Does anyone here do Weight Watchers and attend the meetings?

[Jane]

Inquiring minds wanna know. I have a meeting place super close to my house and am considering it for accountability sake. Please share your opinions, etc. Thanks!

[Paulax]

I don't know Jane.
Do you feel the support helps or the fact that you have to step on a scale, or you want to a different program? What about the meetings appeals to you?

I say, DO whatever works for you.

You could try it, I know from many, many past experiences that there are some great New Years offers.

Let us know what you do...

[Jane]

Thanks for the response :) I don't know. I'm just not getting the job done on my own, or online...but the job needs to be done :D

[Paulax]

Thanks for the response :) I don't know. I'm just not getting the job done on my own, or online...but the job needs to be done :D

MMmmmmmmmeeee toooo gurrrrrllll!

I am thinking starvation mode myself...

[Ally]

I do WW online. Its great. I have no desire to stand on a scale in front of a million other people and the online subscription tools are handy.

[Jane]

Ally, what tools do you use online? Your stats look terrific!

[Ally]

I do Flex. Online subscribers have access to a Points Tracker, Points Calculator, Weight Tracker, and a ton of recipes with the point values listed. The Points trackers and calculators are nice because all you have to do is input the food item and the quantity and it automatically calculates the points.

WW is traditionally low fat but you can get a lot of higher protein meal ideas which is what I do. I just can't stick with LC anymore and most of my family is on low fat so it worked out nice.

I have been very very bad the past few weeks and my stats don't look as nice right now. I am starting back seriously tomorrow, today I was trying to ease back into it. :rolleyes:

[pjammies]

jane i do the core program and it is really great, if i stick to it. i have joined a bunch of times this year, but last joined two weeks before Christmas because i really needed to get a grip prior to the holidays really starting up and i am glad i did. i even went to get weighed in the day before Christmas eve and am glad i did, even though i was up .4 of a pound.

i joined online, too, but also downloaded the core list to my pda. i was at the grocery store today, palm pilot in hand, checking out what i could/couldn't (or shouldn't) eat. really cool stuff and not so far off from low-carbing. you may like it and it may be the switch you needed to make.

[Melsy]

I did from May-3 weeks ago..I only lost 17 pounds and paid 30$ registration +14$ a week.

It was good at the beginning but I lost intrest in the repetitive lectures after awhile.I did the flex points.Core was just too hard for me.

[Jane]

ok, ? here. what is core?

[Jane]

Bumping for the non weekenders:bump:

[sjl330]

I do WW and am a lifetime member and also work for them. Over saturation you say?? Anyway, I did just low carbing from Jan. 03 to Aug. 04 and only lost about 10# give or take a couple of pounds. I just could never lose any more than that. I went to work for WW in Aug. and decided to do WW low carb style and since then have lost another 20#. I like it because it makes me use portion control and I haven't been hungry or feel like I'm missing anything b/c I was already eating well, just not using good enough portion control. I could never do Core as I really don't have an "off" switch to just stop eating when I feel satisfied. When it tastes good I just eat! Anyway on WW I know how many points to eat and I can eat them and stop when I'm out of points and the funny thing is, I feel satisfied. Losing weight sure helps me feel satisfied too. Like I'm finally successful at this woe and taking care of myself too. It's a great program but I'll warn you about one thing. On WW you can have anything you want as long as you count your points and it's real easy to fall into the "sugar" trap again, just b/c you know you can have it. Remember!!!! Sugar is POISON for us, so if you do WW just keep hanging around with the Low carbers to keep yourself on track.
Sorry I got so windy with this. Good luck with whatever you decide.
Sandy

[Jane]

Thanks so much for all the info! I've never been a sugary foods kind of carbeater :D
I think I'm going to check out my local group.

[LeahIA]

I'm going Thursday night to learn the Core program. I'm Lifetime...but I've slipped.....

[Jane]

I gotta read up on thie Core program you all are talking about. I have never heard about that before?

[pjammies]

jane, core is new. it is low-carb in that you only eat good grainy things, high in complex carbs if that is high at all. all other stuff - fruits, vegs, good lean proteins, et cetera, you don't have to *count.* if you want something that isn't a "core" food item, then you calculate the points and can have up to 35 extra points a week.

i think it is really sound and even though i was up .4 of a pound last week, i've steadily put on almost 30 pounds in the last two years. being down almost three pounds after two weeks is good enough for me to keep going. i will get weighed again on thursday and don't expect to lose again, but am glad i started prior to the holidays really kicking my arse. i think you'd like it.

hth :)

[Jane]

Thanks!

[Laurie]

I have CORE info...pm me your email if you want me to send it to you :)

[Maggies4me]

A friend and myself joined WW last night and I'm looking foward to the support. I also looked at the fact that is is easy to include my family in this. My 13 yr old has to lose weight she now weighs 267 lbs and is 5'8" tall. I have to do this for myself and my family.

