Hi All,

Let me first start by stating that I am proud to be on Jenny since January of this year. I've lost 35 lbs so far and have about that much more to lose but have been losing at a pace of about 3lbs/ a week.

Let me also say that I am 26 years old, single, work for a young company that likes to go out and party, with each other and with clients, and it is very hard for me not to do that- it's almost in my job description as a salesperson.

That said, I've worked out a way to drink responsibly and still lose weight on this plan. Typically I go out only once a week - or sometimes every few weeks. My drink of choice is Grey Goose Tonic. About 90 calories a drink and my limit is 4 - so approximately 400 calories. My daily calorie limit is still 1500. On these rare days, I cut out my Jenny Snack serving, and all my milk servings and one of my fruit servings.

Now before I hear a lashback, please know that this is a step I have taken in order to make this plan work for me. I am not recommending it to everyone but it works for me.

This is just a way I have found to manage my life, and keep it as normal as possible while still being successful on the plan.

Thoughts?

Thanks everyone


SW 238
CW 203
GW 150

I don't deny myself either. I half the calories by ordering a non-alcoholic drink at the same time as my first drink so I can take the first big sips of the soda or water. This also helps me to drink the cocktail slower so I don't need to reorder when everyone else does. I reorder my normal beverage more often. I generally only have one drink when others have 2 or more.

Four in a night is quite a bit, particularly if you aren't dining at the same time. I hope you aren't driving afterwards.

Bouldergirl, It sounds like you've made your decision and you're sharing it so you can get yourplan firmed up in your head. I'm givivg you props for doing that. That being said, maybe the next step is to do it and see what happens at your weigh ins. Are you taking a vitamin? calcium?
Do these people ever eat when they party? Just something to think about. You have made great progress, you look great and you sound like you're on a mission. it's good that you're doing this while you're still young. I think we all test our limits in certain ways. Remember that what you are doing now is not just losing weight but creating lifelong habits. I am really interested to see if this works for you and anxious to see what others with experience say. Keep focusing on your goals, Bouldergirl! Kim

I don't drink and drive. 4 is the amount that I have chosen and I do make sure to eat before.
I am taking the Jenny Multi-vitamins as well as the other supplements they sell. I did this for the first time last week and I still lost 3 lbs. It's all really a game of calories and yes I am glad you said this is a life change. People order food sometimes yes, but I am never far gone enough to ruin things for myself. I think this is just what works for me and still allows me to feel young; that I can go out with my friends and not be the only sober one there. Thanks for the responses so far!

HI,

Congrats on losing 35 pounds since January! Im not sure I understand why you are posting your current weight loss strategy. In other words, what are you hoping to hear back from other JC clients? It is hard to get a sense of your overall plan and perspective from the brief information you provide. Therefore, I want to provide a few thoughts.

One potential solution: Is it possible to work out extra long on the days that you plan to drink 400 calories of alcohol so that you can have your milk/fruit and alcohol? Half of a spin class a week would probably counteract your alcohol consumption and boost cardiovascular health. Also,what about the 250 calorie "splurge" every week that is supposed to not affect weight loss?

I can honestly tell you that sometimes I ditch the milk/fruit servings for extra snacks. However, this is not something I am proud of and I try not to make a habit of it. I personally think that I do this b/c I am not respecting my body enough, and I think that this is how I got heavy to begin with. I believe that I will continue to cycle through periods of excessive weight until I can relinquish all remaining toxic weight loss strategies. For me, healthy goals are eroded when my focus is purely calories and maximum weight loss. At the same time, i am human and also need to see results to stay motivated. Its sort of a tightrope walk for me. I can tell you that I have lost 80 pounds very fast before, while not respecting my body, and there were a lot of unwanted side-effects. Weight loss is not everything. For me I want weight loss+strength+healthy bones+improved cardiovascular functioning+toned skin+improved self-esteem from knowing that I am respecting my body. Maybe you want the same things and are headed to a healthy happy place aswell. However, its really hard to determine this from your brief paragraph about substituting alcohol for milk/fruits once a week. Its more than a calorie/numbers game, and I personally know how much it degrades the body to create habits around this perspective.



all the best to you!
Meia

Hey girl, I appreciate this post, I'm right there with ya for the most part.

