I’m having a vodka and seltzer tonight after 2 weeks of strict keto. I think I’m bored and a pint of ice cream is not an option. Any advice? I saw a blog where a woman had a gin and seltzer every night after her day of keto.
Alcohol consumption
JohnH
(John)
#2
What kind of advice are you looking for? You told us what you are going to do. So do it and see what the results are for you.
I agree that eating ice cream because you are bored is not a good idea.
Replacing eating out of boredom with drinking out of boredom may not be the optimal replacement activity, though.
Alecmcq
(Alec)
#3
I don’t think this will cause major issues. By seltzer, I assume you simply mean bubbly water, and nothing with sugar in it?
Note that alcohol will get burnt before fat, and hence slow down ketosis, but it’s not terminal.
KCKO. 
David_Stilley
(Full Metal KETO AF)
#4
If you choose to drink I wouldn’t recommend it daily. There’s a period when your liver stops producing ketones or processing sugars when it’s metabolizing alcohol. This means fat storage and empty calories. 
JohnH
(John)
#7
A lot depends on your goals, how important it is that you reach them, your current success, things like that.
If you want to have a drink, have a drink. I sometimes have a glass or two of red wine, or a glass or two of whiskey (on the rocks, no mixers).
I didn’t drink at all for the first two months. Then around the holidays I’d allow myself some red wine with otherwise keto meals. I found that I could tolerate an occasional whiskey as well, and was drinking a few times a week.
Recently I cut that back to only weekend nights (Friday and Saturday), which lasted about two weeks, when I realized how much better I felt the mornings after NOT drinking, so it’s now down to one night a week, and I may cut that back as well. But that’s not because of restricting myself intentionally, just that I don’t want it as much any more
Which is a shame because I have some nice wines and whiskeys that need drinking. They’ll keep, though.
Ely
(Ellen )
#8
Thank you John. You make sense. I will see what results I have tomorrow morning but will definitely re-evaluate either way and stop alcohol again but for a more extended period of time.
Alecmcq
(Alec)
#9
Here’s my experience. I was a big drinker for 35 years. I averaged nearly a bottle of wine a day. I wasn’t alcoholic as from time to time I would prove I wasn’t hooked by going a week without it, always successfully with no cravings. [note to self: didn’t having to prove it mean I was hooked?]
I got to the age of 50, and a few people around me started having health problems, some had heart attacks, and one died. I looked carefully in the mirror and said: “There, but for the grace of God, go I.”
So I demanded some changes of myself. I went 2 weeks without alcohol as part of a new regime, but with no intent to do any more than 2 weeks. However, after 2 weeks I felt a lot better in the mornings, so I did another 2 weeks. Then another month, then another, and so on.
I am now 5 years with zero alcohol, and I would now not touch it. I don’t even think about it. It is just not part of my life any more. I just feel so much better without it. I am happy to put up with the odd looks from work colleagues when we are out for a meal and I am there drinking my electrolytes and refusing beers and wine. But I explain my why, and they seem content (usually!).
I am not suggesting this is the path everyone should take. But it was the right path for me.
Ely
(Ellen )
#10
What an inspiration Alec. My past has been much like yours. I started keto and it actually stopped any thoughts of alcohol until today. Keto really stopped thoughts of "oh no I won’t have fun anymore ". But the diet was so much fun. The results pretty good that I didn’t want to have alcohol with my friends. Diet coke was all. Wanted to fit in today. Need to keep the mantra “don’t care what other people think” when in social settings. I need to take responsibility for my choices. Will be back on track tomorrow. Thanks again for your input.
Alecmcq
(Alec)
#11
Ellen
My view is that you should do what feels right to you on this. I sense you are feeling that you would benefit from not having alcohol in general, and you should decide your best plan.
But a small amount from time to time is unlikely to be a problem, keto-wise. Just make sure it isn’t daily.
RobC
(Robert C)
#13
After a vodka and seltzer - it might become an option.
Not directly, the first vodka and seltzer is still “Keto” so you might decide a second (or more) is okay.
Decision making breaks down and then comes the ice cream.
Ely
(Ellen )
#15
Alec, I see you’re a runner. I was a runner about 3-4 years ago for the previous 25 years. Did a couple of 10ks in Central Park. My question is…I hear exercise interferes with the ketosis process. Have you found vigorous exercise has an adverse effect? I walked/ran yesterday 4 miles and was up 2lbs today. Probably contributed to an unhealthy state of mind. This time I truly mean…"any advice "?
Alecmcq
(Alec)
#16
Ely
There are differing opinions on this. There is a view that exercise increases stress/cortisol which promotes insulin and then inhibits fat burning and thus ketosis.
I am not a subscriber to this view. I think exercise is a great way to burn off any extra carbs you may have eaten and a great way to get into strong fat burning. I always feel better when I run. I don’t measure ketones, hence have no direct proof of whether it helps or hinders. But I think it helps.
FishChris
(Dirty Lazy Keto'er, Sucralose freak ;))
#17
Yes, I have some great advice !
Forget the alcohol. Hard core drugs like that suck !
Smoke weed instead. Much safer, and healthier 
Then go workout !
Ely
(Ellen )
#19
That’s so funny. That would make you eat more and again…poor choices. I want to do “clean”. Just still searching for what that is. I feel it’s keto. Clean keto all the way. Hopefully