Can't Decide and Need Your Help PLEASE!! This is really depressing me!!

[chrismiss56]

I am so depressed about my inability to lose weight. I HATE feeling FAT!! I HATE that my knees hurt when I walk up and down stairs. I HATE feeling old when I am only 48 and I don't know what to do.

Hoping you can help. I have been on WW in the past and enjoyed the process but had a hard time attending meetings because LIFE (kids, work and appts) got in the way. So twice I joined and then quit.

Have tried South Beach and also enjoyed it but my family was not very supportive. THEY WANT THEIR CARBS!! Have converted them to low carb pasta (Dreamfields yum) and brown rice but that is about it.

Someone mention WW online to me but I don't know that much about it.

I guess I am looking for as much information about both of these programs that will let me decide which one will work for me.

Anyone tried WW online or can give me advice on attending meetings.

OR

If I go with South Beach what can I do so that my family will be more supportive. Hard to pass up the potatoes when I am the one making them.

HELP!! This is really depressing me.

Thanks to all

 

[catherine]

I'm sorry, I don't know anything about WW or low carbing. I do however know somewhat how you're feeling. That was me just over a year ago! I just want to give you a and send you some PD I know that someone will be along soon who will be able to help you with the different programs.

 

[DoeWDW]

Linda, this is a tough situation. WW may be a good choice because you can eat anything as long as you stay within your points range. There are lots of WISHers who follow WW but don't attend meetings or use the online system at all. They just track their points daily.

Having a family who doesn't want to change can make things so hard. If you're the primary cook, then why not just start serving what you can eat - don't even tell them you're making changes. They can either eat what has been prepared or fend for themselves. I'd bet they'll start eating healthier foods and liking them as long as you try some new recipes. You'll create new family favorites and they won't miss the carb-laden stuff so much. Besides, you'll be helping your kids to learn to eat healthy for the rest of their lives - what a great role model!!

I do think that once you start to slim down, your family will notice the positive changes and will be more supportive.

Best wishes!!

 

[helenk]

I'm the only one doing South Beach in my house, my husband could never give up his white bread or potatoes. And my kids love their carbs too.
What I have done is for dinner I make what I am able to eat, and I generally have two vegetables, one that I can have and then corn or something they like. If someone wants a potatoe, I'll cook one in the microwave for them. Once I got past the first 2 weeks of the South Beach diet it really was alot easier for me to watch other people eat things I can not. Part of it is to make sure you are full, do not leave yourself feeling deprived. I had a real problem with mashed potatoes for a long time, but now that has passed as well.
Breakfast I have no problems, I have low carb bread and I like omletes, pancakes sure smell good once in a while, but I've been able to stay away from them. Lunch, again I have my low carb bread so I can just make a sandwhich. At work I bring in the lower carb Lean Cuisines or the lower carb weight watchers Smart Ones, along with low carb yogart and then a small salad or some carrotts and celery. With using the lean cuisines and the smart ones, I have plenty of variety, so it does not get boring.
Just make sure you have plenty of things on hand that you are able to eat, and it should be okay.

 

[trola2]

I'm doing WW online only...or I was. I haven't been as strict as I should be, but I've got a lot going on and not worrying about that right now. BUT the thing I did like with WW online was that I had a place to go to track my food...online support from others that had been exactly where I am, and I found the online trackers and everything to be very helpful.

I do like WW because I can plan our "regular" meals and food and just watch my portions.

I'm down almost 50 pounds and although that is much slower than some other WISHERS, I'm Ok with that since I also didn't put it on overnight, AND I'm hopeful tht taking it off slowly will help me keep it off for life.

Best of luck with your decision and starting your new plan. Feel free to PM me.

~~Beth

 

[chrismiss56]

Thanks for your well wishes and support.

Trola2 - how long has it taken you to lose the 50 pounds. I really don't care about the speed just to see some results.

I have a very hectic weekend ahead plus moving my daughter back to college on Monday and Tuesday. She is going to be a junior so it isn't as traumatic as the first time. BUT I once again am not focusing on myself.

