[junebaby]

A co-worker and I were talking about weight loss, we put on some weight, lol. And we discussed foods and diets. Weight watchers was one of the diets that we talked about, but I am not really knowledgeable about it. I see all the commercials and there is a lot on their wedsite. So I came here for answers, lol. They have a few different programs, and I was wondering how to choose the right one?
Thanx,

[kristyjoy]

Well, the main decision is whether you want to go to meetings or do it online. I know that Weight Watchers offers something called Weight Watchers at Work, where you can set up meetings at your work. You have to have 20 interested employees though, so if that isn't plausible at your work, you and your co-worker could go to meetings together or do the online program together.

As far as the programs, there are really just two. If you go to a meeting, it's $30 to register and they will give you all the information on how the plan works.

I do have to say, it's the best thing I've ever done. They say, "It's not a diet, it's a lifestyle", which, as corny as that sounds, is REALLY true. You don't have to buy special food (although WW food is all over the supermarket now and so convenient when you are on the plan), nothing is off limits. YOU get to decide how to spend your points. If you want to use all your daily points on one huge, fattening meal, that's ok as long as you don't eat anything else (of course, that's OBVIOUSLY not the best way to go about it).

The best thing? Veggies don't count! I love the fact that I can sit at the television and munch on baby carrots and green peppers and celery and raw zucchini until i feel like I'm going to die. It satisfies that need to sit and just crunch on something.

I feel like Weight Watchers is the VERY best way to go about losing weight quickly, safely and better yet, permanently.

DO IT!

[Sewergrrl]

Because I am following the Momentum plan, I have to count points for some veggies, depending upon the quantity. I'm relatively new to the program and don't feel comfortable eating anything with "reckless abandon" yet. I don't think anyone ever got fat from eating raw veggies, but I don't want to be the exception to that rule.

I think the best thing about WW is that I am learning portion control. Before WW, I had it ALL wrong! I would have a large piece of whatever main dish and some vegetables on the side. I pretty much ate whatever I wanted without thought. Now I have a standard 3-4 oz portion of meat (or single "serving size" of main meal) and a large helping of veggies. Instead of chips with a sandwich, I have switched to celery with Laughing Cow cheese spread on it. It satisfies the crunch I'm used to with a deli-style sandwich. I have fruit with most meals as well, which replaces the prior desire for something sweet after a meal. It takes a little getting used to, but it's remarkable how much better you feel, not only physically, but mentally because you know you're going something good for yourself.

I hate to think of WW as a diet, but it is what it is until I train myself for it to truly be a way of life. The best thing is that unlike most other weight loss plans, WW is something you can stick with forever. Like kristyjoy said, nothing is off limits and it's up to you to decide how to distribute your daily points. You will learn a lot about yourself and how you interact with food. It's how you decide to use that knowledge that will allow you to incorporate this into a lifestyle. This isn't a quick fix or the Biggest Loser - you're not going to lose 10 pounds in a week. You will eat healthy, get moving, and learn how to be good to yourself.

I go to meetings and registered for free (good until 03/13 I think in most areas) and pay $39.95 a month for unlimited meetings and WW online comes with that plan. If you don't want online, then there are plans where you can pre-pay for several meetings or pay as you go for $12 a week.

I hope you join us on WW!