Weight Watchers - Doing points forever

I just started WW again for about my 5th time and was wondering if I am the only one that dreads counting points. I admit it is a great program but I feel like I am on a diet. I long for the day that I can wake up and not worry about what I'm going to eat and just go throughout the day like a "normal" person. Is there anyone out there who plans on counting points forever (after reaching goal) or is everyone just waiting to make goal and then what's the plan. Do you think this is something I could learn to enjoy/tolerate forever and if so do you have any tips.

My biggest problem is being thrown off my schedule...I eat around the same thing each day...but when my husband or friend wants to take off for the day I panic about what will I eat. Am I crazy????

I'm losing it!!!!!!

170/165/125

I plan on counting points forever and ever and ever. I plan on journaling forever and ever and ever. This is a lifetime commitment not just a "cure" you see I will never ever be cured of being overweight I will just have control over my eating.

When I began my journal I felt the same way as you when life threw me a curve but now since I know the program it's easy to figure out what to eat.

Okay.....everyone on WW is going to do this differently. Some toll the line 24/7 and some exercise like crazy 7 days a week. I look at it like this. I am human....I will never be perfect 24/7 and I don't pretend I can ever be that. I have been on WW this last time since June 2nd of last year. This was my 4th time joining and I have been going much longer than the other times. I have lost 29 pound...but I had lost 30.4 right before Thanksgiving. I ended up gaining 6.6 over the holidays and have struggled to get back to where I was in Nov. It is no one's fault but my own. I have good and bad days. I have to admit....I do not count points on Sat. after I weigh in. That is my splurge day...we go out for lunch or dinner and I eat what I want on this day. If I want a huge platter of Mexican I have it. Maybe this is not changing my lifestyle completely but I have made great progress in other areas. I exercises about 5 days a week. I have lost tons of inches and I feel so much more healthy compared to this time last year. I get in ruts...some weeks...I CANNOT stand to be on program....it is a struggle but then I have weeks on end ...that I do fantastic. I do know that when I have bad days...I feel horrible...totally out of sync. I do like the way I feel when I do stay on program I for one...have to have a day to eat as I choose. It seems to work for me...but that doesn't mean if will work for everyone. You have to find what works for you. The longer you stay on....the more good habits you develop. I eat so many more lite low fat foods now...that I don't even miss the real fatty ones. You have to give it some time....it takes about 3 weeks to learn a knew habit. GOOD LUCK. The first 2 weeks were hard for me...EVERY TIME I JOINED BEFORE. It does get easier.


Denise

The people I know who have had long-term success maintaining their weight loss share one thing in common: they keep track of what they eat. They may not necessarily keep as detailed a journal as they did when losing, but they do track points. Certainly, they have days where they eat lots of points, but they hang on to the WW habit of getting right back on track so that their weight doesn't get out of hand.

I plan on doing what I'm doing forever. I eat like a normal person as I'm losing, and don't foresee that I will feel the need to make any major changes in my approach. My inner four-year-old periodically has a little temper tantrum about my need to do this, but she gets over it pretty quickly :D

I will be counting points forever. I did it my way for the past 20 years, it didn't work. I don't plan on ever having to lose this weight again.

I feel "normal" now. :)

I have done "it", you have done "it" and many others have done "it". What is "it"? Stop counting points and gained weight!!!!! I have read hundreds of post about this same issue. I hope that I finally have learned this lesson for the last time. I plan on counting points the rest of my life:)

I too, will do this forever that is, counting points. I have a weight problem and always will and the day I go off points is the day i regain all 36 pounds I have lost. This is the last time i am on points and have 15 more pounds to go. Everytime I almost reached goal, I went off counting points and slowly but surely all the weight came back. I can never eat the same again as I did in the past. WW is not a diet because it is not a quick fix. You eat like a regular person but you have to watch what and how much you eat. No matter what plan you are on, you have to continue eating that way or the weight comes back. WW is forever and i am not ashamed to say it! :)
Fran

This is an interesting topic and I agree with the rest of you. I WILL be counting points forever. I am trying to maintain at goal and when I don't count, or don't watch, for whatever reason, I gain. I think that most people are aware of what they are eating, and that is why they never gain weight. It is easy for me to go overboard on a favorite food, like chocolate or ice cream. But, by counting and being aware of what I put into my mouth I usually think twice........ and that's a good thing. Counting points and journaling is a lot easier than having to come back to WW 35 lbs overweight again.

I'm doing it forever as well...I don't see any other way for me to "normal" if I don't!

After reaching Lifetime last year I told myself I would still Journal & Track. I did for quite awhile, but as holidays approached I became lazy. Since becoming "lazy", I have gained back about 10lbs:( I'm journaling, exercising and have started the whole routine again.

It is soooo easy to pick up those bad habits again even after you have taught yourself the good ones. Now I'm having to re-learn those good habits. Keep Journaling!!

Best of Luck To Us All ~~~ Nona:)

Your not going to beleive this. But I love it. I love counting points. It's a challenge and fun to me. It could be because as a kid I always kept a diary. Every single day I wrote in it faithfully. So, I'm just conditioned to keep a record of something on a daily basis. That's my guess anyway.