Don't get my wrong online support is GREAT, but for me I need more one on one. And more control of what I can and cannot eat. That is why I chose to join WW. Plus it was free to join and only $12 a week. I can skip eating out twice a week for lunch and have the money to attend!!

[Jane]

Maggie, this is my thing. I want to be weighed each week by a stranger. I could weigh in by myself or with my dh or a friend but I know that people that care about you often can make excuses for you too. Ya know? I don't need a kind person saying 'gee, i bet its just water' or whatever...lol..maybe this is my cheap version of going to a therapist :)

[Maggies4me]

Jane, I understand! It's almost like going public with an addiction. I know this group will be supportive and help keep me accountable. This is something I can do at my own pace. I can only excercise for about 5 mins. a day and than I am wore out. I needed something to help me take control of how much I was eating. Flex is more work. But I really like having to be accountable for what I put in my mouth.

[sjl330]

Maggie, I know you can do it!! Please, just don't get caught in the sugar trap because on flex you "can have anything as long as you count the points for it". If you try to eat mostly the Core foods but count the points for them I think you'll be VERY successful. You shouldn't have any cravings and by using the points for portion control you will know when to stop eating. And as we know sugar just makes us want to EAT!! I'm a lifetime WW and have been doing Low carb for 2 years now. I'm a big believer in both, just merged together I guess.

Did you see People mag. this week. There are lots of success stories in there I found quite good. Your daughter might enjoy it too.

Take care,
Sjl

[LeahIA]

I had strep throat, so didn't get to go last Thursday. Last night I had a hair appointment, which was definately a higher priority! I'm going next week for sure.

I'm confused, because all the times I've gone (numerous!) I've never had to be weighed in front of a lot of strangers. Its always been private with only the weigher knowing & marking my weight on my book.

[Maggies4me]

Maggie, I know you can do it!! Please, just don't get caught in the sugar trap because on flex you "can have anything as long as you count the points for it". If you try to eat mostly the Core foods but count the points for them I think you'll be VERY successful. You shouldn't have any cravings and by using the points for portion control you will know when to stop eating. And as we know sugar just makes us want to EAT!! I'm a lifetime WW and have been doing Low carb for 2 years now. I'm a big believer in both, just merged together I guess.

Did you see People mag. this week. There are lots of success stories in there I found quite good. Your daughter might enjoy it too.

Take care,
Sjl
Thank you!! I don't think I'll get caught in that "trap". I have been eating TONS of veggies! More now than when I was on Atkins. Allie is really enjoying counting points as well. She is eating alot healthier and the foods I am buying are alot better for them all. I really use my points wisely. Except for tonight when I used all my weekly points and the rest of my daily points at Red Lobster. :( But it's ok!! I'll make it til Wed, which is weigh in day for me!:D

[Temptd2]

As far as I know you do NOT weigh in front of a bunch of strangers. It's a one-on-one thing, just you and the weigher.

I lost my weight on WW and was an occasional fill-in weigher if somebody who normally did it couldn't make it.

I think the meetings have EVERYTHING to do with the leader - we tried two different ones before we found a gal we really felt "in tune" with - and DH and I both enjoyed going weekly. She was motivational, and NOT repetitive, and always asked for comments/experiences from the group, as well as giving us time to discuss new recipes and products. I actually kinda missed it when we switched over to Atkins!

I DID learn portion control there and to this day I still weigh out my protein portions. I think it helps me stay on track.

I quit going about 2 years ago now when we switched so I'm not familiar with Core either, but understand that you can make it much more "low carb friendly" if you choose to do so.

If it's accountability and face to face camaraderie you need, I recommend giving it a try!

T2

[Maggies4me]

Well guys, I am attending my second WW meeting tomorrow after work. I think I have lost a pound or two. Wish me luck!

[Jane]

Best of luck to you! but, I'm betting you won't need it! :) Bet you had a terrific week! Post about your meeting when you get home, ok? I'd love to read about it. I'm going to my first meeting on Thursday evening.

[sjl330]

Yes, be sure to post after you go. I'm sure you'll do great. I can hear it in your "voice" that you're ready and when you're ready NOTHING can stop you.

[LeahIA]

Depending on the weather, I'm going tomorrow night...or Saturday morning to re-join.

[Maggies4me]

I lost 3.8 lbs this week!!!!! I am sooo excited! The flex plan is so easy to follow. I haven't found anything easier than this.

[LeahIA]

I lost 3.8 lbs this week!!!!! I am sooo excited! The flex plan is so easy to follow. I haven't found anything easier than this.Fantastic! Congratulations!! :clap: :clap:

[Maggies4me]

Fantastic! Congratulations!! :clap: :clap:


Thank you!!! :hug:

[Jane]

Woohoo! fantastic!

[sjl330]

Way to go!!! I'm so glad your good week showed up on the scales for you. Keep up the good work.

[Maggies4me]

Thank you Jane and Sandy!!!!!!

Sandy, I will keep it up this is great!! My friend that went with me lost a little over 5 lbs!

Have a great day all!

