I am hoping for some serious support here. I posted about a week ago about how I was losing my appetite, come to find out it was because I was getting sick, and I couldn't eat for 3 days straight, well, once I got my antibiotic, I was eating everything in site, and not caring about my points because I hadn't eaten for 3 days and lost 4 lbs! (It was so nice seeing that scale say 139!)
Anyway, I am having the hardest time starting back up counting my points again, because its going back to my whole thoughts that I am only 22 and can I do this for the rest of my life? Sure I don't mind eating healthy (I am hungry all the time, things I wouldn't even IMAGINE touching before taste like heaven to me now!) but I still want to be able to eat my pizza and wings! I still want to go out to breakfast and have sausage and bacon! I save up my 35 flexpoints for a nice Friday dinner with my wonderful boyfriend, and feel so good that I can just eat 1 roll, I can eat 1/2 my salad, 1/2 my steak, and 1/2 my potato even though I am eating them on my "cheat day" and then I see people on here who say they have goals not to use those extra points. I am only a month in to this WW thing, and if I am that excited for my Fridays, am I doomed?

I bought 3 WW cookbooks, and am not excited with many of the recipes we have tried, I am sick of eating Turkey on the tasteless light wheat bread EVERY SINGLE DAY, but then I feel guilty for eating the Smart Ones frozen meals, and I can't find any healthy snacks to eat that aren't using up all my points! ( I have tried Kudos, 100 calorie Pudding, Granola Bars, even FRUIT uses up useless points!)

I went in to this almost 2 months ago (started up calorie counting month 1 and WW month 2) gearing up for some major weight loss, I bust my arse at the gym and don't complain, I completely cut out my beloved Dr Pepper, I stopped ordering food on a daily basis, stopped eating until I could barely breathe, but the weight just isn't coming off fast enough and I am getting very discouraged! I looked at my progress pics and was disgusted with myself, I can barely believe I was 10 pounds heavier! I do get some support from here, but can't help feeling like no one here takes me seriously because I don't have over 100 lbs to lose. It is no joke that I did have a serious problem with food before, but luckily for me, I was able to realize it before I was 100 lbs overweight. My other big problem is asking myself why I am even bothering when I want to get pregnant within the next few months and I know I'll be a bigger mess after that then when I started!

Do I need to try a differant diet? Do I need to work out harder? Please give me some support, I am feeling completely exhausted and discouraged!

And PS, yes, I do want some cheese with my whine, just make sure its Extra Sharp Cheddar!

Try to think of it as developing "normal healthy habits". If you see what you're doing as abnormal, then it's going to be hard to stick to it. Try to have the perspctive that it's not normal to eat out every day or to eat until you can barely breathe.

I've lost a little more weight than you have to lose, and I really didn't see it as something terribly difficult while I was doing it. That's because even though I weighed daily, I was more focused on not eating too much artery-clogging foods and keeping my heart healthy with exercise than on how quickly the scale went down. I didn't worry if the scale didn't drop 2 pounds a week (though I have to admit I didn't want to gain). Weight loss was kind of just a byproduct of those other efforts. In fact, I probably lost the weight over the course of 2 years, which some might consider a long time. The benefit was that it was also a very low stress way to go about it. I never really had a goal weight, milestones just kind of happened along the way.

You're not severely overweight, so it's not like you are in an emergent situation where your body needs to lose weight quickly. Don't be afraid to take it slow and let your body lead you.

Now, I don't claim to have done everything perfectly, I had some not so healthy routines along the way. However, I would encourage you to focus on being healthy, and though it may be slow, if you make a committment to that, the weight will come off in time. I wasn't on a specific weight loss plan, what I did was probably closest to calorie counting/low fat.

Tasteless bread... frozen meals... various artificial foods (except the fruit)...

If you have fifteen extra pounds because you love food and have good taste, maybe you're not losing weight b/c you love good food and have good taste, but haven't found good tasty food to take the place of other indulgences.

