Flex talk
 

I asked Suzanne to give us this area to call our own, and I hope you like it and use it often. Having a thread where we can discuss Flex issues, and share our day to day triumphs and struggles can be a good thing.

Personally, I like Flex because I know there is a limit of total foods/points for the day. I can't always be trusted to stop when I'm no longer hungry.

Why did you choose Flex? Do you use it exclusively, or pair it with Core?

I think I use flex beacause as a mom of 4 sons on a budget, I have to eat what is avaliable at the time. I have to be able to make the best choices from what is there. Sometimes I will have to scale a portion down to make it work, but it doesn't mean I can't eat it. I don't want a good/bad food mentality. Gotta learn if I make a poor choice, I get less. I make good choices, I get more. Besides...I have a problem with my kidneys, high protein, dark green veggies trigger stones for me.

Hi:

I'm mostly over on the Core thread, and eating mostly Core. But, I do count points since it seems to be the only way that I personally lose any pounds.

I've learned over the years that the Core foods are the ones I like. So, I'm lucky. But, I also have some problem with the fact that there are very healthy foods that are not CORE, yet are a part of the low GI diet, e.g, nuts. Nuts are high fat, high calorie, but walnuts and almonds are part of a healthy diet, unless, of course, you have an allergy to them!

It does seem to be an issue for some people on Core to recognize when they are full. But, there are others who are reporting significant weight losses on Core.

I've lost about 40 pounds, using both Core and Flex approaches, but have gained some back and am now losing that....AGAIN. I'm trying to focus on the health aspects of it all.

Rhonda

I chose "flex" because of its flexibility. I enjoy being able to eat what I want and not having foods that are off limits. Off limits foods do not work for me.

I started with flex and have not deviated from that. It works for me! I chose the flex plan because I have a DH, DS and DD at home and didn't want to have to cook two separate meals or totally turn their world upside down. We eat many of the foods we've always eaten, for me it includes a better understanding of portion control as well as modifying some of the recipies to make them more ww friendly. No one has noticed these slight changes, or if they have, they've not commented on them. So in the long run my doing flex has helped them all as well. DH has lost about 20 pounds over the last 16 months....not a whole lot, but he's lost it without changing his eating habits so it has to be the changes in prep that's making the difference. DS also looks to me like he's lost about 15 pounds. Flex is a plan that allows me to still eat my favorite foods and not feel deprived.....yadda, yadda, yadda....wow! I need to jump back down off my soapbox, eh?!

Flex works for me because of the flexibility and I love that nothing is off limits if I have the points for it - PLUS it has taught me portion control. The 8 GHG also help keep me in check and make sure I don't use all my points on Junk!

Good morning,

Kelly - I have to admit, I've made changes in some of my recipes, too, and DH Neal is none the wiser. :D Most of the recipes, though, are the same as before, and I just eat less of the dish.

Tejas - I think there are a lot of people that combine the programs. I combine WW with the teaching of Dr Oz and Dr Phil.

Flower, Shay and FrozenPeach - good points!

Yesterday was Neal's birthday, so the kids and grands were here. His favorite cake is angel food, and since I dont like it much, I didn't eat any. But I did have 1/2 cup planned ice cream.

Today I have to run errands and go to the doctor with my DD. I also want to get a batch of cookies baked for the freezer, for Christmas.

What's on your agenda for the day?

Today my plan is to eat all of my points. Right now I need to add 2pts to my planned menu. Also I plan to do Week 6, Day 1 of the Couch to 5K program during the Biggest Loser tonight. I'm also attempting to get all of my water in before 8pm. That is always a struggle.

You can do it, Shay! :cheer:

Errands are calling my name as well this week. I'm trying to get as much done as possible so that I don't have anything on my mind except fun when we head to Branson on Friday for our annual family Christmas trip. When I have too many things to do at home I find it eats at me while I'm trying to have fun! I also need to finish up my holiday baking.....hmmmm....maybe 3-4 more hours a day could help?

Shay, I've thought about the C25K program but never really looked in to it....does it feel do-able? I'd like to know your thoughts!

oh I wish I could do the couch to 5K but I just can't run - I'm very prone to shin splints (in fact, am nursing one now).

Today was a busy day at work which can be good - DD9 was home sick....good thing DH managed to get the day off!

Tomorrow I meet with my trainer again - haven't seen him in two weeks and he won't be happy with me - I totally flaked on weight training and now this shin splint...sheesh!!!

