The First WW Weekly MEETING Thread-Back To Basics

[anniet]

Good Morning! A few of you responded saying that they'd like a weekly meeting thread. And since my WW@W sessions are over and probably won't be starting again (not enough people joining) I really need a place to talk about WW on a regular basis (okay I wanted this for kind of selfish reasons, but I'm hoping we can all help each other)- please note, I don't know if there are any WW Leaders on this board, but I'm NOT one of them.

One of the last impressions made on me in a meeting (that I'm still trying hard to control) Is it's not just staying within your points, its HOW you spend those points. For the record it's taken me 8 weeks to lose 4 pounds. But HEY in 8 weeks I lost 4 pounds. (I'm looking on the bright side)

So I pulled out one of my booklets (I think it was the one on nutrition) and one of the sites for more info in there that was listed is the is for the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Instute - I have to admit, the site looked kinda of boring until I came across some information on the DASH eating plan
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/hbp/dash/new_dash.pdf

It's funny that WW suggests the site. Their Good Health Guidelines, while not exactly like DASH, are very similar. So right now I'm working on allocating my points to the categories that DASH lists along with serving recommendations on page 5.

But I'm wondering- how do YOU spend your points? Are you like me, thinking that a 3 point bag of potato chips every day with lunch would be okay, as long as I have the points to spend? And can I really count that as a vegetable serving?? I could have 2-3 servings of fruit instead---- How are you making your choices, and how do you think it has affected your losses?

 

[NancyK]

Hi Annie,
I was a WISHer back in 2003. Lost 50 pounds. Did the 1/2 marathon in 2005 (one of the Canadian sisters) and then promptly gained backed 38 pounds. I've been doing Weight Watchers on my own for the past 4 weeks. I've lost 12 pounds so far (I know a lot of it is water weight, but I'll take it!). I try to eat 100% healthy during the weekdays. I take cold veggies or a salad etc. for lunch. On weekends I am not so particular on how I use my points. I do try to get all my veggies eaten early in the day before I eat the "not so healthy" choices. I've also found that I lose weight faster when I make sure I'm getting enough protein. Hope you have a good week and keep up the good work!
Nancy

 

[anniet]

Thanks Nancy- funny you should say that cuz that's what I'm starting this week- to eat mostly fruits and veggies with some protein during the day and then a good dinner at night. Thanks for the tips!


p.s. will you be doing the Disney half in 2007?????

 

[UrsulasShadow]

Hi, Nancy and Annie,
Like you, Nancy, I joined WW online at the beginning of Feb, and have lost about the same...12 lbs. I know it comes off easy at first, when you're really motivated, and I know I usually start losing interest around 4-6 weeks, so I'm looking for support here, too, to keep going.
I just had a really tough weekend. Went to look at colleges w/ my DD, so missed the gym for 4 days, and of course, ate an awful lot of stuff I really shouldn't have. I'd been doing so well early in the week,then, poof! all the hard work down the drain. BUT, I'm determined not to get discouraged by it. I did no PERMANENT damage with a 4 day bender, and that's what I have to keep in mind...just jump right back OP as soon as possible.
Personally, I don't think I could do the flex plan, because the temptation to use up all my points on junk would be much too great, so I've gone with the core plan. That way I have to eat only good food to be satisfied, and the points are for my treats (mmmm, cabernet sauvignon......). The only trouble with this plan is how hard it is to find core foods at restaurants and on the road. I'm working on it.

 

[keenercam]

Your question on how you spend points is very timely, annie. At some point I realized I was staying within my points but I wasn't necessarily eating healthy.

I think we have to get to a point where we think of food as fuel for our bodies and recognize we have an obligation to give our bodies what they need for energy. Some of us are pretty demanding on our bodies because of the schedules we keep or keeping up with kids or working strenuous jobs or training some sports event and it seems logical to me that you have to fuel your body like you do your car. And yet, I do often find myself looking for ways to "afford" a treat. UGH!

The WW healthy eating guidelines have become my daily objective. At the end of each day, I evaluate whether I had at least 5 servings F/V, at least 6 8oz glasses of water, 2 dairy servings, and a multi-vitamin. Hopefully, I will feel a physical difference and will see results on the scale too.

 

[ohMom]

ok i'm avoiding this thread like the PLAQUE b/c it hits hard home -- i tend to just get through my day and not really plan or allocate my food categories. so -- i think i'm going to print out something and hang it on my frig to stop me from the mindless grazing and pay attention to eating enough veggies etc in my day. also -- i'll try to read that DASH material today b/c i feel so puffy in my hands, tummy, etc most days and i love the 'leaner' feel when i'm not feeling so bloated. so -- i'm easing into this discussion here, ok

um, well, i guess i could use those little icons on my WW online journal too -- duh!

