Where Do I Start?

[Hersheybar417]

I'm 54 years old, have done WW numerous times in the past without much success (totally my fault, not the diet) and have approx 80 lbs to lose. I looked into weight loss surgery and now a friend, who is also a WW leader, has asked me to try WW one more time before I continue on the WLS trail. I'm going back on Wednesday for my restart. I've read some of the threads here and you are all so supportive. My question is, where do I start? I haven't had time to read everything, but I see there's a Biggest Loser thread, challenge threads, etc. Can somebody point me to the best threads to get the info and help that I need? I remember past times starting with WW I've felt overwhelmed. Thanks so much and best of luck to all of you.

Linda

 

[dare2dream]

Linda,

WISH is a wonderful supportive place. Sometimes getting started on a journey can be difficult, but just remember to keep moving forward with those small baby steps.

WISH can be a helpful tool in your weight loss journey. There are many threads with many members that can help you as you move along your journey. There is a weekly WW weigh in thread started by momof3luvs2run. There are also September weight loss and exercise threads. On each you make a commitment to how much weight or exercise you will do for the month. For exercise you can commit to miles, minutes, or whatever measurable method you choose. You check on the thread each week or so and update your progress. Members there encourage and congratulate each other.

WebmasterKelsie also has a thread for lurkers or those looking for support. Just pop on any of these threads and introduce yourself and get to know the other posters.

Our WISH Biggest Loser challenge started September 4. I am the captain of the red team. We weigh in each week and report our weight to our team captain. The team captain is the only one that will see your weight. It will never be posted in public. Each week we will determine the winning team by the % of weight their team has lost. This is a very low key challenge. The purpose is for each member to commit to living a healthier lifestyle and reporting to the team can help us to stay accountable.

You are welcome to join the BL challenge by sending a PM to OhMom, our team organizer. If you go to the last page of the 'Biggest Loser teams' thread or the 'sign up Biggest Loser starts September 4' thread you can find a post by her and send her a PM to be added to a team.

PS I am on the Eastern Shore of MD and love Hershey, PA. It truely is the sweetest place on earth. DH is a Reese's addict. We love to go to Chocolate World and get a fix of 'fresh' chocolate.

Welcome to the DIS Linda, I hope you will have a great stay here.

 

[ohMom]

more -ing to you Linda!

there is a link in my signature that will direct you to some general info about WISH.

just like Brenda said, you are more than welcome to jump in on any of the ongoing threads. lurk away and then whatever you feel will motivate you just jump in. there is usually a monthly "Lose 5" challenge thread, a monthly exercise challenge, and there is a WW thread. I think after you read a few you'll get a feel for what appeals to you and what you want other WISHers to encourage you in and keep you accountable.

PM me if you'd like to join a BL team

 

[tiggerlover]

Hi Linda! Another great big to the WISH boards, we are so glad that you are here!!!

I am a three time Weight Watcher loser, for me, third time is the charm (so far). The one thing that I learned this last time on WW is that I really had to want to lose the weight and to get healthy and that I had to do it for me and no one else. I also had to realize that this was not a diet and that this was a way of life so I had to change a lot of the old habits and make new habits. But (in my opinion) the key to success is to make small changes a little at a time because changing too many things too soon can be overwhelming and can lead to discouragement and ultimately not completing your goal.

As mention above there are some great threads that can help you on your journey. I am especially partial to the WW weekly weigh-in thread. I hope you will stop by and have a look around and feel free to jump in at any time.

 

[LK03]

I couldn't agree more with tiggerlover! This is my 4-5 time on WW (not sure) and it's actually working because I didn't start till I woke up mentally ready to lose the weight. I committed to sticking to my points strictly the first several weeks. When I was ready, I incorporated veggies (something I would have never touched before), then when I was ready I committed to 5 fruit/veg svg per day along with the 2 c. milk. And, finally after 9 weeks on WW, I tried out the gym and added that to my plate.

Small steps and being concious and wanting to be successful WILL make you successful!

 

[Hersheybar417]

Thank you all for your responses. I'll definitely check out those threads. I'm going to start WW tomorrow. I was supposed to go to a 10:00 a.m. meeting, which my friend works at. However, I had a conflict in schedules and can't make that meeting. But I didn't want to wait another week so I'm just going to a later meeting the same day.

One of my downfalls is that I'm not much of a planner. If I get home for lunch and I'm hungry, I'll stand staring in the frig. Or I'll make a salad with chicken or a can of tuna. I get tired of this real quick.

Is there a thread that has food ideas? Really quick, grab and run type things? I can find lots of recipes, but I need fast and easy. I don't do a lot of cooking, although I'll probably try and start cooking more. But for those days where you have nothing prepared but are starving and need something filling and fast. Any suggestions for sites? Thanks again.

Linda

 

[tiggerlover]

One of my downfalls is that I'm not much of a planner. If I get home for lunch and I'm hungry, I'll stand staring in the frig. Or I'll make a salad with chicken or a can of tuna. I get tired of this real quick.


Linda

Make your fridge healthy-living friendly. Fill it with foods that are good for you and ready in a pinch. When you go grocery shopping take a permanant marker with you and your points calculator that you get at your first meeting and as you are figuring points write it right on the box so when you are hungry staring in the fridge or cupboard you will know the points value.

Some low-point foods that I like to keep around:

Curves chocolate peanut bars = 1pt
Herr's whole wheat pretzel sticks = 7 pc = 1 pt
Kozy Shack tapioca or rice pudding = 1 pt
Breakstones Live Active cottage cheese = 1 pt
Hummus (some varieties) 2T = 1 pt
Wasa flatbreak crackers (the ones that are 45 calories and high in fiber) 1 = 0 pts, 2= 1 pt
Cut up veggies = 0 pts

Another thing I like to do is to cook a couple of WW recipes on the weekend and put the leftovers in serving dishes to grab for lunch or dinner.

Good luck!

 

[Andrea_loves_Disney]

Welcome Hersheybar417!!!

I am not as much of a veteran of the WISH board as some of the others that have responded, but I just wanted to give you my take and my experience with WW! I started WW for the 2nd time in April and I have lost 27 lbs so far. I NEVER thought I could do it, but WW has really shown me the way. I wasn't ready the first time, but this time it really gave me the push I needed and it works! I really enjoy the meetings and look forward to going every week! If you are really ready then I think it will work for you too. The WISH board is my other support system..I always show up here when I feel a little discouraged or down for whatever the reason might be, and there's always a kind response and encouragement out there somewhere!!

You will need to spend time planning though...that is just part of it. I bring my lunch to work every day now and I always make sure I have what I need at home for snacks, etc. Are you doing the meetings and online WW? The message boards there are good too for low point suggestions, etc. Good luck and keep reading the boards!