Thread: Weight Watchers works. Really.

I just saw one of my best friends today and smiling hugely, she happily announced she's lost 101 1/2 pounds in the three years she's been on the program. I'm so proud of her...when she hit the 100 pound mark we both cried. She did have a plateau that lasted a year but with support and encouragement and a helluva lot of her own fortitude she broke through. One of her best friends had GI surgery and has gained back nearly everything she lost: she didn't address her food issues or learn to eat smart.

I've done WW myself and learned alot about cooking healthier and spending calories more wisely. In turn I've passed that knowledge to my boys, who now understand when they're not allowed to eat something sugary or high fat. Largely common sense, but when you're so out of touch with what a body really needs to function it is so helpful to have the information to fix it in an easy to understand and fun way (meetings rock).

Congratulations to your friend!!!

For the very reason you mentioned, I don't believe in GI surgery.

I know its helped some...but most gain it back, or develope other problems.

I've heard a lot of good thingg about WW, wish I was able to join.
(Fear of driving, and time issues)

Its great that you are teaching your. Boys healthy habits!

:-)

AWESOME!!! That's just fantastic! And, I totally agree with you! WW DOES work. I've been doing it for about a month . . . already lost 11 pounds. It started off fast, then slowed down, but I feel healthy . . . not like I'm dieting. It's like I'm taking better care of myself and not depriving myself. It's the most comfortable weight loss method I have tried. I am hoping to lose another 20 pounds are so . . . but in the meantime I am really enjoying learning how to be healthy. I feel like the habits I'm forming in WW are life long habits. I am learning HOW to be healthy . . . YAY!!!!

Yes! I've heard people say that ANY diet--including WW--is unhealthy and that anyone who goes on a diet will gain back all the weight. Well, I've kept most of mine off for about six years now. I never really did WW, technically. I didn't go to meetings or join their online program. I did use their system, though, with some materials a friend gave me. I have noticed long-lasting changes in my eating habits. I eat more lean protein. I eat a lot more vegetables. The grains and bread I eat are almost always whole grain and/or high fiber.

I still have portion control issues if I'm not actively following the plan, but I'm more aware now than I used to be. That means I am less likely to go WAY overboard.

My oldest daughter is going off to college in 2 weeks. She joined the online WW not because she wants to lose weight but because she wants to eat healthy at college. I wish I had done that when I was her age. :)

It works, but you have to keep doing it in order to maintain results. I've seen several people reach weight loss goals on weight watchers, including my mom, but as soon as they stopped the actual program it all came right back. I don't know what it is, but I know my mom was still eating healthy when she stopped and still exercising. It just all started coming back at a rapid rate.

It's definitely a lifestyle change, and IMO like anything ultimately good for you it can get boring, lol. My friend is always looking for new recipes to keep her menu interesting. What really kills her is skipping meals, especially breakfast. Our moms were right! It is the most important meal of the day, so if you want to lose weight, eat in the morning!

My favorite dish so far has been the chili she makes...best darned chili I've had. It's 'Core' too, for those of you that have been doing the program over the last couple of years. I still refer to my books and pamphlets because they're a great quick reference for healthy shopping and cooking.

She has had alot to say about the premade frozen meals...they're expensive and they have a high points value, not to mention the whallop of sodium. Best left for emergencies!

Originally Posted by Lesedi

It works, but you have to keep doing it in order to maintain results. I've seen several people reach weight loss goals on weight watchers, including my mom, but as soon as they stopped the actual program it all came right back. I don't know what it is, but I know my mom was still eating healthy when she stopped and still exercising. It just all started coming back at a rapid rate.

Yep, I lost 60 pounds and gained it all back plus 15 more. I can tell you exactly why that is (in my case):

1. I hate cooking.
2. I do not like to cook.
3. Did I mention I hate cooking?

Because I don't like cooking I eat out a lot. While on WW you figure out that at most restaurants, only a few entrees are low calorie enough for you to lose weight on. So you eat them a lot. But after a year or 2 you get REALLY TIRED of eating the same things all the time. So you branch out, and say, "oh, just this once I'll get the one with the cream sauce..." and before you know it you're picking your favorites all the time and the weight all comes back on.

At home, I try to just cook on weekends and make healthy things to eat all week. But if I'm really busy and only have a few minutes for dinner, I'm apt to just eat "whatever is handy", a terrible habit!

Anyway. I'm trying to learn to like cooking more (sigh) and we have a CSA vegetable box this summer, so we're trying to eat more produce.

@KelsNasim, most colleges have a Registered Dietician/Nutritionist on staff and available to the students. Ours is right next to the main dining room. He or she will have info on all the dishes served at the college, and be able to help your daughter put together a healthy plan. Ours even has listings of all the vegan/vegetarian/kosher/halal meals available so students are left guessing. Best of luck to your daughter!

As far as the restaurant eating goes...there are actually more choices out there available that you might think...it just requires going to the websites and figuring up the Points values, rather than relying on the WW restaurant guide only.

When I attended meetings, they always shared great recipes, etc. as well. I even brought some in of my own. Also subscribe to the Hungry Girl email...she has ideas and recipes in there for calorie counters and WW members all of the time.

I have often went into Panera for breakfast and gotten a small bagel and a fresh fruit cup...or a nonfat no whip mocha from Starbucks (a full dairy serving with your coffee) and such as a quick breakfast.

I have lost 45 pounds over the past 4 years-slow, but I am not gaining it back. I'd rather change my lifestyle permanently and keep the weight off, rather than lose it quickly and gain it back the very next year.