???? for those who found WW success

[sharoncity]

I joined WW online because I don't have a whole lot of extra time. I have been following along, doing very well with points, trying to exercise as much as I can force myself to, and drinking approx 100 oz of water per day.

My weight loss is SLOW ! What have you guys found to be the key? Eat more? Eat less? Eat certain foods (low fat, low carbs...)? Do you use all your flex points each week? I have only been using 7 - 10 per week. Do you always eat whatever points you gain from exercising? I try to eat sensibly during the day. Then in the evenings I "treat" myself because this is really my tuff times. But I still stay within point range. What are your ideas for giving my weight loss a little boost?

 

[KathyTX]

I know that if I were losing slowly and wanting to bump that rate up, I would try to stay near my points target. Avoid using flex points, and avoid using the activity points.

It sounds like you're doing a great job drinking your water- I've found that's a key element to taking the weight off.

I think I would start now by focusing on your exercise. When you REGULARLY get your body moving, you're both strengthening and boosting your metabolism. You say you try to exercise as much as you can force yourself to. Do you have a set exercise routine, and do you do it on a regular schedule?

Many of us have had success using the Walk Away the Pounds videos at our homes. Pop it in the VCR and then you walk and do simple movements along with the tape. You can walk 3 miles in about 45 minutes, and I try to do this 3 times a week. You get a good cardio workout- you can really feel the body temperature rise, and you are working muscles all over your body.

The key to exercise seems to be "formalizing" it- developing a routine and a schedule, and consistently sticking with it.

If you add the regular activity in, and then ensure you are eating on plan (not only staying within your points, but getting the appropriate milk and fruit/vegetable servings), I think you'll see good results.

Good Luck!

(If you come join us in WISH CHAT tonight at 9 pm est, you'll be able to ask for ideas from lots of successful losers!)

 

[bunnyfoo]

My weight loss was pretty steady but once I added exercise into my daily routine, I noticed I lost a lot more weight. On the days that I couldn't make it to the gym, I would go for a walk every night. Other small ideas for exercise ... I would also park my car farther from the mall entrance and I would take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator. Even the small things add up

I somewhat sodium sensitive and I noticed on the weeks when I went out to eat or didn't pay attention to sodium content, my weight loss would slow. Sodium can make you retain water which can result in a weight gain.

I would also recommend keeping track of your measurements as well. Sometimes the weight loss doesn't always show up on the scale so the tape measure might pick up something that scale missed

 

[JenEeyore]

I have worked WW successfully twice now. I am a Lifetime member returning after having DS. I think everyone's metabolism is different and looses at different rates. My loss is usually fairly slow, but I think that when you lose slowly you are more apt to keep it off long term.

It sounds like you are working the program well. Don't get too discouraged.

I know the one thing that seems to work for me is to vary my intake from day to day. I try to go with an every-other-day approach. One day I try to be pretty lean on points (at target or maybe a point below) and then the next day I eat higher getting into my flex points. I have found that when I eat the same for too many days in a row, my metabolism actually slows down. I usually throw at least one (usually weekend) day of being pretty high over my target points and it seems to jostle my system up to get things going again. I worked the plan similarly a few years ago when I originally had my 50 lb loss.

I don't have a strict plan for this, but there is a WW member that has documented an actual points plan for this type of eating and it is called the Wendie Plan. Here is the link to her site with details if you are interested in reading more: Wendie Plan
I never had this detailed info when I worked the plan before, I just used my own judgement in varying my points, but some people may need the actual structure.

Just don't give up - remember that it is an endurance race, not a sprint to successfully lose weight and keep it off, and it needs to be a change in lifestyle long term, so losing slowly is still getting yourself to where you want to be!!

Hopes this helps a bit!

Jen

 

[jillwdw]

I followed WW last year for appr. 6 mths and lost 34 pounds. It was a slow loss but it stays off easier. I'm not near my goal and I need to get back to the healthy lifestyle I was following but being off track nearly 5 mths, I've only gained back 5 pounds.

 

[mowsie dreamer]

My question is, how slow is slow for you?

WW recommends that you average a 1-2 pound loss per week. This might mean that you don't lose that much each and every week. For example, I have a sort of strange weight loss pattern. I will lose a larger amount and then for the next couple of weeks, I lose very little. Over time it averages out to 1 to 1.5 pounds a week, but seems much slower because of those weeks that I don't lose.

