New to WW - Can anyone help me????

[Minnie]

I'm very new to the WW program. I had been on SBD for a couple years and each time I went off for a couple months I gained my weight back quickly so I want to try something different. I started counting points today and already have myself in a pickle. I'm going to post what I ate today so far below. I've used up all but 1 of my points (I get 20) and its not even dinner time yet :sad2:

Breakfast
Strawberries (.5)
Yogurt (2)

Snack
Nuts (5) only a handful and yikes!

Lunch
Ham (1.5)
Cheese cuts (3)
Crackers (2)

Snack
Cheese (3)
Crackers (2)

Please help me figure out what I'm doing wrong!!!!

Thanks a bunch!!!!

[ohMom]

looks like the nuts did you in --- but remember you can 'eat' the points you earn exercising (AP or activity points) and you get 35 Flex points that you can use however you want throughout the week.

also i see you ate 6 pts in cheese -- that's kinda high IMO and my minimum is 20. have you tried reduced fat cheese? laughing cow light and RF cheese slices aren't too bad

my day is generally:
Breakfast -- 4 pts
Lunch -- 5 to 8 pts
Snack -- 2 to 4 pts
Dinner -- 8 or 9 pts

just a general -- i realize it may not add up to 20 but believe me I eat my 20 everyday, well mostly. today i realized my kitchen had closed and i hadn't quite reached it but that's ok b/c i ate over my points last week! this is not good advice so forget that! LOL point being the points are a guide and for me a way to realize my portions

[kpm76]

Ok, I get 20 points too and try my best to stick to the 20 pts/day so I can save my flex points for the weekend. Here's what I have for breakfast and lunch most days:

Breakfast:
Kashi Oatmeal - 3 points
Diet Snapple - 0 points

Lunch:
PB & J on lite Italian bread - 4 points
15 Light Lays chips - 1 point
Cup of sugar free jello - 0 points
Kudo bar, Rice Krispee treat or 2 snackwells cookies - 2 points

Snack:
Cup of sugar free chai - 1 point
100 Calorie bag of popcorn - 1 point

Dinner:
varies but usually includes a big salad with 2 tablespoons of fat free dressing
veggie burgers are only 1 point
grilled chicken is good
white fish

Hope this helps!!

[Minnie]

Thank you both! The info really helps. I was so discouraged last night I totally lost it and drownded myself in choclate chip cookies and mini snickers that my df brought home.

I am back on track today so far though:

Breakfast -
1 slice of sausage breakfast pizza (toppings only no crust)
(not sure on the points on this I think about 3)

1 diet dew (0 points)

[r3ngels]

Step away from the cookies... ;)

Replace the nuts with a Snicker flavored Kudos... they are very good they have little pieces of Snickers in it. Tell DF to bring those home from now on... they are 2 pts...some of the kudos are different point value so read the box.

Also you can not live with SF Jello and FF cool whip...

Also FF pudding is 2 pts.

Soy nuts are really good too. I can't remember the pts but it is either 1/4 cup for a pt or 2????

In the beginning I would plan out what I was going to eat the next day... right after dinner so I wasnt in for any suprizes the next day.

Lastly I would look at every bite I put in my mouth to see where I could shave even a 1/2 pt off my meal/snack so I could eat more often and not feel hungry.

It takes ahile to get the hang of it but you will and it WORKS!!!! It is easy for my brain to get you eat 20 pts and exercise you lose weight... it really works. :teacher:

Do not give up... you can do it I am 50 lbs lighter and it has been off for 2 years because of counting pts.

There is a WW tip thread I will try to find and bump for you that was a list of foods that other WISHers have tried.

[Minnie]

I started out good yesterday and made it until late afternoon when I ate the bag of peanuts in my desk drawer. After a painful chiro apt I drownded my pain in well basically anything bad in the cabinets/freezer (it wasn't pretty).

So far today I've only had a diet dew (0). I do have 2 soy waffles with me but haven't had them yet. Hoping to do better today.....

[kpm76]

I think the thing that modivates me is that you see results quickly if you are very good about sticking to the plan and to your points. I did WW two years ago before my wedding planning to lose 10 pounds. The weight ended up pouring off me and before I knew it I had lost almost 30. The wedding dress I had ordered was so big the seamstress couldn't alter it without ruining it so I had to send it back for another size. Since my wedding 18 months ago I put about 10 pounds back on...just enough to make the nice new wardrobe I bought feel snug, so after the holidays I started counting points again. WW really is a lifestyle change as opposed to a fad diet. Even though I gained some weight back, it was mostly because I was eating out and not making good choices. I still was buying FF and low fat things and never drank regular soda.....best thing to do is get rid of all of the food that will tempt you. If it's unopened, donate it to the food bank. If it's opened, I hate to waste food, but best to throw it out. I can't tell you how many bags of candy that went right in the trash in early January. Good luck....I hope you have a good day :)

[curiouser]

Okay, first off.. get rid of everything in your drawers that could cause a problem!! Nuts are OK to have, as is cheese, but you have to learn moderation, too.

