I tend to lose more weight on weeks I use most of them. Typically, I have four left over at the end of my week, but on the weeks where I had 10-12 left over, I lost less weight. Granted, it's only been 5 weeks OP for me.

I think the 35 flex are exactly the key to keeping me OP this time. This is my third go-round with WW and the previous two times, I quit the first week.

With the flex points, I know that if there is really something big that I want, the points are there for me to use. But what I find is that I tend to NOT use them for something big. I think it's the 'ol "you always want what you can't have". Now that nothing is really forbidden (except perhaps an entire bloomin' onion at Outback) I find that I really don't want those "forbidden foods" anymore. I'm easily "psychologized", I suppose.

This is probably a terrible thing to say on a weight loss forum but I'll tell you how I'm using mine: right now, eating a whopper and onion rings. It's 21 points for the whole meal, but let me tell you it is totally worth it for me. Some people would rather have a few points here and there--not me. I'd rather eat a big yummy naughty meal once a week

Whew-wee! I was just reading over some posts about the price of the Dining Out Guide and Complete Food Companion. I got my "Starter Kit" which included the Dining Out Guide, Complete Food Companion, a spiral bound 12-week points tracker, AND a pretty sweet carrying case at a meeting in my hometown for $21.95! That's the regular price! I read that someone paid $40 for just the Dining Out Guide and Complete Food Companion and I about flipped! I DO live in Nebraska, though, and even though I dont live in a small town, prices are cheaper here than in bigger cities.

HEY--if anyone wants me to get a Starter Kit for them and ship it to them I'd be happy to do it. I'd ask that you pay the shipping, but it would probably still be cheaper than $40.

I love the flex points. I don't feel like I'm cheating (& we all know where that feeling leads to) if I have the flex points. Great for birthdays, pity party days, or holidays! Don't think of it as cheating -- just another great tool (& you don't even have to pay for it!).