Hi WWers,

I'm a way back 3FC-er from around 1998 or 1999. That's when I was successful with WW, losing about 27 lbs. I'm so grateful to this support network for being there when I needed it then. And I really need it now.

Unfortunately I have gained back those pounds in the last couple of years, mostly by not being vigilant. I never thought I would be in this position again, but I am, and it's so much harder this time around. At the same weight I'm actually bigger (that "muscle takes up less space than fat" adage is completely true), and clearly my metabolism has slowed to a creep now that I'm in my mid-30s

The points range is not working for me. I can lose weight at 20 points/week, but going higher than that leads to a gain. See my stats below. The week I lost weight I was so cranky and hungry that I decided to go ahead and use more points, but a gain ensued again.

BTW, I also track my calories using Fitday because I don't subscribe to WW online and that program lets me enter custom foods so I can journal online. So here's the breakdown:

Week 1 (stayed the same)
Avg. Cals/points= 1350/25
Week 2 (gained 1)
Avg. Cals/points= 1245/23
Week 3 (lost 2)
Avg. Cals/points= 1019/20
Week 4 (gained .5)
Avg. Cals/points= 1223/23

I'm exercising, drinking water, limiting sweets, avoiding all the holiday junk at work.

I am so frustrated. I have hardly any clothes that fit and I feel like all the energy I'm putting forth is pointless because I'm basically staying in the same place every week! The 5 lbs. loss I show is partly from the immediate post-Thanksgiving recovery, which I suspect was water, salt, etc. I truly did nothing in those days to merit a loss. So now I'm working my butt off, obsessed with counting and tracking everything, spending at least 4 hours a day on various weight-loss pursuits. It's exhausting and I've got very little to show for it.

I'm not giving up hope, but I am really having a pity party tonight. I just need some support, and I feel that going to a meeting tomorrow will do the opposite of what I need. The leaders don't seem to know what to do with a chronic non-loser who is sticking to the plan!

Thanks for listening to my vent.
Lisa

have u had thyroid tests?

Well, using fitday while doing WW can be confusing. I did that and didn't have much success at all, if any. I stopped doing fitday and just tracked my points and I have had success since then. I am a WW online member. The tools there are awesome! You can put in your own foods to like fitday!! I think you might benefit from the tools there.

Also, the WW plan has changed since 98/99. I feel the tools on the WW site have been really helpful to me. If I could attend meetings I would do that as well. But there isn't a meeting near me. So I do strictly online and 3FC. I also journal on paper as well though. On the WW site you purchase items needed to do things at home. The site has really changed in the past several months! It is awesome. Check it out. You might do better if you used the WW tools either at the meetings or online.

I was an old member around then too! I even did a Chicago area meet up (we met up at Gurnee Mills Mall at the Rain Forest Cafe) years back. I weighed alot less then.

Personally I find getting serious about losing weight being my key to success. When I'm not ready yet, it fails. There are times too when weight is stubborn to move, but once it does, it really does. Obviously you know how to do it. Now just stick in there and it will move!

I wish my weight loss occurred in a logical and direct correlation to my efforts, but it doesn't. Just because I've had a total calorie deficit of 3500 cals does not necessarily mean I've lost one pound. It often makes no sense at all. I go up and down, stay steady and then lose three pounds for no good reason all at once.
However, all in all, I do lose weight if I keep my output higher than my input.
What exercise? Maybe it's time to change things up a bit. That could be the problem with yur food too. Maybe it's time to look at protein, carb and fat ratios.
Maybe we're both thinking too much and making this harder than it should be

Thanks all for the comments. I have had my thyroid checked and there is absolutely no problem there. I was sort of wishing there was, which is a horrible thing to say, but at least it would offer an explanation.

I didn't mention any exercise, but since I started trying to lose weight I have been riding my bike to work (5 miles total roundtrip) about 3 days a week. I walk 3 days a week at work (1 mile), and I have been doing weight training at home. I should have mentioned all of that. That is why I'm so annoyed. What's missing? I've got the food down, the water down, the exercise down.

I've been with this program for a month now, and I have lost 2 pounds. I guess an average of 1/2 pound per week isn't so awful, but I expect more, given the changes I've made.

As for the ratios, I track that very closely too, and I shoot for 33/33/33 fat, carbs, protein, but it usually ends up higher in favor of carbs, with 25-30% protein and 25-30% fat. If by midday I'm off, then I get back in balance with snacks and dinner.

I know it's counter-intuitive, but I decided to chuck it all yesterday (well, with food anyway) and I just ate a lot of stuff I haven't eaten in a while. We went to party and I had regular corn chips, 7 layer dip, queso, and a brownie. That's the first and only time in the last month that I have been "off-program." Watch me lose 3 pounds this week :-).

I'm back with it all today--no wine or champagne for New Year's planned, either.

So, happy new yeat, goodbye 2005, and hello to a new and better year!
Lisa

When I was on a diet after my second pregnacy (now I'm dieting after my 3rd), I learned that I could have a sinful meal in moderation every two weeks. This meant pizza, mexican food, etc. I didn't feel guilty because it was preplanned. Some people can do this weekly, others have to wait much longer. My point is once you get going, figure this out because it takes guilt out of those cheating days.