Hi jojo.

Ouch.

Yeah.  Either she's not committed, or she's doing it totally wrong.  Or
both.  Don't use her as an example.

Well, let me give you this.  When I joined WW this past February, I
weighed in at 415.4lbs.  So I totally understand the hard to move part
(I'm a 6' tall female, ftr).  So far, I've lost 52lbs.  And I have done
not one tiny speck of exercise beyond walking to the kitchen to
microwave my next meal.

That actually was a very important part to me: when I joined, my feet
were in such bad shape (from weight-bearing) that I couldn't stand on
them for more than about two minutes.  Cooking and exercise were both
right out.  But I've lost weight living primarily on WW frozen meals and
without hurting myself.  So the program gets major points for that.

The thing to remember about Nutrasystem is, they give you all your food.
 You don't have to lift a finger, which is great, but you also don't
learn to work for yourself.  It's the whole 'teach a man to fish' idea.
 With WW, even if you're on 99% frozen meals, you're still putting
thought into *which* frozen meal you should eat right now, given your
allotted points for the day.  With Nutrasystem, you just open up the
'8am Monday' packet and eat it (or however they're labeled), which
mostly just teaches you to salivate at the sound of a packet being
opened.  Moral being, you'll lose the weight, but it'll come back again
once you're off it because you're not dieting anymore.

WW's worked wonderfully for me.  I plan on using it all the way down to
my 170lb(ish, I'm a little vague this far out) goal.  Loss rates vary,
of course; men typically lose a little faster than women, age sometimes
plays a factor, but even that's not universally true.  And it's
important to find a leader you mesh well with: you can't get support
from some one you think is a basketcase, and a boring whiny person won't
keep you motivated.

Ah, that's enough from me.  But the program definitely gets my vote, and
once you've joined and seen how easy it is, you'll wonder why you never
tried it sooner.

-Tay

I needed to lose 70.  I've done the first 60.  WW is my way to go.

Somehow she isn't doing it right.

DSPO WW: it will suit you all.  I do it, and my hubby is a Type 1
diabetic, and I have a very active large 11 YO son (large in takes a UK
size 7 shoe, age 14 shirts, and does judo twice a week, play soccer, and
had to be dragged out of the pool after an hour and a half yesterday!
Not a lot of spare flesh on him, he's just built like the Rock of
Gibraltar!)

Partly that's the weight!  I used to walk everywhere, for miles across
hills and moors as well as just round town.  I used to swim a lot and
played hockey for my school...  Then I started full time work and got
physically lazy.  Got to where the only reason I didn't get in the car
to go half a mile was that I don't drive, so I sent the hubby!

Yup, that was me!

Not like me...  I'm frequently still up and about at 2 am, so have time
for an extra meal in every day!  :(

WELL DONE!!  Mind you, they often leads to mad munchies attacks, so be
careful!  Zero calory gum can help.

That's normal for obesity.

Eat the right foods and the weight drops: as it drops and the diet
improves, the energy levels rise...  You do more, and the more you do
the better you feel and the more you WANT to do!

60 lbs ago I just got up off me bum and went to WW with a friend.  Stop
worrying about being able to afford the meetings: once you start
planning and cooking, you'll find you waste less food and buy less food,
and you can plan ahead to eat economically, so save a great deal.  Also,
add up what you used to spend on tobacco: I bet that was more per week
than the WW meetings!  Leave the kid with auntie for an hour or so once
a week, make that time for YOU, and dip a toe in the WW pool!

I cook from scratch almost every day: most meals take 10-12 minutes to
prepare and 30 to cook while I do other things.  Cook the same low fat
stuff for everyone, and let the kid have a treat every day for fun.
Keep to fat free milk and low fat spreads for you, and let the little
one have whole milk products if they are under five.  So long as they
you all get sufficient essential fatty acids (from things like oily
fish) every week, you'll do fine.

I started off doing little or no exercise.  Now I swim 2-4 times a week
(I started at 20-30 lengths in the hour: now I do 40-50, and if I stay
longer, I can get 60 in without hurting!), and several times a week I
walk the mile to school to collect the lad and walk back home with him.
 I have shrunk out of several swimsuits, and am having trouble
replacing the present worn out one because no-one stocks swim suits for
people of my size and shape who swim as often as I do, and who SWIM
rather than bouncing about gently, nattering!

Good luck!

Hi jojo and welcome to the group.  WW is a great way to go (but you'd
kinda expect people in a WW newsgroup to say that!).  I've lost about
50lbs, and have kept is off for just over 2 years.  Here's our welcome
notice which gives you a lot of information about the program.  Good
luck with whatever you decide.  You've made the first step - admitting
that you should do something!

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!

the difference between your partner and me is that I waited until I had over
a hundred pounds to lose to decide to try WW again.  it has taken 3 years
but I am down 90 pounds, feel better and exercise not nearly enough to this
day, I think you are perfect candidates, the best qualifier is how bad you
want it, you can help elderly aunt and child by getting better food in the
house, don't make it a diet for them, you just cook and serve.  walking or
whatever exercise can come in time, and as to the other diet you mentioned,
tried it, food wasn't bad but too restrictive and too expensive, welcome and
good luck, Lee

Well Jo Jo, I have lost over 200 pounds with the help of WW, and some major
life changes. Been at goal for over 2 years now as well. Lots of people here
are losing with it. I think the major difference between WW and Nutrisystem
is you don't have to eat "their" food, and you learn to eat right if you
actually read and do their suggestions so you have a prayer of keeping it
off.

