Wondering about Alcohol

[Pudsley]

I am at the point now where I would like a drink.
I have never been someone who really likes wine, its been a bit hit and miss finding one I like.

So I prefer a short like a Gin and Tonic or Gin and Ginger Ale.
But the mixer is fizzy.

I was told by my team not to drink fizzy drinks.

I wondered now what I can do?

Any tips for me on this one.

What do You enjoy?

[Shannon'sVSG]

Hi Carla!

Before I answer this, I want to state that I am in no way promoting drinking alcohol. I know we are told to shy away from it, however, if we are going to drink, that we should find something less sugary and stay away from the cocktail mixes. Having said that...

I too, enjoy a refreshing libation now and again, and what my wife and I have found is that mixing certain vodkas with premixed crystal light appears to satisfy the pallet as well as reduce the sugar and caloric intake that would be consumed by flavored vodka's or mixes.

For instance, I enjoy Captain Morgan's Coconut Rum and Pineapple, but because the sugar component in the juice was too much I found a sugar free Pineapple Crush that I mix into a 16 ounce bottle and then mix with the Run accordingly. The taste is just as good (if not better). My wife likes to use Tito's vodka with Blackberry Lemonade Crystal light. So if we choose to have a couple of drinks with our friends, this is the route we take - no exceptions. It does not taste watered down and satisfies the pallet.

Ultimately, the decision is yours, but I am basing this off of personal experience and can honestly say that it really does taste good (if you can get past the fact that you are utilizing Crystal Light.)

Hope this helps to answer your question.

Have a great weekend!

[Pudsley]

Hi Shannon,

How are You ?

Thank You for this it does indeed answer my question. I love Captain Morgans !!! so I will hunt down a sugar free alternative mixer.

I was Queen of Fizzy drinks a few years back.
Then I weaned myself off them only ever having an odd glass of Gin, Bacardi, Rum, Vodka with a mixer like Tonic or Lite Cola or Lemonade.
So... Fruit juice is still and can be sugar free.
Here in Turkey there is some very limited choices but its got better in the last couple of years.

So tomorrow I am going to shop around and see what I can find.
Thank You for the recommendation I knew I can't be the only one who prefers a short as opposed to wine.

Have a Fabulous weekend too!

[AnnieG]

I do an occasional glass of wine, but I've found I prefer it 1/2 and 1/2 with orange crystal light. Kind of Sangria-ish. And more than 2 oz of wine and I'm way off balance. It's a social thing so I like it.

[sraebaer]

Alcohol is a slippery slope. In the beginning I rarely had a drink, but now after 4 years I've been drinking every night, and it has no effect on my weight, I continue to maintain at goal. But I know it's not good for me. I think it's an addiction transfer, and I need to quit. It's sort of like a cookie, I can't stop at just one. So my advice would be not to start. If you start it becomes a habit. And not a good habit like my daily workouts or healthy eating lifestyle!

I have no willpower. I have no junk food in my house, so I don't eat it. But hubby is a member of the "Wine of the Month" club, and all our socializing seems to revolve around alcohol. I need to get him on board with getting it out of the house.

[Gvn71]

If you are going to drink alcohol, then try to minimize the empty calories.

I have not had a drink in over a year! But, the vodka and crystal light concoctions sounds interestingly appealing.......

[Pudsley]

I wished I liked wine more than I do.
This crystal light sounds amazing - Never heard of it in the UK or here in Turkey.

I agree Annie - having a glass of something nice - its a social thing.
I hear you !

Enjoy Lovely Lady
By the way you are looking so good.

[Pudsley]

Oh sraebaer.

You are my hero !!

Don't be hard on yourself please.
You climb Mountains and Hike and You are so on it!!!!

I love your discipline.

Belonging to a" Wine of the Month" club sounds brilliant.
But I am not keen on wine. But it sounds like fun!

I just want to go out and not have to order water or coffee which has been easy enough but - it can be a long old night without a drink socially.

I might end up not finding a low cal to join my short - Most of the ones around us here are all fizzy.

I dare not go there!

[tinman]

I am at the point now where I would like a drink.

What do You enjoy?

You know what.....I’m at the same point. I think I’ll have a margarita....or three.....

[tebbybear]

I was wondering about this too! I'm a big clubber girl and love a good drink... can I even drink alcohol? Obviously not with fizzy drinks but is there a way??

[Katrina]

Drink. Whatever you want. In moderation. It's fine. I promise.

[Katrina]

And this not having fizzy drinks nonsense is a bunch of bull. I don't drink them because I don't like them, but my daughter drinks Coke and nothing but Coke... about 6 cans a day. She's 2.5 years out from this surgery and weighs 105. IMG_20180621_42959.jpg look at her coke can collection on her walker. You'll be fine with a fizzy cocktail on occasion.

[The North Sleeve]

I agree about the alcohol statements. Moderation is key. I had my first drinks last weekend when I was on a trip with the boys. I drank some Vodka with Powerade Zero. It was good also had it with Crystal Light, it went ok. I did not feel any pain in the sleeve or any discomfort. I may have felt a little tipsy a little quicker than before but not a huge change. I was hesitant at first to even have a drink but I finally broke down on the last night of our trip and had a few drinks.

I don't feel there is anything to worry about. I am also curious how carbonated mixed drinks would go over, but I held off maybe next time I will try one and see how it feels.

I would like to make a huge shout out to all on this site for all the great advice they offer and the personal issues everyone talks about. What a great place to come when you have questions. Thanks everyone!!

[sraebaer]

Oh sraebaer.

You are my hero !!

Don't be hard on yourself please.
You climb Mountains and Hike and You are so on it!!!!

I love your discipline.

Belonging to a" Wine of the Month" club sounds brilliant.
But I am not keen on wine. But it sounds like fun!

I just want to go out and not have to order water or coffee which has been easy enough but - it can be a long old night without a drink socially.

I might end up not finding a low cal to join my short - Most of the ones around us here are all fizzy.

I dare not go there!

Last night, after posting this, I didn't drink and was perfectly fine. I know I'm not an alcoholic, as I spent a month at my mom's with no drinking at all. Like I said, it's just a bad habit. Moderation!

[Mbenson5]

I do that too, but love the UV Blue. I am still trying to figure out if that is causing me to gain though. I stopped drinking wine, because I am pretty sure that caused some of my regain. I am just trying to have one drink every evening versus 2-3! lol! I kind of wish I had never started drinking because it can get out of control. I come from a family where my grandpa was a severe alcoholic so I don’t take it lightly. So, said all of that to say the jury is still out on how much alcohol impacts maintenance. I never gained anything until I started. So we will see. I cannot gain another lb or will be in a panic...