My mom is in WW and was visiting me this weekend. I understand the points concept somewhat, but was wondering if ww would advocate he eating in the following manner:

breakfast - 1/2 grapefruit (1)
lunch - small green salad (1)
snack - 1/2 apple (1)
dinner - the remainder of her 24 points (actually since she had large dessert 2 nights in a row she felt she was over and intnds to fast all day today)

she ate this way all weekend, I realize t-day messes things up, but she says she never eats before 10am and always saves most of her points for dinner.

This doesnt seem healthy to me, but I dont know if that kind of thing is discussed in meetings (eating breakfast, small even meals, etc.)

that doesn't sound too healthy actually. I mean, I like to save a chunk of points for the evening, but I make sure I eat a substantial breakfast everyday. I think it helps your metabolism eating smaller meals often. Also, how the **** is 1/2 a grapefruit going to fuel your day?

How long has your mom been doing WW? Because in my meetings, we seem to have healthier, more realistic meal plans.

Actually she isn't doing her metbolism any favors by eating that way.

She needs to eat something within about 45-60 minutes of waking so start her metoblism burning for the day. Additionally fasting usually backfires on the person. They tend to be starving the next day and tend to binge.

She should have breakfast (even just a couple of points worth), lunch, dinner and snacks thoughout the day. She needs to plan her meals and thus she wouldn't need the majority of points for dinner.

Like I said not eating through the day is one of the major causes to being over weight.

Yeah thats what I think too, I was just wondering if she was picking up this crazy way of eating through WW (which I doubt, their reputation is too good) and if going to meetings this kind of thing was discussed. (I'm just her daughter, I cant tell her anything because how would I know... )

Do you talk about what you ate at meetings or is there just general discussion? Its likely no one at ww knows that is what she is doing. Is there any hope that at meetings she will learn to do better?

She actually has been going to WW on and off for years but just restarted again.

Hmm, I liked what you said about your mom not listening to you because you're her kid...sounds familiar.
At meetings no one is required to share what they ate. Hopefully your mom is recording what she's eatingin her QuikTrack Diary. I'm the laziest person alive when it comes to writing down what I eat, but I still fit it in. Maybe if she complains she's not losing weight (which will happen if she's fasting, since your body holds onto all the calories it cans when you are starving) you can suggest that she show her book to her WW leader for advice.
I feel for you! My mom is doing WW too, but she admits I'm taking it more seriously than she is.

I think, judging from watching my mom's dieting behavior over the years, she doesnt trust her ability to say no to any food, so she eats as little as possible under her own steam so that if food is presented to her, she can just binge. Its not healthy at all.

Actually W/W has a breakdown called the Points Pies (I'll post it) and in the booklets it does help you understand about eating.

Points Pies

Balanced (under 250 pounds)

Complex Carbs/Grain Based Foods – 8-9 points a day
Protein-rich Foods – 6-7 points a day
Fruits and Veggies – 0-3 points a day
Fats, added sugars – 2-3 points a day
Milk and Milk Products – 4-6 points a day

20-28 points a day

Higher Protein (under 250 pounds)

Complex Carbs/Grain Based Foods – 5-6 points a day
Protein-rich Foods – 9-11 points a day
Fruits and Veggies – 0-1 points a day
Fats, added sugars – 2-4 points a day
Milk and Milk Products – 4-6 points a day

20-28 points a day

Higher Carb (under 250 pounds)

Complex Carbs/Grain Based Foods – 9-10 points a day
Protein-rich Foods – 5-7 points a day
Fruits and Veggies – 1-3 points a day
Fats, added sugars – 1-2 points a day
Milk and Milk Products – 4-6 points a day

20-28 points a day

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Balanced (over 250 pounds)

Complex Carbs/Grain Based Foods – 11 points a day
Protein-rich Foods – 10 points a day
Fruits and Veggies – 3-4 points a day
Fats, added sugars – 2-3 points a day
Milk and Milk Products – 4-6 points a day

30-34 points a day

Higher Protein (over 250 pounds)

Complex Carbs/Grain Based Foods – 8 points a day
Protein-rich Foods – 12 points a day
Fruits and Veggies – 2-3 points a day
Fats, added sugars – 4-5 points a day
Milk and Milk Products – 4-6 points a day

30-34 points a day

Higher Carb (over 250 pounds)

Complex Carbs/Grain Based Foods – 13 points a day
Protein-rich Foods – 8 points a day
Fruits and Veggies – 2-4 points a day
Fats, added sugars – 3 points a day
Milk and Milk Products – 4-6 points a day

30-34 points a day

I too have a question...

How do they determine how many points you can have in a day?

So basically the points are determined based on your current weight? Or is it the amount of weight you need to lose? and the various ways you can eat to get the points?

Sorry for all the questions but the idea of points fascinates me...i've never been one who could "count calories" all that easily so I was hoping that point counting might be more my thing.

Okay....I have another question for you guys. I had bought a points book through a used book store, but have misplaced it. Is there a place online or wherever where you can find the points values for basic foods? You know like a chicken breast and so forth? Or do I have to use a calorie counter book and a calculator? LOL

minx

Points for a person each day you have realized is based on their current weight.

As for an online section yes there is it is www.weightwatchers.com they have an online program that you can purchase.

Technically it is illegal to sell the materials second hand but people do it all the time on ebay. It is all illegal for anyone to give the info but there is a points formula that is public knowledge from W/W patent on the US patient site:

POINTS = (calories/50) + (fat grams/12) - (fiber grams<capped at 4 grams>/5)