[Kelly_S]

Dawn,

There is no difference in the total points for 1-2-3 Success and FlexPoints. The banked points are just the difference between the minimum of the ranges and the maximum of the ranges. What they did was make a minimum to reach for a daily total and give you what you bank from the minimum to the maximum for banked points. And if you feel guilty eating what you are ALLOWED then you need to adjust your thinking.

By eating minimum points all the time you'll slow/adjust down your metabolism and not be able to maintain on a higher point total.

[snowyowl]

Someone on another board made a comment that made me think, which was that what you do now is preparing your body for when you're on maintenance. Meaning, if you short yourself now by doing the minimum, you're going to have a hard time maintaining at that lower range.

Myself, I don't use all my flexpoints, because I'm usually full enough by the end of the day that I don't feel I need them. But I can and have used them for special occasions when I was out at a restaurant, and having those flexpoints to spend can be liberating.

When I did 1,2,3 years ago, I was always conscious of having to bank those points, and not being able to use them until I did - which was later in the week, and closer to my next weigh in. It was never something I was happy about, though I worked within the program at the time.

I do agree with Kel that you can't go through this feeling guilty about the program. It brings up too many issues about not being allowed to eat, and you're own feelings about food as well. So it may be something that you want to examine a little more closely.

[Dawn73]

Thanks for your replies. I never feel guilty about eating all my points, but I've always just opted for the lower end of my points range (which is currently 24). However, I do have one cheat meal each week, so what I'm actually doing is using my flexpoints, but I've been thinking all along that I was cheating. I know this to be true, because last week, I had 4 days that I ate something bad each day (not all day, but 1 thing each day) and I still LOST 3.5 lbs. That showed me that this flexpoints system must really work. Guess I have to learn the hard way! LOL! Have any of you heard of the Wendie point system??

Dawn

[Jane]

As long as you are within your points range, why not call it a "treat" meal instead of a "cheat" meal? I have mine on Sunday when the family is all together and never think of it as cheating since I stay within my points. It helps my attitude for the rest of the week!

[snowyowl]

A bunch of us at weigh in admitted that our special meal is right after weigh in, where we use a lot of flexpoints and indulge in a meal. Our leader seemed a little surprised by that, but considering one of the gals in my group is currently down 130lbs, I can't say as it has hurt her any. lol.