LOVE BIGGEST LOSER and am okay with the final 4 - Bill is my fave just coz...not a fan of Hollie but I realize she has other stuff going on....but still....I'm just sayin'

I'd love to bake cookies for the freezer but they'd never make it there! LOL

WW isn't working for me...help!!
 

I have been following flex and having very little success. I have about 20 lbs total to lose...and in a month, I lost 3.8, then gained 2.2, then lost 2.0, then gained .8. I am VERY frustrated and want to quit since I've been following the pland and working out. I have been eating about 2/3 of my flex points per week and none of my activity points. I've followed the healthy eating guidelines as well and do not know why this plan simply does not seem to work for me...any advice or similar situations or successes would be greatly appreciated. Carrying aroudn this extra 20 lbs is really effecting my overall happiness.

Kelly -you know, I've never been to Branson, but people that have say it's great! I bet it's beautifully docorated for Christmas. Like you, I want the house all clean, etc. when I go on vacation. I forgot to empty the coffee pot one time, and it was a moldy mess when I returned, lol. My "pre-A/C" days.

Peach - hope your DD is better today. I make cookies to freeze, also. We have a big freezer in the shed, so they aren't handy to nibble, lol. Good thing, too!

sBrooke - oh dear, how frustrating! My suggestion is to look back in your journal and see what you did differently the weeks you lost. Are you drinking your water faithfully? Some say it makes no difference in their weight loss, but it sure does, for some of us. I think others will have some good suggestions, too.

Hello to all that read this thread. :wave:

I'm having a party for my scrapbook friends tomorrow, and that will be a challenge. The menu is within reason, but still.

Hope you're all having a great day. :)

Kelly--C25K is very doable. The fact that I can do it at this weight and height is a testament to the program. I hadn't run in a few years and my experience was brief and outside. I'm doing it on the treadmill currently. You set your own speed and there is nothing wrong with repeating weeks or days. I have been fortunate enough to been able to go straight through so far. We'll see because after Day 2 of Week 6 there are no more intervals.

sbrooke723--I'm actually not an official ww member any longer but I still have my books. Isn't the recommendation to eat all of your points? That may make a huge difference.

Yup DD is better today :)

met with trainer and as I expected, he wasn't happy but he wasn 't too rough LOL

I have GOT to get back to the gym regularly and do my weight training as well as the cardio

I know one thing - I'm tired from the gym but it's a good tired :D

Frozen Peach, glad the trainer wasn't too hard on you, and that DD is feeling better. Stinks when you don't feel well around the holidays!

Shay, I think I'm going to check out the library website to see if I can "checkout" the program rather than purchasing it....I'd rather use that $$$ for new clothes!

sBrooke, the plan has changed here and there, but they do still basically recommend that you eat all your points. One of the changes has been in determining how many points you should eat....you may not be figuring that correctly. That said, if I'm looking at your numbers correctly you're still showing a loss of 2.8# for the month, which works out to .7# per week. I know it feels slow, but that is within the healthy range of .5-2.0 per week. I did notice that while I lost a lot faster than that for quite a while, once I got down to my last 20 pounds, my weight loss looks very similar to yours. Down one week, up the next, etc., but overall I (and you) have a downward trend. Try cutting your points by 2 per day for a week and see how your weigh in turns out. Also, you may want to take a look at what you're eating...are you eating more sodium within a day or so of your weigh in? That is an important factor for me! Stick to it, you can do this!

Jane, Oooooh, scrapbooking! Sounds fun! I haven't had my supplies out in so long that I'd be embarrassed to say!

I've tried WW several times, and have lost weight every time, so I know it works! However, I'd always quit after I got to a certain point. I decided to try it one last time ( I have the at home kit, and I was about to try to sell it!) and for some reason, it's really clicked this time.

The flex program works for me because I really can eat absolutely anything I want. Last week we ordered Thai food for lunch at work, and I love Thai food. I ordered my usual, only ate a small portion of rice and about a cup of the curry, and felt completely satisfied and stayed within my points for the day. Before I would have eaten all the rice and all the curry and felt miserably full for the rest of the day.

Since I've been known to go off the deep end in the past, I'm trying to take things with my eating and exercise one day at a time. However, I think I'll be able to reach my goal with WW.

Thanks!
 