I'm 27 and single and like to go out, but lately when I do go out I drink grey goose and sugar-free redbull (I know tonic is better, but blech!) and I make sure we go somewhere where I can dance all night. If there is music playing I'm dancing and getting a decent workout for the most part. The only thing I would say is what I tend to skip are the snack, the fat (salad dressing) and possibly my breakfast since most JC cereals are mostly starches (i.e. triple grain crisps and multi-grain hoops are both 2 starches), this way I can get all the nutrients in from the other foods throughout the day, including the milks/fruits.

Also, I drink more water on the day I'm going out, instead of 8 glasses I shoot for 10, and I follow up with more water again the next day.

I agree that you have to make this program work for you, if I was told I couldn't drink or couldn't have my once-a-week sushi splurge I would not have the motivation to continue on this program.

grats on your weight loss, you are doing great! Just maybe reevaluate what you are skipping out on during the day, my two cents take it for what it is

Finally! Someone who can relate!
Although I am not as young as you, i'm 34 years old, in a relationship but love to go out with friends and have a few drinks on the weekends.
Thankfully, I have accustomed myself to drinking Ketel One/Club Soda with a lime or olives.
I just started the program this week and i'm trying to figure out how I can fit in 3-4 drinks once or twice a week. I went to a concert on Monday and had two. I eliminated my snack and the limited free foods that day.

I am hoping that cutting back on calories throughout the day will enable me to have a few drinks twice a week.
That will make this program almost perfect. So far the food is delicious and i'm not feeling hungry!

Will keep you posted....

After weeks of no wine, I got a little more creative. I am mixing vodka with 8oz of cranberry juice (It counts as my fruits!!) My Jc consultant about fell off her chair when I told her, but hey every one in a while you just need a break!

I have vodka and diet cranberry.. that juice only has 5 calories...

If I were you - I'd keep the meal and skip the snacks and just sweat out the other calories during a workout. I, unfortunately am a beer drinker and I have an affection for German beers. There's a whole night of your cals in one half of a liter. rassin'frassin'.

I have resorted to avoiding situations where I might drink more than one bottle of American beer. I ride a motorcycle, or I'm the DD. It's okay but I miss the liberty of drinking what I want.

As for the 'young' lifestyle - I'm 42 and I still like my party. I guess I don't view myself as all that grown up yet! I'll likely be that crazy biker lady until they tell me I can't drive anymore.

Good luck - sounds like you're at peace with your decision and know your limits. Being honest with yourself is always the best course.

K.

Hey I'm way older than that and I still like to party. A good time isn't reserved for the young.
I learned this trick many years ago on business trips when I needed a clear head but still needed a drink in my hand. I drink Goose and tonic also, you just have a little talk with the bartender and after the first or second drink have him start serving tonic & lime in the same size glass. No one knows and you can still have a good time without all the worry about calories.

THANK YOU FOR THIS POST!! Seriously I thought most people just never did anything fun after they started JC and it really bothered me when my consultant couldnt relate to me...im 24 and just out of college and my co-workers and I like to go out and get a few drinks sometimes and DO NOT want to be stone cold sober while my friends are all having a good time...and if the only help they have for me is to 1. not drink or 2. drink wine mixed with water...ewwwwww....i like wine but im not mixing good wine with soda water....so i havnt been armed with many good ideas for drinks...usually i drink vodka and diet tonic which has no cals...regular tonic has about 100 cals so be careful! thanks so much for the post again, I really, really relate...My problem is the McDonalds late night drive through afterwards.....

Just say "noooooooooooooooooooo" lol. good luck!

I am so glad that you started this post. I am not "young" (36) and I am not single, I am a mother of 2. I have been on JC for 3 wks and am down 6lbs. I am not a lush by any means but I do love a good glass of wine/beer or two and like someone else on here mentioned I will not mix diet ginger ale/soda with good wine so I did buy some less expensive wine and did mix in some diet ginger ale and it was not bad.

