Weight Watchers

[Lindz85]

I'm wanting to lose the last 10 pounds that I need to lose. Has anybody ever had an experience with Weight Watchers?

I've got a friend who just started it and he's lost 5 pounds in the first week. But he's got over 100 pounds to lose.

I'm wondering if it would work if you only have a small amount to lose.

[Gardening Grandma]

I've been a member if WW for some time. The program is based on a balanced diet and exercise. It works if you have only a few pounds to lose, but the loss will probably take longer.

[swamp]

I've done it, and I found the point system made me obsess about food.

[Lindz85]

I did some sort of local diet contest a couple of years ago where you earned points with the more exercise you did and the more veggies you ate, etc... and lost points for not exercising or eating outside of a balanced healthy diet. It worked for me because I was focused on earning points and I didn't feel deprived or anything and I lost the 10 pounds very quickly. But now I've gained it back..

I was thinking about WW because of the point system and it would allow me to focus on that rather than focusing on how many carbs i'm eating, calories, etc...

[swamp]

But you kinda are counting calories. 1 point is equal to about 50 calories.

[kathyattraverse]

Weight watchers is great and it works (just like Jennifer Hudson says). However, you have to count all points and stick to it. The Points Plus program is great because all fruit is zero points now. Processed foods are higher than before. They are trying to lead people to eat whole foods instead of processed. As long as you stick to it, you will lose. You can eat anything you want as long as you eat your points allowance. Make sure to track everyday as that is the "key". Good luck.

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

What sort of exercising are you doing?
Can you increase it?

[Lindz85]

well, I am trying to get my exercising routine figured out. I currently go to a gym that takes like 15 minutes to get to... that kinda deters me from going. So I am in the process of canceling that right now and I have some weights and an ab ball here at my place. I am going to do that and walk around my neighborhood for now until I figured out if I want to join the gym that is right across the street from me. The only reason why I don't just join it is because I might be moving away from this area in June so I don't want to get stuck on a contract. I am going to go see what their policy is though.

[thyme4change]

Ask for a 3-month or 6-month contract.

You need to learn to eat right - if you can do that by following the points method, and then sticking to similar rules after you have reached your goal, then WW will work for you. But, if all you are going to do is be strick and follow points, and then just stop after you reach your goal, you will gain back the 10 you dropped. Figure out what is off balance in your calories-in vs. calories-out ratio, and fix it. Do you eat pretty healthy, but have improper portions? Do you snack? Do you drink a lot of calories - either through alcohol, pop or juice? Do you not exercise at all?

I'm trying to figure out why I am a little heavier than I want to be - so I'm tracking calories in by using an on-line calculator. I'm finding the problems in my diet. I've also added in exercise.

[daisylu]

I did it for a couple of months a few years ago, and lost @ 30lbs. It teaches you a LOT about portion control.

My problem was that after I got comfortable, I quit tracking and paying attention.

[Waffle]

My experience was similar to Daisylu's. I lost about 35 pounds. Then I stopped going to meetings, next I stopped counting my points and then all the weight came back and more.

Maybe it depends on your personality, I personally don't want to have to pay weight watchers for the rest of my life. So now, I'm working on changes that I think I can make permanent. For now that includes counting calories.

[thyme4change]

There are so many free calorie counters on-line and available for your smart phone (if you have one) - once you figure out what your burn should be, I just don't see how paying WW or anyone else to help you count the calories is worth it.

[Lindz85]

So far I am learning that if I can just add in a lot of veggies in my day, such as a veggie soup or a chicken salad for one of my meals I can keep my weight down. My problem right now is the alcohol. I have been working on cutting that back and figuring out what I can have in my diet if I eat good during the day or week.
I've also been walking every day for 30-60 minutes a day and having a couple of days as a weight day. I really don't have much to lose so it is going to be a slow weight loss for me. I just gotta figure out what the little things are that's keeping me about 10-15 pounds heavier then what I want to be.

[Genuine GA Peach]

I currently go to a gym that takes like 15 minutes to get to... that kinda deters me from going.

