Welcome Cindi. All the regular, semiregular, and irregular posters
come here for the same reason as you: to get support. You'll get that
here, along with sympathy when things don't go well, encouragement
when your motivation needs a boost, lots of tips, the occasional kick
in the butt when you ask for it (and sometimes you don't even have to
ask for it!), and laughs.

Good for you for joining WW. I'll look forward to reading more from
you.
--
Linda P

Hi Cindi!

I just posted my first post here on asdw today too.  I used to be a regular
postier at alt.support.diet.low-carb too.

I just wanted to say that I really feel your words....I can feel the pain
you are in.  I have been doing WW for almost a month now, and I really feel
that this program is livable and do-able, I may even venture to say for a
lifetime.  (Although my motto right now is one meal at a time!)

What a busy life you have with your family, job and school.  That is
wonderful that you are taking some time for yourself to do WW.  I have
always felt that you need to take care of yourself first, before you can
take care of everyone and everything else.  May I also suggest that you
start a walking program if you haven't already.  I have started walking a
couple days a week with my co-workers, and it really makes me feel so much
better when I have finished.

Good luck to you, and I hope that you will post here often!  Everyone seems
so nice here...!

Sharon aka Happycat

Hi Cindi and welcome to the group.  It's great that you've decided to do
something about your weight.  It's the best decision you could have made

the support is wonderful.  Here's our welcome notice to get you started.

Welcome to this great newsgroup where you'll receive lots of support,
advice, and encouragement. Once a week on Sundays, I post a list of
links that newcomers to asdww might find useful. You may want to look
for that later in the week, or do a backwards search for last Sunday's post.

In the meantime, here's our FAQ:
http://www.didian.com/asdww/
our welcome notice:
http://www.geocities.com/welcomenotice/index.html

Frequently seen acronyms on this NG:
NSV = Non-Scale Victory
WOE = Way of Eating
WOL = Way of Life (Living)
OP = on Points or On Program
DH = Dear or Darling Husband
DS/DD/DGD/etc = Dear or Darling Son, Daughter, Granddaughter, etc
WI = Weigh-in

Amberle3's Challenges:

Totally Groovy exercise challenge:
http://www.angelfire.com/me4/travelgirl/tg.htm

Choose to Lose weight loss challenge:
http://www.angelfire.com/me4/travelgirl/ctl.htm

Weight Loss Challenge Summary:
http://www.angelfire.com/me4/travelgirl/summary.htm

Other acronyms:
http://www.wwlissa.com/dwlz100+/100+acronyms.htm

Here's a short synopsis of the USA Flexpoints program by Joyce -

How many points you can eat is only based on your current weight, as you
lose weight those points allowed will decrease (logic is that your body
will need less to operate).   At 183 pounds and based on the new US
flexpoints system, you will have a set point target of 24.  In addition
to this you are allowed 35 flexpoints to be used throughout the week ...
as well as any activity points you earn on a particular day.  When your
weight drops to 175, your target drops to 22 points ... weight reaches
150, target once again drop to 20 points.  3 servings of dairy of
recommended per day, 5 servings of fruit and veggies, minimum of 6
glasses of water.

The basic plan is easy.  Eat at least your minimum daily number of
points.  Points do not carry over from day to day.  You are allotted 35
weekly flexpoints to be used at your discretion ... can divide them up
and use daily (would be an additional 5 points per day) or save them and
use them for a special occassion during the week.  Activity points are
earned based when exercising, but can ONLY be used on the day they are
earned.

Joyce
WW starting weight: 228.8 - 2/5/02
current weight:  133.3
Lifetime: 4/4/03

And here's an explanation of Core/No-count by Laura -

It is a great plan. You DO however need to make sure that you are eating
at your normal Flex plan target number of points. This can be difficult
for some and you WILL stop losing.

Here is the summary of the plan: http://ahwww.home.comcast.net/summary.htm
Here is the detail list of foods:
http://ahwww.home.comcast.net/wwcoreplan.htm

Basic rules:
1. Eat as much of the core foods as you need to feel "satisfied" (not full).
2. If you want to eat foods that are not on the core foods list use you 35
weekly points allowance (WPA).
Note: use these points on healthy foods and not junk.
3. Activity points are used to supplement the 35 WPA for Non-core food items
only. They must be used on the day they are earned.
Note: most people find that they will increase the amount of core foods
because they are hungrier due to exercising.
4. 2 teaspoons of heathy oil daily is required.

~Laura

Please note that if you live in onther countries (UK, Australia, NZ,
Europe), the Points plans are different.  The UK and Australia/NZ
calculate points based on saturated fat and total kilojoules.  Most of
Europe calculates based on total fat and total kilojoules.  The desktop
calculator above can handle all of these programs.

Disclaimer: As an unmoderated Usenet newsgroup, asdww is unusual in that
most of the people who participate are respectful, considerate folks who
freely share their experience with and knowledge of WW, weight loss, and
maintenance. Yet occasionally, spammers, trolls, and flamers show up to
post advertising, false information, insults, and the like. Nearly all
of the time, people like this are just trying to yank someone's chain.
Most of the regulars on this newsgroup offer their experience as a
suggestion to try if you're stuck, but are quick to advise that each
person has to find what works for him/herself. If someone posts
something that doesn't sound right to you, ask the newsgroup, ask your
WW leader, or ask your health professional.

Much success on your weight loss journey! WW works!

Welcome to the group Cindi.  Good luck with WW and post often.  We're
all here for the same reasons.

Brenda

Hello Cindi and welcome. WW works well, also for people who have a lot to
lose. I needed to lose 140 pounds as well, and so far have lost a little
over 100. It took me more than 2 years but I 'm OK with that. Good luck, and
ask anything you want to know !

Hi Cindi
i am Brenda in Georgia .
i have 130 pounds to lose , i also joined Curves .
welcome .

Welcome aboard and good luck.

Hi Cindi, and welcome.  This group is wonderful for support, I could not have made
it to goal (the first time around) without all the people here ... and know they
all will help me continue on the road to success this trip through.  I'm also in
Illinois, about 30 miles sw of chicago.  Sounds like this is a good time to
prioritize YOU into your life.  Take the time to take care of you, then caring for
the kids and hub will come much easier.  The program does work, if we choose to
work it.  I found it to be a common sense program, one that didn't feel like a
typical "diet" since nothing is off limits.  It's all about portion control and
making healthier choices.  If we choose to have that coveted treat, we can ...
just have to make ammends for it elsewhere during the week - either exercise,
cutting back elsewhere, often a combo of both.  But it can be done easily, and is
something that can be lived with permanently.  Welcome aboard and good luck in
your journey.  I hope to see more posts from you.

Joyce