We also love to entertain, have BBQs, and spend time with friends. We have a boat so with the warm weather here there is nothing better then a cold beer while cruising on the water. One thing I told my consultant is I was not going to stop drinking all together and my consultant told me I did not have to stop, she has worked with me to find was to fit it in - cutting out the JC snack, getting in more exercise. I am not a big drinker and hardly drink during the week but come Fridays/Saturdays after a long work week it is nice to sip some wine. This past Sunday we spent the day on the water and I packed the cooler full with waters, diet sodas, and yes beers, I also packed a huge thing of veggies and I took my salad kit...it was a great day and I did not feel like I was depriving myself or missing out on anything. This is just part of my life and I have to find ways to make it work for me so I don't feel like I am missing out on anything. I love to read all the tips that you all have shared so keep sharing and I will share with you any I have...there is that one beer that is 64 calories…anyone try it?

I love this post! I am 34 AND YOUNG (plus married with 3 kids) and I am one who likes to have the occasional cocktail, especially when out on the town. We're having a fight party at the house this weekend and, yes, I plan on having 3 Grey Goose & SF Red Bulls. I will cut out the evening snack and the Anytime Bar which I loathe anyway and enjoy my evening with my friends. Hooray!

You are right LakerGirl24....I am 36 and YOUNG...

Grey Goose and SF Red Bull...does that keep you up all night?

Everything in moderation right??

My drink of choice is a shot of vodka (pomegranate flavored) mixed with 8oz water and a packet of sugar-free cranapple mix from Oceanspray (yes they make sugar free drink mixes now! cranberry, cran-apple, and cran-grape)..they are awesome to make mixed drinks with. You can make a vodka-cranberry with only the calories of the alcohol...

I still want to have a social drink with my friends and I don't mind looking a little odd ordering a shot of alcohol and a glass of water...I'll mix my drink right there!!

That's a GREAT idea! Then you also know exactly how much alcohol is actually in your drink. Sometimes they get pretty strong.. and I have NO idea how much I'm actually consuming. I definitely fit in a few drinks (sometimes a couple more than a few ) and I've still been successful (down 38 pounds since January). But I do plan for it and try to make good choices while I'm out. I also work out typically at least 5 times a week.

Bloody mary's are also good.. you can count a veggie serving AND then often come with snacks, which help make the drink last longer.

Thank you so much for posting this message. I am 36 and getting married this summer. My fiance and I love to go out with friends and also to entertain. I love a good glass of red wine (or 2-3) and it helps to know that others are "moving things around" to make this work a few days a week.

I was starting to think I had to hermit for the next serveral months. This makes sense and as someone said, it is a lifestyle change. You have to find what works for you to make this plan fit into your life.

So thanks! Keep the good ideas coming!

Good Sense Post- thanks!
Funny- had a nice conversation with my JCC on this subject just this week!
My beverage of choice is rum & diet coke. About 100 calories per single drink.
How to fit it into my meal/calorie plan?
Eliminate TWO fats for each drink containing one ounce of 80 proof rum/vodka/bourbon.
The two fats can be "taken from" eating a fat-free breakfast and no snacks with fats on days where you know you will have a drink. Look/refer to a Lifelong Success Guide brochure- it lists all JC foods and their exchange amounts.
All the JC breakfast cereals are No fat exchanges. Use FF milk or a FF yogurt with. Hey, there's even JC snacks WITHOUT fats. You just have to PLAN for it (go figure!)

My JCC also looked up info: The lower proof liquors also have less calories- and higher proofs (100, 151, etc.0 are higher in calories).
Liquor is not considered a fat per se, BUT- it converts into Fat in our bodies. So- do not kid ourselves into thinking liquor is "free"- and the only thing to count is the mixer.

I am pleased and relieved to have learned all this- I Do enjoy a cocktail with friends, am still 46 years young!

