Hello. I started WW last year and lost about 28 pounds. Then I got busy (I own a business, and was starting to build a second location) last October and stopped going to meetings. I kept paying the dues every month, but I ultimately, totally, fell off the wagon. I went through the holidays, and felt gross and utterly uninspired to go back to WW. I tried a couple of times, but the leader changed and he didn't do anything to challenge or inspire me, so I stopped. Then I heard a commercial about the Hcg diet. One of the radio guys locally had lost a bunch of weight, said he was never hungry, etc etc. Sooooo, I made an appointment. They wouldn't tell me what blood tests they needed before the appointment. This made no sense to me, since the appt was two weeks away and I could go to my primary doctor and get those things right away and be on my way. In the meantime, I did make an appointment with my doctor, and told her what I really wanted to do; I wanted to hire a nutritionist, a personal trainer, and use her (my doctor) as my personal team for losing weight, but my PROBLEM, is that I am impatient and need to see immediate results. She is very cool, logical, non judgmental and said everything I was saying made sense. So we talked about Ideal Protein vs. HCG. She has other patients that have had success with IP and we agreed that I'd try it and see how it works.

My husband (he's amazing and so supportive!) and I went to the IP introductory meeting. I got weighed measured and was given a big bag of silver envelopes. I was given an appointment time to recur every week, a list of what I could eat, and mandated no exercise.

The food sucks. I puked the egg scramble thing up (yes I cooked it) and can only really stomach the premix shakes and the pink lemonade shake. The food is boring and I fell off the wagon.

I am so frustrated with the amount of information that is out there. I've learned a lot from WW, a little from IP. I know that cutting out carbs is good. That staying away from refined sugars and flours is good. I just feel so frustrated and overwhelmed. Anyhow, I know that I need to just get back up and start over again, and somehow, put all of the information I have together to make it work. venting a little.

About me? I'm a 44 year old woman with a (already mentioned) great husband, four grown kids. We own two amazing sub sandwich restaurants and life is good. Owning a restaurant isn't really endemic to my weight problem as I don't eat the food much; my family's owned it for 25 years. I like to read, write, and watch movies! I also love to go four wheeling.

Hi valarie,

Good luck on whatever you decide to do. It looks like you had success with weight watchers before. I love it and know a lot of people that have had success including me.

It definitely taught me how to eat right, even though sometimes I don't

Its worked to me for the tunes of 243 pounds lost, and I'm not done.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do. You can read my story on the goal page. (242 pounds lost thread)

Dave

Any diet works if you are mentally prepared for it and stick with it. I too had so much fun putting the weight on and want it off yesterday! This is my first week on Medifast and at day 6 feel it is a good fit. Good Luck to you.

I went the nutritionist route and she told me how much maximum that she would let me lose a week/month. She took everything into consideration - weight, age, height, activity level, age, foods that I like, my career - and even helped me set up a menu for each week with fun foods. I am trying to get back now since Ive had knee replacement and it seems everything but my height has changed!! YEs, she mentioned IP and I told her it wasn't for me. I had to do it with real food. keep trying and let me know how it goes

Hi Valerie. I can so relate. Started the WW thing last year but was not inspired. I'm still paying the monthly dues although I haven't gone in a few months. I occassionally use the online features. Been thinking about HCG but it seems too restrictive for my busy travel routine. I saw a nutritionist last month but she didn't tell me anything new. Probably because I'm an avid reader on weight loss, nutrition, exercise, supplements... plus having loss a lot of weight (a whole person!), I know intellectually what to do, it's just the discipline. I can't seem to muster the will and determination I used to have and the snail like weight loss results just make it worse. I think body remembers everytime I go on one of these weight loss kicks and holds on for dear life in an attempt to keep me at my current weight!

Thanks for the encouragement! The one thing I am "getting" at this point, is the one true fact that not one diet works for everyone! I am glad that I kept my heart in WW though, because that feels like the way for me. I remember going to meetings and being so much more mindful about food. And being mindful about everything is the trick to the happy! I'm a lot more inspired than I was when I first wrote though, so again, thank you people!!

Welcome!
WW worked great for me, but with a schedule like mine, I don't have time to stop, calculate, etc. I prefer the route I'm currently taking, and is working just fine for me. I have an Android Smartphone and downloaded the 'Lose It!' app. I look at calories and decide if I *really* want it. Generally speaking, healthier foods are lower in calories, refined sugars, carbs, etc. Of course there are exceptions to every rule, and this is where it's important to know what your superfoods are.
With this app, I scan the barcode, choose how many servings/oz I'm having of something and select it. It keeps a recorded log so I don't have to.
I think part of what is and isn't successful to some (many?) people is the time.
Unfortunately we live in a world where the majority of us are constantly on the go. Because of how hectic my life is, I have to do what's quickest and easiest for me.
Good luck, and again- welcome!

Hello.. Hang in there, never give up hope..Keep fighting this ongoing battle, its not easy, but its doable. Do it for health reasons and the rewards will be amazing!! Best of luck to you!!