They sound like might fine goals to me.

My hubby was writing down his goals for 2015 only a few minutes ago. He's an engineer and does this every year whereas I've never written down a goal. After many years he's given up asking me if I have any goals. I surprised him though. I made myself one promise in Jan 2014. To be fitter and healthier. I enlisted the help of a friend who is an ex-drill Sargent to "motivate" me when I wanted to give it up. I increased my fitness but my size stayed the same (maybe even increased slightly) until I started low carb in November and saw immediate size loss.

This year my goal is again to be fitter and healthier in whichever way evolves to work for me and fits my life.

EAT ALL THE FAT - IT'S DELICIOUS!!!!!

Sajyana, I had no idea Alcohol had very few carbs. Guess I would have to learn to drink it neat. It must be the mixers that can be bad and I do not drink soda pop. The red wine I have is Chilable Red and I think it had 5 Carbs per 5 OZ. I wonder how Bullet Proof Vodka would be. Hehehehe

shadesofidaho wrote: »

Asking one more dumb question on this alcohol consumption. If alcohol does not have carbs in it how come diabetics are not supposed to drink? Does it trigger BG even with out Carbs in it?

SOI:

I'll "second" Frob's comments and add a couple of my own.

First, it's important to keep in mind that each person consider the various "side effects" of any foodstuff in light of their own particular circumstance. Whether it's alcohol, dairy, cholesterol, whatever. Because "x" food affects a T2D negatively (for example), doesn't "necessarily" mean it produces the same effect on a "non" T2D. That same substance MAY, in fact, also have positive effects on those not sharing the T2D "problems".

I suggest this point, NOT in "defense" of alcohol consumption per se, but rather as just something to keep in mind whenever reading "anyone's" comments, advice, or opinion - MINE, Frob's, or anyone else posting on the various boards, groups, forums, or blogs.

If you haven't already, take a look at some of the posts on the "clean eating/"real" food" groups as an example. Some of them are so myopic as to be downright silly - let alone factually incorrect and irresponsible. Most of us here adhere to "clean" diets (whatever "clean" and "real" means<g>) but make our decisions based on the science, not on dogma, and as they relate to OUR particular situation - that, IMO, is as it should be.

Back to alcohol, as general rules of thumb, "hard liquor" (spirits) have 0 carbs, red "table" wines have about 0.75 carb/oz (3.5-4.0/5oz), whites a little closer to 1.0/oz, and the "fruity" wines can be all over the map but generally much higher.

"Spirits", by themselves = 0 carbs ("most" of them at least) - it IS the "mixers" that are a problem (carb-wise), so "straight up/on the rocks", or with plain water is best, anything else you will have to add the carbs for that.

I have no idea why (but would bet on some "back room/special interest lobbyist deal") wines and liquors are not required to include nutrition labels on the bottle (at least in "most" if not all, states in the US), but they aren't. It will take some effort on your part to separate the good from the bad but many vintners and liquor producers do now include the info on their websites. While it's better than nothing, it's still wise to question any which appear "too good to be true" since it's tough to be sure their "testing" methodology is on par with that mandated for other foodstuffs. For me, if it's not available, I'll shoot them an email asking why not and advising that until it is, I'll not be purchasing their product.

Personally, I add lemon water as a "mixer" (but more as a "volume extender") to both spirits (which I "very" rarely ever drink) and to wine. It wouldn't work for wine "aficionados" but does for me since I drink mostly $12 a "box" wine to begin with and it let's me stretch out 3 or 4 "glasses" when spending time with friends while still keeping to a 5oz "total" amount of actual wine (4 carbs). Works for me, might not for others, just a matter of finding what does "work" for you.

As Frob stated in his 3 points (all of which I agree with) "any" alcohol affects both inhibition control (with resulting diet and social "issues") and hydration so, if nothing else when you drink - drink water, keep your mouth shut and you pants on.

His points about the liver and ketones is correct but doesn't go quite far enough. Not only does alcohol affect ketone production, it also impacts the metabolic process of the other foods consumed because the liver is "hard-wired" to prioritize the metabolism of the alcohol FIRST - before dealing with the other nutrients and while it's somewhat of an oversimplification, one can think of it as effecting "stopping" the processing of anything else UNTIL it's done dealing with the alcohol.

OTOH, there ARE documented "positive" effects of alcohol. Red wine is probably the "best" but even other wines or spirits have been shown to reduce "stress" levels and, as noted, lower both BP and BG levels which, in someone experiencing "moderately" elevated levels of either, can be a "good thing".