I enjoyed reading this thread. My husband and I like to have a bottle of wine nightly with our dinner. I'm re-starting the program and plan to eliminate alcohol for the first month with the exception of Father's Day. I haven't decided what I'm going to have yet but enjoy reading the ideas. I'm typically a wine or beer drinker. Mainly Corona but I love heavy dark beer as well and enjoy margarita's when we go out for Mexican food (both of which aren't going to happen for a very long time). I will either allow myself a couple of glasses of wine or possibly look into the 64 calorie beers and drink them with a lime. I do like red wine sangria so I might experiment with a sugar free mixer and use the fruit in the sangria for my fruit servings. Combined with eliminating my other fats for the day, increased exercise that morning and using it as my weekly splurge I should be fine. I do really want to eliminate the daily wine consumption as much as I love it.

Hey,

my JCC sometimes gives me **** for doing just that, but I am 25 years old! I need to be able to go out, do things and party with my friends! I don't go overboard, and I feel like I need to be experiencing this now, or I will balloon up after Jenny! Part of Jenny is making it work with YOUR life style!

I have been known to drink my vodka straight! lol but there are new 100 cal coolers and beers which are also a good choice!

I love a drink here and there, and if you have not tried this, it is soooo good! (you have to try it to understand) Diet Coke, Malibu, and a twist of lime. I have gotten all my non-diet friends hooked on this. You can also do a diet coke with vanilla vodka, but not nearly as good to me.

Good for you! You're right - the key is making the plan work for your lifestyle. I was on JC years ago and they said no alcohol, no going out to eat, and you had to order an entire weeks worth of food every week, even if you had some left. I'm so happy to see they've relaxed these rules a bit and are dealing in reality now. The plan really does work, but we are busy non-perfect people - not robots. I think what you're doing makes perfect sense.

I have only been on the program 3 weeks now.. and when I joined I was pretty straight up with my JC from the get go. She was happy I was honest and thank god she worked with me on this one, I too go out and have a few.. ( cocktails) I stay AWAY from anything sweet. I do add a day of working out and I don't skip any meals. I would be too hungry and I might "give in" later after the night. For instance, my friends B-day will be with coming this Saturday. I know what and how much I'd be drinking before I get there. I drink out of a tiny straw so the drink last longer and I always have water with it. For me it has been working. It's all about making it work for you and it sounds like you are...fun and revealing post

I can appreciate the desire for having a cocktail and still being able to diet. Congratulations on your weight loss so far. My beverage of choice is either MGD 64 or Becks Premium Light which is also 64 calories, and I usually will try to limit myself to 2 at the most, if I am at a party or something. The limited choices give you 30 calories for each box, so I can pretty much drink one beer, and still eat all of the food JC recommends that I eat. Usually, I skip out on one fruit and the salad dressing anyway because I am not big on the salad at lunch time. I honestly think that you need to do what's good for yourself because if you feel like you're depriving yourself on a diet, you'll go off of it. It has to become a way of life, and if you are fortunate enough to be able to drink what you can and still lose weight, that's great. When you hit my age - 39 - it's a little harder to take it off! Be grateful you're young...

Bouldergirl - I am with you on this one and I doubt I would have got to where I am today if it was not for some cocktails every now and then

That is absoloutely amazing ! I'm so glad that you've found what works for you ! Congrats !

very interesting post. i'm in the same boat. i am in my early 30's and single. so, i do like to have a glass or two of wine in the evenings. also, i will have a drink or 2 when i go out on dates. i'm only on my second week. however, when i do have a glass or so of wine, i eliminate a snack (or fruit serving) and the salad with dressing at lunch. i'm also committing to exercising every day. so, i'm hoping that this works for me.

Let me say that I am the first to enjoy a drink. In fact I'm in the alcohol beverage industry and love my wine! I am nearing my goal point and have been able to incorporate a drink here and there and still be successful too. What ever works! I just want to point out the a Grey Goose and Tonic is not 90 calories unless you use Diet Tonic! While the vodka is 90 calories, the tonic is like soda and adds another 100 calories or so, so a vodka tonic is probably closer to 200 calories. :

I am so glad people have been posting to this thread, I feel so much better having read these posts! I am on Jenny for the second time, and having been doing great with the food part. I am, however, having a really hard time with the alcohol part, which is making me feel pretty pathetic! I used to have 1-2 glasses of wine with dinner, almost every night, which is probably why I couldn't lose weight before. I have eliminated my weekly drinks (for the most part), but I am really struggling with the weekends. I am feeling really low today because I did so well all week, and then went to a party last night and had 3 large glasses of red wine without even thinking about it!! I am trying to focus on getting back on track today, and working out extra, but I'm worried that I may have already blown it. (I should add that I had two glasses of wine on Friday too). It's nice to hear that other people have been able to make it work and still enjoy the occasional splurge. I just really hope I can be stronger next weekend. Thanks for all the helpful tips and motivational stories!

