[chickybird]

Hey chickies,
I lost 40 pounds on WW last year and hit my target, but I got lazy and gained most of it back. I'm too embarrassed as of yet to go back to the meetings, until I lose a little weight. I'd love to use 3FC as my support system until I get a little more...little. I remember how supportive everyone was last time. It's good to be back!!
The main problem I have right now is craving candy--but I'm allergic to artificial sweeteners, so that means no WW candy, sugar free stuff, diet soda, etc. Any sweet snack tips?

[audreymonroe]

I understand how it can be to yoyo, and I'm sure you will find the support you need here. I have a couple of "sweet" tips for you. One thing I like to have in place of candy is, get ready for it, prunes! Sunsweet Ones are great, but Sunsweet also makes packs of three - they are only 60 cals for a pack, and are good for your digestion. A big favorite of many on this site is Fiber One bars. They are 140-150 cals, depending on the kind you get, and they have 35% of the fiber you need in a day, and you can pretend it's a candy bar! Fresh melon or strawberries usually gets me through a craving, or a (tiny) bit of dark chocolate (for the antioxidants ya know!) I hope those help, and I wish you on your weight loss journey!

[Lovely]

Hi Chickybird!!!



You lost the weight once, you can do it again! I would say don't hesitate to get back to the meetings. They're there as a resource. There's a woman who just joined a meeting I attend who had been at goal many years ago, and wants to get back. She adds a lot to the meetings with advice about what she did and what not to do. It's nice to have her there inspiring us all!

Seems like you might have to really focus on portion control when it comes to sweet snacks then since you're allergic to artificial sweeteners. However, things like honey, or agave sweetener are from nature and can be added to an english muffin or a mini bagel for something yummy & sweet!

Stick around Best of success!!!

[kelijpa]

Chicky Don't be embarassed about gaining weight back, you are definitely not alone. I was at goal 15 years ago and back and forth many times since. I can tell you for sure, when I didn't go to meetings I gained weight. The problem is, when we get to goal we think we're invincible, we'll never gain weight again, and then start paying less and less attention to how much is in a portion. Also, if it was a "diet" when you get to goal you "go off" and then gain it back. It has to be a lifestyle change.

As for your sugar-jones, you might have to go cold-turkey for a couple days to break that circle. Those quick burning (turn right into sugar in your bloodstream) carbs make you crave more of the same, one day might even do it. If you can't do that, try eating more fruit, oranges are usually pretty sweet, canned pineapple in it's own juice, all-fruit spreads instead of jelly/jam are usually sweetened with grape juice. You might like a chocolate rice cake with strawberry all fruit spread. An old time WW snack was frozen grapes. Also, they would tell you to take a teaspoon of chocolate syrup and dip a banana in it, the key to that is measuring out the syrup, so you don't eat too much of it.

You might even find something in the organic section of your grocery that will help you.

It's been my experience, when you stay away from the sugary snacks other things start to taste better and sweeter. Best of luck and welcome, there's lots and lots of support here, you've come across a great forum.

[chickybird]

Thanks for the tips guys! I also found a recipe for fiber one cookies--1 point a cookie. All you need is fiber one cereal, semisweet chocolate chips and vanilla. Very satisfying I'm bringing some to my family Easter dinner tomorrow.
Thanks!

[Institches21]

chickybird, Welcome back, and don't be shy about getting back into attending meetings, they are so helpful, and you will only feel odd for those first few seconds, and then it might feel like you never left. You might even find that bit of motivation that you need to get back into the swing of things.
Good Luck!

[suitejudyblueeyes]

Just wanted to say hi and welcome! I'm with the ladies above, don't hesitate to go back to meetings. There's no reason to be embarassed about gaining weight back -- the people at your meetings totally understand. And you never know, your being there may just help someone who's been gaining and is thinking about leaving the meetings -- you never know what kind of effect your presence will have there.

Hope to see you around the forums