Weight Watchers - Giving up on WW winning points........

After Journaling , drinking all my water and moving this fanny winning points has beaten me to a pulp. I'am giving it up. Week 8 I had a total loss of 8#. Weeks 9 and 10 posted gains and have fallen back to a total loss of 5.2 pounds in 10 weeks. Very unaceptable to me. I know when I'm beat! I followed the program to a tee!
I will be making the change over to the 1999 1-2-3 success program and give it a try to see if I can do better. My doctor wants me to stay with WW as this weight is a HUGH ISSUE with him and my health. I have some of the information needed but if anyone can help me out I appreciate it. Right now I feel so lost and so alone. What am I doing wrong!?????? Have stayed with my meetings and weigh-ins for some support that I real need.
I can't say all was lost this past 10 weeks, as I have learn alot, and just need to more forward. With 90+ pounds to lose, quitting is not an option. My WW leader thinks the change could be good, although she would of like me to try a few more weeks to see what was happening.
I have many health issues that could be holding me back, but I will not use any of them as an excuse to keep me from Getting Healthier, Feeling better, and changing my lifestyle for the better.
I didn't gain this weight overnight so needless to say it won't disappear overnight. I've been heavy for years , but it now has cause my Blood pressure to be boardline high, my body aches all the time, headaches are a major problem. balance disorder, mood swings, hot flashes and now mild depression! With a rap sheet like that, I'm lucky to be walking.
I want so very much to find a program that work for me. Has anyone worked the 1 2 3 success program? Can you give me any tips?
It sould be on the same order as winning points. My leader doesn't have any of the information to any of the old programs, and everytime I bid on one on e-bay they cancel the auction.
I'm looking for help, PLEASE ANYONE?!?!?!?!?!?! I FEEL SO LOST!

Snowball,

First let me encourage you to not give up! I know how incredibly long the journey seems when you're looking 90+ pounds in the eye, wondering how you'll ever get there. This program really works, and as far as I'm concerned, either 123 success or winning points is just fine, since they're so similar.

Now, a little deeper. Are you using ALL of the tools available, i.e are you writing down EVERYTHING, drinking all of your water, and being careful about calculating points? These have been important steps for me personally in losing weight so far. Some months I lose more than others, and I have had a few really frustrating plateaus, but over the long haul I lose fairly consistantly.

Some people lose more slowly even when they are PERFECT at staying on program. I would encourage you to find the TURTLE thread and read their posts. They are a group of very insightful and thoughtful WW members who do not lose quickly, but seem to me to be successful at the mental game of a changed lifestyle.

Hang in there!

BTW, the basic difference with 123 and WP is that 123 lets you consider ALL fiber, whereas WP limits it to 4 grams. Carrots and onions are free on 123, and you add 2 points to your current WP food range.

Snowball,

First let me encourage you to not give up! I know how incredibly long the journey seems when you're looking 90+ pounds in the eye, wondering how you'll ever get there. This program really works, and as far as I'm concerned, either 123 success or winning points is just fine, since they're so similar.

Now, a little deeper. Are you using ALL of the tools available, i.e are you writing down EVERYTHING, drinking all of your water, and being careful about calculating points? These have been important steps for me personally in losing weight so far. Some months I lose more than others, and I have had a few really frustrating plateaus, but over the long haul I lose fairly consistantly.

Some people lose more slowly even when they are PERFECT at staying on program. I would encourage you to find the TURTLE thread and read their posts. They are a group of very insightful and thoughtful WW members who do not lose quickly, but seem to me to be successful at the mental game of a changed lifestyle.

Hang in there!

BTW, the basic difference with 123 and WP is that 123 lets you consider ALL fiber, whereas WP limits it to 4 grams. Carrots and onions are free on 123, and you add 2 points to your current WP food range.

Good luck!