Well, I am already glad I joined this site and this forum. Thanks so much for all of your thoughts and encouragement. I definitely had not realized that, on average, I have been losing .7 a week...it's not a lot, but it's better than gaining!! I am going to try to listen to my hunger-if I'm hungry, I'll eat my flex points. If not, then I'll leave them be...same goes for my AP...Also, I MUST drink my water! Those will be my goals for this week as well as making sure I focus on eating healthy points (ie fruits rather than processed food). I have given up on WW in the past and am determined not to this time. I also know I need to remember that these are life changes and will help me not just lose weight, but not gain anymore!! Thanks again. I hope to continue 'talking' to everyone here. ;) I will also continue to go to meetings every week and track everything I eat on line (I have the on-line tools which I like better than writing in the little journal).

Kelly--You shouldn't have to pay for the program. Here is the link:
www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

For podcasts or mp3 podcasts:
www.ullreys.com/robert/Podcasts

I've been on and off WW for years, alas. It hurts to admit it, but I just haven't had the discipline to stick to it. I'm almost always semi-on program -- which means conscious of what I should be eating, even when I'm not strictly following the plan. I do flex because of the flexibility, as others have said, and also because I don't believe in fat free foods. I want something I can live with.

A question. What ever happened to the points pie? I don't think I dreamt it, but I can't find it in etools.

I'm just curious - I've paid for a good many of WW's resources, but I'm not actually paying to be IN the program (as in, going to meetings. My schedule is simply too tight, especially since I just added in frequent visits to the gym for water aerobics). So I've got a question that I'm having trouble getting answered.

I have a lot of - a LOT - of daily points to eat. Technically, it allows me to eat MANY things I loved to eat while I wasn't on plan. I've started eating a LOT healthier than I used to, but there are certain times when I'm running to and from errands, the gym, the grocery store, etc. and fast food beckons - I'll need to eat quick, don't have a lot of time to cook, etc. I've started putting protein bars in my purse to take care of that sometimes, but it still happens.

Thing is, I have so many points I can use in one day that I COULD probably eat fast food every single night of the week and not go over my Points total; I rarely EVER use any of my Flex points.

My question is, is there any kind of rule about eating "bad" foods, even if they fit well within your Points range? Sometimes I find myself at the end of the day, before I've eaten dinner, looking at something like 24-26 extra Points for the night. But of course, whenever I get fast food, even if it's within my limit, I'm still thinking, "I KNOW this isn't 'good' for me and I really should be eating vegetables and lean meat instead."

Is there any kind of limit re: the frequency with which one eats fast food or typically 'naughty' foods? Or is it really, absolutely true that if you stay within your Points total, you will lose weight (no matter what you spend your Points on)?

Miss Alex....I don't think there are any rules on bad foods, BUT you need to make sure you are getting in your minimum requirements of dairy, protein, fruits, veggies, healthy oils. I know if I eat regular foods (not diet) then I have pretty much used up my daily points allotment. I of course only get 25 for the day.

As for bad foods...start recording how good you feel when you don't eat them. Pretty soon they don't have so much appeal after all. I think a lot of the fast food has more damaging effects other than just the calories. Then again, it tastes yummy and occasionally it won't hurt.

I learned a lot about food and digestion by reading material on the GI (glycemic index) diet. I highly recommend reading about it. My personal view is that fried foods, high fat foods, sugary foods aren't going to kill you in MODERATION. But, many of us don't know about moderation!

I've lost my taste for fast food, and others do too. Also, one of the problems with counting points and fast food is that you really don't know how a food is cooked locally and how many extra points there might be in what you're eating.

Good luck,
Rhonda

Hi Jane!!!

I do Core with Flex as my check on points. It's the best of both worlds because I have a big tendency to overeat. I've lost 53 lbs. in 26 weeks plus 1 day... I cheated and did a sneak peek on the scale!

Anyways, I kind of tick off the WW Core Boards because I am lousy at following the once a day rules and can't digest brown rice and whole wheat pasta so I'm non-compliant on both accounts. I also eat potatoes some days twice so again, I tick people off and yet tweaking Core, I had been losing. A couple of weeks ago I had a 2 lb. weight gain which incidentally was TOM week. I figured oops! I must have REALLY overeaten so I went Flex and talked with WW Flex people who helped me a lot.

