THEN
wo years ago I joined WW online but I did the Flex Plan following the Wendie Plan so I could go to our favorite buffet restaurant. I really did it dumb then. It was like the first time you get your own checking account. I would use my points on regular soda etc. I didn't feel very healthy and I probably wasn't. I did lose weight but it didn't stay off.
NOW: I got all of my old materials and THIS TIME I decided that I was going to do this in a smart way. Since I had followed the WW Flex Plan before I gave up caffeine and found that one change lowered my blood pressure dramatically. This past summer I found a great diet rootbeer that used Splenda and I began having that instead of desserts. I gave up eating second helping at the beginning of September and lost 9 lbs in two weeks!
THAT is when I decided to really follow the Plan as it is written. During those two years I began going back to cooking from scratch and I found that I was also eating healthier as a result. I began doing it for economic reasons and then found out that I prefered doing it.
I have since lost another 7 lbs since mid-September. I have another 135 lbs to go. I have also been moderately active since then as well. I walk on my treadmill 30 mins 5x a week, lift free weights and do abs and lower body work. This past weekend I added Pilates and a dancing dvd for fun. I have more energy than I can remember in decades!
NOW, I am more responsible with my points. I do like having the flexibility but it really is a "on your honor" system. You have to be honest with yourself so I keep track of every thing I put in my mouth. Check out the lists of low point snacks including candy and chocolate! I think this is a plan that I can work the rest of my life. I am eating healthy with a smidgen of "junk". I don't eat at fast foods because after you start eating "real" food you will go away feeling hungry and not satisfied. Try it and you will see! We do still go to that buffet restaurant once a week but with the Wendie Plan I make that my Super High Day and then I can eat some of my old favorites along with some new ones. It also feels more special when I only do it once a week.
If you are willing to try the healthy guidelines then you can build and customize your own daily food plan so it becomes You and Yours Alone. That is the beauty of it. I think it is an ingenious way to lose weight. I don't buy frozen foods other than a few items. I never did so I wouldn't have bought tv dinners any way. I like having leftovers. It is a bit of a challenge to figure out points for home made food but nothing tastes better IMO.
Good luck!!