Ok i started losing weight with weight watchers. But i've realized that counting points is starting to get on my nerves. I really wanna do this with out counting points and staying on the path I'm on with weight watchers as far as smaller portions and everything in moderation but i'm kinda nervous. Whose NOT using weight watchers or anything like that and how is it working for you?

I'm mean..i'm not going to count points for the rest of my life right?!? So shouldn't i be able to lose weight with out counting points now?

I just do south beach diet- at first I used to track everything more carefully- but now I've got a pretty good idea of what I can and can't eat- I still will track a day or two here and there to make sure I'm not off course though. But I'd say for at least 6 months I tracked every single day. It was hard but at least for a while you'll have to track an be aware of what you are eating- regardless of the diet.

I'm with Beerab. I do South Beach as well, although I don't follow it to the T so I'm going to start counting calories along WITH SB. I just need to monitor what I'm taking in and what I'm not taking in a little more closely.

A lot of people get fed up with WW because you have to do more than just count calories. I would say if you're tired of that then you need to strictly count your calories, but it's a lifestyle change.

Whatever you start doing now is what you need to do for the rest of your life in order to keep the weight off.

Most people start a "diet," lose the weight and end up putting more back on because they stopped doing what they had been following. You aren't going to magically lose weight and keep it off by not monitoring what you're eating.... that's something to think about.

I did WW awhile back and it did NOT work for me - I always felt like the points were needlessly complicated and it was frustrating that I never knew exactly what I was consuming. I switched to calorie counting when I started trying to lose weight again last June and that made a huge difference. I tracked really closely for a few months and now I have a good enough grasp of what the calorie counts for certain foods are and how many calories I should consume in a day that I don't have to do any kind of tracking on a daily basis, unless I feel like I'm getting off track. Definitely something I can stick with for life.

Yes and no. If you are intent on keeping the weight off, there will be some counting involved for the rest of your life. As they say, "it's hard to be fat. It's hard to lose weight. It's hard to keep it off. Pick your hard". WW works for a lot of people because they can implement some sort of portion control while not counting every calorie. It sort of simplifies the process.

With that said, I am not a counter. I eat as many veggies as possible. I watch my carbs (including bread, rice, etc...) because I've found that to be a major stall for me. I watch my portions. I eat very mindfully. I started off reading every label I could get my hands on and now I have a pretty good idea how many calories are in a dish I'm eating. It's sort of an evolutionary process, so if weight watchers isn't working for you NOW, then something else might be better suited- South Beach, Ideal Protein, whatever. Just know that this is a life change and while motivation and willpower aren't always easy to come by, you will hopefully find a plan that can teach you something and evolve with you.

counting points is just a simplified way of counting cals. either way you need to track what you are eating, after a while you begin to know what is what. Once in a while you may need to go back and start counting again to keep your self honest

I am a calorie counter, too . I find it works best for me, and yes, I plan on doinig it for the rest of my life......or at least as long as I want to maintain my weight loss which happens to be the rest of my life.
There are many choices for dieting. South Beach, Atkins, WW, NutriSystem, and other food delivery services and many other choices. The best thing to do is pick what works for you, or to put it another way the one that you will do.

I did WW, and didn't mind the points calculations (didn't hurt that there's an iPhone app) but it just stopped working for me, so I switched the calorie counting. Its been slow going, but its easy for me to incorporate into my every day life. I'm pretty sure I'll be doing this for the rest of my life, and its fairly manageable to me, but I agree with what others have said that you need to pick something that's going to work for YOU for the rest of your life.

Hmm...sounds like everyone is calorie counting. I guess i'll try that. That'll probably be easier then trying to find the points of every little thing you eat. Becomes a pain after while

1 point = 50 calories. They are pretty similar in process. Granted depending on the fiber and fat counts that could affect it, but really points are the same as calories. (IMO)

I have done WW millions of times and seem to always go back to it. In fact I am going to rejoin this week for the 50 lb+ group. I find that an actual group setting helps me. Not fond of having to weigh in on the scale, but I will. If that doesn't work I think I might check out a TOPS meeting. I need to in-person support. These boards help greatly but having that support in person helps me the most. Good luck!

I don't count my calories specificly, however I am AWARE of them. I know I need to only eat 1800 cals a day or less to lose weight. I break it up roughly in my head 3 meals between 400-500 cals, and 2 snacks (If I need them, I'm not really a snacker) at 100-200 cals. So when I look at something I'm eating, I'm aware of what I can *afford* but I'm not writing everything down and weighing every little thing. Some people have to do that, though. I bet if I were better about that sort of thing, I'd be losing quicker, but I'd also hate it. Gotta do what works for you or you'll get fed up and quit.

I started with WW and it did work for me. I now do CC, but only b/c I didn't want to pay $$ to lose weight. I know that I will have to do some sort of counting for the rest of my life if I don't want to go back to being overweight. I know that as soon as I stop tracking, measuring, etc the portion sizes balloon up little by little. Let's face it, elephants only eat grass and they weigh tons. Just eating "healthy" foods doesn't work for me. Watching my portions and doing some type of tracking does.

I'm a calorie counter.

But, I do like SlimFast shakes. I'll have one to replace either breakfast or lunch, but apart from that, its just calorie counting and gym.

I was a slim-fast user until i felt i didn't want to do it anymore, or needed it anymore. then i went to calorie counting and after maybe a month or two of that i felt like i knew what was the right amount and the right things to eat so i stopped counting. like someone else said though i am aware of the calories. i check the calories on foods im buying, but throughout a day i don't count calories.

i make sure to have at least one vegetable and fruit at every meal. or two fruits at breakfast and two veggies at lunch etc etc. but switching to a diet based off fruits and vegetables instead of meat and processed food really improved my health A LOT.