Some really good suggestions have been posted for speeding things up, but in the end if you are still losing slowly, don't worry. If you lose slowly, you will be more likely to keep it off. And you are making changes that will give you a full and healthy life.

 

[QueenTrident]

Don't worry about losing slowly, as long as you are losing. I've lost rapidly twice (3 + lbs a week), but never kept it off for long. Now I'm averaging a pound a week and am thrilled. I keep looking for the little signs--more energy, being less out of breath, better fitting clothes, etc--to keep me going week to week.

Also, are you getting all your milk, fiber and veggies? They are as important as the water. You have to spend your points wisely to get the chemical reaction that is right for you.

Good luck!

 

[sharoncity]

Thanks for all your great input everyone! I'm going to look into this idea of one "lean" day, one "big" day. I'm also going to try to formalize my exercise routine. I have been aiming for 4 times a week of a FIRM tape. I'll have to step it up and MAKE it happen 4 times a week. In addition to that, I get TONS of exercise. Where I work, there is no ladies roomn on my floor. I have to go down to the first floor (from the second floor) to use the facilities. Remember the part about me drinking 100 oz of water per day? Lets just say, I do a LOT of stair climbing....... I also have two children at home that keep me running when I'm with them. For instance, we did about 3 hours of sled riding on Sunday.

When I say slow, I started WW online on 12/16. I maintained through the holidays, which was my goal - not to GAIN weight. Starting Jan 4, I was OP 100%. It is now Jan 20 and I am down 4 lbs. So that is right on with the 2 lbs per week, but I have always seen a bigger swing at the beginning. Basically, I had hoped to see a nice 5 lb drop in the first two weeks, and then to see a more sedate 1 or 2 lbs a week. But you are right, I'll be less likely to gain it back if I just go slow and steady. I guess I need to learn some patience!
One last question. I don't really get my milk servings in. I don't drink milk and I'm not wild about yogurt. I try to stay away from cheese because of the fat. What else can I have to meet the milk requirement?

 

[QueenTrident]

-FF Pudding
-FF Hot Chocolate w/ Calcium
-FF/LF Cheese (Mini Bon Bell, the cow one, Kraft 2% singles)
-Eat cereal for breakfast - get milk that way
-Make a smoothie with Light & Fit yogurt - 1 c. yogurt, 1/2 c. juice, fruit, ice. Makes enough for two smoothies. About 4 - 5 points for the whole thing.
-Find a local WW and pick up some of their shake mixes. With water, they're one milk serving, but with milk they are two milk servings for 3 pts.

HTH!

 

[JenEeyore]

I agree that the 1-2lb a week loss is a good average. That is what I am getting average. I didn't mean to imply it was bad by using the term "slow". It is just slower than some other programs, but it will stay off much better in the long run, and is MUCH healthier. I am like Mowsie Dreamer that loses in spurts. This week I got a 3.4lb "whoosh", but last week I was up 1.2. All I know is I am being a lot more balanced about losing this time through - I'm committed that this is a lifestyle change, and it is for the long haul. I was super excited today - I hit the 25lb mark at my meeting and didn't have to pay since I am now within 2 lbs of my goal!!! Yay!

On the milk servings topic:
String Cheese is another low fat cheese that counts as a milk, but sticks with you good for a snack.

I am also addicted to Chai Latte's, and they also count too!

 

[sharoncity]

Thanks Jen!

Wow! 25 lbs in 5 mos?! That REALLY encourages me! If I can loose 25 lbs in 5 mos, I will be SOOOOO excited! That means by June (aka Summer) I will fit back into my clothes!

I am at a 4.5 lb loss since really getting serious on Jan 4. I had hoped to see a big woosh the first week, and then settle down to a 2 lb per week loss. But I have readjusted my attitude and am very pleased that these 4.5 lbs are gone! It is a change of lifestyle for me also. I don't feel too deprived, I eat most everything I want, just not as much and not all in the same day!

String cheese - is that those ones shaped like a cigar? I like those! I'll have to check it out.

And yesterday I tried McDonalds fruit and yogurt parfait. All I can say is YUMMY ! Much sweeter than regular yogurt. Really tasted like dessert! And only 3 pts!

I'm trying to vary my diet a lot so I don't get bored or sick of the same things. And I am going to try varying my points by day to see if that will help keep by metabolism guessing! Thanks again for the words of encouragement. It really helps!