If the "positives" outweigh the "negatives" in YOUR particular case (taking in to account ALL of the "variables" specific to YOU - is a decision only YOU can make for yourself.

As the saying goes, "there are no "dumb" questions..." - the only "dummies" are those that don't ask and don't seek to learn.

shadesofidaho wrote: »

I guess what really got me to thinking about having a drink was a mention of Vodka stinger. Well I am SURE cream DeMenth , HA spell check wants to call it demented. Does have the carbs in it. Yes I looked it up 22 carbs the one site said. So my brain was trying to come up with how to de carb it. All I can think of is make it like a white russian. and add the cream and a wee drop of pure mint oil. Crazy me.

But some times on this WOE I feel like I just want something so forbidden and special and in the end it not be full of carbs. I just dropped another 2 pounds below my lowest bump so I am counting it. Right now I do not want to do anything to up set the apple cart. I know this is not a race to the finish but I need to see some results once in awhile.

And in the beginning of this fresh start the end of November I was really really sick from suddenly dropping the carbs and adding the fat. It has been months as in I do not remember when I had the last glass of wine. I think I will just let it go for now. This is all very interesting though and I am looking forward to feeling ok with a glass of wine. Just adds that one more bit of not being on a diet to this WOE.

SOI;

Totally "anecdotal", undocumented, unexposed to the rigors of anything even remotely resembling "science", BUT.......

In the beginning, I dumped wine completely when starting out LCHF.

Never was a beer/hard liquor drinker and while in our Italian home we had wine on the dinner table since I was in diapers, for the last 15 years or so I was a wine drinker "only" Fri and Sat nights (subject to DOT "random" testing at a job that not only involved kids but where "zero tolerance" meant immediate termination and possible jail time).

Since retirement and after my initial "cold turkey" I'm back to my pre DOT, pre LC ways of "a glass or two" with my bride, most nights, at dinner and "a glass or six" when sitting around with friends for an afternoon or extended dinner.

Difference is, "4 or 6" ='s "1 or 2" (watered down).

I've honestly noted no change in weight loss rates (that I can "blame" on the wine).

Weight loss rate DID decline over time but not more than what would be expected and is reported by others who totally abstain throughout.

Can I "prove it"?
No
Will you (or anyone else) experience the same or similar results?
I have absolutely no way of knowing and wouldn't even think of offering an opinion since it would be totally worthless.

All I can tell you is that my nightly glass (or so) of wine is a part of my life I don't particularly want to "give up" (because I DO believe the benefits outweigh the risks) - UNLESS there is a really good reason to do so and so far, at least, I haven't seen one.

Now "sugar" (in all its forms), "sweets", HFCS.........THOSE are a different story! (for me)

I'll chime in on the alcohol. For some of us, 0 carb or not, alcohol makes it hard to lose. I'm female, so maybe that has something to do with it. The non-scientific explanation I heard was that although many alcoholic drinks have 0 carbs, the body will burn the ethanol before it burns the fat--so you are basically stopping your fat burning/ketone burning metabolism. I have 0 idea of the "science" or lay-knowledge behind that explanation. But I know, anecdotally, that it seems to be true for me. I don't *gain* weight while drinking in moderation. But I don't gain weight while eating a moderate amount of potatoes and rice either. But losing? Forget about it. On all counts. So I like to keep a list of 0 carb alcohols for special occasions (I'm a whiskey girl. Irish whiskey if they have it). But when I'm trying to lose, I'm a teetotaler.

My goals for 2015:

Be Consistent each month
Be able to run a10k

Goals!

Follow keto without the atkin's indulge snacks and diet sodas. I think it causes me to crave and I want to try keto without that to see if I am able to stay on better. (today is day 4 and so far so good. I have had the tail end of my atkin's snacks, which are now gone, but no more diet drinks)

Get back to powerlifting.

Solve this joint issue I have. Keep going to the doctor appointments and stop using it as an excuse not to lift.

But! listen to my body. If I am in pain, and not DOMS pain, but real pain, then I need to take it light.

I have been out of commission since just before Thanksgiving. It's been frustrating and I ate like a crazy person and gained all my wonderful keto progress right back because of comfort eating and no more exercise. I just bought Wei-Rui squat shoes and I plan on going back to the gym tomorrow.

A lot of the Atkins brand products use Malitol as their artificial sweetener, which really isn't good at all for most people and has one of the biggest effects on blood sugar (and hunger/cravings as a result) out of all of the different kinds of sugar alcohols.

A lot of keto folks who want to have those types of options available swear by Quest Bars. More expensive, but lots of different flavors. I believe most flavors use Erythritol, which is way, way better than Malitol.