How do you say 'No"
NatalieG70
Posts: 11
Does anyone have a problem with saying no to alcohol? I'm not talking AA limits, but what do you do when you lead a very social life and everyone around you is having a beer or a glass of wine - or my personal favourite....bubbles! How far down do you have to dig to find the self control to say "no thanks, I'll have a glass of water!!!!!"
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Well, I try my best to avoid unnecessary calories, even when it comes to alcohol. When it's the right time, right occasion, then sure enough I'll enjoy a glass of champagne or whatnot. When I'm at a bar, I usually order a vodka tonic/soda. They tend to have the lowest amount of calories as opposed to a margarita or some fancy martini.
I usually don't have a hard time to say "no" because I'm an extreme lightweight. I get red so easily after barely taking a drink, so yeah.
I guess you could say you're the "designated driver" lol. I'm always that person because alcohol hardly tempts me.0 -
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I don't get it, I guess. What other people do has nothing to do with me. If I happen to want a drink I will, if not, I won't. Lead, don't follow.0
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I'm guessing the OP is talking willpower over sticking to goal calories rather than peer pressure to have a drink if everyone else is. I guess it comes down to how often you are socialising with alcohol, and if you're going on a night out to get hammered or just nicely tipsy. I would agree that drinking the same quantity as others is silly with just casual drinking. Everyone has different willpower levels, I say to myself do I really need or want this before drinking/eating, and pre-logging can help too.0
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drive!
these days ''i'm driving'' is something nobody will argue with.0 -
I like the suggestion to drive, unfortunately since we moved to a city with great public transport we nixed the car. Which does help me exercise more but doesn't help with the alcohol issue.
OP, yes I find it very hard to say no. I regularly had a G&T (and unfortunately I can't get low cal tonic here), especially for an aperitif. And I like a nice glass of wine or two with dinner. I try to stick to one (small one) now.
I agree with the poster who suggested pre-logging, I do it to work out meals and treats. Also, I find the less I eat the less I am able to drink because I get merry more quickly (less lining the stomach).0 -
There are a few things that can make me say no:
1. having something important to do after the party, when I want my head to be fresh.
2. thinking about cancer dangers of alcohol, as well as thinking about my liver and how much older I would look if I drink....0 -
Find some friends that like to do things that don't center around drinking0
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Come prepared. You don't have to drink water. Bring something fun like diet pop or somethign else that won't cost too many calories.
Perhaps you can mix your drinks with diet gingerale?0 -
fake it? Get water with a lime in it.0
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Never empty your glass. If you have a vodka and tonic, keep topping up the tonic, so when someone gets a round in you can just say, "No, I'm OK for now".0
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"I promised (insert friend's name here) that I'd keep an eye on her tonight." (this works best with a female friend when you are somewhere with strangers.)
"I'm getting over a stomach bug"
"I try not to drink on weekdays/I'm working early tomorrow."
"I don't drink after ___ o'clock"
"Oh, I'm doing this healthy detox vegan yoga spiritual boot camp, do you want to hear about it?" (of course, this could easily repel people from you all night)0 -
I just try to hang out less to avoid temptations coz I'm very weak at saying no to alcohol when I'm surrounded with it0
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I hate to say this...it's never received well....:grumble:Does anyone have a problem with saying no to alcohol? I'm not talking AA limits, but what do you do when you lead a very social life and everyone around you is having a beer or a glass of wine - or my personal favourite....bubbles! How far down do you have to dig to find the self control to say "no thanks, I'll have a glass of water!!!!!"
If you're anything like me, you don't say no.
And that means severing those connections and seeking out new, like-minded people.
Good Luck...0 -
I used to go out a couple times a month and have drinks. But I stopped. The calories aren't worth it to me. But I don't need to try to say no anymore, I just have no desire to waste my calories in that way.0
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drive!
these days ''i'm driving'' is something nobody will argue with.
This is a good "excuse". Most people can't understand "I can't drink, I'm dieting" but they'll understand "I can't drink, I'm driving".0 -
I make sure I have room for a drink or three. I enjoy drinking. But if I don't want to drink I don't. I don't usually have a problem saying no.
Is the issue pressure from your friends to drink or is it your lack of willpower to not have the drink in the first place? Letting friends know up front that you're not interested in drinking for whatever reason should be enough that they won't pressure you to drink. If not tell them to fck off. If it's a willpower issue for you then you just need to work on making yourself do what you know you need to do. It's not easy but it's worth it.0 -
If your problem is willpower:
The same way I walk away from a Snickers bar. Not that I NEVER have one, just sayin.
