Hello, I'm writing a magazine story about tweaks women can make so that Points Plus is a more effective weight loss plan. Would any of you like to share how you've learned to make Points Plus work for you? Thanks so much! Michelle

Michelle, I moved your post into a new thread and hope you get the response you are looking for. Good luck!

Just off the top of my head - I count one point for each fruit serving after the first five. I don't count add vegetables when I use recipe builder. I am for 10 minute increments of exercise, usually rounding up. For instance, instead of 47 minutes of moderatve activity to earn four points, I go for fifty minutes.

Let us know when your article runs

I follow the plan as written - I don't tweak anything. I eat every single daily, weekly and activity point I get and I weigh and measure everything. That's it.

I don't use my activity points, my bonus points (unless absolutely necessary), and I count fruit as 1 point after the first few servings. I only force myself to do this though if I feel like I'm going to overeat fruit. Sometimes, I'll count a point if I eat a super starchy fruit or fruits with less nutritional value per calorie. I also don't focus on making points every day. Right now I have 34 points. If I only eat 26 points, so be it. I wasn't hungry. If I eat 36 and tap in to my weekly points (which rarely happens), so be it. I was hungry.

This journey to be healthy and at a healthy weight is such a personel affair. Every individual has a story to tell and every individual has/had to find the path that works for them. I am sure you will find that the paths will cross but the goal is the same.. to be comfortable in your own skin at a healthy weight, feel good about themselves and always enjoy life!

Thanks for all of the tips and comments! I was also wondering if any of you use the following strategies:

1. Drink lots of water/green tea
2. Moderate your exercise--I've heard different things from women. Some thrive on strenuous workouts, but others find that they don't get a fabulous weight loss return when they work out really hard. Does anyone do something like walking and find that actually is better for weight loss than more intense exercise?
3. Does anyone use hot sauce/spices to get lots of flavor for no points?
4. Do any of your take supplements, like fish oil or cinnamon or anything else that you feel helps with weight loss?
Thanks again!

I do tend to drink a lot of both water and unsweetened green tea. I drink lots of other teas as well.

I can lose weight either way, but I generally have to work out to see significant losses. I try to stay active though by having an active job and working out on days off.

I LOVE buffalo sauce. So delicious. Definitely adds flavor to a boring old chicken breast. I like to use other marinades and light sauces as well.

I don't take any supplements other than a multivitamin. The only thing you might consider a supplement is yerba mate tea, which I will drink from time to time. It is known as an appetite suppressant, and I find that it does work for me.

^This

1. Drink lots of water/green tea Yes
2. Moderate your exercise--I've heard different things from women. Some thrive on strenuous workouts, but others find that they don't get a fabulous weight loss return when they work out really hard. Does anyone do something like walking and find that actually is better for weight loss than more intense exercise? I run 2-3 miles 3 days a week so I follow the exercise 3 days a week idea, and don't exercise the other days. Works for me.
3. Does anyone use hot sauce/spices to get lots of flavor for no points? No, don't care for hot sauce and don't cook with many spices.
4. Do any of your take supplements, like fish oil or cinnamon or anything else that you feel helps with weight loss? No

Thanks again to all for their input! Driven By Ambition, would you be available for a brief phone interview? If so, just let me know how to contact you. Thanks!