For the record, I've lost sixty pounds, I have a hundred pounds to go, I DO TAKE YOU SERIOUSLY, and although we're very different in terms of our weight experiences, I want to share that I didn't lose an ounce until I not only allowed myself to eat good food, but trained myself not to eat and enjoy the bad food also. And by the way--I still enjoy the bad food occassionally, and I'm still losing. On an encouraging note, too, the more food I eat that's real food, even if it's "bad" (butter... a good steak... real whipped cream...), the less I want the really bad food (the beer... the wings... the fast food crap...).

Maybe ditch the WW recipes (I know, Heresy! But you don't like them!) and the made-for-avg. palette packaged foods and do your program with stuff you genuinely love, or experiment with new stuff and see what you find tasty that you think you could enjoy for a lifetime.

My two cents. It's all I've got. But if you've got good taste, and it sounds like you do, why are you eating frozen food and stuff out of cellophane in order to get the body you want? Blech.

I can think of several old adages that apply to your situation, "You can have it all, you just can't have it all at one time" and "Nothing that is worth anything in life is obtained without effort". From my grey haired vantage point I can tell you that very few people can eat anything they want to and maintain a normal healthy weight. All of my "non-weight challenged friends" have always eaten in moderation, generally made good choices, and dieted away the occasional stray pound that appears, and always, always excercise. The weight challenged girls in my group, make bad choices when not actively on plan, and hate, hate, hate excercise. There is no other way. The good news is, you have an opportunity to build muscle through strength training that will allow you to eat normal amounts of healthy food, some junk that you love, and still remain in a healthy weight range. Whatever you decide, it's really good that you are addressing your lifestyle now and not waiting until it is a huge amount. Good luck.

Thank you for your replies.

I am trying my best to realize that this is a serious life change, and that its for the better (if for nothing else, I am praying my 5 year old daughter who only weighs 38 pounds will pick up on our healthy eating and carry it with her so she can be healthy and not overweight when she gets older) but it is frustrating when I get on the scale every morning and it's only .5 or .8 oz less than it was the morning before. I have tried not to weigh myself daily, but for me its more motivation to try harder.

I am lucky in the fact that I hate salt, I hate real butter, and I don't like most "junk" food. I do enjoy eating 3 or 4 differant things at once though, and that has become a problem when eating. Normally, we'll make chicken, and we'll have a potato and corn on the cob with it, (and before, we'd have italian bread also!) Now, either its JUST chicken, or chicken with corn and I really think my tastebuds need more variety.

Thanks again, I think the first 10 fell off so quickly that I was expecting the last 15 to do the same. I have been trying to get myself back in the game (harder cardio workouts-less complaining during weight liting) and its easy, because when it hurts, I get angry at the extra weight I'm carrying and it helps me push out my sets easier!

My boyfriend was on board with me almost 100% (and still is for the most part) but since he is a weight lifter, he really doesn't need to watch what he eats, and he enjoys his pizza/wings/subs on Sunday's for football games, and doesn't understand why I'd rather leave the house when they eat instead of sitting around and smelling the food-and drooling on myself!

Thanks again, I really appreciate it.

I'm just curious, but why can't you have pizza, wings, subs on Sunday with him? 1 slice of Pizza, some 2 pt skinless wings, and a "lite Subway". Am I counting wrong, (just the top of my head) but I think with the 35 FP, you should be able to do this. When my dh has pizza, I microwave a South Beach or LC and fix a big salad. Now, he's eating mine, and I'm not ordering out so much. Val

I would love to! And actually, last week I decided to not eat breakfast, and saved up my snack points to have 1 slice and 3 wings and I had to eat a pretty measly dinner that night-I never feel good after that, because even though it tasted SO good, I was quite hungry a couple of hours later. I use my 35 extra points for a nice dinner out on Friday nights with my boyfriend, the last 2 weeks we had steak at a nice restaraunt and it was a nice change. (And before, I would eat at least 2 buttered rolls, 2 glasses of soda, my whole salad, my whole potato, and my whole steak-Now, I eat 1 roll-unbuttered, drink water, half my salad, and half the potato and steak) I always leave the restaraunt full, but not too full, and proud of myself for being able to push my plate away before finishing it all.

