to everyone who has family & friends who like to drink

barbiex3
barbiex3 Posts: 1,036 Member
edited September 28 in Health and Weight Loss
I come from Wisconsin aka the binge drinking capital of the US & on top of that i'm a college student! Everyone I know drinks A LOT. I used to drink quite a bit before I started trying to loose weight, but recently i've tried to cut back a bit, and people really make you feel like the odd one out when you don't drink with them. I'm not even of drinking age, but everyone in my family and my boyfriend's family ALWAYS offers me a beer. I feel like I get asked to drink every day!

I don't wanna sound like the crazy girl by saying 'oh sorry i gotta count my calories' because they don't really understand that. I don't like standing out like that or being known as the girl who is on a diet...

what are some good ways to avoid drinking your calories up with the family and friends?!
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Replies

  • barbiecat
    barbiecat Posts: 17,210 Member
    :bigsmile: say "no, thank you, I'm not drinking today" :bigsmile:
  • lclarkjr
    lclarkjr Posts: 359 Member
    You may not be of "drinking age" but you're certainly an adult capable of making your own decisions. Don't give in to the pressure if you don't really want to drink. Your friends and family will probably give you more respect for standing up to them.
  • thesexybitch
    thesexybitch Posts: 39
    just smoke mad b's but dont get the munchies girrrrrrl
  • merrillfoster
    merrillfoster Posts: 855 Member
    Accept, then surreptitiously dump out a little bit at a time in the bathroom, sink, etc when noone is looking. Occasionally raise it to your lips like you're drinking. The level will go down, so you'll look like you're drinking, and noone will question you. I mean it's sad you have to go to these lengths, but it's an option.
  • spammyanna
    spammyanna Posts: 871 Member
    Just have one, and sip it, or just say no thanks. It's not as hard as you think, and they won't look down at you for it.
  • merrillfoster
    merrillfoster Posts: 855 Member
    Accept, then surreptitiously dump out a little bit at a time in the bathroom, sink, etc when noone is looking. Occasionally raise it to your lips like you're drinking. The level will go down, so you'll look like you're drinking, and noone will question you. I mean it's sad you have to go to these lengths, but it's an option.
  • mageepilot
    mageepilot Posts: 289 Member
    Take the drink and carry it around and don't drink it :drinker:
  • Tjk1011
    Tjk1011 Posts: 1
    Also being from Wisconsin, I understand the stigma. I personally, can't drink beer, I think I'm allergic to the hops, as I get all congested the next day and feel crappy. It's not worth to me, so I just don't drink. People will quit asking, and then when you have that occasional drink, the questions will start again. My sister on the other hand loves her beer, and is also trying to lose weight. She has been converted to a Bud Select 55 Girl! :drinker:
  • Bakins929
    Bakins929 Posts: 895 Member
    Soda water and lime. It looks like you are drinking...
  • Saksgirl1
    Saksgirl1 Posts: 248
    just drink your calories away with some 97 calorie miller light!! Oh, and exercise more the days you know you are heading out! It works out nicely!
  • barbiex3
    barbiex3 Posts: 1,036 Member
    Also being from Wisconsin, I understand the stigma. I personally, can't drink beer, I think I'm allergic to the hops, as I get all congested the next day and feel crappy. It's not worth to me, so I just don't drink. People will quit asking, and then when you have that occasional drink, the questions will start again. My sister on the other hand loves her beer, and is also trying to lose weight. She has been converted to a Bud Select 55 Girl! :drinker:

    whoo! someone who gets it! thanks for the story =] sometimes i feel like i'm the only one in the state who doesn't drink lol
  • natskedat
    natskedat Posts: 570 Member
    Take the drink and carry it around and don't drink it :drinker:

    My husband's friends really like to drink, and he does this. In fact, he'll carry the same beer bottle in a coozie for hours, and be drinking, but he's been refilling the bottle with water. He looks like he's drinking but he's just drinking water.
  • Lisha0617
    Lisha0617 Posts: 1
    I KNOW exactly what you mean! a few years ago i used to party alot and i was trying to lose weight of course it didnt work because i kept drinking...but NOW I just offer to be the D.D or Just tell them i dont want to drink!....
  • Elizabeth_C34
    Elizabeth_C34 Posts: 6,376 Member
    Carry a drink around with you. :) No one needs to know it's the same one you've been drinking all night but you :)
  • curvygirl512
    curvygirl512 Posts: 423 Member
    Penn Stater here, the other party school capital. Football and tailgating are religion where I live. Here's my recommendation: Accept the beer, toast your team and your friends, then put it down or pour it out when no one is looking. Don't forget to stay hydrated with water, b/c all that partying is hard work! Have fun.
  • alibaba24
    alibaba24 Posts: 2
    As a fellow Wisconsinite, it is TOUGH to say no when the get-togethers are pretty much centered around drinking. I feel your pain- this Saturday I'm going to a friends birthday party in which the theme is "whiskey".

    What I've been trying to do is limit myself to only 2 days a month which I let myself drink (hard), and then to stick to my calorie goals really well during the rest of the time. I also make sure I write down the calories I drink so that I don't fall out of the habbit of keeping track. It's probably not the best solution- but the alternative of not having a social life isn't pleasant either.
  • LareishaH
    LareishaH Posts: 205 Member
    Ironically I just posted in your other thread....lol. But I am from Wisconsin too, and college students love to drink. Realistically you can have one drink (although I don't condone underage drinking) and babysit it all night. This way the only way people notice you aren't really drinking is if they are watching you the whole night or you can politely decline. You have the right to say no; you can't be forced to drink.
  • Yodeler
    Yodeler Posts: 1
    1) Be a designated driver. One of the best reasons to not drink, diet or no diet, and people won't pressure you once you tell them.

    2) Drink better booze. It's perfectly normal to drink one dram of single malt scotch over the course of 30+ minutes. In that time the people around you will drink many times that amount of other liquor or beer, but at least you'll be socially drinking with them. I have no idea what you did or do like to drink, but if you think scotch is harsh there are many sweet single malts - Macallan 12 is common at a lot of bars, and it's a really good sweet scotch, fairly cheap too. It will still be more than beer, but when you factor the drinking time in you're actually saving money too.
  • Forensic
    Forensic Posts: 468 Member
    Just say "No, just water, thanks".

    Don't make a big production of it and, unless they're really bored/immature they won't think anything of it.
  • cawood2
    cawood2 Posts: 177 Member
    You can make better choices, too... Light beer, or vodka and soda, or some other low calorie mix with the alcohol. Vodka is about 67-70 calories per oz., and soda water is negligible. Or tomato juice? 30 cal per 5.5 oz. I do a caesar (clamato juice and vodka) or a light beer. Or double fist with a water... just refill the water way more often than the drink. Or you could appoint yourself designated driver and avoid the issue.
  • quietlywinning
    quietlywinning Posts: 889 Member
    I'm from WI. Just saying no is the fastest and easiest way to go. They'll get used to it, and you don't owe them an explanation. I don't drink. Period. You have, but it's your right to quit. If you feel the need to explain, just say, "I quit drinking so I can be healthy and legal."

    They get used to it and they quit asking. When someone is stubborn or argues, ask them if they would like for you to argue over their choice every time! Anyone worth talking to will understand that, and the rest.......are not worth talking to!
  • Cam_
    Cam_ Posts: 515 Member
    I quit drinking about 5 years ago and don't find it a problem any more. I usually just ask for water if people have it. After a while, people just get used to the fact that you are a water drinker - besides - it's easy for them to provide and cheaper than booze.
    I don't believe in "pretending" to drink (or eat) to not hurt people's feelings. I just let people know the truth if they inquire - "no I don't drink". I figure people would rather hear it straight rather than you try and trick them into something that is not true.

