I just posted this in another place but think I should've put it here...


Hi everyone,

I'm new to both Weight Watchers and this site, this is my first post. I've only been doing Weight Watchers a little less than 2 weeks and am facing a problem that I'm not sure how to resolve:

Tomorrow is my last day of the week and I've used up my extra points (I chose to start my WW week on Friday night to allow for going out), but I've also gone through my points for today. I ate dinner around 6pm (WW meal at Applebees)- it's now nearly 11pm and I'm very hungry. Should I eat something even though I have no points left, or should I not eat and stick to the plan? The meal wasn't too filling, the problem is I had a cocktail with it and didn't realize how many points that was worth until it was too late!

I know 11pm sounds late, but I'm a student heading toward final exams... I have several hours left of studying. This hunger is very distracting, what do you suggest? I have no zero point foods in the house yet :/

I'm not on WW, but I can tell you what I've done to curb hunger. Sounds like it wouldn't work, and its no permanent fix by any means. But make a green tea (I make a HUGE one), or drink some water. The green tea works better for me as it actually has a taste. I just sip on it. I wouldn't chug it as that won't solve anything. It can at least help with the hunger. I don't know anything about the point system.. but there are many foods (veggies) that have almost zero caloric content.

I'm sorry Im not more of a help. I just find a lot of the time when I think I'm hungry, I'm actually just thirsty.. or bored. Which is a terrible feeling.

Because I count calories, I have the same sort of restriction and "argument" with myself. Often times if I CAN'T curb my hunger with green tea, I'll have a healthy snack of carrot sticks, a pickle or cauliflower; something along those lines, so that even if I go over by a BIT, it's not catastrophic.

Good luck and again sorry if this isn't the answer that helps.

Thank you, you were a big help! It's nice to have someone respond - that alone was actually helpful because it reminds me I'm not going through this by myself. I've decided not to tell anyone I'm on WW because then they'll start with the annoying questions like "Should you really be eating that?" lol.

I have a tea that I like too: an orange, jasmine and cranberry blend or something similar (Lipton), maybe I'll make that. The good news is that with all this pondering I didn't realize how much time had passed! Lol.

My biggest concern is that I haven't yet learned to distinguish hunger from boredom, like you said. When it hurts my belly, as opposed to a craving, I think it's safe to say it's hunger.. which it is in this case. I'm thinking I'll stick it out until I'm ready for bed, then I'll have a little something that'll be just enough to keep the hunger pains from waking me lol.. then I'll have a good breakfast tomorrow.

At least I'm getting the hang of these points and how much you need to learn to conserve them! Geez, haha

You're definitly not alone in this. And the biggest and BEST part is you're doing this. Might take some time, but you're making a change, and asking questions in the process. I feel it's good to learn something new each day, whatever it is.

Figuring out whether you're hungry or bored is still a big thing to me. And it's funny because I'm not even kidding, 80% of the time I AM bored. I went on our boat today with my boyfriend. Thought about eating before I went because I "felt hungry". Filled my water bottle and went on the boat without eating. As soon as I threw a fishing line in the water, I completely forgot I was even "hungry" to start out with. Definitely a boredom thing. Sounds so simple, but the best way to cure boredom is to, well, do something. I've found that calling my mom helps. I'm usually on the phone with her for a good 45 minutes talking about whatever, and I pace around. Not only am I not eating and fixing my boredom, I get to talk to my mom and go for a walk.

You'll find things along the way that work for you. (some of them will be *facepalm* moments haha).

Good Luck and I'm sure I'll see you around!

Get some zero point foods in your house asap! I like strawberries, apples, cucumbers, pears, pineapple, grapes and nectarines. I like celery and bell peppers with Hummus (my brand is 1 PP for 2 Tbsp). There are so many zero point fruits and vegetables. Just remember to eat about 5 servings altogether to avoid eating too much. I prefer fruit so I usually eat 3-4 servings of fruit and 1 serving of veggies and I haven't had a problem with that.

I'm sure others will have suggestions for low point snacks. I'm in a rut there at the moment. I do like cheese sticks (2PP), WW Cheese wedges (1PP), Hummus (mine is 1PP) and yogurt (2PP).

The thing I find to be most helpful is to just not let myself get hungry. I eat 6 times a day, sometimes more.

Breakfast, snack, lunch, snack (sometimes 2), dinner and dessert/snack.

Sometimes I have a long span of time between my second snack and dinner, so I'll grab an apple and cheese stick, or just fruit, etc. I never like to have my snacks go over 4PP each. You can check out the daily tracker thread to see how I split my points up each day.