I don't know why some people hate it so much. I sort of went through a phase a few years back where I thought I wanted to be a so called "normal" person, as you put it. You know, someone who never thinks about what they eat but remains thin just the same. I tried that. It didn't work. Guess I'm not normal. That's okay. I like the way I am. This works and it will always be my way.

If it really bugs you that much. Once you get the hang of it. You could probably get away without all the counting and the journaling if you basically stick to the same type of food choices and know their point value. But the same old thing every day gets boring.

I hope you find it more fun and easier to accept as you go along. Because if it's something you like doing and put your heart and soul into it- you will be most successful.

You know, I was just thinking about starting getting OP for a while now. I was only on the program for about two months, then all of a sudden I just let myself crash. Since then, I've gained back the 15 pounds I lost and gained
five more. How terrible! I feel very ashamed....while I was in it, seeing results, I was so happy, though some days I admit it was a challenge. I try to keep the points in mind as I eat every day, but that's just not the same as actually writing things down. So, I'm going to try again. I can't afford to go to the meetings, but I can watch my points in a notebook. I still have all my old guides and I'll go by them. I think most of the reason why I don't want to count is because I KNOW I'm going way off points because even though the food that I'm eating may be low in fat, I know I'm eating too much of it and that makes a big difference!

Does anyone have the point scale? I am at 209. What is my pt. Range? And what's the next point change?
This thread has really made me decide to start again. Exercise alone won't do it. I'm going to look at my old journals to see how I was eating then.

Thank you so much guys!

I too will count points forever.. I took a 1 week , week off that turned into 6 months. In comming back about a month ago I relized I am not a thin person and never will be. But ww has given me the tools for a healthy lifestyle and to make it such that it wasn't all a waste of time or effort and money, I need to use the tools that I have. I don't detail my journal, but I do count my points, drink my water and exercise. I stop when I am done. It has been the nicest thing I have done for myself. I will continue to be a ww for the rest of my life. I paid to learn about weight mannagement and that is what I got. seems silly to go back to my own way. It clearly did not work. So I join all my fellow WWers in the joureney to a better lifestyle, for the rest of my life.



-L

I will be counting points and keeping a journal from now on. I have yo-yoed big for three different times. I would quit the program and think I could either do it on my own or eat normal like other people. Well, I guess I am not normal when it comes to eating unless I have a guideline. I have lost 52.5 lbs this time and I don't intend to gain it back. I think weight-watchers is a good program that I can live by and not feel deprived. I am completely off my blood pressure medicine and feel great. I have 25 more lbs. to reach my goal, so it will be worth the counting and the journaling to me.

If you are doing last year's program from home and using the old slide rule for the 1.2.3 Sucess Plan then your points range would be for 200-224 pounds it's 24-31 points; for 175-199 pounds the points are 22-29.

If you are using the new Winning Points scale with the new slide rule (which it sounds like you don't have access to) the point ranges are for 200-224 pounds it's 24-29 points; and for 175-199 pounds it's 22-27 points.

I hope this helps!

Believe me, not keeping a journal has put the pounds back on!!! I start out each day saying, "I'll keep track of it in my head." I do great for breakfast and lunch, but then forget it!! Fortunately, I do drink at least 10 (minimum) glasses of water a day. I think that's what has kept me from putting all 56 lbs back. (I've put back 35 and have been at the same weight for about 6 months)

One of my problems is that I work in a preschool. We have a morning and afternoon class which the kids bring a snack for the class to share and the teachers have to sit down with the kids (family style). It is suppose to be a healthy snack (crackers, cheese, fruit). I always start out eating the fruit, but the crackers then slowly find their way into my mouth. And the cheese, forget it, once I start, it's over. And I have to do this 2x a day. I don't each lunch for this reason.

I can't get to a meeting tomorrow because I help coach my daughter's volleyball team, but I'm making a commitment to you all to keep a journal at least
4 days this week. I'll let you know how I do!!!

Like today. I'm PMS'ing- big time. Gave into 1/2 a jar of Nutella! I needed it. Honest I did. But.... I looked at the nutrition label on my Nutella after I polished it off. Got out my little blue Weight Watchers Point Finder- and I calculated it. Yes I did! 24 points worth of Nutella!. But guess what folks. Even though I had a total of 47 points today. When I averaged what I had for this entire week- I'm coming out with a 26.5 daily average- and- I'm doing the 22-27 point range. Sooooo- I really didn't blow it after all. Not really.

See. Facing the facts and journaling is not all that bad - even when your bad. At least you know what you did and what to do about it next time. And you may even find out that you weren't that bad after all.