[Melsy]

I loved WW at the beginning....I lost 5.8 pounds my first week!!!One time post vacation pig out I came back and lost 6 one week...you can be very surprised.

Unfortunatley I got carried away with my little cheats and never really got back on the wagon...I religiously paid my 14$ a week to go up and down the same 2-3 pounds from July till Xmas.I really wasted my money there.I did lose 17 pounds but gained some during Xmas.

The key to WW is the support...I already miss my WW pals.

[LeahIA]

I just got home from my first meeting. I ran upstairs & weighed here to find out that my scales here at home weigh 1.5 pounds more than at WW. :)

I'm going to do the Core plan. I'd gained 15 pounds since I quit 3.5 years ago. :(

[sjl330]

I think you'll like Core. If you find it's hard to control your eating and aren't able to stop when satisfied, just count the points along with your core food and you'll be fine. That's my problem. I have no internal "OFF" switch. It's hard for me to feel satisfied if it still tastes good, lol. So I just eat core foods and count the points so I don't overdo it. I'm glad they've come up with this plan.


Good luck,
Sandy

[LeahIA]

I didn't get off to a great start today. I had to be in Des Moines all day & ate lunch with my best friend and then when I got home with grandson Dylan, DH wanted to go Chinese buffet. Sabotaged on Day 1! aaaccckkk Oh well, such is life.

I'm going through my food book and making a grocery list! I can't quite get my mind around all this fruit and milk I gotta have! I'm not going to totally pitch all my LC foods, just need to figure the points. I can't afford to throw out my Hood's Carb Countdown "milk". I'll drink it and switch when its gone, etc.

[sjl330]

I still use the Hood milk. It's not that difference in points and you save a LOT of carbs by using it instead of skim. Sometimes I use skim and I do eat the ff/sf yogurt but I try to reduce carbs anytime I can.

Tomorrow is a new day. You'll be fine. Just hang in there.

[LeahIA]

Thanks, Sandy!

Where is everybody else?? How you doing?? What tips have you discovered?

[sjl330]

I'm not sure if I have any great tips for you. I just stay away from the sugary treats and still don't eat potatoes, white bread, flour etc. I do have whole grain cereal sometimes and will have laughing cow cheese on wasa crackers for a snack at work. I eat about 24 points a day and have lost 20# since Sept. I actually lost that by Thanksgiving I think and have just been maintaining. I go over my points on weekends and if I gain anything it comes right back off during the week. I usually have berries every day with sf/ff yogurt as a evening snack. That's the only fruit I eat usually. My dh is low carbing so it makes it pretty easy for me to continue to eat this way. I just needed the portion control so the points work great for me. I don't know why it took me almost 2 years to do it. I just wanted the low carb woe alone to be "it" for me but as I said my portion control was out of control. I'm not weighing and measuring now, just eyeballing it but I'm still being conscious of the point values I'm putting in my mouth.
Hope this helps somewhat.

[Maggies4me]

The thing that works for me and helps me curb cravings is herbal teas. I LOVE the mint green tea. I can only drink decaf so I can drink as much as I like! LOL!! I have been bad this weekend. My cousin moved here from Ohio and we ate out at Olive Garden yesterday for a late lunch. So I just didn't eat supper.

I also eat TONS of veggies. I love them steamed or fresh. Oranges are a favorite of mine. I love lots of fruits and veggies I think that is one of the reasons WW is working so well for me.

Have a great week!

[LeahIA]

I'm really excited about all the fruit!

A good tip I learned from a severely diabetic friend - take a large jar of unsweetened applesauce & stir in a box of SF Jello - any flavor. I just made up a jar of strawberry banana applesauce. Its so good!

[LeahIA]

OK, where is everybody? How are you doing? I'm down 3.4 for 2 weeks, which is fine for me!

[sjl330]

I'm here, just hovering at the same weight. That's a good thing. My sis joined a couple of weeks ago and she's down about 6#. I'm so proud of her. She one of those who was skinny her whole life so dieting is a whole new thing for her. I really think it's harder for those people than for people like me and have fought the battle it seems since the very beginning! I weighed 9#2oz at birth!!

That's great Leah! Keep it up!!!!!

[Maggies4me]

Hi guys! Great job Leah!! Sandy tell your sis to keep it up.

I am down 6.2 lbs total!! I realize I have a long way to go. But I should reach my goal in a year. I just have to understand that I didn't get fat over night!

[LeahIA]

Maggie, 6.2 is great! Is this a weekly total? Monthly? What??

Sunday afternoons are hard for me. I just want to pick & nibble.

[sjl330]

All afternoons are bad for me, I love to pick and nibble!!!

[LeahIA]

Where are all the WW'ers??? I need you!!!!

I lost 3.2 this week for a total of 6.4 since 01-13-05!! I'm just ticked to death!!:rock:

[sjl330]

Fantastic!!! I had about a 4# gain this week but I know that's from being in Mexico and it was worth it!!! I'm right back to being good now.

Keep up the good work Leah, Just think how much it will be by summer!!!!!!

Wooheee!