 

[DisneyLovingMama]

Great topic!

I switched to Core, specifically because I was using my flex points poorly. I would skip out on the good health guidelines just so I could eat 100 calorie packs of cookies or ice cream or something.

In our meeting today, the leader said that if you follow the good health guidelines, you'd use up 16 of your flex points. On Flex, I felt like I couldn't "sacrifice" that many points and never really followed them.

Now, however, I get all the guidelines in -- every day. I'll drink a cup of milk if I need my dairy. Or, I'll cook with olive oil if I need the oils. It's really liberating. I use my Core points as substitutes -- for instance I'll use 2% cheese instead of FF cheese and count my points. Or, I'll save it for a real treat like pizza or something else. But, it's not every day and it's not the bulk of my food for the day, like it was on flex.

 

[knovak]

Any suggestions on what to take to work for lunch on Core? I've been sticking with the flex plan as I find it hard to come up with lunch ideas for work.

 

[DisneyLovingMama]

My biggie is leftovers from dinner the night before.

Or, tuna w/ Ff mayo and veggies.

Or, grilled chicken salad

Or, wheat pasta salad

There's tons of things, once you realize what you can and can't eat.

 

[TammyNC]

This is a great topic, thanks for getting it started. I find that when I don't make the healthiest point choices I get hungry a lot faster than when I am eating healthier. Like Cam mentioned, I have started thinking like I read that you need to fuel your body and if you put cheap fuel in, you aren't going to be as productive.

I have to say that it truly helps me in pre-planning what we are having for dinner for the week. This lets me know how many points I need to have for dinner and then I know how I need to use my points throughout the day. I don't tend to use my flex points but do use my activity points that I earn which I think is important also.

 

[ohMom]

food is a fuel -- yes that's a GREAT thought -- food IS A FUEL!!

this is my new motto for the month, down to my last 5 weeks before the Columbus half and i want to feel lean and strong

 

[sammi]

Great thread! I'm on the Flex points program and I'm sitting here at this PC starving!!!!!But I think that maybe because I didn't eat any protein for lunch. I'm also a little down as I only lost 3 lbs this first week and I know years ago when I did WW I lost about 7.

Also was wondering if you actually lose on the Core Plan?I love lots to eat and would like to try the plan but I'm soooo afraid!

 

[DisneyLovingMama]

sammi - Don't be down!! Three pounds are huge! Our bodies don't act the same as we get older. When I first did WW, I lost 12 pounds hte first week. This time, it was 4. I'm happy with that. Some weeks I only lose .2 pounds, others I lose 1, and ocassionally, I lose a large number like 3 or 4. It really doesn't matter what your week to week number is, only that you see a downward trend overall. Every little bit is another step in our quest. As has been mentioned in many meeting - we never gained 7 pounds in week, so we can't expect it to come off that quickly.

I do think protein and whole grains are important to staying full longer. But, I'm hungry now too - just don't feel like making anything right now. I'll give it another 20 minutes or so.

 

[DisneyLovingMama]

Oh, as for losing weight on Core. In my meetings and on the WW boards, people have lost 20, 30, 50, 75, and even 100 pounds on core. But, it's not about eating all the time, as much as you want. It's really about eating until your satisfied. It takes a week or so to "get it", but once you do, it's revolutionary (to me.).

 

[UrsulasShadow]

Any suggestions on what to take to work for lunch on Core? I've been sticking with the flex plan as I find it hard to come up with lunch ideas for work.

Most times I carry a can of ff split pea soup, but lately I've been on a salmon kick. So I carry a small package of salmon with me (like the tuna in the packets...so convenient!), tear up a big hunk of iceberg lettuce into a Tupperware container, throw some canned mixed fruit (packed in juice) on the lettuce, toss the salmon on top, and top with a drizzle of Newman's Own Light Raspberry and Walnut Dressing (1 pt if you are careful with it). If you skip the dressing, it's completely core. I don't skip the dressing. That's what the points are for.
If you don't like salmon, substitute chicken breast or tuna.

 

[sammi]

Thanks DisneyLovingMama your info made me feel better. I'm just worried that since usually the first few weeks you lose more weight, and I'd like to be able to continue with 2-3 lbs a week.But we'll have to wait and see.

Just got back from doing Curves and for lunch I had a tossed salad with 1/4 c croutons and 1 hardboiled egg and then 1 cup FF SF yogurt.....hope that'll tide me over till dinner!

I always find the evenings are the hardest!