My biggest problem is my LOVE with food and eating. I can't stop myself from taking a handful of goldfish when I make my daughters lunch at night, or eating the trimmed bologna off her sandwich instead of just throwing it away, or eating a slice of cheese when I'm making the sandwiches either. I have a way of making myself believe that what I just ate was "no big deal" "that wasn't a point-it doesn't count" in all reality, I know they do matter.

We used to go to coldstone at least once a week, I LOVED it. I calculated the points, my ice cream is 14 points. To me, that is just not worth it anymore, but the sherbet is 3 points for 1/2 a cup and just isn't as tasty!

I have also found that since I stopped eating all the time, I am bored. Which leads me to believe that I eat just to take up time.

You are only 22. Save yourself years of pain by learning to eat healthy NOW. If you are hungry all the time, you aren't using your points correctly. You should not be hungry. Post day's menu and maybe we can make suggestions. You need to come up with alternatives to eating if you eat for emotional reasons, etc. I've been at goal for nearly 30 years. I don't crave sweets or junk food and they don't even taste good to me anymore. It took a lot of work to get to this point, but I kept trying. As you can see, I waited until I was very obese to do anything. Do it now, it's the most important thing you can ever do for yourself.

Gosh I hate to say this (LOL) I agree with Susan. If you are hungry you aren't eating or distributiing your points correctly.

Look at the 8 Great Health Guidellines which is listed starting on page 34 of your Week 1 booklet (it is also available online on the W/W site).

Look at one of the points pies.

For snacks that don't use a lot of points - zero point veggies; fruit

I still enjoy my wings or pizza. Maybe not both on the same day but I plan for it. I also spread out my FPs during the week carrying over what I don't use one day to the next, and the next. Or if I use more than the amount I have alloted on the day I take evenly so I have some.

And heck I go out to eat at least 4 nights a week and don't have to use all my FPs at one meal. I plan and eat lower point meals during the day and enjoy a good meal out.

Your attitude (pardon me for being blunt) is I CAN'T but you can. At first it takes a lot of planning until it becomes second nature.

PLAN, PLAN, PLAN!

Points Pies

Balanced (under 250 pounds)

Complex Carbs/Grain Based Foods – 8-9 points a day
Protein-rich Foods – 6-7 points a day
Fruits and Veggies – 0-3 points a day
Fats, added sugars – 2-3 points a day
Milk and Milk Products – 4-6 points a day

20-28 points a day

Higher Protein (under 250 pounds)

Complex Carbs/Grain Based Foods – 5-6 points a day
Protein-rich Foods – 9-11 points a day
Fruits and Veggies – 0-1 points a day
Fats, added sugars – 2-4 points a day
Milk and Milk Products – 4-6 points a day

20-28 points a day

Higher Carb (under 250 pounds)

Complex Carbs/Grain Based Foods – 9-10 points a day
Protein-rich Foods – 5-7 points a day
Fruits and Veggies – 1-3 points a day
Fats, added sugars – 1-2 points a day
Milk and Milk Products – 4-6 points a day

20-28 points a day

-----

Balanced (over 250 pounds)

Complex Carbs/Grain Based Foods – 11 points a day
Protein-rich Foods – 10 points a day
Fruits and Veggies – 3-4 points a day
Fats, added sugars – 2-3 points a day
Milk and Milk Products – 4-6 points a day

30-34 points a day

Higher Protein (over 250 pounds)

Complex Carbs/Grain Based Foods – 8 points a day
Protein-rich Foods – 12 points a day
Fruits and Veggies – 2-3 points a day
Fats, added sugars – 4-5 points a day
Milk and Milk Products – 4-6 points a day

30-34 points a day

Higher Carb (over 250 pounds)