Tell yourself that each time you deny yourself a drink, or whatever else you think you shouldn't have so much of, it makes you stronger.
If your problem is worrying about what people think if you don't drink:
I used to drink and can't now due to a medical issue. I still go out with my friends and they drink so it was kind of hard at first. I was alwayssss explaining why I wasn't drinking and I had the feeling that some thought it was against my religion, I was a prude, I had an alcohol problem, blah blah blah. Now that I'm older and wiser, I just plain don't give a crap about what people think about me and what I do or don't do. If they are true friends, they should get it.0 -
When I'm back home during the holidays I'm quite often driver as it just makes it so much cheaper for myself.
When I'm at uni, I try and stick to just one type of drink throughout the night, and it's usually vodka and diet coke. I used to love wine, but it would give me a cracking hangover!0 -
By adding the word HELL in front....HELL NO!!!0
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I hate to say this...it's never received well....:grumble:Does anyone have a problem with saying no to alcohol? I'm not talking AA limits, but what do you do when you lead a very social life and everyone around you is having a beer or a glass of wine - or my personal favourite....bubbles! How far down do you have to dig to find the self control to say "no thanks, I'll have a glass of water!!!!!"
If you're anything like me, you don't say no.
And that means severing those connections and seeking out new, like-minded people.
Good Luck...
^I mostly agree with this. If its work, drink tonic or soda water with a lime and don't tell anyone. If its friends and they won't take "no thank you" for an answer then you need new friends.0 -
"Oh, I'm doing this healthy detox vegan yoga spiritual boot camp, do you want to hear about it?" (of course, this could easily repel people from you all night)
this lol0 -
Find some friends that like to do things that don't center around drinking
I would say this, but they're not easy to find, especially when in your 20s! Unfortunately my ideas of going to the art museum or glow bowling were not as popular as going to bars. You could offer to be the DD so you won't be tempted to drink since your friends are counting on you to get home safely. Eventually it starts to not be such a big deal to just order a club soda with lime and nobody will care or give you a hard time about it.0 -
I am not a drinker so I have no problem turning down alcohol. When people offer something I do not eat I like to just say "thank you for offering but this doesn't fit into my plan and I've worked to hard to take steps backward now."0
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Remove yourself from the situation. That's easy for me to say because hanging out in a bar was never my idea of fun.0
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We seem to have quite a few social events too and yes, it is hard. I try to save up some calories to fit a drink or two in and then alternate the alcoholic beverages with something that looks like a drink like Perrier and diet 7 up with lemon.0
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It depends on how often you're going out. If we're talking nightly, or even a few times a week, then yes, you're going to have to come up with an alternative. I'd rather use my calories for real food on a regular basis than have a drink. Just get seltzer water or a diet soda.
If you're going out once per week, a drink or two shouldn't be a big deal, just plan your day accordingly to allow for the extra calories by keeping your eating light and/or getting some exercise in. Skip the cocktail drinks though because the sour mix and juices most of those have can really amp up the calorie count. Instead have a wine spritzer or your favorite clear liquor (gin, rum, vodka) mixed with a diet soda. Either of those choices will be about 100 calories.0 -
I usually go out on either Friday night or Saturday night and try to limit the calories during the day because I know that I am going to have a beer, that is not my favorite but a light beer, with low calories allows me to milk it. Then if I want something else I'll have it and then the next day will work off all the calories that I consumed the previous evening. Mind you that I only do this once in a while, have the extra, if you get stuck in the social situation like you're talking about it's just mind over matter, do what you prefer and don't feel guilty. You can always throw in some extra workouts.0
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My problem was never them but me.
I hate to say this...it's never received well....:grumble:Does anyone have a problem with saying no to alcohol? I'm not talking AA limits, but what do you do when you lead a very social life and everyone around you is having a beer or a glass of wine - or my personal favourite....bubbles! How far down do you have to dig to find the self control to say "no thanks, I'll have a glass of water!!!!!"
If you're anything like me, you don't say no.
And that means severing those connections and seeking out new, like-minded people.
Good Luck...
^I mostly agree with this. If its work, drink tonic or soda water with a lime and don't tell anyone. If its friends and they won't take "no thank you" for an answer then you need new friends.
Sure, they'll take no for an answer, but I won't drink water if everybody else is drunk and partying.
I had to just decide that I no longer wanted to be that guy.
I needed new friends into fitness, health and general wellness.
It's a personal choice each of us make.0 -
"Oh, I'm doing this healthy detox vegan yoga spiritual boot camp, do you want to hear about it?" (of course, this could easily repel people from you all night)
:laugh:0
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