Avoiding alcohol

[The Smaniac]

So I'm a "reformed fratboy," heading back to college this weekend. A bout with moderate alcoholism, drinking ~3 cases per week (not joking), and the 30+ pounds it put on me is what originally led me to the fit lifestyle about 1.5 years ago. I cut out all of the drinking for about 6 months, however have been slipping back into old habits somewhat. Early last semester I was able to keep it only to one night per weekend, but by the end of the semester I was drinking both nights every weekend.

So I'm wondering about strategies others use to offset drinking, especially those in college. I'm not above just saying no, or bringing my own drinks to parties since it's usually my fraternity throwing them (protein shakes get some good looks from the girls), but these methods can make social situations awkward. Any alternative ideas?

[n.neate]

Pretend you are drinking. Bring some crystal lite and say it is vodka and crystal lite.... diet coke and say it is rum and coke, by the time they are drunk no one will be the wiser. It worked for me.

Of course most of the time it WAS rum and coke

[Clark]

Well, last semester I kinda got out of control a bit (drinking 2-3 times a week) but I did not gain weight because I seriously punished myself physically after a hard night's drinking; and for the most part my diet was very solid. This semester I am shooting for one night a week (Fri or Sat).

I realize in college that completely cutting out drinking is nearly impossible and could definitely lead to some social awkwardness. I also say, after a weeks worth of hard work in the gym, on the track, and with my diet I can let loose one night and have fun.

Also, if you are gonna drink, stick to diet coke and hard liquor....no beer or real soda, that stuff will make you fat REAL QUICK.

[RipStone]

I am in college and choose not to dirnk. So when I am at a party I will just get a cup and do as n.neate suggested. It has worked for me in avoding the akwardness of not drinking alcohol.

[ninja]

No drinking here. I'm in college also and it's not as bad as it seems. Just say you are the DD or something.

[emartin10]

Most of the bars in my college town would give the DD free non-alcoholic drinks too. So if I was driving, I'd just go up to the bartender at our usual bar, tell him that, and he'd serve up a diet coke w/ a lime just like was mentioned above. It even got to the point where my friends would go to the bar and order a round of drinks, and mine would come back non-alcoholic. My friends had no idea, and the bartenders were usually very cool about it as well.

[eros]

well I only drink when I go out [img]smile.gif[/img] but since I'm not used to drink a lot anymore i'm kinda drunk pretty fast ...