    Oh and *good for you* for not wanting so much booze. It really causes a *lot* of health issues by overdoing it.
  • ltf304
    ltf304 Posts: 132 Member
    Take the drink and carry it around and don't drink it :drinker:

    My husband's friends really like to drink, and he does this. In fact, he'll carry the same beer bottle in a coozie for hours, and be drinking, but he's been refilling the bottle with water. He looks like he's drinking but he's just drinking water.

    Hahahaha this is what I have been doing. It gets annoying when my friends keep me asking me "Why aren't you drinking?" or "drink with me!". I started filling my beer bottle with water and no one ever knows.
  • SolidGoaled
    SolidGoaled Posts: 504 Member
    Take the drink and carry it around and don't drink it :drinker:

    My husband's friends really like to drink, and he does this. In fact, he'll carry the same beer bottle in a coozie for hours, and be drinking, but he's been refilling the bottle with water. He looks like he's drinking but he's just drinking water.

    Hahahaha this is what I have been doing. It gets annoying when my friends keep me asking me "Why aren't you drinking?" or "drink with me!". I started filling my beer bottle with water and no one ever knows.

    I just LOVE this "fake drinking" strategy and I cannot wait to try it! Do you think anyone would know its water if it was in an amber bottle, like Michelob? Also - do you fake drinkers start with the real stuff and have any at all, or just go straight to water and fake drink? It sounds so naughty and sneaky! :devil:
  • PattyCake123
    PattyCake123 Posts: 156 Member
    I just graduated college and had this same issue this past semester. What I started doing was getting myself a diet coke or club soda in a cocktail glass with a lime. I love coke and lime AND no one questions it because it looked like a cocktail drink (and the bartender usually just gives it to you, so you're saving money too). I also would volunteer to be the DD a lot. At least that way my friends had a safe way to get home and I didn't have to drink.


    Good luck and I hope something works for you!
  • natskedat
    natskedat Posts: 570 Member
    Take the drink and carry it around and don't drink it :drinker:

    My husband's friends really like to drink, and he does this. In fact, he'll carry the same beer bottle in a coozie for hours, and be drinking, but he's been refilling the bottle with water. He looks like he's drinking but he's just drinking water.

    Hahahaha this is what I have been doing. It gets annoying when my friends keep me asking me "Why aren't you drinking?" or "drink with me!". I started filling my beer bottle with water and no one ever knows.

    I just LOVE this "fake drinking" strategy and I cannot wait to try it! Do you think anyone would know its water if it was in an amber bottle, like Michelob? Also - do you fake drinkers start with the real stuff and have any at all, or just go straight to water and fake drink? It sounds so naughty and sneaky! :devil:

    My hubs isn't an alcoholic, so one drink doesn't trigger a binge. He'll drink the original beer, and then follow it with 4 or 5 waters from an amber Newcastle bottle. Nobody has EVER noticed. In fact, there was one day when we were getting ready to leave, and I said, "You've been drinking all day. I'll drive." He said, "Nope. I've been drinking waters all day." He fooled even ME!
  • Garae
    Garae Posts: 116 Member
    I drink Seltzer and Vodka with lime, only 50 cals a drink.. I mean you don't want to deprive yourself if that's what you like to do because that sets yourself up for a binge.. I'd research the calories in different beers just so you can be knowledgeable about what's a good choice at the time. Also, you could drink slower and make the drink last longer!
  • Aimee530
    Aimee530 Posts: 1
    Soda and lime is my fake drink of choice. I used the excuse of not wanting to get sick in college. Just say you're trying to kick some bug you've had and don't want to do anything to harm your immune system. Most if not all college drinkers can relate to that!
  • Rage_Phish
    Rage_Phish Posts: 1,507 Member
    just smoke mad b's but dont get the munchies girrrrrrl

    Truth
  • JMCade
    JMCade Posts: 389 Member
    Just be true to yourself girl! If you don't want one, don't! I'm in the same boat- I can't handle my alcohol well anyways so I'm good with not drinking. So what if everyone else does. Let 'em lush it up! They aren't good for you anyways. Just remember you are taking care of the one and only body you get.:flowerforyou:
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