Activity Points Question

[lulu201]

Hey, all you experienced Weight Watchers out there: could you give me your two cents on activity points? Do you keep track of them? Add them to your bank? Eat them? What DO you do with
'em?!

I've been keeping track of my points and trying to exercise regularly, but I haven't been using any of the AP. Now I've been reading (and, MelanieC, I think your comments have intrigued me the most) that it's best to keep track of them and/or cash them in for food points--it's supposed to help you later on when you go to maintenance?

Please, someone, explain to me what this is all about!

Erin

 

[MelanieC]

Hi Erin!

I know that everyone has different feelings on this, but I truely believe that your body needs them if you earn them. If I earn them, I really try to eat them.

I use a palm pilot, so I keep track of them that way. With flex points, you are now supposed to use them on the day you earn them or loose them. That makes sense, since you used more energy and your body needs the extra nutrients that way.

Question for you? - How are you loosing now not eating your AP's? Maybe experiment for a few weeks. See if it makes a difference if you use them.

From everything I have read, and what I seem to experience, It seems that by keeping your point level higher (but staying OP) versus as low as possible (at the bottom of your target) it keeps your metabolism boosted. When you go on maintenance, I seem to notice that the people who have been skimping on points each day, have a hard time adding points in without gaining weight.

I also have been reading lately, how that when you finally add points in for maintenance, that your body will gain a little in the beginning-no matter what. The people that panic and lower their points immediately set themselves up for maintaining at a lower point range. The people that keep eating at that level will find that it was only a temporary and will loose the extra water that thier bodies gained and level off. So I think that maintenance is really something that you have to play around with. I for one want my body to learn how to maintain eating the highest amount of points it can. I feel that I am already doing a good job of keeping my points higher. I haven't lowered my points to the lowest point target, and unless I totally stop loosing I am not going to. As long as I am loosing, I will keep it here. I think it will help me in the long run.

I say, eat your AP's and if you feel comfortable and you still loose eat your Flex points too.

Hopefully I didn't totally confuse you.

Melanie

 

[lulu201]

Melanie, you are WONDERFUL! You've have helped me so much. Thanks for sharing some of your WW expertise!

Erin