Try to find meals that are low in points but keep you filled up. Choosing whole grains will help with that. Instant oatmeal is a quick breakfast, around 3pts and will keep you filled up until lunch and prevent you from snacking. If you do have the urge to snack keep around veggies like celery or baby carrots or easy snackable fruit like grapes. Its much better to have eaten a whole bag of baby carrots than a whole tin of nuts!

But remember, every day is a new day. You'll learn how to make it work for you and its okay to make mistakes. Start the next day with new motivation and stay strong. And remember that eating doesn't solve any of the emotional problems we have. If you've had a bad day go for a walk or read an inspiring book. I promise you'll feel better after doing that than if you'd stuffed your face instead.

You can do it!! Just don't give up!! :cheer2: :cheer2:

[Minnie]

Thank you for the encouragement :goodvibes

I was about to head to Subway to grab a chicken/bacon wrap but decided to check the points in it first. I am so glad I did that sucker was worth 11 points :teacher: I stayed in an ate the spinich salad I had brought from home for a total of 4 points instead.

This is a major change from SBD where the wrap was a good choice. But those calories and fat omg :rolleyes:

So far so good. Hanging in by my fingertips though.

Does anyone have good lunch and snack ideas? I need something to eat at work that isn't a ton of calories like nuts and cheese/crackers.

Thanks!

[hlbtimes2]

Looking over that first days journal- You need to add fruits and veggies, lowfat protein, and whole grains.

Here is how I would make over your journal to make it things you like but more WW friendly:

Breakfast- not bad. Might try the danon light and fit yougurt- its one point for 6 oz 60 calories) then you can add more fruit or some lean protein or whole grain bread for a point or two. I aim for 4-6 points.

Snack- pretzels if you are looking for crunchy/ salty. I usually eat fruit for my morning snack. Keeps you full for a while. 1 point

Lunch-
Go with lowfat crackers. I really like the TLC from kashi.
Cheese- Laughing low light wedges only one point for a wedge (I'll give you more uses for LC cheese later!)
ham- not a bad choice for lean protein. Cooked chicken breast or turkey would also be good.
And some fruit or raw veggies to fill you up I aim for 6-7 points at lunch

Afternoon snack:
I wouldnt spend 5 points on a snack. That is almost a meal worth of ponits! Again, go for light yogurt (get in those dairy points!), a low cal bar (ww ones are pretty good), fruit, rice cakes (the new whole grain mini quaker cinnamon and sugar ones are really good! 9 for 1 point) 1-2 points

Then you should still have enough points for a good dinner.

Laughing cow cheese: use it on a whole wheat bagel instead of butter or cream cheese. Melt it on steamed veggies. Use it for the cheese on a breakfast sandwich. Eat it on celery, cherry tomatoes or pepper strips. Crackers of course! I buy the 3 wheel pack at coscto for about $5. Its 24 servings and lasts me a couple of weeks.

I notice you consider subway- you can get a good 6" for around 6-7 points. Go for turkey and or ham. No cheese- lots of veggies! I'm a cheese lover, and I dont miss the cheese. The chicken sweet onion terriyaki is pretty low points as well.

[curiouser]

Thank you for the encouragement :goodvibes

I was about to head to Subway to grab a chicken/bacon wrap but decided to check the points in it first. I am so glad I did that sucker was worth 11 points :teacher: I stayed in an ate the spinich salad I had brought from home for a total of 4 points instead.

This is a major change from SBD where the wrap was a good choice. But those calories and fat omg :rolleyes:

So far so good. Hanging in by my fingertips though.

Does anyone have good lunch and snack ideas? I need something to eat at work that isn't a ton of calories like nuts and cheese/crackers.

Thanks!

Don't feel like you have to completely stay way from Subway, though! You can get a 6in turkey sub (no cheese/oil) and fill it up with veggies for only 5.5pts!! Some other lunch ideas are the veggie soups at Panera, which range anywhere from 1-2.5 points. If I don't go out for lunch I eat turkey breast slices with a bit of hummus, lettuce, and sprouts on a whole wheat wrap. I'll have a piece of fruit with that as well or a ff pudding cup!

[Minnie]

Thank you for taking the time to post suggestions! I will be adding all of those to my list of good choices that I'm making :thumbsup2

Yesterday I stayed within my points!!!

B - 2 soy frozen waffles (2pts)
L - Spinach salad with green peppers, ham, cheese, dressing (4.5pts)
S - Toast (2.5pts)
D - Ice cream (9.5pts) - I know not a good choice

Total points 19

[r3ngels]

Thank you for taking the time to post suggestions! I will be adding all of those to my list of good choices that I'm making :thumbsup2

Yesterday I stayed within my points!!!