Hi all,

Since we are confessing, thought I'd tell you that I eat my 3 meals, anytime bar, dessert and add veggies all day. I have skim milk in my coffee. Whatever additional calories I add are in the form of vodka or wine. I have two a night. Sorry. I am human. Here is the good news....I am down 17.2 in 4 weeks! I do a lot of exercise, so the the liquor is burned off. The smaller meals are keeping me on track.

If I get a salt craving before bed, I eat a pickle. If I get a sweet craving before bed, I eat an extra anytime bar.

It is working! 31 pounds to go!!!

Whenever I go out, I order a vodka and water... and then I bring those little single serving bottled water mix-ins? Snapple has an awesome pink lemonade version. I mix about a half of a little packet into my drink and then I can have a vodka lemonade and the only calories I consume are in the vodka. It's so good that some of my beer-only guy friends even snag my mix-ins and order a vodka drink like mine! Who would've thought!!

I'm trying REALLY hard to cut out drinking from now until Halloween; but like everyone else here... it's hard when you're young. It's just what my friends do! I live in a big city and bars are everywhere. It's hard to go out and sip a diet soda when everyone else is letting loose.

I love all of the ideas in this post... thanks for the ideas, guys! Keep up the good work!

Reading the topic line brought back so many memories, lol .. took me a long time to realize I could go out with friends and have a good time without drinking. Ahh, to be young again ...

Splurge now and then, just learn to have your "fun" in moderation .. Cheers !!!

Bouldergirl,

I feel your pain. I am 30 and I am also in a profession that often requires me to go out and drink socially, and I'm also still dating.

I'm glad that you have a plan. That you are thinking and planning how to incorporate the extra calories is a great step! I just wanted to offer a few suggestions that might help you out.

1. You mentioned that you are substituting the alcohol for your dairy and fruit. I would suggest to get at least one dairy in (important for women) and to eat your fruit (for the vitamins). Instead, perhaps cut out the Jenny's Dressing (which counts as a fat), the daily snack (1 starch and 1 fat), and/or one of the starchy breakfasts. Alcohol counts as 1 starch and 1 fat, so I think that would be a more even swap.

2. Rather than ordering four drinks, perhaps you could alternate... one drink, one diet coke, one drink, one diet coke. Luckily, people are becoming more conscious these days of being more responsible with drinking -- oftentimes people go to bars and don't drink, either b/c they're the DD or they're an alcoholic or something. I haven't had a drink in about a month, and I've spent many evenings at sports bars. Granted, I am trying to figure out how I am going to managed a 3-night concert run I have coming up....but I will do the best I can.

I think you have made great progress! I just don't want you to sacrifice your dairy! It is so important for a young woman's body!

As I have learned, when you completely deprive yourself of something you enjoy, you will eventually go overboard and it will backfire. My two strategies:
--my JCC suggested bloody marys (as kiwi did above)
--I often order a gin/tonic or vodka/tonic, but I ask for it in a tall glass (like a beer glass), so that the drink lasts me much longer.

Good luck everyone!
J.

Whoa! I am on my second week and stumbled on this post. Christmas party season will be here soon. This post is great!!!

So am I reading this correct? Vodka and diet cranberry juice is only 5calories and can be counted as one fruit???

"stumbled" no pun intended right?

