Didn't sign in here for a long time, then realized I missed it.

Did WW for while and lost a bit, then got fed up of Being On A Diet and hated the weigh in every week, although the folks were all pretty cool. But my last weigh in, I had gained 6 lbs and was told in a strange, pitying, questioning, almost patronizing (but probably not meant to be) way. And I never went back.

Gained it all back, HATE the way I look, HATE the huffing and puffing, but still feel reluctant and resentful to go on a diet. I already don't drink, don't smoke, don't eat a lot of red meat, most bread and pasta I eat is brown...

Was thinking of trying LA weightloss then they went bellyup last fall. Other options around here are pretty awful, I heard one makes you wear a pig nose throughout the meeting if you gained weight that week, and another apparently has psycho nurses!!

Maybe I'll try WW again in the spring, I'm not commiting myself until the weather improves, I am fed up of winter and snow and object to paying for a missed meeting if the weather keeps me from getting there!

At least I am getting to the gym sometimes and swimming once a week too, so not a total couch potato...

Sigh. Someone please give me a pep talk, PDQ...

Welcome back! The fact that you are back is the most important here! This place has loads of information and so many ppl who inspire. Stay, post, and share your journey with others. We are all here for each other.

A pig nose?? Wow, that sounds awful! I would never go somewhere that humiliated people like that either.

Welcome back!!

You know your way around, but I wanted to just remind you we have an active weight watchers forum. Have you considered calorie counting? It sounds like you eat pretty healthy and lots of people enjoy calorie counting because they get to keep a lot of choices re: what foods they eat...I'm glad you're here!!

wow, thanks for the quick responses.

ugh, calorie counting... I really have an aversion to numbers!!

what I really need is portion control, I think. And less grazing/snacking. And to stop eating for comfort or when bored or to console myself or to celebrate something...

and I am torn between the support/reminders/encouragement of the meetings vs. the annoying stress over the dreaded weigh-in...

looking for the exit from the vicious circles in my mind, perhaps?

The pig nose thing must be TOPS but they haven't done that at meetings since the 1970's.

I feel your frustration- I really do since we are nearly the same weight and I've been slowly going down.

The thing I notice about your post is you seem to have convinced yourself that the only way to success is through some sort of outside company or group. I read a really interesting study that said about 70% of people who lose a significant amount of weight (50 lbs. or more) do so with the help of a diet group like Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig etc. HOWEVER, 70% of those who KEEP the weight off did the weight loss on their own. So yes, you are more likely to lose with Nutrisystem and the like and significantly less likely to have long term success.

The reason is simple. We all have to learn what works for our individual bodies and the requires a little self-scientific experimentation. I have an eating plan from eat2getfit dot com that I paid $39 for several hundred recipes that are scaled and re-scaled to my calorie goals as I lose weight. I still make all the food myself and it's real food- not processed- even if some meals are simple (6 cracked pepper triscuits, a wedge of laughing cow light and some almonds) and some are complex (Garlic Chicken and Artichokes). Each meal is enough for me for that meal and is perfectly balanced for fats/carbs/protein. If you aren't sure what and how much to eat, you can try this program as it really takes the mystery out of it.

When I follow it to the 'T', I lose quite well. Best of all, if I'm eating off the menu (and you can substitute other meals- every meal is interchangeable) I don't have to count calories or food journal. It takes the 'thinking' out of it. I've also learned to revamp my own recipes to fit within the perimeters of the calories and ratios which will help long term. I am impulsive so fighting that is my biggest challenge (dang ADD).

What I'm trying to say is that you can get support online and save the $$$ and that there are things you can do at home. You don't have to have an outside program to succeed. In fact, long term success is statistically more possible if you DON'T have an outside program/group/food supply.

ugh, why would someone say that the pig nose is still used if it was phased out 30 years ago?! my mom usd to go to a group that had public weigh ins and applause or boos, depending on the result. She took me with her a few times when I was a kid and I just HATED it... I have a feeling people don;t take that kind of cr@pola so readily nowadays...

that eat fit program looks interesting, but I'm still a bit confused. Does the $39 cover one year, or what? I couldn;t find the 'bottom line' on the site without entering info and didn't want to do that just yet. and when it says personalized, is it REALLY personalized?? i signed up for a so-called personalized program once before and wrote my preferences and allergies all over the form in very big letters, and they kept giving me recipies with things I was either allergic to or never, ever even bring into my house! so there's a bit of sceptiism still hanging over me..... <sigh>

Hi Catsnhorses,
I, too, had had enough of "dieting"....nasty word, counting calories not the ticket either. So I thought I'd share with you what I found and what has changed my life with food. I bought the Think and Lose self hypnosis program and it has changed my life. I know it sounds corny, but it really works. I've always been an emotional eater, dealing with problems, frustrations boredom, etc. by turning to food. Lost track of the many different kinds of "diets" I started and never completed. I now have control over food instead of the other way around. The CD's I listen to have changed it in my head, where the problem was in the first place. No more cravings for munchies, sweets, goodies or any of it. Just don't want it anymore. Much more into fruit and the good stuff. I hate to say it, but it has been pretty easy. So I thought I'd share and give you one more option, one more viewpoint. Good luck with whatever you choose and finding what will work for you.