So here I am walking the fence for now. Eating Core foods mostly but breaking their rules yet eating healthy. I'm eating 30 pts. per day and I give myself 5 wpa's as a use it or lose it option. This assures me that I don't concern myself with any overeating and if I want anything like a snack in the evening, I do have the points for that or whathave you lol.

hi NurseChef-I've seen you on the WWCore Boards!
Good luck with Flex/Core combo

I've been on the flex plan since about May 2007. So far I've had pretty good success with it. Flex has really taught me about portion control and how much I should be eating. I find my appetite has decreased and my choices are improving. I like Flex because it doesn't limit any foods!

Just this morning I was reading blog entries. Someone was kicking themselves from somewhere they ate. I ate there 2 weeks ago and I fit in that food within my points. The only difference, I don't feel like I blew everything. That is why I like FLEX. Good/bad foods have no power over me!

Totally. Places like Burger King and Pizza Hut and Taco Bell aren't going to stop existing once you're on a diet, and to basically live like you're never going to take a bite of pizza or a burger again - at least, for me - is as good as an omen of failure. The crazy thing is, I used to think that way! "Hmm, so I'll do THIS [insert fad diet here] and not eat ANY [particular item] until I lose my weight, and then when I'm done, I'll finally be able to have pizza as a reward!" Uh, no?

WW is a lifestyle change that didn't intimidate me. In fact, the only intimidating thing became how many Points I have to eat - sometimes I can't fit them all in in one day, it seems, yet I know I was easily eating TWICE as many Points values when I was scarfing nothing but junk food.

You can't get much better than a diet that requires you to make the choice between bulk (healthy food) and indulgence ("bad" food), making no one food forbidden - it's just going to cost you. With as much of a bargain hunter as I am with my money, I'm the same way with my Points; normally, I want as much bang-for-my-buck as possible when I spend Points on a meal.

Ten pounds later, I've made more progress with Flex than any other 'diet' I've ever tried, I feel healthier and more energetic, and I have NO guilt whatsoever. <3 Flex.

Hi everyone,

Yep, I agree - Flex is so doable, for anyone. :yes:

NSV - I sent home food from my party with the guests. Let them worry with it, right? LOL! One of them took the dessert that was left, for her brother. She says he has a sweet treat and a glass of milk every night before bed. Better him than me, I say. :)

Here in southern Indiana, I'm snowed in, with some big drifts, in the boonies where I live. The snowplow will be by later today, though. It's so windy out that I can't go play in the snow. Boohoo.

Have a good one!

Just back from vacation and trying to get caught up!

Shay, thank you for the links! As soon as I get home I'm going to see about putting the info on my ipod!

Miss Alex, sometimes is does feel as though you have so many points to spend, but use this time when you have lots of points to learn and to adapt to your new lifestyle. Notice I said lifestyle, not diet! As you lose and your points decrease you will naturally gravitate towards the healthier choices as they are lower in points. A splurge now and then (within points, of course) is fine, but part of the process is learning to eat better, so for me the option of being able to eat fast food daily would be self sabotage. I just don't allow myself to do it! Good luck with your choices and your new lifestyle!

Drinking water really makes a difference for me, you have to be careful not to drink a bunch right before weigh-in though. "A pint's a pound the world around" I did that once and was crushed that I was so good and gained, my leader told me what should have been obvious maybe, but I needed somebody to tell me.

Also, you might want to look at how much processed food you're eating and the sodium. Sometimes, convenient foods are loaded with sodium and make you retain water.

Finally, make sure when you are figuring your points that you are paying attention to serving sizes and the number of servings per container, like some sports drinks are 2.5 servings per bottle.

Ok, so that wasn't the final, I also forgot, muscle weighs more than fat but takes up less space, so check your measurements, I believe it's Dr. Oz that says you should go by your waist measurement rather than the scale. I have used my measurements for NSVs (non scale victories) many times when the scale wasn't budging.

Best of luck! p.s. I use flex and core, when I need to be reigned in it's flex, but I like the learning my limits and getting in tune with my body and hunger and such aspects of core.

That's it!! :D

I am just hopping on to this board. I am glad to see so many positive posts. I just cancelled my WW online acount. I got tired off the negativity on the boards and the way people who had been around for awhile talked down to the new people.

I am going to try and start going to meetings this week. I find it hard for me to get to the same meeting every week.

I did WW before I had my son and lost 45 lbs. After I had my son I got within 7 lbs of goal weight but then we moved and it has just slowly crept on over the last few years. I am tired of it.

