I think that some of you might have misunderstood the intent of my post.

I am honestly not looking for ways to "cheat" or get around the guidelines. What I really want is to understand the guidelines so that I may actually get to goal. I have paid what I feel is a great deal of money for this program and I intend to use it.

However, I do not think that it is unreasonable to try to understand why LAWL popcorn is okay, but a 100 calorie light microwave popcorn is not okay. If it was nutritional, then I get that. If it is just to sell their product, then, no, that doesn't teach me what I need to get to goal and stay there.

I do not intend to mislead my counselors because I feel like they really are there to help me and by not recording my things honestly, then I do cheat myself.

But, pseudo-science is not okay with me either. Starch blockers and things of that sort is nonsense.

For example, the new counselor who weighed DD and I in on Monday was basically being a good little sales girl, checking my journal for things she could sell me. She wasn't aware of the program that either of us were following and really had nothing to add. Tonight's counselor checked our diaries, noted that I had a popcorn ball last night and asked me why I counted it as 1 Starch serving. I showed her the calorie information compared to the LAWL popcorn treat and she said, "Great! That's reasonable. I'm proud of you for figuring it out. Keep it up."

So, what I'm looking for, I suppose, is some sort of guideline (i.e. starches generally have 50-70 calories, no more than 3 grams of fat, "x" protien, etc.) so that I can learn to make some intelligent decisions and fold this program into my lifestyle. Ease in checking the journal for the counselors really comes down to give and take between counselor and client - as my counselor did tonight.

I honestly wasn't trying to irritate those of you at or close to goal. I am attempting to unlearn one program and implement a new one. That's all.

Andi

I agree with everything you said. Most counselors are going to say not to eat anything that is not on the program because they want to commision check. I don't agree with everything that they say. I had a counselor tell me she saw cellulite in the toilet after she took one of the pills they offer. I didn't know what to say. I joined the program because it is very detailed and strict which I need but I do lie to save money if the nutrition is the same and I've lost 9 pounds in just 2 weeks so I'm happy. I really like the program because of the one on one counceling and the fact that you have to get on the scale in front of someone you get to know pretty well and that keeps you accountable. Good Luck in your weight loss. Like you said it is too late to turn back now because we had to pay alot of money up front to cheat ourselves

((((andi)))) I totally understand what you are going through. I mean we have to learn to make the program work for us. I am frustrated by the same things. I am not looking for a way to beat the program either. I intend to get my money's worth and make the program work. But in the long run if you can't make it fit you probably won't keep at it.

I don't know anything about LA Weightloss but am interested in knowing what it's all about. Can you follow it as a vegan? Any program that requires you to buy thier foods that are pushed by "counselors" who know little about nutrition seems a bit shady to me

Andi,

I think most of us know what you were talking about. It makes perfect sense to me. We all have to do what it best for US, not someone else. If you and your daughter need to "tweak" some things to stay on program and keep losing, then you need to do that. Some people may have to stay perfect to lose weight - we are all different.

I'm really not sure why some took offense to what you wrote. We are all adults and should be able to agree to disagree - hang in there - you'll make it and I know I will too! I am down 2.4 more pounds today! AND since I have over 100 pounds to lose, I know I won't be perfect for over a year!

Have a great weekend!

Hi Andi,

Just wanted to dito some of what was said earlier and let you know that your frustrations are understood and that each day can not be a POP day (well at least not for me), so we do need to know how to incorporate the things we will encounter for the next weeks, months and years into our lives.

Yogini~ yes, LAWL have vegeterian proteins on their plans. They even have a few in their cookbook. Plus they are huge on fruit, veggies and allow for bread etc. You might want to go in and get a consult to find out just how flexible it is for you, beause I have no vegan experience myself.

Thanks, I will look into it I am just hesitant because I am really vulnerable (desperate to lose this weight) and don't know if I can stand up to a hard-sell approach right now.

read around here first and get some knowledge, then go in with your gloves on

No but seriously, i wish I would have found this site first and known that I could say no to some things, they are sales people and they can close a deal. However, some of them are human to and they will tell you the truth.

But check out the posts here you will find out sooooooo much and it is from real people who have done the plan, not from those pictures of peopl who you wonder if they are real

Andi - I think that's AWESOME that you've gotten that kind of reaction from your counselor - I'm really beginning to think that they may be changing their sales tactics. Also, I do think that many of us don't want to be chided for chosing something that is not listed in our little guides.

Just wondering, what is it that your daughter likes about this plan better than WW?

Andi,
I think, too, that some people took offense to some postings yesterday, but nobody wants to "cheat" the system. We're all in this to lose weight, and it is a lifestyle change. I absolutely fess up to the counselors when I drift OP. It hasn't happened much, but I am honest to them about it. If you try to be POP all the time, that's wonderful...but you can't beat yourself up for an occasional mix-up. As for substituting snacks for what the center recommends, some counselors are very helpful and some are not. But each of us needs to make the program work for us as individuals...everyone is different.

Thank you all for your kind responses!

See, I guess I see the "cheating" thing a little differently. I think that having a prepackaged popcorn ball as a treat and counting it as a starch (when the nutritional guidelines line up pretty closely to the LAWL treats) is not cheating. I see it as making a choice that reasonably falls into the starch category, not cheating.

I intend to do this program to the best of my ability - and I want to have fun along the way!

Lori - WW was not a good fit for my 14 year old DD simply because she couldn't discipline herself! The FlexPoint bank of 35 points was her downfall. She used it to justify overeating on any given day. She had a hard time requiring herself to use common sense and make choices that would keep her from getting hungry. After all, she is only 14! LAWL gives her a lot of protien (2 1/2 selections a day) as well as fat (3 selections) that keep her satisfied. As long as she's not hungry, she's able to stay right on track. She is such a sweet and beautiful girl, you wouldn't look at her and think "oh she's fat," even though she is overweight. However, she is tired of this being an issue in her life and she really wants to conquer it. We chose LAWL because she was intrigued by the program and the promise of 2 pounds per week weight loss as well as the "lose the weight, not the lifestyle" advertising.


Andi

Andi, I really don't see a popcorn ball as "cheating"...now when I say cheating (or going OP), I mean having chinese food for lunch...too much salt, fat, on and on.

ok, i just want to know what brand is the popcorn ball so i can get one

Shennie - they are the Act II popcorn balls sold at Super WalMart. I can only find them this time of year - they are individually packaged for Halloween. It was my WW Leader that turned me onto them! They are only 100 calories and I like them!

Andi

Andi,
Orville Redinbacker also sells 100 calorie popcorn bags with 94% ff...
hardly any tracable fats...
the only thing to be wary of, that I can figure from comparing the stats of LAWL popcorn to the OR kettle corn (that is my favorite) is the sodium content is a bit higher...but the sodium still within the range of what 2 TBLs of allowable dressing would be.
I am a total 'enabler' when it comes to getting creative...so maybe i am a bad one to say this...but as long as you steer clear of sodium in your "free" condiments...the balance CAN work out...you just have to know what trade offs to make.
Good luck!