B - 2 soy frozen waffles (2pts)
L - Spinach salad with green peppers, ham, cheese, dressing (4.5pts)
S - Toast (2.5pts)
D - Ice cream (9.5pts) - I know not a good choice

Total points 19

Yeah!!!! You did it!!!!!! :woohoo:

I laughed at the ice cream... I have done that, nothing appealled for my dinner except ice cream and I felt I would eat the ice cream either way so instead of forcing myself to "waste" 5-10pts on a meal I skipped it and at ice cream and stayed within my pts for the day... I wouldn't do it everyday but they are your pts to use as you wish.

Okay as far as snacks:

Qauker has a product that tastes like cheeto puffs... I think they are called Quakes
SF Fudgicle
Pudding
Kudos
Popcorn
Jello
Cereal
Soy nuts and soy crisps

(all my snacks I measure out into 2 pt servings in a bag so I don't over eat them)

Good Luck!!! :goodvibes

[hlbtimes2]

A really good alternative to regular ice cream are "skinny cow" products. They make round ice cream sandwiches in a few flavors. They are ok, but that is really good is the sorbet and cream bars. The strawberry ones are super yummy, pretty good size, and only 2 points. They totally take care of my ice cream craving. I've heard the fudge bars are good, but haven't bought them yet.

The dryers slow churned low fat is pretty good too. Most are 2-3 points for a 1/2 cup.

[disneyfanz04]

Also for a snack the 100 calorie packs from nabisco are all 2 points. Another good snack is the sunchips...the new garden salsa are delicious..are 3 points for 15. For a dessert at night I have a 3 point weight watchers ice cream..I LOVE the cookie dough one. You can have a rice cake for 1 point (the white cheddar ones are awesome.) Rold Gold mini pretzel sticks are 2 points for 48.

You should try and get your 5 servings of fruits and veggies in. Most veggies are 0 points, and most friuts are just 1 point. I hate fruit but have at least 1 apple a day. I actually look forward to it now.

Make sure you drink your water too. Diet soda is OK once in a while, but try and drink your water.

This is my first week as well, and it has actually gone smoother then I thought. I am really looking forward to weighing in on Saturday(I can't believe I just said that :goodvibes )

You can join weight watchers online for 2 free weeks...they have a lot of snack ideas.

Most of all, DON'T GIVE UP!!!!!!! You can do it!!!

[r3ngels]

Oh, I just remembered when I read apple, an apple with a little splenda mixed with cinnamon (sp?) is really, really good.....

We WILL get through this and when we are all world famous DIS bikini models we will look back on these days with great fondness :lmao:

[disneyfanz04]

...and when we are all world famous DIS bikini models we will look back on these days with great fondness :lmao:

:rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2:

[DVCTiff]

Minnie - I just made Lifetime on WW after letting my weight bounce around for over 10 years (I kept my original 20 lb loss off). I need you to hear this right now: besides following the program - including the 8 healthy guidelines - you absolutely have to get a grip on your emotional eating. It is a separate issue and needs to be dealt with above and beyond what you eat each day. You can follow WW all you want but if you don't learn to control your emotional eating and deal with your feelings without food, you will never keep your weight down.

I'm sorry if I sound harsh but this is the lesson I see people ignoring over and over. The plan is simple to follow once you stop medicating yourself with chocolate and ice cream. I know you can do this if you approach it from both sides - the eating and the feelings.

Let us know how you do! We're rooting for you.

[MOMOFMNM]

I have been lifetime for about 6 mos now


here are my suggestions:

get your water in and exercise, even a little walk or stretching or yoga is a good idea...

those who exercise not only loose better but they maintain better as well.

make sure you are eating your fruits and veggies and less refined carbs like crackers.

as far as the nuts go, stay away IMO unless you plan to use your flex points or do some heavy AP's for the day...I would choose some lean turkey or chicken deli slices for protein (they fill you up too!)

looks for some low fat or fat free cheeses and go light on the cheese, two serving of dairy is all you need...unless, like I've said...you want to use some flex or AP's on extra cheeses...

for breakfast I think yogurt is ok but I choose something like oatmeal or egg beaters on light toast, IMO yogurt is healthy and low pts but for me, it just does not cut it as a meal.

make sure you get healthy oils in there...make some baked potato fries in EVOO and slice thin, bake at 450 for about 30 min or until crisp...you get your oil and veggie in about 3 to 4 points...for a small potato


remember to eat lean cuts of meats like I said before and experiment with new food choices all the time.

for a treat, I buy the WW tiny cakes or 3 pt muffins if I am in a carb attack I eat those.

I also love nf sf vanilla lattes filling and a serving of dairy for 2 pts for a tall!!

no matter what stick with this program!! It is for life, not some diet but a real life choice!! You will get results and it is not a speedy thing, it took me about 8 mos to loose 35 pounds and still I'd love to loose about 10 more but it takes time.

please feel free to ask any questions!!