'm able to stop.

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11/6/09 9:37 P

I am a food addict, and drinking alcohol allows me to give my self permission to pig out. I think a lot of you don't have that weakness. That's good.

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11/6/09 9:31 P

I no longer drink alcohol but always have water in my hand. Others in my family do, mostly beer and they bring their own. I haven't gone to many parties since I retired and have no car.

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11/6/09 9:25 P

Lee, I am like you. I am a non drinker. I have never had a drink in my life. Not even at all four of our kids weddings.

It is just something I have never done so I guess will never miss. I have never tried smoking either. No wonder I wanted to be a nun LOL...Merri

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11/6/09 8:52 P

I too am a non drinker. (not that I didn't in my early years). However, I don't need to worry about those extra calories over the holidays. Must concentrate on staying away from the sweets however.

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11/6/09 8:16 P

How I love Friday nights! It's our Jack and coke night. Look forward to it all week.

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11/6/09 6:00 P

I am not a Alcohol drinker nor my husband and I will be going to my brother in law for thanksgiving and they dont drink Alcohol,

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11/6/09 4:38 P

Our holidays are with family and friends and about 75% of us are drinkers...some wine, champagne, beer, tequila, etc...
I am always the designated driver, I will have a beer as soon as we arrive, cover it with a koozie and no will ever know how much is in my bottle...I

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11/6/09 3:51 P

I won't waste my points on drinking...I love food too much so it isn't a problem for me. But by being "the social butterfly" you can move around a lot and not be encumbered by having a drink in your hand (and always looking for a place to put it down). As far as problem behavior, it's difficult to confront people (but I won't let them drive, I don't care how mad they get...I've stolen keys before and I'd do it again). I have, though, "latched" on to the trouble makers and keep them busy and away from excessive amounts of alcohol (not an easy task).

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11/6/09 2:50 P

Yes, holiday drinks can be a problem. Whether is it at family parties or social events, alcohol can affect behaviour and eating. My son always stated up front, he doesn't drink alcohol. People leave him alone. Another son does and a single DUI can be too too costly. My mother used to get a drink of scotch neat and carried it around all night not drinking. I used to drink, but body says no nowadays. I often go to Masonic or church events and there is no drinking of alcohol. Good luck to all over the holidays and hope you can find some events with no alcohol drinking. Water anyone?

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11/6/09 2:21 P

I use to drink heavily (sp) every weekend and now I very rarely drink. Most of the time that I go out, I just order a glass of water. Most people will appreciate that, rather than push you for a drink. I will occasionaly have a drink, but not nearly as often as I use to. No more hangovers for me.

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11/6/09 2:01 P

This is not an issue for me, since I don't drink at all and am only occasionally around a few family members who do.

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11/6/09 1:40 P

Since alcohol is served at almost every social function, it's a hard choice to make to have a soft drink or water with a twist of lime if what you really want is alcohol. But that is the choice recovering alcoholics make. They don't avoid social situations, they still enjoy being social without having a drink.
The question is "is is worth it?"
If it is, and those extra non-nutritional calories get consumed, then it's time for more exercise!

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11/6/09 1:34 P

What a good idea MerryCakes!

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11/6/09 1:28 P

I'm not much of a drinker so skipping the alcohol isn't too much of a problem. So I usually wander around parties with a glass of water anyways.

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11/6/09 12:54 P

I used to drink alcohol but don't anymore, however I do remember the panks that I got for sweets at that time. Hang in there, have a drink or two, just go out early on and get some exercise and burn up those extra calories.

Posts: 387
11/6/09 12:54 P

At home or at family parties I like to use a very tiny, very pretty glass, such as the Bodum espresso/shot glasses, and have just a taste of the wine I'm the most interested in. Then I switch to a hot cup of herbal tea (especially cinnamon or other holiday tea). Wine just doesn't seem to go with tea, so that really helps! Plus people are less likely to offer you drinks when they see your hands wrapped around a lovely mug of tea.

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11/6/09 12:35 P

I was just going to say that my family doesn't drink so that won't be a problem. Then I remembered...we're staying at my niece's for Thanksgiving and they drink and my husband joins them. Also, my nephew from California always brings a bunch of CA wines...good ones. Hmmmmm, I'll have to be really vigilant! Good topic!

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11/6/09 12:33 P

Ain't it the truth! I can have ONE glass of wine and Katy bar the door to the kitchen! Then I always want another glass. And after the second one, another! It is best for me to never start, but oh, I do love wine and gin and mimosa's. Sigh. But, the kicker is that it seems to take many more days to get rid of the alcohol in my body and hangovers come with just two drinks! Another sad, sad, reality of old age. So I will have a glass every now and then, but it is best for me to never have any.

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11/6/09 12:17 P

I'm so bad, I can't even handle one drink without falling off my diet. If there is food, I can't drink alcohol. If I don't want to be conspicuous in choosing not to drink, club soda with lime is my drink of choice. If I have the urge to drink, I stick to one drink at the end of the day AFTER I've eaten my allowed calories and I make sure there is no food around.

I just lose all will power when I drink. It's a shame, too, because I love the occasional cocktail during the holidays!

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11/6/09 12:10 P

Hi!
My major stumbling block for the holidays is alcohol. Alcohol is at every social function I go to during the holidays and its hard to resist. But, one, it is full of calories without any nutritional value, and two, I often eat more when I am drinking (we've all heard this before). It also makes me feel tired the next day and more likely to overeat again and not exercise.

What I've started doing (when I can control myself) is drinking a beer and then going into the bathroom and secretly filling it with water. This way you stay hydrated and can have something in your hands.

Does anyone else have any suggestions or techniques? I think this is a common issue for everyone during the holidays.