I'm trying to make the decision to join WW - don't know what else to do at this point. I have been overweight my entire life but up until 5 years ago, I weighed 165 and only wanted to lose 20#. But through use of birthcontrol pills and 2 recent pregnancies, I now weigh 247. I'm not very hopeful because even when I was lighter, I was never able to lose any weight-not even a pound. I was eating well and working out a lot, but could never make the scale budge. I joined La Weight loss last June and didn't lose anything. I had made the decision to have lap band surgery only to be told last week that there was pretty much no chance that my insurance would approve it because I had not been morbidly obese long enough and did not have enough health issues to warrant surgery. I was devastated. I have been walking around feeling dead inside and thought that surgery was the answer I had been looking for. I can't live like this anymore-I don't like to go places anymore and my fat clothes don't even fit and I don't have the money to go buy more. I have 100# to lose-I know it can be done but I don't have a lot of hope. Does anyone have some words of encouragement/advice?

join ww and do the program. talk to your doctor about thyroid testing--but above all don't give up! sometimes we stay fat for different reasons.

I have my thyroid tested twice a year as problems run in my family-it's always been "normal". Has anyone else had this problem of not being able to lose the weight and having it be something other than thyroid?

Sometimes what comes back as "normal" on thyroid really isn't. Get another opinion.

I agree - join Weight Watchers, follow the plan, and exercise - eventually your body will catch on and you will lose weight.

I want you to know there are many factors that could be coming into play here (based on my own experience).

What do you eat and how much? Are you weighing and measuring your food? Are you tracking every bite?

Are you eating foods that you are allergic to? I can't eat sugar or any flour at all. I have to watch my grain and dairy intake too.

How much water are you drinking? I drink over 100 ounces a day. Are you drinking diet sodas? I stopped them completely.

Are you eating crap but counting the points so you are "on program", or are you eating lots of lean meats, fish, veggies, fruit. That used to be me. No more!

Also, are you eating processed foods (even the WW Smart Ones and Lean Cuisines)? They have high sodium contents.

Are you sleeping enough? Are you varying your exercises? Are you doing cardio and strength training?

Are you like me, 48 and dealing with the "M" word? It takes me a long, long time to get rid of weight.

I was like you, got frustrated and gave up. I now weigh more than I ever did in my life. I am back on WW program, have been moving since day 1, going to weekly meetings and staying for the meetings. I am weighing, measuring, journaling, drinking a lot of water, eating right foods. I am in the middle of my 3rd week and I haven't lost yet. In fact, I gained a pound. I talked it over with my leader and she told me to just keep doing what I am doing because I am doing all the right things. Eventually my body is going to catch on too and I will begin the process of ridding myself of the fat.

I just have to keep on keeping on no matter what!

Jus t WEdnesday night at my WW meeting. A lady ( I would guess mid 40's) received her life time key. She told us that when she started WW she gained for the first three weeks. When she did start to lose, it was slow .5 to 1.5 lbs a week. She lost about 40lbs and went from a size 14 to a size 4. I can't not believe that 40 lbs made such a difference in her! I need to lose 136 lbs! I assumed noone would notice only 40 lbs, but it has made such a differnce on her, it is shocking and very motiviating. I have a hyper thyroid-so I should be dropping weight like crazy, but I have steadily gained. Our bodies are all different. Maybe your metabolism is so out of whack it will take time to retrain it. Look at it this way, go on program and start exercising. If you continue to stay the same weight, you will at least be getting in shape and getting the proper nutitrition.

I'm new to the forum also, but almost a 'regular' at joining, dropping out and rejoining WW. I've been a member again now for a week and a half and need to lose 125 lbs. I lost 6.6 lbs the first week and am working very hard at staying 'legal' (that's an old term from WW many year ago). I read somewhere recently that a year will pass whether you stay with it or not, but if you stay with it you will at least have eaten healthier and adopted a new lifestyle. I keep that thought before me and hope that I can stay motivated.

Good luck.