I know this post is a few months old, but just in case others are reading now. I too like to go out, and I stll do go. I have learned ways to enjoy eatng out and having drinks. For example: Friday night a group of us went to see our friensa band play. For dinner I ordered a grilled chcken mushroom wrap. I ate half of the wrap, I also ordered a side salad, I opened half the wrap and dumped it on the salad, dressing on the side. (It was so good my friends were eating off my plate) lol Anyhow, I am a wine drinker, I ordered a glass of whte wine and a club soda, I would switch taking sips from both glasses and water in between. I had two glasses of wine, two club sodas and lots of water. Yes, I wanted something sweet on my way home!! I always bring a JC desert with me so in the car I opened my cookies and enjoyed every single one.. Saturday mornng 9am JC weigh in.... 2.4 lbs loss for week 5!!!! See u can go out just remember how and what to eat.. Never deprive yourself or you will crave and feel like you have cheated.. I never feel that way.. Make good choices and you can enjoy going out and not feel gulty..

Bahahhaaaaaa! Oh no pun intended! LOL

I tried a Hungry girl recipe for Margarita and it was really good.... use siera mist and some crystal light mixed with the tequila, add a little lime and Yumm O liscious!

I seriously love Hungry Girl! The cookbooks rock and Im hooked!!

I love this post!!! So many helpful ideas. I wasn't sure how to fit in a few drinks and felt "guilty" about having my cocktails!!! So worried on weigh-in day. Thank you all for all the great ideas.

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Hi - I'm still a tad older than some of the posts (say about 45ish LOL) and I look forward to going out on Saturday Nites and having a good time also. I just started on JC a week ago, and no matter what, I will have my drink of choice (absolute w/7up - I can't handle tonic yet) and 'special coffee'(you don't want to know) for dessert, BUT I will be more conscious of what I order (broiled seafood vs steak) extra veggies, no bread and salad w/dressing on the side. After a long work week, this is something that as I said, I look forward to and deserve. I will also be more conscious of what I eat during the day on Saturday. This is only one day. The other days, I follow the plan......

This is going to be hard me cause like like once every 4 months I do get drunk off my *** =( Besides that I will not drink once in awhile white wine with food

WOW, thats so great to see people my age and struggling. I am 27 years old. I do like to drink, but Ihave been really good with controlling it (most of the time). I have to admit over Thanksgiving break I did "fall off the wagon." I was finally down to 126.8 and then I don't know what happened, but with all the pies, cookies, muffins and food in my house my current weight is 131. Ahhhhh I was mortified to see that number again. I was hoping someone coudl give me some kind of motivation to get me back up. It feels like I put all th work into getting down to 126.8 and now I blew it.
I have been on JC for almost 8 months now. I did relapse several times int he beginning and I did gain 6 pounds one time. But lately these past months I have been improving, until Thanksgiving came. NOw I just feel have no motivation. PLUS, my mind has been on the GRE and I just took a practice test, which also is another reason why I fell off the wagon. I just wish I can rewind everything.

WOW, thats so great to see people my age and struggling. I am 27 years old. I do like to drink, but Ihave been really good with controlling it (most of the time). I have to admit over Thanksgiving break I did "fall off the wagon." I was finally down to 126.8 and then I don't know what happened, but with all the pies, cookies, muffins and food in my house my current weight is 131. Ahhhhh I was mortified to see that number again. I was hoping someone could give me some kind of motivation to get me back up. It feels like I put all that work into getting down to 126.8 and now I blew it.
I have been on JC for almost 8 months now. I did relapse several times in the beginning and I did gain 6 pounds one time. But lately these past months I have been improving and been losing weight. Well, just until Thanksgiving came. NOw I just have no motivation. PLUS, my mind has been on the GRE and I just took a practice test, which also is another reason why I fell off the wagon. I just wish I could rewind everything and go back to being 126.8.

I've been hung up on this question myself! I usually skip my snack and/or dinner, try to always stick to light beer accompanied with a diet coke to go back and forth on when I drink beer. When I drink liquor I try to put a lot of whatever I'm mixing it with and little liquor (which helps me lengthen the amount of time I can drink my little bit of alcohol). I never mix my liquors with anything that has calories. I'm excited to see what everyone else does.

My drink of choice is a shot of vodka in an 8oz glass of water and add a 1/2 a packet of crystal light single packet mix. A whole packet is too fruity for me. I've never liked club soda or diet tonic. Another drink I like is a shot of vodka mixed with the low cal/ low sugar G2 gatorade. All great drinks and you can switch out flavors so you don't get bored.