Annie
290/205/150-ish

Snowball,
I think trying 123Success is a good idea. As Annie said, just give yourself 2 more points daily, don't limit the fiber to 4, and the activity points don't count right away. You can do this. What I have found is that the weight doesn't come off the way I would like it too. On the other hand I want a 30 pound a week loss! LOL
Think positive thoughts like, "I'm in this for the long haul. I am reshaping my eating habits and finding food I like to eat which will help me lose weight. I am getting healthier. Some weeks I won't lose weight, but I always will lose inches if I continue OP."
Good luck to you. Losing as much weight as we have to lose is very frustrating, but I know you can do it!
:cool:

234/?/thinner

I've been back to WW for 5 weeks now. According to weigh-in there, I've lost only 4.2 lbs, total. However, I am down a clothing size, and you don't get that from a 4.2lb loss! Just this week, I bought new t-shirts in a size L rather than XL. I think we tend to put too much emphasis on the "judgement day" weigh-in, and not our overall changes.

I attend an evening meeting, and there is sometimes up to 4-5 lbs in the difference from when I weigh in at home in the morning and when I check again at home before I go to my meeting. I've discussed it with my leader, and she said to just ignore what my weigh-in says, and stay OP. She said to think of the weigh-in as just their bookkeeping, and measure my loss in other ways. So, that's what I'm doing. It's more important to me to feel good and wear smaller sizes as I go, and ignore those numbers on the scale.

So, whether you do 123 or stay with Winning Points, keep going. Try not to emphasize the scale, and go by your clothes or measurements instead. I know it's hard when others at the meeting are saying they've lost X number of pounds that week and you've only lost around one, but remind yourself that you're much healthier already for being OP. Good luck!

Snowball,
I am so sorry you're having a hard time, but PLEASE don't give up! I know how long the road seems when you have that much to lose. I have lost 85 lbs so far and have another 50 to go! It has taken me 2.5 yrs to do this, but I wouldn't give up. I know this program works and that if you lose it slowly it is more likely to stay off than if you drop it fast. I also had the health issues. I had high blood pressure and was on BP meds and I was diabetic, all because of the weight I was carrying. Oh yea, I also had to use a sleep unit called C-PAP because of a sleep disorder called hypopnea caused from my being to heavy when I layed down. I now no longer take BP meds, my sugar it TOTALLY under control and I don't have to use that sleep thing. So the benefits are SO worth the time it takes. Sorry such a long post but it's important info. Just keep doing the things you are learning in WW and the weight WILL come off, you'll see. Take care and have a great week-end.....Sis :D

Snowball,
All of us at one time or another have felt beaten up..but in reading and re-reading.......your post.........WW didnt beat you up..YOU Beat you up! Please dont do that!You later went on to realize you have learned many good things.............

I hope you will not give up......because THEN you get nothing!

Many members who reach goal.....say they felt SO discouraged at first.but HUNG in there and it got better and better!

Remember Henry Ford said "Whether you think you can or think you can"t you're right! So CONTINUE and dont give up cause YOU CAN DO THIS!

Also look at EVERYTHING........sodium...hormonal cycles....many"silent culprits" including not eating ENOUGH! Dont try to be perfect.we cannot be.just keep making progress.............I can assure you YOU WILL GET THERE! So tie a BIG knot at the end of that"rope" and hang on~~!!! Blessings to you!

WWCIN

Everybody loses weight differently. As a WW Receptionist, I have seen how many different patterns there are, and some people lose a lot at one time, then have gains, then lose another lot. When looking back over a 3 - 4 month period, they still will often average a 1# per week weight loss, which is great. It is frustrating for the person, especially at the beginning, but when looking back over the long term, it does work.

Anne

Dont give up!!!! Try the 123 if you want but stick with WW! I did 123 on my own a few years ago but without the meetings I didn't do too well. Now I am doing great! Going to the meetings and really committed. I too have 90ish pds to loose and let me tell you I am impatient too! I have lost 38 pds in the last 4 months and Im thrilled! I have lost inches as well and gone down 3 sizes. People are starting to tell me I look like a totally different person now. Great feeling! I found that with the exercise I was doing I HAD to eat all my pts or I didn't loose. So try to juggle around with your pts and see what happens. Just DONT GIVE UP cause it can be done!

Lynn

Everyone else has told you not to give up and I agree totally!!! A couple of things I wondered about: Are you on a lot of medications? If so, check with your dr. to see if any of them can contribute to weight gain. I take a couple for my kidney disease that have that as a side effect. I have to work a lot harder at losing weight, but it can be done.

The second thing was something my kidney dr. also told me. He said that the body is a master at keeping things the way they have been. Sometimes even though I have been OP I don't lose. Personally it takes my body a while to figure out that I am changing things.

