Maggie-You are doing a fabulous job. Don't knock three days, for me three days is a great thing!!
I agree, food is an addiction. But unlike other addictions you can't live without food. You can live without gambling, alcohol and drungs, but not food. Most people do need support. It can come in a lot of forms, here, WW meetings, family. I lost around 25-30 pounds doing WW on my own. I just couldn't keep it off. It's not so much that the WW online stuff was bad. But I have mastercook (replaces the recipe builder), I have fitday I could journal there. I have access to thousands of recipes online. I have all the WW books. If one did not have all those resources then WW online would be fabulous I think. I need teh meeting for a break from this house. I stare at the same four walls all day everyday and all night too. I need to do something for myself. I need to give myself permission to spend money, b/c I don't earn a salary anymore it's really hard to spend money on myself. I'm not weak I'm doing what I need to do to get what I want. What I want is important, I have finally learned that.
Your job posses some serious challenges. But here's the thing if you conquer it once it will get easier. This trip focus on you and how important you are.
First, pack single servings of good for you non perishable snacks. Single servings will help you from not say eating a whole sleeve of wheat crackers. Speak up for yourself while dining out. Ask for dressing on the side, entres that are grilled or broiled, veggies steamed. Skip the bread and potatoe and ask for double veggies. Split a dessert of skip it. Avoid appetizers (or choose stuff liek unbreaded shrimp), the bread basket, and those unhealthy trays of cookies, doughnuts, danishes. Try to bring with you something you can have for breakfast, so you don't show up starved. A cereal bar is far better than a danish. Order wine spritzers, not sure if they are anygood but they have half the points as a regular glass of wine. That's a trick our leader suggested several times.
Find an achor. These help me. Put something in your pocket our leader gives us pebbles. She calls them stepping stones. She tells the little story about trying to cross a brook. If you try to run across the stones you will get wet and fall, but if you take small steps, taking your time you will make it and not be as likeley to fall. So the pebble reminds us of the story,a nd our goals. I keep stuff on my fridge, pictures on my computer desktop ( a plce where I used to eat alot). Or choose a peice of jewlery wear it to remind yourself of what you want, you don't have to buy a new one just look through what you have. I like a braclet on my right wrist b/c that's the hand I eat with. I also have a charm necklace with charms on it I have gotten myself as rewards or reminders. DS broke my chain though so I can't wear it right now.
But don't forget it's ok to indulge. Just keep it under control, and WRITE it down!!!! Tracking is a pain but be honest and right it all down. It's easier to come to terms with results and to understand them whne you see the eating in writing. Look through your books. Think about what they usually serve and write it down, look up the points. That way you are armed before you go. If you know where you will be dining out perhaps you can plan before you even leave what you'd like to eat. Plan ahead and you'll do great!!!! And if you do slip, it's OK. You can get back up and try again, just don't quit!
As far as your question about being over and then under I usually check off the flex points. Then later in the week (usually the weekend) if I find I am gonna need them I say "eh it all comes out in the wash" LOL and I use them. Probably not the best technique. Same deal with AP I don't often eat them that day but if I am a point or two short at the end of the week figures it's all good. It's only a point or two not 10 LOL.
Hope this helps a bit