I can't "weight" to take this journey with you.

Hi there I am from Canada and also cancelled my online account and joined meetings instead. I found that I need the human contact once a week and need to put faces on people, I love the boards but I never know how genuine people are. I like the face to face thing....but what I like about the boards is that I can vent my feelings....kind of theraputic.....I hope that going to meetings and making new friends here helps me to accomplish my dream of health....

I think this thread, and the WW board here in general, are so positive and very friendly, too. I always feel more enthused about watching my portions, etc., when I've checked in here. Right now, I'm facing challenges, as I know you all are, with Christmas parties and celebrations galore! What I try to keep in mind is to not give up what I want most,(healthy weight loss) for what sounds good at the moment (fudge, etc.).

Are you all done with your Christmas shopping? The only thing I have left to buy is a few more things for DHs stocking, but I have a couple of ideas.

Have a good, OP day!

This is ALL too true. I know you're not technically "supposed" to, but for a little while, I got in the habit of seeing how certain foods affected me by jumping on the scale a little while after I ate to see any fluctuations in weight, and some of my most shocking sudden "gains" occurred after a heavy sodium meal. Since then, I've tried to go easy on the sodium, and if I can't avoid it, drink lots and lots of water thereafter to dilute and flush it out.

Good morning, everyone! Sounds like you all are doing fantastic! I wanted to share with all of you that I just cancelled my Monthly Pass......drumroll please....because I WILL get my Lifetime status on Saturday!!! YIPPEE!!! I had an off-plan weekend in Branson this past weekend, but I know that I didn't splurge enough to be over my goal weight as I was 6 pounds below it before we left for vacation. Meetings will now be free for me FOREVER, because there's no way I'm putting this weight back on! Have a good day, all!

CONGRATULATIONS KELLY!!! That is very exciting and motivating for the rest of us. You did awesome.

I am definately struggling. I start out with good resolve and then I get to work and it flies out the window. I am a teacher so I am about to go on break, so I am going to use the two weeks to build up my resolve.

Does anyone watch Biggest Loser? The amount of weight lost was amazing. I am sad that a girl didn't win.

Jasmine

I switched to Flex 2 weeks ago and have been doing well. In 27 weeks, I am down 54.5 lbs. as of Tuesday's weigh in. I've been rotating Plans starting with an old exchange Plan called freedom Plan June 12th for 4 weeks then went Core.

I decided to try Core again as of Tuesday's weigh in. I decided also to track points after a day's eating. Tuesday I was ok... I have 30 points/day and add 5 wpa's to use it or lose it. Kind of strict I know but very effective lol.
Tuesday I ate 34 points. Wed. uh oh, 39 points. That won't do at all. Decided I am following Core to a "T" but I realized that my popcorn snack last night put me over if I was doing Flex. I need to just do Flex with 30 today to offset the 4 I shouldn't have used. I know Core doesn't count points but I think I will do a switcheroo and stick with Flex. My conscience is a peculiar thing. If I get that "uh oh" moment, I listen to it.

Anyways, I'm realizing what you had said about food quantity and overeating. The numbers don't lie. I guess what happens is you do whatever it takes to move the scale down and where you feel confident that you're in control and can navigate your way down the scale numbers.

One more thing to add.... the biggest losers I have met online were on Flex. I have received quite a few Flex Plan members' emails that have told me to look at Flex again and realize that if my potential is to put a lot of food away in my stomach. I need to realize accountability because sooner or later my tendency to overeat is going to surface again with Core. That last email was a doozy. She totally disagreed with me NOT counting points and said that I am going to stall out first and then start to gain weight back... ugh! I really needed to know that by a lady who lost 150 lbs. and is down to goal weight . That email was was :grouphug::thanks::goodscale:dust:everything I needed to know. It scared me silly!
I'm back tracking points today so hi to all today!

I have 80 1/2 lbs. to go. I am looking to get those pounds off all of next year! I'd love to see all or most of them off January, 2009!

Congratulations, Kelly! What a fantastic victory!

WooHoo Kelly! :carrot: What an accomplishment, especially right here at holiday time. You're a true inspiration.

Congrats, also, to each of you that are doing so well. :cp:

I had dinner out with my sisters, and over-indulged. Plus, I ate too much last week, at a dinner party here at my own house. I must reign myself back in or I'll be so sorry after Christmas!