The best thing I can relate to you is the story of a friend who is now UNDER goal. She still goes to WW every week and the leader uses her as an example when we get down. For 10 TEN weeks she either gained a 1/2 pound or stayed the same. She gritted her teeth, paid her money and weighed only to find that she had not lost after being on program. Then something in her body clicked and she lost steadily every single week until she was at, and now under goal.

I won't speak for you, but I know that at age 44 I have been heavy all my life. In the span of my heaviness, 8 weeks is just a drop in the bucket of time. Hang in there, come here a lot, and see what happens. If you decide then to make the switch back to 123, approach it with enthusiasm!!! YOU know you are eating healthier, drinking that water, etc. Give your body time to figure out that changes have been made.

Elaine

:wave: Dear Snowball - please don't give up. The programs work if you gave them a chance. It took me 19 months to lose 50 pounds. There were weeks on end where I either lost nothing or miniscule amounts. If you feel the 123 would work better for you with the extra two points and counting the fiber, then by all means do it - you have to do what's best for you - but the best of all would be for you to stay with the program, and don't give up.

I think you should try another WW program.
I don't care for this Winning Points program either.
I much preferred the 1,2,3.
I am losing slowly on this program.

I am down 38 pounds in 17 weeks BUT..........
......I am down 3 complete sizes.
......I have relieved the pressure on my bad knee.
......I am feeling better about myself.
......I exercise 5x a week......and crave the exercise.
......My stomach has shrunk.
......My husband is eating better because I am.

There are so many more benefits than the scale.
We are so tied to the scale like it is the almighty.......

I hope you don't quit. Please think twice about it.

The number on the scale doesn't always mean you aren't losing, especially in the beginning. I am back on WW after having a baby and I have lost a whopping 17 pounds in 20 or so weeks. Wee ha! But I am gaining muscle... which weighs more. Maybe that is your case also. Not everyone loses quickly... honest, this is the truth. Don't give up, because after all you have lost something. I am glad you are staying with WW and I wish you luck. You are not alone in this slow battle. I beat my head every week wishing I could lose faster, but I don't and I just have to deal with it!! It may be slow, but it is coming off. And the slower it comes off the higher chance you have at keeping it off! I know everyone always says that, but really it is true.

And no where does she say that she is completely giving up?!?!?!?!!?!? Originally posted by snowball
...I will be making the change over to the 1999 1-2-3 success program and give it a try to see if I can do better....

and asked

Originally posted by snowball
...Has anyone worked the 1 2 3 success program? Can you give me any tips?



Yes the older program is very similar to Winning Points. With Winning Points you cap the fiber at 4 grams (no matter what the actual amount is) and the point ranges were reduce by 2 on the high end (i.e., 150-175 on Winning Points it is 20-25 and on the older programs it is 20-27. On the older programs they wanted you to earn at least 2 points of activity before converting activity points for food points.

Snowball, You stated Week 8 I had a total loss of 8#. Weeks 9 and 10 posted gains and have fallen back to a total loss of 5.2 pounds in
10 weeks. Very unaceptable to me. I averaged a loss of .46 pounds a week (some weeks were 3 or more pounds and other weeks it was just .1 pounds). The average loss OP is .5-2 pounds a week but alot of factors come into play such as 1) how many and how long ago you last tried a fad diet; 2) your metabolism; 3) any medications or medical conditions; 4) TOM; 5) how much processed foods you eat and the list can go on and on.

Also did you start an exercise program? If you did that can contribute to some gains especially at first. Your muscles will tend to hold on to some water when you first start a program (or even when you make a change - increase or decrease intensity or change the activity altogether) until they adjust. Also muscles are denser than fat. For example 1 pound of fat will be alot larger than 1 pound of muscle. Think of it this way fat is like feathers and muscle is like stone. While 1 pound is 1 pound is 1 pound (aka 16 ounces) there will be much more feathers than there will be stone. Take your measurements. This helps when you have those slight gains.

Here are some things I want you to look at and honestly answer (by not be honest you only hurt yourself):



1) Where in your points range are you eating? Most people find they lose better when eating mid-range to
high-range. Especially if you are exercising you need to eat toward the high end and not the low end. The reason is
because your body thinks it is starving and slows down your metabolism and holds on to the calories you intake.

