Hello! I've introduced myself on the bio thread but this is my first real post.

Well, I went in for my PSV today and got the LA Lites sales pitch. (Down 2.2 lbs so far, BTW) I was all prepared to say that I could not afford the bars and that I wanted to do the diet without them. BUT, the rep I got today was really nice and not all that pushy. She stressed that the bars were optional, but having tried to do the program herself without the bars and by even trying other bars out there, she found that she lost more weight and cheated less when she was using them. I'm sure a lot of what she said was still sales pitch, but she did seem genuine. She showed me the highest bulking option, of course, but she spent the most time showing me lower bulking options and how to make them more affordable (i.e. using CARE credit to stretch the cost over 3 months, and then transferring to my own credit card for a 4th month if need be). The problem is that I do like the bars, and I have a serious sweet tooth. Before I joined LAWL last week, my normal afternoon routine was to go the vending machine and grab a candy bar and often a REGULAR soda. The bars have nixed that craving. I so don't want to fail on this diet! I know that no one can make the decision on whether or not to use the bars except for me, but I'd love to have some support and/or advice on this issue.

Thanks!!

I'd say for you, do the lites because I have a serious sweet tooth too and even though they are expensive, they keep me OP.

You will find different opinions here I am sure because a lot of people here substitute the lites with Luna bars or they are successful without them.

Stick with what works for you and will make the program successful for you. Good luck and good job for being down 2.2 lbs. so far!

I think the bars taste great and they had helped with cravings. I can't eat them now because of my braces (even though the COD told me different). Plus they have high fructose corn syrup in them which I'm trying to eliminate from my diet.
But...with that being said, I bought the bars in bulk and it made it easy to just pick up a box or 2 at WI. You'll save money if you buy an alternative bar at the store, but then you have to go purchase them every week or so.
I'd say if you can afford them and want to keep it simple, go for it...hope that helped.

I do not use the bars, and I have done great without them!

Katie, you really have! I love looking at your pics for inspiration

I DID do the big bulk purchase of lites, and I'm not one bit sorry. I like the majority of them, and the convenience of not having to go buy more and always having a ton on hand at home makes it worth it to me. Then again, I'm the kind of person who does something all-or-nothing, so it made sense for me.

It's really a personal decision...you'll find someone here from every level when it comes to the lites.

I told them I was soy intolerant so I am now ineligible to buy the bars (and most of their other supplements). So, I couldn't buy them if I wanted. I figure if my sweet tooth rears its ugly head, I'll try a Luna bar.

I've found that if I get enough fiber in my diet though, I usually don't have too many cravings. We'll see how that works on this plan for me.

I wasn't going to do the bars, and then I decided that I would try them for three months. I like them. I like the little treat. Yes, you can lose without them (Look at Katie and Evette's ticker for great examples of that), but if you like them and can budget for them, I think they are great. I don't know the stats on our board, but I think more than half of us use bars.

By the way... you can always change your mind. You can always add them later, or stop doing them. It's not written in stone.

As long as you don't take the bars out of the COD (they will show them in your file as pre-paid so you don't have to take home cases all at once), they should be refundable if you purchase the bulk plan. I didn't purchase the bulk plan, but purchase them at like 20 boxes of 14 bars each for $180 or something like that.

My advice is to go with your gut. Do what you want to do, and know that you can always change your mind.

The lites have really helped me. They really have helped me from cheating and take care of the sweet cravings. I have been on LAWL for 25 weeks now and have not been off plan not once.
When buying the lites I just figured that I was buying a Venti mocha from starbucks 3 times a week.. that is $15 a week on Mochas. I did the math and the bars were cheaper then my mochas! funny eh! and I get two a day And that does not add in all the junk food and and fast food I have not been eating

I just made a speech about bars in a different thread, but one thing I want to add is this. You can buy a small amount and add more later if you like. I bought 8 weeks supply at my PSV visit. If you choose to buy a smaller amount like that, you will not get as great of a discount, but they do go on sale, and if you have to pay interest on your credit card, the discount doesn't really apply anymore Which ever you choose, you are going to do GREAT!!!!

Thanks for all the advice. I really do appreciate it. BTW, I did buy a box today to get me through the weekend, so that I will have time to discuss this all with my DH. In addition to my bulk package prices, I was also given the discount schedule for buying multiple boxes (i.e. 1-9 full price, 10-19 5% off, 20-39 20% off, etc.)

I'm SO glad I found this board! Right after I joined, I was regretting my decision because of all the negative opinions about the program out there. Reading your posts really helped motivate me to not give up before I even started.

Candice - That's a great way to compare the bars. I never thought of that. Considering that I used to grab breakfast (a sandwich and chips) on the way in to work every morning, that's $25-$35/week right there. My bar price is $20/week. I'm already saving money!

I don't think I could do it without my caramel bars!!

Well, my body may have made the choice for me. :-( I have psoriasis, and when I got out of the shower this morning, my DH noticed that I was dotted ALL over my back with new patches. I know that some foods cause flare ups, and the lites are the only NEW things I've been eating. I guess it will be an all food plan for me on Monday.

I'm with you Candace. I so look forward to my Caramel Deluxe bars every day! I find them really satisfying and they give me that sweet treat so I don't feel deprived.