I don't think I would be maintaining without exercise, but I sure lost
without it at first. I developed the habit later on during the process.
Couldn't lose it now if I wanted too, it feels too good.

jojo Wrote:

hi jo jo

i myself have started ww 6 weeks ago and have already lost 11lb (beliv
me theres many more to go) during these 6 weeks i have also gained a 1l
and a 1/2, but i didnt let that get me down and kept at it this week
lost 4lb. at first my partner peter mocked me for joining a club t
loose weight, this week he swallowed his pride and joined with me h
has already purchased the cook book and is enjoying trying all th
different recipes which all have their allocated points per serving.
ww does take a while to get used to but as long as you have th
shopping guide which list every possible item in any super market yo
can think of and the eating out guide which has most places in it yo
may go fo a meal your well away.  as you need to purchase these item
in the first couple of weeks it can be a bit pricey but after youv
purchased them you have them for life.

since my partner has joined with me i have found it all a 100 time
easier as i am self employed and work a 5 day 50 hour week its nice no
having to worry about cooking seprate meals. our two kids age 4 and
enjoy trying new foods also.

all i can say is give it a go, it should be easier for you because yo
will be there to motivate each other. but you will only do it if yo
WANT TO DO IT.   i myself am on a very tight budget and cant affor
extra activities such as the gym etc. but now my partner and i walk th
kids to the park instead of taking the car,or park the most far away
parking space to where ever we are going and walk to out destination
litttle things like that make all the difference.

its amazing the difference i feel in just 6 weeks i'm less tired ge
the house work done alot quicker and ive started thinking more positiv
about mine and my families future

if you go ahead with ww good luck and i wish you all the best for th
future

pin

--
pink

Good on you. From my own experience, once you've kicked that
addiction, the addict behaviours with food become a lot clearer and a
lot easier to address.

Time sounds like your biggest challenge. That's the toughest nut for
me to crack, too. The best thing I can say about Weight Watchers is
that it isn't going to do any pretending about that. No pre-prepared
meals to get you down to goal and then dump you back on your own.
Nope. Weight Watchers pulls you along, with tips and helps and advice
about how to develop good habits. No weight loss is ever sustainable
unless habits change. So now I know a lot more about shopping and
planning, how that can work in *my* schedule. I also know more about
how and where and why I can work exercise in.

The biggest thing for me is that Weight Watchers doesn't pretend that
this is easy or a quick fix or that there is any silver bullet. What
we eat and what we do with our bodies matters.

You said church activities so I'm going to wander over into my own
center about all of this (non-Christians hit "n" now) and say: the
incarnation means that my body is not just a burden or a shell to be
sloughed off in favor of my "higher" spiritual side. Jesus came as a
human being, God-with-us, means that God blessed *this* life. This
life, embodied, enfleshed. Our flesh is a blessing and a gift. It can
be that, or we can abuse it with addictions. 19 years of smoking and
26 years of food addiction, and I'm finally letting it all go. I'm
finding joy in my physical self again. I hate "exercise," too. But I
did the Gazelle for long enough to be able to walk again, and I still
go to Curves every once in a while. I love walking in the crisp fall
air with my dog. Scuba lessons start next month.

I never thought I could lose weight, and I have lost almost 25 pounds so
far, goal of 80.

It's hard, there are weeks where I don't follow the program because of
stress, work, etc., but overall, it teaches you how to make good decisions
on what to eat, and portion sizes.  If I pig out at one meal, I know I'll
have a bowl of fiber one and skim milk to balance myself out.

I also hated to exercise, and now like it (not yet to the love stage).  I do
35 minutes on the treadmill, and a 30 minute pilates tape.  Really works
your abs and rear and arms.

Try it, don't give up if it is slow, because slow weight loss will help you
maintain in the long run.

Celeste

I want to thank you all for sharing your stories of struggle and success.
I think we have decided this is for us. In a way, we have traded one
addiction for another, and it is just out of control.
Intervention is a must!

I'm going to make us appointments for our first WW next week!!
We feel like we better get a handle on things now so that we have SOME
control
over the holidays!

Thanks again and congratulations to you all. Reading about your successes
and how comfortable
you feel with the program helped me a lot.

I'm sure I'll be posting here if you'll have me, and or you can check
out my blog...

http://hillcloyd.blog.com

Thanks,
jojo

I wonder why diets without support aren't working? I doubt that diets
with support will work any better.

Diets only work when you really really want them to. If you haven't
changed your attitude from "I'd like to lose 50 pounds" to "I'm going
to lose 50 pounds, come hell or high water", you are more likely to
put weight on than lose it either way.

Great point. It's quite probably that your MIL only wants to lose some
weight but "not enough".

Congratulations on giving up smoking. I gave up 20 years ago. It's a
great intoduction to dietting, but dietting is harder 'cos it lasts
longer.
Exercise is great for your health. It's not so good for losing weight.
Get started as you are and you may find the exercise is easier once
you've lost a bit.

I know what you mean. But you have to start somewhere. Now is a great
time.

Use fitday.com to track your food intake/weight etc. It's a great tool
to see what yoiu are doing right/wrong.

WW is good but of course it costs money. Have you tried dietting and
using this groupo for support? There is a lot of knowledge here, it's
helped me lots.

Ray