Welcome aboard!   I am a product of the online ww program, joined in Feb. 2002.
I reached my goal in 2003 (started at 229, personal goal was 140), am currently
revisiting the program as I slipped a bit over this past winter.  It works, it's
working again, stick with it.

First, there is a big difference between obsession and time consumption.  The
obsession only you can get under control - the time consumption does ease up as
you become more familiar with the program.  Some foods will become routine items,
don't even have to look up those point counts.  Converting recipes to healthier
versions will become second nature.  I remember being somewhat obsessed when I
started - mostly because I was having such a great time with it all.  It was fun,
I was losing weight and not starving - what was not to like?  LOL  So ... give it
some time and I'm sure your time will ease up.  This second trip through it takes
me maybe 5 minutes a day to journal what I eat - no biggie.  

Don't worry about those upcoming commitments and goofy schedules.  Ask anyone
around this group - I'm not sure anyone had a crazier schedule of events than I
dealt with (well they probably did, it just doesn't seem like it when you are
going through it).  Most of my summer consisted of traveling, hotel rooms and
eating at ballpark concession stands.  Every few weeks there were birthdays,
holidays, social junk of some sort or another.  I still muddled through it all.
Journaled on paper when away from home, tracked it when I returned.  Like I said,
by the time those commitments roll around for you - you will have a firm grasp of
the program and not have to look up every little item.  

Good luck and enjoy your journey.

Joyce

you will settle down after you are more comfortable with points and you will
learn to make multiple servings and portion in advance so some meals take no
time at all, best of luck and welcome, Lee

Welcome to the group Threnody.  It does take some time getting used to
the program, but as others have said you do get used to it.  Once you've
got a standard menu going you won't have to look up points much at all.
 I've been on maintenance now for over a year and a half, and I almost
never look things up, or spend large amount of time preparing things
(the soup on the stove is an exception - it will be lunch for the next
week or so) :)  Here's our welcome notice to get you started, and keep
at it - the results are worth it!

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!

It takes a while to get adjusted to the new ways of thinking about
food, finding new foods, learning point values, and generally adopting
a new consciousness about your food choices. After 4 weeks, you'll be
a pro at it, with occasional questions and slips. And then you'll
begin to discover your weaknesses, your trigger points, your
fluctuations. Occasions and obligations and schedules and real life
happen to us all, and what many of us have learned is to take these
into account, do the best we can, and return to our routines as soon
as possible.
--
Linda P