Weight Watchers - Weight Watchers/low Carb Combining

ANY BODY HERE COMBINING WW AND LC? I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT YOUR MENU PLAN AND HOW YOU ARE DOING COMBINING THE TWO.
MAYBE WE COULD START A NEW THREAD FOR PEOPLE DOING THE WEIGHT WATCHER'S LOW CARB DIET'S. I AM SURELY FOR IT TO HAPPEN AS I NEED ALL THE SUPPORT AND IDEAS I CAN GET. I REALLY THOUGHT THAT THE CARBOHYDRATE ADDICTS LIFESPAN PROGRAM WOULD BE GREAT FOR US WW PEOPLE BETWEEN THE AGE'S OF 40 TO 60 AND BEYOND. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND ANY CALP INFORMATION ANY WHERE ON THE INTERNET.
ANY THOUGHTS ON THIS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

Shevas - there is a thread towards the top of this forum where a group of people are talking about this! Hope you see it! :)

Thanks I looked but didn't find it . I'm blind I guess.

Shevas...

Try this address... (it's on the same page as this topic)

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=454

Anybody out there doing a LC (not no carb) WW plan. I am choosing whole food.............nothing processed. I certainly could use a buddy. We could share menu ideas as well as motivate one other towards a healthier lifestyle.

I was sad to see that this thread never got started.

Any thoughts or interest???????????

I would be interested!

I'd be interested as well -- I followed the link posted to Jennifer's thread, which said there would be a forum, but couldn't find it. I guess there wasn't enough interest?

Perhaps we could have a "club" on the WW board??

I don't fit in either low carb or WW. I don't believe the unlimited fat, very low carb of low carb plans -- at least it doesn't work for me -- but when I look at a WW meal plan, and it's all fake fat foods, with lots of pretzels and popcorn, that's not right for me either. I use etools, and adapt their menu plans. If they have a breadstick at dinner, ON TOP OF spaghetti, I cut that, and add another 1 point of meat. If the snack is three cups of popcorn and sugar free pudding, I use those 2 points in other ways.

I've just started -- restarted -- so I can't say it's working, but it feels right.



Is that what you all are thinking?

Xan, that is pretty much what I have been doing. At least 2 of my meals each day (and most often, 3) are based around protein and I find that helps my blood sugar stay level and my hunger at bay. I would not call what I am doing low-carbing in any way, but years of trying (and failing at) low-carbing taught me the importance of protein and the importance of stable blood sugar.
High carb food is really high in points, too. This is another reason to avoid it. I know meat is high in points too, but I'm thinking more in terms of points for nutrition. 1/2 cup of brown rice=4 points, or 4 oz chicken=4 points. Which has more nutrition (and more satisfaction) for the points?
I would join a carb-aware club if someone made one.
Agee

I really like the idea of "Carb-Aware"! Great idea, Agee. I go through the same thought processes about rice or chicken for 4 points, too. I'll take the chicken.

I couldn't stick to low carb because first, the grease. I have a gas stove, and my kitchen would be covered in grease. But second, for some reason -- I guess we're all different -- I needed carbs in the morning. My most successful days were oatmeal for breakfast and a tuna or chicken sandwich for lunch. I didn't need them at dinner.

That's also the pattern of the old WW exchange program when I first went on WW nearly 20 years ago -- 6- 7 exchanges of protein for 2-3 starch. They changed it completely, switching them -- 6-7 starch and 2-3 proteins (and now it's completely different, of course, and they do have a higher protein option.)

What if we have a Carb Aware Thread? Check in with each other and see how we're doing? Shevas, Tracyling, SnapyGing and Jill -- are you still there? Come on down :)

I had my first weigh in today -- down 2.4. I joined on a Tuesday, but didn't like the leader, and switched to Saturday, so that's 10 days to lose 2.4 pounds. The first few days were a struggle. I was under points, but not eating well. I'm a Constant Eater, rather than a Binge Eater, and I'm struggling to get to regular meals. The last three days, though, I had it. I also added exercise -- I haven't exercised since I broke my ankle four years ago. Everything they say is true -- it makes a huge difference. I don't have bushels of energy yet, but my body is beginning to feel alive.

How did you all do this week?

Your week 6 booklet "The Right Choices" has guidelines for this. I worked out a plan with a nutritionist because I have hypothyroidism. I have 8 protein, 4 starch (including starchy veggies), 3 fat, 3 fruit, 2 milk and at least 5 veggies every day. I have maintained my lose for many years. It does work. I'm not sure humans were ever made to eat so many carbs. We didn't get flours, sugars, etc. until agriculture was established. Before that, we ate meat and veggies and fruit and whole grains.

I just joined WW today, and I definitely want to do this low carb. I previously was Somersizing, which is sort of a lower carb diet, and my cholesterol and triglycerides went down quite a lot. So, I would like to see a Carb Awareness club. I too have to have a carb meal in the morning, sometimes I have 2 carb meals, but not that often. It would be great to get some menu ideas and recipes. Aleka :queen:

I'm starting back with WW. I gotta do lower carb because before when i did WW I ate a lot of sugar. Ya know the fat free stuff was loaded with sugar :rolleyes:

There seem to be quite a few of us. I hope we can shares tips and experiences.

I've been bouncing between WW and LC for the past five years -- and have lost and regained 20 pounds several times. When I'm on WW, I'm dissatisfied with the slow weight loss, and a friend will be on Atkins, so I'll try that. Some people really take to LC -- love the food, don't miss carbs, feel great. I'm not. I never got used to a high fat breakfast, and I just can't believe that eating 70 percent fat forever is good for you. BUT on WW, I'll go wild and eat all carbs -- within points, but all carbs.