SO I figure I have until Weds to decide what I want to do.

Keep the information coming!! It really helps!!

Thanks

 

[ZerasPride]

I've done WW before and had some success. I know it works well for a lot of people including quite a few at my job where we have a WW at work program. Personally, South Beach works better for me. I enjoy not counting carbs, calories, fat or any of those things. It gives me a sense of freedom I've never felt with any other diet program.

DH is on the program with me and that helps a lot. DS eats what I fix for meals and I do buy him snacks and occasional other carby stuff like fast food but primarily we all eat the same thing. I agree with what several other low carbers have said, if you feel low carb will work better for you, don't let your family's resistance stop you. I never thoght I could give up mash potatoes or french fries but now I can see them, smell them and even serve them to someone else and it's no problem. This way of eating has become a way of life for me.

If SBD is the program you pick, once you get past the two week Phase 1 period, you won't want all that carby stuff. I can even buy my son donuts at Krispy Kreme (on occasion) and not be tempted. I almost can't stand the smell of those things now! I do sort of mix South Beach and Atkins together and the foods I eat are very satisfying. I'm never hungry or feel deprived and I think that is one reason I have been successful so far. I had to find a program for me that I could live with and where the food is yummy and I've found it!

Either one of these programs will work for you and even without real life support, you have one of the best resources available today on the web - WISH! We will support you with whatever program you chose. I have never seen anyone's diet program bashed on this board. We all encourage one another because we all have the same enemy in common - unwanted pounds!

There is a WW thread as well as a SBD thread on the board. There is a journal board where you can share your experiences, feelings and menus. Please take full advantage of all the resources available to you here. We know you can succeed. We know you can reach your goal. Please let us know which program you are going with so we can support you.

 

[disneygoof]

I'm one of those that follows ww at home with no meetings or online account. I've lost 26 pounds since November, mid winter and mid summer slumps getting in the way of more dramatic weight loss, and I'm five pounds from goal.

In the summer I grill A LOT; in the winter I prepare WW pasta meals and freeze them. I've posted a couple of my ww recipes in the index. I keep my kitchen stocked with snacks that get me by hungry times with minimal points.

In terms of the psychology of check-in, I've found WISH to be extremely helpful. I post a journal, and I've got fellow WISHers who check in on my progress and provide support. It's sort of like a virtual WW meeting, on my time. Also, the WISH challenges provide a setting where you are posting your progress weekly so you'll feel it, in your gut of course, if you go a few weeks without losing anything, or when your weight starts to creep up on you.

Good luck and have a magical day!

 

[Chicago526]

I posted this reply to someone else's question about WW, so I hope you don't mind that I cut and pasted. Before I "paste", the program is rather simple. Each food is assigned a point value based on the calories, fat, and fiber of that food. Based on your starting weight, you are given a point targe for each day. Mine was 22 points for most of my weight loss journey. In addition to your target points, you are also give 35 flex points PER WEEK that can use however you like. Some give themselves a few extra points per day, some (like me) use them on weekends and special occaisions. You are supposed to eat at least your target per day, and most if not all of your flex points per week. You can also earn extra points for exercising or strenuous activity like vacuuming your house. For more info, you can check out Weight Watchers.com for more details before you sign up. Okay, here's my original post:

I did WW Online, and loved it. I lost 30 pounds in about 6 months or so. For me, doing it online was perfect, as I'm on the computer all day long anyway, it was easy to pop into the site to update my food journal or figure out the points for something new. I'm also not a "group" person. I felt that posting on the message boards was just as good as going to meetings, only you can post online 24/7 instead of only going to a real meeting once a week.

I'd say that WW Online is great if you have the disapline to stick with it on your own and not "cheat" when you enter in how many points a food item is, or fudge your weight numbers. If you think you need to weigh in every week infront of people to make sure you stay on track, then the meetings may be a better way to go.

