Hey guess I should clarify my earlier post. That was for the 4 week Express program. I haven't seen the new one that starts with week 5, but I am glad to see ketchup is back.

Kathryn

Oh & also Ttzu...

about weighing with the peel on (for bananas). We called our center and asked and that was what they told us. Of course, next time you call you can get a different answer!

While my center doesn't have the new plans yet, I have been asking about them. And I asked again today at WI. (I'm down 35 lbs. now BTW!!!) My counsellor told me that they don't kow everything yet but she did know that they are following the glycemic index now. I don't know much about that but I have heard of it. Specifically, she told me that things they had been "scared" of in the past, like carrots and bananas because of the high sugar content, have been found to actually aid in weight loss becuase your body doesn't break them down and process them as starch and sugar like they thought. They actually break them down as a whole, I guess, and it helps keep you full longer and more energized. Maybe that's part of the rationale for the bulk of the changes??

Dr. Rob Thompson has a great book on Glycemic load and how to calculate them.

I bought it and read it through.

The glycemic load diet is more of a diabetic type diet and low carb. It isn't as strict as Atkins and allows fruit, however they say you should eat it immediately following a meal to reduce the sugar shock to your body.

Diane

Yes - all fruit & veggie "sugars"/starches are actually "good" for you ones - they break down way different than complex carbs found in processed foods.

Mgresso - congrats on the loss so far !!! Excellent.

I am happy with LAWL and the plan I am on. I haven't tried the new one, but being a former Atkins dieter, the starches/carbs are something I really don't want to add more off. Its hard to change my frame of mind on that.

I do lose when I don't cheat on the Red 1 plan. I find it much easier and more doable than WW. Actually, I think for me, and I have tried just about everything out there, LAWL is by far the best.

I hope I can just stay on what I am on. They don't know of the new program in my area, so that is positive for now and if they give you the option to stay on the old, then I will probably take it..unless of course it quits working, etc.

They did change their name here and are introducing info about glycemic load..read that book and have it too.

Oh, well...gotta go with the flow I guess.

Diane

Oh yeah, and my center is changing it's name to Pure Weight Loss.

WOW! I’m a bit jealous. I’d kill to be able to have that many starches. But I’m having a hard time getting in all my food as it is (if you can believe it). Best of luck. I hope I get to keep this plan for a bit since I need to get used to it.

Someone may have already posted this information, but since I just met with my counselor last night and went over the new plan I thought I would share.

For folks who are joining for the first time, they are given a shorter list of foods at first. Their food lists do not include the foods that are categorized as "Consume Infrequently" in the new program. An example would be bagels, white english muffins, red meats, fattier fish, etc. These foods are added in later. My counselor suggested that for speedier results, I might want to stay away from the "consume infrequently" foods and put myself on the express version.

One thing I like is that they've given you a nutritional guide to help determine if frozen meals are suitable for the plan. I love this because there are some frozen meals I like that weren't listed on the plan before. So now I can determine for myself if they're allowable without having to ask.

As far as my plan (I was Gold with lites), I gained 1/2 protein, 1 starch and 1 dairy. I lost 1 fruit, but the fruit servings have changed somewhat (like a small banana is now 1 fruit, not 1/2 fruit). The emphasis of this program is on higher fiber foods and also more dairy. There has been quite a bit of research done on the merits of dairy and weight loss.

The one thing I haven't done in the past (but should have) is actually measure my vegetables. As an old WW, I viewed them as unlimited. Well, 3 cups of lettuce is now 1 vegetable. Last night I measured out 3 cups of lettuce and it was a ton of food!! When I poured it onto my plate it covered 3/4 of the plate. Who knew!! So, I'm vowing to really follow this to the letter (POP) and hope to see the scale moving down again. I continue to bounce up and down on a few pounds. (My fault entirely, I'm sure).

Hi everyone,
Well I got the new plan today. I am a little freaked out by the more starch and dairy. I don't do change well and was feeling quite comfortable with the old plan.(Been on it for 4 months) I am going to give it an honest effort and hope for the best. I am on plan 3 which is:
3P, 4V, 3F, 4S, 2D, 2F, and 2 lites.
I too would like to try to get the majority of the food in the first half of the day and still do a light dinner and not eat after 7 pm.
Deep breath, deep breath, deep breath

Oh my goodness...this is EXACTLY how I felt the other day! I have been on for 4 months too (started 4/1) and have been steadily losing between 2 - 3# a week. I had finally settled into a nice little routine getting everything in but still losing steadily - I have a hard time getting my starches & my dairy in; and that is EXACTLY what freaked me out about the new plan - 2 more starches??!! Another dairy??!!
I'm taking deep breaths with you!!!!!

The kicker is that things count differently. You can have 2 pieces of lite ww bread and it is one starch. So even after a sandwich you get 3 more starches.

Right...and for someone like me, who was really struggling to get those 2 pieces of light bread in (but was so excited to have them in & done with!) to think that I would technically have to eat 6 more slices of bread is a real downer.
However, someone did mention earlier that the thought is NOT to eat 8 pieces of bread, but rather to add some variety to your diet and eat some rice; eat some bread; eat a little potato or something like that (although on that note, I do have to say that I was shocked to see that white potato was NOT a limited starch; and yet the low fat graham crackers are limited).

I haven't been following this thread, but today decided to skim through it. This new plan has been in my center for about 4-5 months. We were the test center for it. They put me on Gold2 which is now called plan2. I am seeing a lot of discouraging remarks and some discouraged people. I would just like to tell you all a few things and hopefully you won't feel like I am stepping on some toes. First off, it does work!! Secondly, yes you may initially have a gain. Most people will stall or have a slight gain when they change programs. Third, give it a chance!!! Honestly try it with open arms for 2 weeks, if you don't see a drop or a change after that then talk to your counselors and explain this to them and keep explaining it to them until someone listens to you. I wouldn't suggest staying on the old program and fudging the books, it's not right to you or to the program. I had a 5 lb. gain when I started it, but I have been at this for A LONG time and knew that was going to happen with me. If you are having trouble getting all the foods in, then look in the recipe threads for some recipes to combine your portions. I have a pretty big recipe book compiled in a word document if you need ideas, PM me with your email addy and I will send it out to you.

It is a proven fact that weight loss is at least 80% mental. You need to have an open mind and a good attitude about it or it just isn't going to work. So put on your big girl panties, put a smile on your face, eat your food and lose that weight!!!! I really mean that in the nicest way possible.

Ohhh Deb I know you are soooo right but my brain still thinks it is so wrong! I'm having a hard time teaching that old dog that lies within me

Thank you for the kick,
KimS