Advice on avoiding alcohol....

orangesmarties
orangesmarties Posts: 49 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
So I have just started university, and I don't like to drink. It makes my workouts slower, I feel sluggish, bloated and fat. But I do love to socialise and meet people, which is especially important during freshers. I try to avoid liquid calories, and sugary/fizzy drinks too. But over the next few days, I'm going to a couple house parties, and I feel awkward just drinking water in someone else's house when they've specifically asked us to bring our own drink. I'm considering investing in a big bottle of coke zero just so it doesn't look like I'm not drinking. But I wouldn't feel particularly wild about drinking it the whole night. It would be wonderful if anyone like-minded could share their insights on this one - like some low-zero calorie acceptable alternatives, ways to get round it etc. Also, I'm a vegan, in case that makes any difference :)

Replies

  • kgeyser
    kgeyser Posts: 22,505 Member
    Just drink what you want. As long as you aren't preaching to anyone else about what to drink or not drink, or making a big deal about not drinking, I doubt anyone will even notice or care.
  • redfisher1974
    redfisher1974 Posts: 614 Member
    Just drink what you want. As long as you aren't preaching to anyone else about what to drink or not drink, or making a big deal about not drinking, I doubt anyone will even notice or care.

    This^
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    Who cares what anyone else thinks, drink what you want.
  • onefortyone
    onefortyone Posts: 531 Member
    I used to go to the bar alone and order a small orange juice, then it usually comes in the same glass as a screwdriver so when you go back to your friends, they literally don't even ask. Or get a non-alcoholic bottled drink. People will, again, not even think to ask. Drink water between each drink, which is the sensible thing to do anyway - you get just as drunk but stay hydrated to avoid the hangovers. Your friends might even join you lol. The drinks have calories so log them as best you can, though!

    That's how I got through many years of Uni being a lightweight. Once I drank a shot and had to go home and lie down lol.
  • mysmileighs
    mysmileighs Posts: 103 Member
    If you like club soda, you can drink that with a lime in it. In a glass, it looks like Vodka, Gin, etc. :drinker: :flowerforyou:
  • vismal
    vismal Posts: 2,463 Member
    If you are really so nervous as to what others think, have one can or bottle of light beer. Carry it all night long. Drink as little or much of it as you want. No one will know that you've only had 1. No one will know you're sipping air. Personally I would just drink whatever I wanted and give not a single chit about what anyone else thought of it, but that's just me.
  • faster415
    faster415 Posts: 1 Member
    I have the same problem at parties. I don't feel peer pressure to drink, but I get tired of people asking me why I'm not. I really like club soda (or perrier or calistoga) with a slice of lime. I can drink it all night without getting sick of it, it hydrates me (unlike Coca Cola), and it also doesn't seem to garner much attention. But bring extra, because you would be surprised at how many people appreciate having that alternative!
  • Mischievous_Rascal
    Mischievous_Rascal Posts: 1,791 Member
    Bring some sparkling water. Bring some juice. Drink what you want to. Really, nobody worthwhile will care. Trust me.
  • pepperpat64
    pepperpat64 Posts: 423 Member
    Drink water on the rocks and tell people it's vodka. :wink:
  • TheKingsChampion
    TheKingsChampion Posts: 120
    Just tell people you don't want to drink.

    I do. A drop of alcohol has never passed my lips. I absolutely hate the smell of it and I can't imagine drinking it. And I've been this way my whole life. Never tried it and don't plan to. :)
  • TheKingsChampion
    TheKingsChampion Posts: 120
    Just tell people you don't want to drink.

    I do. A drop of alcohol has never passed my lips. I absolutely hate the smell of it and I can't imagine drinking it. And I've been this way my whole life. Never tried it and don't plan to. :)

    And I don't let anyone influence me.
  • TheKingsChampion
    TheKingsChampion Posts: 120
    Sorry double post. The internet got stuck...Lol
  • ana3067
    ana3067 Posts: 5,623 Member
    BYOB just means that the house is not supplying everyone with alcohol because... well that'd be too expensive. If you'd like to have something to drink, just bring a water bottle or buy a cooler (very low alcoholic %, basically it's just sugar). Chances are you will not be the only person not drinking, as not all college students are stereotypical party animals. Been in university 4+ years now, I drink less now than I did in high school.