Either way, it's a fantastic program that teaches you HOW to eat, with no gimicks or entire food groups that you aren't allowed to eat. It focuses on portion control (which is the REAL cause of obesity in the U.S. IMHO) and moderate exercise to achieve a healthy weight. The first week, I was really hungery, but detrimed to stick with it. I was rewarded with a 7 pound loss the first week! After that, my body got used to less food and I got used to the point system, and lost an average of 1 1/2 to 2 pounds per week. I went from 175 to 145 (I'm 5'7") and droped one size (12 to 10). My goal was to loss as much as possible from the time I joined in Nov. of 2003 until my trip to DL in Feb. of '04. I lost 20 pounds in time for the trip, and another 10 upon my return.

I've maintained my weight for 4 months now with little difficulty. I'd love to lose another 5 to 10, but I'm happy with my current weight and would be content if I don't lose any more. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me.

Good luck!

 

[chrismiss56]

Wow Thanks for all the support...........

As of right now I am leaning towards the WW.......I do believe my biggest concern is portion control. It seems that WW addresses that issue.

BUT the one thing I have learned is that I will have alot of support from the Wish Boards

Thanks to all

If you are in Florida - good thoughts and prayers to you.

The rest - HAVE A DISNEY DAY!!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Over the years I did many diets but the weight always crept back on. I was feeling pretty awful but realized for me it was exercise that was missing component. Somebody told me about Curves and I checked it out and joined. It wasn't easy making the committment to get there 3x/wk (with kids, work, pets, committments, etc...) but I did and once I was there I liked it. Within several months I had lost 22 inches. That motivated me to eat healthily and without trying too too hard I lost 20 pounds. This year I won the Curves Sweetheart Award because of the large impact Curves has had on my life.

I know you said your knees hurt but I've talked to many others there and for some the exercise has strengthened their bodies and the pain has gone away. I've seen transformations that are amazing- people come in there very overweight and/or out of shape and in what seems like a short time their bodies have taken on a whole new look. That may or may not work for you but if your doctor gives you the ok I urge you to make an appt at Curves to try the program (for free) and see if it might be something you'd enjoy. For many exercise helps the body burn fuel more efficiently so you don't have to agonize over everything that goes in your mouth: eating a sensible, low fat diet is enough to do the trick (along with the program).

Best of luck to you. You were smart to write in because it's nice to know others have felt the same way and maybe the support on this board will motivate you to make whatever changes will work for you.

 

[chrismiss56]

Thanks for all the support and information.........Anyone else?

 

[nancyj_pa]

I've been low carbing over a year now. It's called the Protein Power plan. It's a modified Atkins/South Beach approach. I'm almost 58, and the weight is a lot slower coming off than it was when I was younger. I also have thyroid disease and have a poor metabolism.

Anyway, I lost 25 pounds the first 5 months along with a lot of inches. But the most important thing...my knees stopped aching, I feel so much better, my cholesterol dropped, etc. Since January, my weight has been going up and down a few pounds a month but generally I've been staying about the same. I do exercise somewhat (bike riding outside and walking) but not as much as I should. My DH eats the same dinner as I do. But he has his cereal in the morning and I eat cottage cheese and blueberries. He has a sandwich for lunch while I eat home made chicken salad, hard boiled eggs, etc. For dinner, we generally have a salad, meat, fish, or chicken, and a nice veggie such as broccoli, cauliflower, squash, etc. and I usually always have some homemade coleslaw (the bagged coleslaw mixed with mayo and splenda and a little onion). I snack on cheese, macadamia nuts, and the occasional low carb ice cream or treat.

I intend to eat this way the rest of my life. I feel better doing it, and hopefully I'll lose more weight one of these days. But the main thing is feeling better physically and knowing you are a lot healthier than you were before.

Check out the journals at the top of the WISH page for some inspiration and good ideas. I hope this helps, and good luck with whatever plan you choose.

Nancy J

 

[chrismiss56]

Nancy can you tell me more about the protein power. I sent you a PM.

Thanks