2) What are you spending your points on? Review EATING BY THE NUBMERS (complex carbs 6-9 points,
protien 6-8 points, veggies/fruits 0-3 points, dairy 4-6 points, fats 2-3 points). If you follow the suggested
minimum amount of points spend on each food category it totals up to 18 points. I also find if I don't eat close to
the figures they have I don't lose as well. Also make sure you get in some REAL fat (butter, margarine, mayo, real
salad dressing, etc). I had subconsciously removed almost all fat from my diet and had plateaued for SIX (count
them 6) months. Make sure you get in some fat.

3) Are you drinking your water?

4) Are you eating alot of processed foods (canned, frozen, etc.) which contain alot of sodium which causes water
retention. What about diet sodas? They can cause bloating and water rentention.

5) Are you exercising? Have you taken your measurements to see if you are building muscle while losing?
Remember muscle weighs 2.2 times more than fat and takes up less space. If you are exercising remember to eat
high in your point range.

6) Are you journaling? This includes every BLT (bite, lick and taste). Those BLTs can add up in 'hidden' points.

7) Are you calculating points correctly? Ninety percent of new members don't count points correctly. I have a
favorite muffin and until last week (I've been on program for almost 2 years) I just realized my 3 point muffin is
really 6 points because it is 2 servings. Make sure you use the nutritional information rather than the 'generic' list
W/W puts out. You'll find alot of differences.

Once you have analyzed these things then you need to start playing with the program to adapt it to you and your
body. Like reducing the carbs and increasing the protien and stuff like that.

Kel

Snowball - if I might make one more suggestion ? Have you ever done the old exchanges program from WWs ? Alot of people have originally lost their weight following that program. I know I did better on it and I'm switching back ! My leader even suggested it ! :) Just thought I'd throw that in. Good luck !!! :) Denise

Hi,

I agree with everyone here who has encouraged you to stick with WW, whether you choose to do 123 or Winning Points. While I think for some people, the suggestion that you look at some of the older exchange plans may be a good one, I have found that for people with a lot of weight to lose (like me, with a little over 100 pounds to go), the amount of food allowed by those plans was too small. There was no allowance for how much food larger people need to maintain their health and keep their bodies out of starvation mode. I never seemed to have enough energy to exercise and I used to get a cold during the first month after I started one of those older programs, but that didn't happen with either 123 or Winning Points.

I went back to following the 123 Success plan with one exception. I use the Winning Points slider for calculating activity points, but subtract two from that number to take into consideration the two activity points built into the 123 point ranges. It's working well for me. I'm averaging 1 pound each week. It's slow, but steady. And I tend to lost slowly, which is why I started that Turtle thread someone talked about. You're welcome to check it out. It's under the "Other Clubs and Groups" forum.

Good luck!

Lin

Sounds like you've got a Plan ! :) Good luck Lin !!! :) Denise

Geez, I don't feel so bad about my weight loss.. I'm one of those who may shed a little here, then, not shed anything for a while.. Now that I've read some took them longer to shed a few pounds, I don't feel so alone.. Even though I ate a weeks worth of sweets today at an office Holloween party, and still came home and at a large potato with bean dip.. :o :mad: Smoochies my WW family... I'm not kicking myself so much now... I'll start back on my way tomorrow... :^:

In addition to the great advice Kelly_S posted, there is one thing that was mentioned, but not really emphasized:

Be religious about portion control. This means weighing or measuring EVERYTHING.

Get out those measuring cups/spoons and use them. Invest in a decent kitchen scale. Find one that weighs in ounces or grams. Then use it! You will probably be in for some surprises.

For example, many people simply pour some cereal into a bowl. Then they look at the box and calculate the points for one serving. Well, unless you measure it, I can guarantee you have poured a lot more that the recommended serving size into the bowl and you are counting the points too low. 1/2 - 3/4c cereal does not fill up much of the bowl.

Another common place to make errors on points is on meat. The ever-popular boneless, skinless chicken breast is a great example. The WW books say a 3oz boneless, skinless chicken breast is 3 points (1 point per ounce uncooked weight). However, when you put the average chicken breast you get from the store on a scale, most of them weigh 4-6 ounces and should be should be 4-6 points.