And my last thing, I always have 4 choices of meals before going into a restaurant and I decide before hand if I want to have a drink or not. I calculate the points out before ordering and I'm all set! I never go in blind.

Good luck!

I know this is too late for last night. But always have zero point options on hand and it you are hungry do not be afraid to go over on your fruits and veggies. I like to make up some garden veg soup (0 PPs) and freeze it so it is always available in a crunch. Glad you made it through. It does get easier.

Hey everyone! Thanks so much for all the advice! As for last night, I found that the new can of pringles I bought was 4 points for 15 chips, so I only had about half of them for 2 points. It curbed the hunger enough for me to sleep, but I hated adding those 2 points... fortunately I had a few activity points that it swapped automatically.

I plan on going shopping this weekend for low or zero point items. I love fruits and vegetables but they do absolutely nothing for me as far as feeling full... I can eat them til I'm blue in the face and still be hungry. I'm trying to figure out the best way to combine them as a snack, such as celery with peanut butter or cucumbers with hummus. I'm getting the hang of the point system, now I have to make the transition to eating my favorite foods but in a healthier or lighter way.

One thing that I LOVE and that gets me full is potato chips in onion dip. I found fat free sour cream (0 pp) with onion mix (1 pp) and for chips I discovered fat free pringles... 2 pp per 15 chips! And all of it is the GOOD flavored stuff, none of the flavorless bland stuff.

I need to figure out tricks like that for all my other favorite foods and I'll be good. Any suggestions for things like hummus and cheese sticks that I can buy in a store? I have Sabra hummus, but I think I can find better, haven't looked yet.

Thanks again for all the responses, I love this forum so far. I think I'll be back here a lot!

I also do the tea thing. I quit eating after 7 pm (once I've used about 3 wps on a treat ), and then if my stomach is nagging I make a large mug of hot tea and sip on it slowly. Your system will soon adjust to your new regime. Do make sure that you are eating all of your DPs, and that within those DPs are good solid choices, not just crap. Make sure you are getting enough protein in...a little chicken breast...a boiled egg...a piece of Laughing Cow cheese are all things I turn too. If you are really stuck and desperately need to nosh then pick a piece of fruit. It’s coming into a nice time of year where there is an abundance of choices. Ooooo, the other thing I do (almost forgot) is pick, wash and freeze little snack bags of grapes. They are yummy and crunchy. But don’t go wild on them as they do have a lot of sugar…even though I know I know they are free!!

Although you feel full with chips and dip, even if it's low fat, that's not the best snacking option. Trust me, I do like my chips and dip and we'll occasionally have some for a race or game, but I don't keep either in the house.

What kinds of fruits/veggies are you eating that aren't keeping you full? You should be aiming for high fiber. I can't imagine why fruits and vegetables aren't keeping you full.

I use Tribe hummus, I like the sweet roasted red pepper, it's 1 PP for 2 Tbsp. Sargento makes RF cheese slices and cheese sticks. I like the RF Colby Jack and Sharp Cheddar, both are 2PP each. Weight Watchers also makes cheese sticks, cheese wedges and cream cheese. I just find them more expensive and only select stores carry their products. I don't like going to more than one store for shopping unless I REALLY need to. There is a brand of Peanut Butter called Better 'n Peanut Butter. It would probably be in the health food section of your grocery store. It's 2PP for 2 Tbsp, VS 5PP for RF PB. I like the B 'n PB with apples, celery or on toast.

I hope that helps!

MrsD, thanks for the PB tip, hoooray!!! I am definitely getting this!!

It does have a "stickier" consistency and it might take a few tries to get used to it. But even when I wasn't following WW, I still used it. I've recommended it before and people have come back on me saying how horrible it is. So I'm giving my cautionary information!

I've heard PB2 is also good.

PB2 IS AMAZING. I LOVE IT!

Sorry for my excitement, but I'd 100% recommend it. 1pp/2 dry tablespoons

Questions about both items - do you find them in the regular grocery stores or elsewhere? I remember reading about getting the PB2 online but wasn't sure if it has made to the regular grocery?

Thanks so much - lots of good info here

Better 'n PB is in the health food section of a regular grocery store. I know Wal-Mart does NOT carry it where I am (Maine). But we have Hannaford, Shaw's and Whole Foods and they each carry it.

OK -thanks so much. Though I am from Boston and live there permanently, I am currently in the southwest for a few months while my husband is undergoing medical treatment. I can check the stores here.