[broke away]

Hi Ladies and Gentlemen!

I'm sure you get a bunch of these "I'm new" threads, sorry! Just wanted to say hello and introduce myself. I'm new to WW, but I've posted a bit on these forums...

My mother and I joined WW together. We're total opposites, so I assume it's going to be a struggle. When I start something, I jump in. Eat healthy, back to the gym... I dive in. I did it before WW (and lost about 90 pounds... gained half of it back when I changed jobs, moved to a new state, left my friends and family behind... my parents moved to be closer to me) but I'm excited to try something new and get back on track. My mother is the complete opposite. She's the type of person who's overweight, and maybe deep down it bothers her, but she doesn't let it show. She says she was like me when she was younger.... self conscious, uncomfortable, etc. It's been a bit of a struggle, I think she wants to lose weight, but not as much as I do or she lacks motivation. Which causes some turmoil.... BUT ANYWAYS.

It's been interesting trying to figure out the program. My starting weight is high, so I'm alotted a large amount of points. I'm finding eating all the points, when I'm brainwashed that dieting means healthier options and limited portions, to be a challenge. I'm totally not of the mindset that I have 17 points left, let me get a cheeseburger and fries. I've been doing cereal (WW Almond w/ blueberries or Special K) with a piece of fruit for breakfast. Kashi bar for a snack, lunch is usually a grilled chicken sandwich and small chili from Wendy's due to work, dinner is something like a salad or a couple bean and cheese burritos. I like the idea of 3 meals, 2 snacks... I'm trying to add in V8, since I wasn't raised a veggie lover... but boy does it taste horrible It just seems like a lot of food. Any tips of foods that are high in points, but still healthy?

Exercise hasn't been discussed in meetings yet, so I'm trying to do that on my own anyways. There just has to be more to it... the amount of points I'm allowed is kinda excessive! Or so it seems...

I started rambling.... HI!

[melekalikimaka]

Hey Renee, welcome . First of all, congratulations on your initial 90 lb loss. Those were some major life-changes you went through so it's understandable that you gained some weight back but you still maintained a 51 lb loss and that is AMAZING!!! I know how that goes as I am on my 3rd attempt at WW. I love the program because I know it really works if you work it. My first two attempts combined probably had me at a 90 lb loss as well... I am in a different place in my life right now and I know this time I had better make the changes permanent or else I am really endangering my health. But off my personal for now

Are you using "diet" products like fat-free or reduced fat foods? At this stage in the game, you could choose higher point regular versions of the foods you are currently eating, i.e. choose 2% milk instead of skim; add some hard cheddar or feta cheese to your salad for some fat and get your dairy allowance, use regular salad dressings instead of fat-free or reduced... You could always have 2 servings of a food instead of just one. It sounds counterproductive to eat more to lose weight, but that's the science of WW right? Give your body the fuel it needs and the weight will come off. I know what you mean about the diet mindset and portion control etc., believe me, you will wish you had this problem with too many points later on in the game as they go down. Good luck and i'm sure someone more knowledgable and more articulate will come around and have more suggestions.

[andreaphilip3]

yea 90 lbs that rocks!!!

[gumboot]

Hi there, Welcome to the group!
I too find it hard to eat all my points somedays. Then somedays I could eat double my daily allowance
It all balances out. Trust me, if you stick with it you will lose. If I have a lot of points left, I will have some almonds. They are high in points but full of the *good* fat. I find them really satisfying too.
Or have a couple of boiled eggs. The protein is good for you and they eat up some points. You could check out some protien bars as well.
Hope some of this helps.
And congrats on your weight loss! You are an inspiration to the rest of us who are struggling along this journey

[broke away]

Thanks so much, you guys! Great advice on the food... I really appreciate it. Another thing I've done is substitute my Special K for a higher point cereal (Kashi's GOLEAN Crunch, Honey & Almonds or Post Banana Nut Crunch) which has been knocking out a higher amount of points early on so I don't feel like I have to cram them in after work.

I do use a lot of diet products... such as milk (that's mostly because I can't stand how thick regular milk is), the afore mentioned Special K cereal. Fat free cheese slices, "lean" stuff... this is how I lost the 90 pounds. I cut out soda and other sugary items and switched to healthier alternatives, and a a few days a week at the gym doing cardio/weights. It's been very hard to break out of that mindset. I'm also not a veggie person, so I've been trying to work on that while supplementing with VS Vfusion juice.

I guess it's working so far... 9.2 pounds for me and 6.4 for my mother! I know the first few weeks will be higher numbers and then it'll level off, but it was still exciting. It still amazes me that I lost weight after the sheer amount of food I've had to eat to make sure I get all the points.. but hey, I guess it could be worse. Could be not enough food, right?

Thanks again!