Good Luck!

I agree with everything everyone has said - especially regarding portion size - the cereal thing is so true. When I found out how little of my favourite sugar snack cereal I got for 3 points I decided it wasn't worth it.

My one comment is that I think the points that gsc4 mentioned for the chicken breasts are wrong. According to my WW points book, the 3 oz. of skinless boneless chicken is for the cooked weight not the uncooked weight and most chicken breasts that start off as 4 or 5 oz. uncooked will end up as 3 cooked. Does anyone else know about this for sure?? I was counting most of my chicken breasts as 3 points and I hope I'm not wrong.

Elisa

In general chicken is 1 point per ounce cooked! Tyson extra lean is 4 ounces cooked for 2 points.

I agree the cooked / uncooked issue is confusing. I have actually weighed a chicken breast before and after cooking and did not find a 2 ounce difference. If the chicken weighed 5 oz before cooking, I consistently find it weights closer to 4 oz after cooking, not closer to 3 oz. So I figure it is safer to over count points than to under count them and use the 1oz uncooked , 1 pt rule for chicken. :o Maybe I have been counting chicken wrong over the years, but when in doubt I try to over-estimate points!

Or looking at it another way ... Using the 3oz meat/poultry equals a deck of playing cards guideline (that is widely quoted in the media and at WW), there is no way the average cooked chicken breast is the size of a deck of playing cards. The ones I see are usually the size of my fist which is definately bigger than a deck of playing cards. :D

Hi, Snowball.

I can't add much to the advice that's already been given but I can tell you my story. I lost 113 pounds on WW 123 program so I know how you feel. It took me 18 months to get to goal and although that may seem like a long time, I figure that it took me nearly 50 years to gain all that weight. I was very strict with myself over that 18 months but I also had weeks where I gained weight no matter how carefully I stayed OP.

I carefully measured portions (and I still check portion sizes often), drank my water, wrote down every bite that I ate, and I exercised every day. I also find that I need to attend meetings to keep on track even now. I think that strength training has been very helpful to me although I did actually gain weight when I first started lifting weights! I started with 3 pound weights and worked my way up very slowly. If your health problems limit the exercise that you can do, there are videos available with exercises that you can do sitting in a chair.

I had high blood pressure and my knees ached all the time when I started WW. My blood pressure is now normal and I walk 4 to 5 miles a day without my knees bothering me. The rewards are great if you can stick with the program.

If you feel that the 123 program will work better for you, go for it! It certainly worked for me.

And hang in there and try to be patient.

Rosemary

Deal snowball,

I have just one question for you. Are you eating some fat each day? I am one of those persons who can go pretty much totally fat-free and as soon as I find myself doing that I know I have to stop. I don't lose at all and sometimes gain if I don't get some fat in. I don't know why but every once in awhile I see myself falling back into that mode. As soon as I start adding a pat of butter or two each day, I immediately start to lose again. I am just one of those people who really can do without adding butter or oil, mayo etc.... I really have to make sure I get some in each day. What can it hurt? Give it a try for a couple days.

Brenda

Kelly and others,

Thanks for all the super advice and information. This thread really helped me.

I'm always frustrated on WW 1-2-3 even though I'm convinced it's the best program out there --- because I seem to lose slowly also, however my body does seem to shrink because I'm able to get into smaller clothes. I walk at least five times a week for an hour and plan to soon add 20 minutes of calisthenics a day as well.

Thanks for the reminder to eat enough fat, to be diligent about journaling and to be honest as well and to record every BLT (bite, lick, and taste). Also the warnings about eating processed food as opposed to fresh and to read and track by the food labels. Excellent advice here!

I've been doing WW on my own for about four weeks but planning to go back eventually...not knowing exactly when. This post helped me appreciate that I need to plan to go back this week rather than eventually. And, that I need to get better about knowing and understand the program and applying it.

Snowball, I know you're encouraged. Best to you!

Delia

Just wanted to give you some encouragement from another sloooooow loser. It has taken me since July 2000 (16 months) to lose 52 lbs.... At this rate it will take me another year to lose the last 40. I feel good, I look pretty good, and I know I have developed a lot of great habits over the last 16 months. :D