HI:) Can I have the other 1/2 of jar of Nutella? I'm PMS'ing, too! I'm heading to the freezer for the frozen chocolate yogurt I have stashed there.... but FIRST, I'm logging it in my journal. Good job in keeping your journal up even when you go over:D

Nona

Garfield, that is the beauty of journaling. You thought you blew it until you figured out the points, checked out what you had for the week and realized that it wasn't so bad after all. If you didn't journal, you wouldn't know that and probably (if you were me) would go back for the other 1/2 jar... :lol: I also keep track of my Winnipeg Points. Any exercise I do, I calculate and add those points to the daily points and carry any over for the next day. I find they come in handy for the weekends. I go to WW on Tuesdays, so that is when I start my new week. We do what works for us. :)

Trudy- there wasn't another half. Half a jar is all that was left when I started. he he. By the way, love that ice cream cone- reminds me of my all time favorite flavor at Baskin Robbins- Chocolate Chip Mint- taste like a Thin Mint Girl Scout cookie. Glad their not open at this hour. But, come to think of it. I do have a box of Thin Mints in my freezer. :) Naw! I won't. I already had my fun for the day.

Hi,

I must join the crowd. I, too, will have to keep track of points and journal what I eat. If I don't, portion sizes creep up and the weight creeps up right along with it. Plus, I choose healthier foods when I count points. And I feel better. I have more energy. Now, if only I could get rid of PMS cravings . . . lol!

Lin

The points system makes so much sense to me, because it gives me an objective way to value food. I know what I want to eat, but I also know how many points I am willing to "spend", and if I don't want to spend the points for a food, I can make another choice. Or, go ahead and eat the 1/2 jar of Nutella and be accountable! (Thanks for the point count on Nutella!)

I became obese by not paying attention to what went into my mouth. If I want to reach my goal and stay there, I know I'm going to have to think about every bite that goes in, period. It doesn't feel like a diet anymore, even thought I'm not at goal, it feels like a new way of thinking that works for me and I could do this for the rest of my life and be happy. I love the feeling that being in control brings!

Hope everyone has a great week!

Annie
290/211/150

All of you women are fantastic. Such great stories and so much inspiration. I have been having an awful time. I go to WW but dont write down my points and I know thats key. I feel like I am at a cross road. Sometimes I get tired of the struggle. I am not happy being over weight. Its alot of work this weight loss thing. I have been at it a long time. Up and down. Thats why I had to tell all of you that you are doing a wonderful job. You know unless you have a weight problem there is no way you can understand how we all feel. I have so many people mainly my wonderful husband giving me the OK to go OP he means well but that kind of help I dont need. So anyway I will end this. Thanks to all of you for writing down your stories it does help.
We are all worth the effort :-)
Sue

I will keep track of my points and Journal for the rest of my life. Its my life style now. And Theres no way Im going back to what I was.

I enjoy my new lifestyle!

I have no doubt that I'll be counting points the rest of my life. Small price to pay to keep control of my weight.

Brian

I too will be pointing forever. I don't attend meetings time & finances don't allow it. I keep a journal in a notebook, besides journaling I also exercise everyday. This allows me to go 'over' points for one day at the weekend, mostly I can get away with this.

This is my third time with WW - 3rd time lucky.

My dream is that when I reach goal & have stablised my weight for a few months, I can stop pointing over the weekend. I know I will still have to journal so that when the goodies in the fridge are calling my name I can check on what I have already had. I also hope in time to fade the exercise back down to 5 times a week - again it'll be a very gradual process.

This is me for the rest of my life - I have made so many changes over the last few months. They have all been gradual & hard work but worth it. This site has been the mainstay of my support.

Way to go Brian!

229/203/147

Thanks you all for responding. I journaled all day yesterday and you know what...it wasn't that bad, I even saved an extra point. I have all my food planned out for today also. I think as long as I can do this for about 2 weeks I'll have the confidence to continue and since I have no functions coming up I know I can do it. I am going to Florida in 6 months and would love to feel comfortable in a bathing suit or at least shorts. That gives me just about enough time to lose 40 pounds (do you think that's a reasonable goal?)

It takes me about a year to take off 40 pounds, but that's just me. I do find I lose better -- and maintain better -- if I don't set a time limit for myself to get pounds off. By setting a time limit, I tend to give myself an excuse to go off program after that time limit has passed. Again, that's just me.

Good for you in sticking with it.

It's hard to accept that we can't go back to unconscious eating (not journaling, not thinking about what we eat). I understand that. I still fight it, too, even after doing this for nearly three years.

The best incentive for me was what I did in the year 2000. I gradually stopped journaling. And -- surprise, surprise -- I gained back 16 pounds in eight months. Took me another four months to get it back off again. I ended Y2K exactly where I began it. Now, whenever I'm tempted to just blow off journaling, I remember that -- and ask myself if I want to do the same thing in 2001.

The main thing is to find what works for you long term, and do that. If counting points is just too awful to contemplate, then check out the programs where you keep track in some other way. But regardless, we have to come to terms with the fact that we'll always have to watch what we eat. Always.

--Lauren

I look at it this way. I have lost a total of 81 lbs so far with another 45 to 50 to go. I have worked to long and to hard to lose this weight to take the chance of gaining it all back. All I have to do is remember the blood pressure medication, & how awful I felt when my sugar was out of control and that lets me know I can do this for life. :) Like the saying goes "It's not a diet, it's a lifestyle." I think once you learn how and do it so long it becomes kind of ingrained. At least I hope so. :D Anyways, that's my 2 cents. Have a great week everyone.......Sis :D