    So telling people to bring their own booze isn't because they are expecting you all to drink, it's because it'd be terribly stupid to buy booze for everyone. It'd be like someone at a bar paying for EVERYONE's drinks.
  • cdoesthehula
    cdoesthehula Posts: 141 Member
    At the risk of sounding like a boring old man, remember many of the people you meet at university are functioning alcoholics. If they're insisting you drink, that's a good sign that they may be.

    There's lots of social events at universities where the people won't be hammered. You may not find them rightaway, but they'll be there. Loads of people just like you.

    Have a great time. :-)
  • Natihilator
    Natihilator Posts: 1,778 Member
    Don't actually lie about drinking alcohol when you're drinking water/juice/soda because that's silly...

    If asked, I would just say "I'm not drinking tonight". If anyone keeps pressing with "why not?" after saying that, they're not worth talking to and you should find new people to converse with.
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  • 20yearsyounger
    20yearsyounger Posts: 1,630 Member
    Drink and stay within you macro limits but don't limit your eating so that you can drink more. As you get fitter you may naturally drink less alcohol.
  • Patttience
    Patttience Posts: 975 Member
    Take something for the host and drink what you want.

    I wouldn't take any diet drinks.

    Take a wine glass and some soda water. That's just bubbly water. You could put some food colouring in it.
  • TheNewPriceIsLoading
    TheNewPriceIsLoading Posts: 2,135 Member
    Just drink what you want. As long as you aren't preaching to anyone else about what to drink or not drink, or making a big deal about not drinking, I doubt anyone will even notice or care.

    This^

    ^^ Agree
  • kaotik26
    kaotik26 Posts: 590 Member
    Don't let anybody make you feel bad for making a healthy decision.
  • longtimeterp
    longtimeterp Posts: 614 Member
    Just get drunk and you won't care that you are drinking anymore?
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  • Natihilator
    Natihilator Posts: 1,778 Member
    Take a wine glass and some soda water. That's just bubbly water. You could put some food colouring in it.

    umm...but why?
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  • KylaDenay
    KylaDenay Posts: 1,585 Member
    Drink whatever your heart desires. Who cares what other people think or have to say about it. Its your body and your choice on what you want to put in it. If you don't like alcohol then don't drink it and don't worry about it.
  • jnv7594
    jnv7594 Posts: 983 Member
    If you are really so nervous as to what others think, have one can or bottle of light beer. Carry it all night long. Drink as little or much of it as you want. No one will know that you've only had 1. No one will know you're sipping air. Personally I would just drink whatever I wanted and give not a single chit about what anyone else thought of it, but that's just me.

    This was my thought. No one is going to keep tabs on how many beers you have, so if you have just one beer and carry it around all night then I doubt anyone will even notice. Personally, I wouldn't worry so much about what others think, but if it's that much of a concern to you there are ways around it.
  • slucki01
    slucki01 Posts: 284 Member
    Just drink what you want. As long as you aren't preaching to anyone else about what to drink or not drink, or making a big deal about not drinking, I doubt anyone will even notice or care.

    ^^this
  • labztofabz
    labztofabz Posts: 1
    Ugh, social acceptance.

    Didn't read anything else (mostly) --- lazy. Kinda the reason I'm here lol. It's refreshing to see someone say they don't like to drink but feel the pressure to do so. As someone who feels the NEED to drink to handle any social situations (ridiculous social anxiety), I am in awe of someone who feels the need to pretend to drink to fit in. But, oh, that age gap.

    Please know that if everyone else is drinking, they won't know or care what you are drinking and thank god that you do not HAVE to drink to just be there. Please know that you can be yourself and do not have to pretend to be different for others. Don't start down that slippery slope lol One drink here or there to "relax" can lead to many more. Please know that you are fine the way you are.
  • shexy16
    shexy16 Posts: 68
    Drink what you want and if anyone says anything, sorry but they can sukkit. As someone who has been sober for about 15 years now, NOTHING gets under my skin worse than some jackhole coming up to me at a party or something, and asking me why I'm not drinking (meaning, why am I not drinking alcohol).

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