This time, I have vowed to stay on WW for at least three months, and use the time to experiment and find the right mix. So far, I lost 2.4 pounds the first week and gained 1 pound back the second week, and haven't lost anything yet this week. Before, that would have made me throw in the towel. But now I think, all these people lose weight on WW. It MUST work.

I've been eating 2% cheese on an English muffin for breakfast, a tuna sandwich for lunch, and chicken and vegetables for dinner. Snacks are fruit -- I've discovered that a banana, with 1 tsp honey and 2 tbl nuts (3.5 points) as a mid-afternoon snack, is VERY filling. And a yogurt.

I'm trying to avoid no fat or fake fat or sugar foods and eat real foods.

What are the rest of you doing?

Xan, I am doing about the same thing you are. I will not eat anything fat free, I do use reduced fat. I also don't eat anything made with white flour, everything is whole wheat, and I avoid anything with a lot of sugar in it, if it has more than 3 gm I try to stay away from it. I do have to have a carb breakfast, or a carb with protein because I get nauseus (sp?) an hr. or so later if I just eat protein.

Aleka :queen:

Originally posted by Xan
I couldn't stick to low carb because first, the grease. I have a gas stove, and my kitchen would be covered in grease.

:?: You lost me here... I'm not getting the association...? :?:

I'd like to join in. I've been doing a lower carb version for years. I worked it out with a nutritionist. My doctor advocates the older WW plan that was higher protein...he hates the points system. I have insulin resistance and hypothyroidism so high protein works better for me. In a nutshell, I have 8 servings of protein, 4 starch/bread, 2 fruit, 3 dairy, 5 veggies, and 4 fat servings a day. I do very well and lost about 2 pounds a week. I'm back on it now because I want to lose some extra for the holidays so I can have my once-a-year holiday foods with a clear conscious. I also always have either fat or protein or both when I do eat bread/starch or fruit. It helps me stay satisfied longer. I opt for the lower fat versions of cheese, use mostly unprocessed foods and whole grain breads and pasta and brown rice...nothing white or refined.

I hope this won't be a duplicate. I answered a few minutes ago in the "quick reply" box, but it didn't seem to come up.

Susan, I agree with your doctor that the old exchanges program was better than te points. Exchanges had no room for junk food or sweets. And I miss checking off those boxes!!!

I've copied your exchanges and I'll try them. I was happy to read about your 2 pound average loss. I'm off to a slow start this time. 2.4 pounds the first week, then a gain the second week and no loss this week. And I'm quite sure I'm on program properly.

Aleka, I think we are doing the same thing. I need a mix of protein and carbs, at least a few "good" carbs, or I feel lightheaded. My goal is to figure out what's right for my body and stick to that, instead of focusing solely on the weight loss. Easy to say, of course!

I did way better on the old exchange program too.
I don't have the material anymore.

I lost weight on the pts. but gained it back.

Quilter in Va, I copied your exchanges also. I've never been tested for insulin resistance, but from all that I've read, it sounds a lot like me. My Dr. told me whatever weight loss method I used to watch my fat & carbs., have 2 fruit serv., and to stay away from processed foods. My bloodwork is great on a lower carb diet.

Xan, we are doing about the same thing. The other day a friend & I went out for lunch, she is on Atkins. Both of us had a bacon cheeseburger/no bun, and I had a salad with it with a lite dressing, and it stayed with me the rest of the day.

Salsa, I printed out a copy of the old WW exchange program. In one of the threads there was a website that had the exchanges and you could print out a worksheet. I don't know exactly where I found it. If you would like the exchanges I can give them to you. I just found the website that has all the info on the exchanges. www.geocities.com/george_draper/foodlists.htm

Hope you all have a great weekend. Aleka :queen:

Thank you, Aleka. I went and printed off the exchanges. I will try and get the right exchanges in while doing the pts. system and see if that helps.
I think my main thing going on is having the "freedom" to snack on whatever I want(salty stuff too) and just count the pts.(maybe even going overboard)
So, this week, I will stick to "real foods" (fruit etc.) for my snacks and see if that helps. :)

So far I've things have been going well. Today is DH birthday, and I'm sure I have enough points banked to have a slice of birthday cake. For the cake, I go to the grocery store and buy 2 slices, ( put a candle in his slice),then we don't have any leftovers.

Salsa, let me know how combining the exchange and points works.

Hope you are all having a great weekend. Aleka :queen:

Would anyone be interested in starting a thread for "Exchangers" and we could help each other along? I have tons of recipes with exchanges and all the WW info from years ago. The website listed above is great!

Sure, I would be interested in an exchange thread. That's a great idea. Aleka

Hi All!

I'm a newbie or returnee to the 3FC boards. I am having some access problems so I have to post from other than home right now.

I want to say that I'd love to see a board or regular thread on this interest topic. I am back in WW after doing pretty well on Atkins about 18 mos ago. I think I need both. When I was in my early 20's I lost about 30 lbs to goal and stayed there for several years. As I recall (age is creeping in here), there were large protein servings and non-starchy carbs (lots!) but few breads or high carb vegs. With the points, it was too easy to just ignore some of my real problems, and I didn't do as well on the program. Maybe some of us are just more insulin resistent and so need the old plan.

I do love the point slider and such, so I'm trying to use the slider with combining what I'd do in a modified Atkins. Mostly, I do breakfast no carbs or just some very low carbs with protein, lunch as some low carb soup with protien and dinner with protein and maybe more carbs as a snack. Mostly the higher carbs are fruit, but I do some controlled other snacks, and that may have to change.

I lost 5.2 in my first week :smug:, so I am hyped right now. I hope the rest of you will keep posting. This is a big help. Su