this is only my second week on WW and already i feel like its too hard...the first week i lost 6 lbs. but this week i feel like i already started out wrong, chinese food, cheesecake...its hard to tell exactly how many points everything is when the first week book only has limited foods...i already crossed out all my flexpoints since thursday, and ate all my points for today! i need to get back on track and stay positive....any suggestions?

Hi There - Not to be harsh here but I would suggest printing out your "quote" of
"there is no harm in stumbling, but nothing to be gained by actually falling." so you can read it every day for encouragement. Sure - it sounds like you've had a bit of a stumble over the past few days but this is really a change in your overall life style. One day or one week is not the "long run" so I say pick yourself up by your bootstraps and march on. So you've kind of used all your flexpoints - all right - write down some low point meals that you can use to get through the rest of the week and feel good about. Then use that list, go to the store, and buy only those items. You've got the ability to do this - don't let yourself down. You say you only have a limited books on points for your food - well, two things to advise here: 1. Use your slider (which may mean stop eating out so much right now) or 2. (and this my personal favorite) go to Dottie's Weight Loss page which has hundreds of your local restaurants on her site with the WW points right there in black & white. You can generally find the foods even if you don't see your restaurant and have an "idea" of where you stand. Good luck and again, I don't mean to be harsh here - I just hate to see someone so young give up without more of a fight! You CAN do this just take it a day (or even an hour at a time)!

Dont give up!

To loose 6 pounds in your first week should be enough motivation.

So you messed up already - get back on the program and do what you need to do. If you feel guilty about eating so much, excerise a little bit longer.

If you keep thinking of your failures or making up excuses you will not be successful.

thank you sandi and sylvia...i think i needed a swift kick in the pants...and thanks for telling me about that website, i checked it out and its awesome! thank you again and i am getting back on track RIGHT NOW!

Laura: Sandi & Sylvia are right on. My WW buddy has a great saying, "Take the hit and move on!"--learn from what happened that past few days--were you too hungry? feeling deprived? Think about what you would do differently if you're in the same situation. I've found that it's best for me if I want something to have it in a small quantity so that way I don't feel deprived. This is a lifestyle change and it's not going to happen overnight. Be patient with yourself and take things in small steps--it's a learning process. If you attend meetings talk with other members about what happened--they have lots of good ideas and input. You did great your first week and you should give yourself a pat on the back! I would also suggest getting the Food Companion so that way you would have a reference for the different types of foods. I have the Dining Out Guide, which I keep in my car, and use that occasionally. I find that if I know I'm going out I check out the restaurants website for nutritional information; if they don't have it I check out Dottie's site to get an idea.

Good luck as you continue your weight loss journey!

Another thing is to take a good look at why you're going a little crazy with the program. It could be something unavoidable, like a lot of entertaining or eating out for work, etc. Or it could be that you're a little scared inside of the success for whatever reason, and are doing a little sabotage on yourself.

Having been there where I got to within 25 lbs of goal and gaining it all back and then some, I've learned to take a long look at why I'm doing something this time around. It can't hurt to examine what you're eating and why you want certain things. It's also possible that others are throwing you off track as well.

The best approach is to look at what you did on the first week, and do the same again. Get yourself back on track, and write everything down. Match that journal, and don't let the beginning of the week throw you off stride.

But above all, don't give up! Because the only other alternative is to gain it back, and you don't want to go that route....

Hi! I just want to chime in and echo what the other gals have said. My first thought was to spend a little money and get yourself the complete food guide from WW's. This way you'll always know where you are. Also, if your points get out of hand (and they will--we're all human), have a backup plan of low point foods in the house to get you through the rest of the day. Heavy lunch? Have a Boca burger on a lite English muffin with a huge salad and go to bed. There are millions of ways to cope with weight loss setbacks, but you're just starting and you'll get lots of good advice here.
Most important--don't throw in the towel too soon and good luck. Relax and you'll do fine!
Judy