Getting started on Weight Watchers - any advice?

[Anonymous]

I am getting ready to start on weight watchers and really believe I can be successful. Because we are traveling during the next two weeks, I am going to wait until after that to begin. For those of you who have been on weight watchers, any tips to get me prepared - such as groceries to stock up on, whether to do online, meetings or both, or anything else?

[Anonymous]

I have done it twice - online and combo online/meetings. The first time, online only, I lost 15 pounds in about 2.5 months and the second time (post-pregnancy) 25 pounds in 3 months. I was resistant to going to meetings based on my first time success but found them helpful and they really keep you honest. I really like having the monthly pass for which you pay a flat fee that allows you to go to meetings and access all the info on their web site. I recommend signing up for this first (you can do it on the Web site), then poke around the Web site, go on the message boards to get a sense of what is what. Then go to a meeting at which you'll get a bunch of literature and then you will be all prepared to go shopping. Good luck! It's a great program and you will be super motivated at first. I personally, have lost steam with it, but that's my own issue!

[Anonymous]

WW is a great program--you can do this! I lost over 50 pounds (followed the online program) and have kept it off for more than a year. I remember when I first started the plan someone said, "If you SORT of follow WW, it SORT of works." Meaning, that if you REALLY follow it--it REALLY works. Good advice.

Try to pick foods that are both satisfying and nutritious. For example, instead of eating lowfat cheese or turkey for lunch, try eating the same number of Points in unsalted nuts (like almonds). They take longer to eat and will keep you from getting too hungry.

Also, invest in a good kitchen scale so that you're eating the correct amount of food. It seems like such a pain in the beginning to weigh stuff, but after a while it becomes second nature.

WW assigns a low (or no) Points value to most veggies and some fruit, so it's an ideal way to improve your overall nutrition while slimming down.

Best of luck to you!

[Anonymous]

I did WW 5 X. It absolutely works.. 2 x after babies....Stick to the points. I went to meetings and then tracked what i ate on line-a tool they offer for keeping track of points. Be patient. Give yourslef time, include exercising and eat lot's of veggies-0-1 point. You will do GREAT!!!! Rule of thumb to weight loss about 1-2 lbs a week.
GOOD LUCK!

[Anonymous]

The point system worked great for me. No time for meetings.

The point of the point system is you eat normally. You just have to start budgeting. You get say, 24 points a day. Each cupcake is 2 points. Would you rather have a dozen cupcakes today? Or three square meals and three snacks? Or trade one snack for one cupcake? Or trade it for a beer....

After a while you start to see the points values of the foods you eat regularly. You may be surprised at what is "costly" to your budget if you know what I mean. That's when you start getting creative with your shopping. Maybe instead of pancakes for breakfast, you trade some of them for an apple.... so that you have more points for that dinner out you've been looking forward to. You start to realize some cheeses are worth more than others and maybe try a new one. And so on.

It really is a great system.

[Anonymous]

The only problem I have with weight watchers it that it caused me to lose muscle. I stopped eating as much meat and substituted vegetables and I lost muscle mass. I had to introduce more protein into my diet and that put me over my points.

[Anonymous]

The program changed last december, and lean protein is actually now a healthy guideline. One of the keys is to fulfil the daily good health guidelines (e.g., 2 servings dairy, 2 servings healthy oil, 2 lean proteins), all within your points budget. It can get tricky when you weigh less, because you get fewer points, but it can be done. I found it very helpful to identify low point options for protein and dairy - usually vegetarian - like soy milk, or boca burgers etc. The key to not being hungry is to budget low point snacks.

If you are doing online, ready the site thoroughly, or if doing meetings, attend regularly until you get all the plan materials.

Spend some time on the message boards on the weightwatchers website. It's a wealth of information.

[Anonymous]

I've done WW twice - once after college and I lost 60 pounds and again after DC and I lost 25 pounds. I love the program. I am a very linear thinker and the logic just 100% makes sense to me. Here are my helpful hints.

Don't count veggies. They were free when I did it the first time, although some had points when I did it the second time. Veggies will be your number 1 friend, your best go-to when you are hungry. Do not underestimate the power of a bowl of carrots with FF salad dressing as dip. Not to be TMI, but I swear I had orange poop for the entire time I did WW, both times.

Go to meetings. There is strength in numbers. There is so much to be learned from other's going through it at the same time. Yes, WW can get kind of "cultish," but the meetings, at least for the first 6 months or so, are very important.

Write down every darn thing you eat. Everything. Do it 100% or don't do it at all. Dieting and following a prgram, any program, takes a ton of commitment. But it is sooo worth it because YOU are worth it.

During moments of weakness, repeat after me: Nothing tastes as good as thin feels.

[Anonymous]

Love Weight Watchers. For me, going to meetings and having that accountability of having to step on a scale in front of someone each week is/was key (not on it currently....). Do write everything down and track your points honestly. It makes a huge difference. Also, exercise. If you can be honest about your points and exercise at least some each week, you will have success. Good luck! I suspect I'll be joining you next spring after I have #2 this winter.