Being in my 20's, eliminating alcohol and dinner with girlfriends has been the most difficult part of of IP. Not even the diet has been as difficult as missing out on partying with friends. It really isn't worth it though. Staying strict with your eyes on the prize is the best way to go. It's a slippery slope once you start cheating here and there. The most important thing is to take it one day at a time otherwise it gets overwhelming and feels unattainable. Tell your friends what's going on and get everyone on the same page. My friends have been super supportive and we try to do movies or working out instead of going out to dinner and drinking. A couple of them say I make them feel healthier

bump!

I live in wine country with friends who own wineries. This weekend was wine tasting weekend..I designated myself as the DD..and drank water. It is hard at first, but you can get used to it..
I kept telling myself how happy I would be in the morning.
It is hard when your socializing is dinner with drinks or wine.

I have read on a few threads that people have had a drink and stayed in ketosis.
Congratulations on the end of school!

Alcohol wasn't as hard for me to give up, but I'm not a huge drinker anyways, BUT, with summer coming I'm hoping to be close to my goal weight so that I could indulge in a few lime margarittas on occasion.

I have been on IP for about 8 weeks and doing great. I did want to weigh in on the alcohol thread. Don't do it! I have been flirting with it and it really slows down the process. I have lost 30#s and have about 15 to go. I want to get it done and no alcohol and no cheating is the answer.

Wise words that I needed to hear. As summer is approaching I have thought about "What would it hurt"?
Yesterday, I tried a Talking Rain Ice purchased from Costco and I felt like I had a special drink. I will save those for the evenings that we are with friends and having a drink on the deck. I will not feel "left out" and this feels more special than drinking water and lemon.

If I cheat with alcohol I have vodka, club soda or tonic and cherry crystal light. The club soda gives it a little fiz and the cherry crystal light gives it some flavor (we bring the small packets for water bottles and you only need a little or as much as you want). We've done this a few times and it didn't seem to stop our weight loss.

Sounds exotic!! What is Talking Rain Ice?

Talking Rain is the brand name. Ice is the product - actually Sparking ICE. At Costco in Saskatoon it comes in a variety pack of 3 flavors Orange, Lemon Lime and Black Raspberry. (24 pack-17 oz plastic bottles). Please take note that Talking Rain also has Vitamin Water. Sparkling Ice is zero everything and uses Sucralose, not aspartame!

I hope they have it in Winnipeg as I am going there in 2 weeks and will check it out. It is nice to have something to drink when everyone else is consuming alcohol

Don't drink you will just feel terrible after!

I'm going to try that Sparkling Ice too!

I found that drinking alcohol - even just straight vodka or scotch - stopped my weight loss dead. Of course, I may have been hitting a plateau around the same time anyway, but I've been too scared to try it again until I'm in phase 4.

Great choice! Your commitment is inspiring me too!:

I think after paying all the money to be on the diet, we should give into temptations to cheat. If we ignore the temptation and just have some water, or go for a walk the feeling will pass and the scale will thank you for not giving in.

After ignoring it all, we will be done the diet sooner and can have the occasional drink then without feeling guilty although I am not a drinker so it is easier to say, but I have felt this way about other items such as pizza, and smores while at the camp fire.

Bumping for Meant2b...hope this helps