What I am noticing from the first post, is that I don't think the problem is the "plan" itself...the problem here is that you are tired of "keeping track" of what you eat, no matter what plan you are on, correct? So really, I don't think it is a matter of which plan you should be on. You have been on three plans, choose whichever one you enjoy (food wise, convenience wise, etc.) the most. The problem is trying to find ways to make journaling a little less of a chore for you.
Now I would like to chime in for the "other" side. I have found that keeping a daily journal is of utmost importance to my weight loss, and maintaining the weight loss that I have achieved so far. I plan on keeping a journal for the rest of my life.
I find that it:
~keeps me accountable to myself by putting it into writing and out there in front of my face.
~When I journal, I don't let little licks, tastes, and nibbles add up to a lot of extra calories. If I am not keeping track, then it is easy for me to have a taste of cookie dough, a taste of what I am cooking, a bite of something my children have-all which can add up to 200-300 calories/4-5 extra WW points by the end of the day.
~Helps me visually see what I have eaten, and helps me make better choices the rest of the day based on what I think I need. I can see if I have not had any fruit, or dairy yet-and seeing that helps me to be sure to add it in before the day is over. I feel I eat more balanced this way.
~I can keep better control. If I eat a cookie-then I write it down with the points/calories. I am accountable.
I count calories (not too different than counting WW points-just a different method of keeping track) and I have done it for so long now, that it has become second nature to me. I just "do" it. You stated that you have done WW for about three months? When I was at the three month stage it was still a bit of a chore. It gets easier, trust me.
I have been counting calories for about 6 years now-I lost a great deal of weight, made it to my goal, and then maintained my weight loss by keeping my journal. (There was a pregnancy in that time frame-so I have went back up, and am now going back down again!
)
After 6 years of doing it-unless it is something I don't eat very often I don't have to look a lot of things up. You begin to memorize a lot of the calories (or points) and it becomes SOOOO much easier. You really should just give it another few months-and you will find that common foods that you eat often-you will no longer have to look up.
Some people can cut back portions and not really pay attention and be just fine. I am not one of them. I have to journal and keep track of my diet-because I am an emotional overeater by nature-which is the root of my weight problem. I have just found that the journaling isn't at all the big ordeal that it used to be. I just keep a tiny little pocket notebook with me, and use a page for each day.
For 2005, just for fun-I have even started keeping track of my exercise this year-so I can see by New Years what I have accomplished. (So far I am at 24 hours of strength training, 88 miles walks, 27 hours of Middle Eastern dancing...and more.
) it is just something "fun" for me to keep track of along with my diet.
I am also a firm believer in the reward system. Try to make it fun. For every week that you stay within your points and journal them-give yourself a small reward-a new lipstick, scented shower gel, nail polish, pair of earrings, etc. for a fun reward. I often reward myself with a new workout video/dvd.
Good luck to you,
Aphil
Help! Which plan??
my head just spins!! Sometimes it's hard to stay focused on the goal. You are both right, though. Common sense and past experience will help guide me through these last pounds. Oh, and I am making an effort to get in more exercise.
, I think you're probably right. Journaling will help me stay on track. Nobody ever said weight loss would be easy or fun, I guess! 