Read more: notmsnmoney.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=healthyliving&action=display&thread=2628#ixzz1DlyDbejk

a 15 minute drive deters you from going to the gym? wow

there are lots of exercises you can do at home with little or no eqpt required. I prefer going to the gym (which is a 25 minute drive on days with NO traffic) because there will be no distractions to my workout. I do workout some at home. I like The Firm workouts. And I have a pilates DVD I really like.

if your area is good for walking or cycling, you could work up to running or cycling to the gym, doing your weights, then running or cycling back home. I keep my bike at the office & ride it to the gym (about 2 miles from the office), exercise, then ride back. There is nowhere near my house that's good for biking.

[Lindz85]

Feb 12, 2011 14:01:08 GMT -5 Genuine GA Peach said:

I currently go to a gym that takes like 15 minutes to get to... that kinda deters me from going.

Read more: notmsnmoney.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=healthyliving&action=display&thread=2628#ixzz1DlyDbejk

a 15 minute drive deters you from going to the gym? wow

there are lots of exercises you can do at home with little or no eqpt required. I prefer going to the gym (which is a 25 minute drive on days with NO traffic) because there will be no distractions to my workout. I do workout some at home. I like The Firm workouts. And I have a pilates DVD I really like.

if your area is good for walking or cycling, you could work up to running or cycling to the gym, doing your weights, then running or cycling back home. I keep my bike at the office & ride it to the gym (about 2 miles from the office), exercise, then ride back. There is nowhere near my house that's good for biking.

I work a lot of hours so I don't have much time between trying to make my meals prepared for the day (so I don't eat out) and getting all my other chores done (bills paid, laundry, cleaning, grocery shopping, etc...) before I go to work, I work 2nd shift, 60 hours a week. So if I can only squeeze in 30 minutes a day... that's a whole drive's worth just to get to the gym. Just makes my life easier if I can just go right across the street or walk around the neighborhood. Less money that I spend on gas too.

[thyme4change]

a 15 minute drive deters you from going to the gym? wow

We had a 15 minute drive to a gym once and it seemed like a lot. It was opposite of our drive to work, so we would be in the car a long time, and then change and get back in the car - I felt like we were never not in the car. But now I would also think a 15 minute drive was a long way. It is less than 10 to work, less than 10 to school, less than 10 to all of our activities. It would take me twice as long to get to the gym as anywhere else. I would also pass 25 gyms in a 15 minute drive. It would seem pretty pointless. I know people who live less urban feel differently about a 15 minute drive.

[constanz22]

I lost about 15-20 pounds at WW several years ago (7 maybe?) and earned lifetime membership, but, I've put it all back on and then some... I really struggled with their point system. I was eating my maximum amount of points and was ALWAYS hungry. I've looked into going back, but, honestly, think it's not really worth the money, plus there are no meeting close to where I live anymore. I have all the materials and know what I need to do. The meetings and weigh in are good motivation though, which I obviously need!

[Genuine GA Peach]

I was eating my maximum amount of points and was ALWAYS hungry.

Read more: notmsnmoney.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=healthyliving&thread=2628&page=1#126207#ixzz1DsgLS1gv

that was my problem with WW too. Once I dropped enough weight that I was in a lower points range, I was ALWAYS hungry. I still have all the stuff too. The meeting part was a total waste of time for me, but the weigh in was good motivation. I also got frustrated because the leader at our meeting couldn't help me at all when I hit a plateau. First she said I wasn't writing everything down (I was...even SF gum!). Then she said I wasn't eating enough. Then she said I was over estimating on my exercise.

for my last several weeks with WW, I stayed in my points range and did not add ANY points for exercising. I still couldn't get the scale to budge

I'm very healthy. I can run 5 miles in about 56 minutes; I ride my bike or take spin classes (1 hr) 2 or 3 times a week; I workout with free weights & weight machines; I take a Body Pump class once a week; and do my home workout DVDs most mornings. I'm thinking about ordering The Wave as a reward for sticking to my workout routine (for the most part) since before Thanksgiving.

It's by The Firm and I've been doing their videos & DVDs for years. I've always been happy with stuff from them.


As far as eating: it's just a matter of what works for you...for a LIFE TIME. That's why I prefer WW and South Beach. I can live with those programs. Even though I hit a plateau, I've kept most of the weight off for several years. Atkins? Never gonna work for me. Same for Nutrisystem, Jenny Craig, etc.