Complex Carbs/Grain Based Foods – 13 points a day
Protein-rich Foods – 8 points a day
Fruits and Veggies – 2-4 points a day
Fats, added sugars – 3 points a day
Milk and Milk Products – 4-6 points a day

30-34 points a day

Eight Good Health Guidelines
1. Eat at least five servings of vegetables and fruits each day.
2. Choose whole-grain foods, such as brown rice and oats, whenever possible.
3. Include two servings of milk products – low fat (1%) or fat-free – each day.
4. Have some healthy oil (olive oil, canola, sunflower, safflower or flaxseed) each day.
5. Ensure that you are getting enough protein by choosing at least a serving or two of meat, poultry, fish, eggs, or dried beans each day. Many dairy products are also good sources of protein.
6. Limit added sugar and alcohol.
7. Drink at least 6 8-ounce glasses of water a day.
8. Take a multiple vitamin-mineral supplement each day.

The default portion for most fruits and vegetables is 1 cup. Serving sizes are 1 cup for leafy greens and 1/2 cup for all other vegetables and fruits. The lettuce alone in a large salad may well count for 2 or more vegetable servings.


Use the nutrition label to determine the serving size of packaged whole grain foods.


If you are more than 50 years old or are a teenager or a nursing mom, increase milk servings to three each day. Examples of one milk serving include 1 cup of milk or yogurt or 1 1/2 ounces of many cheeses.


Having 2 teaspoons of healthy oil each day ensures that you get the vitamin E and essential fatty acids that your body needs. Use the oil on salads, in cooking or as an ingredient in a mixed dish. 2 teaspoons of oil is not even 1 tablespoon, so be careful to measure, since each additional teaspoon counts as another POINTS® value of 1.


A serving of lean meat or fish is generally 3 to 4 ounces (that's about the size of a deck of cards).


Six 8-ounce glasses of water is just 3 standard 16-ounce bottles

also remember that a healthy weight loss is between .5-2 pounds week.

I have to thank each and every one of you again.
I am not going to WW, I was given all the stuff I needed by a friend who had previously done WW, so I use that and mostly rely on this board to help me through.
Here is my usual daily diet: (Keep in mind, I usuallly do not eat breakfast on the weekends, I wake up around 10ish and will eat something like toast or a portion of bacon to hold me until either b/f gets home and we get something together, or until I get hungry enough to eat something bigger)
Breakfast-1 serving of cereal (any cereal under 3 pts) with 1/2 cup FF milk-4 pts
Snack-Yogurt or Pudding 2 pts
Lunch-Either a Smart Ones (only the ones under 5 pts) or a Sandwich with 1 tablespoon light mw (1pt) on wheat bread (1pt for 2 slices) and 2 slices 99% FF turkey (1pt) and a salad with 2 tablespoons FF Italian (1pt) so lunch is usually either 4 or 5 pts
Snack-Kudos 3 pts (just bought them for the first time this weekend, normally I would eat grapes or a banana or a granola bar)
Dinner-Any new recipe in the WW book-last night we had Chicken Parm which was 7 pts, The other night we had turkey enchiladas which was I think 4 pts
Dinner will never be above 8 pts for me. (Except my FP day which is out to eat Friday nights)
Snack-Mixed Chiquita Golden Medly (Usually 4 pieces of Pineapple and 4 peices of cantelope)

I get 20 points a day. I do not use my excercise points even though I work out at least 4 days a week, and I always save up my FPs for Friday's.

I also forgot to add that I usually drink about 2 16oz of Aquafina a day, and will usually drink Sugarfree Lemonade for dinner. (0 pts)

Where is your healthy fats? You need 2 healthy fats a day which is 2 measly points and it will help you be satisified as well as many other benefits.

I don't think you have 2 full servings of dairy there. 1/2 a cup of milk is only 1/2 a serving and most yogurts are only 3/4 a serving

You should drink at least 1 more bottle of that water (6 8oz glasses) -- also many times your hungry may actually be thirst.

Can I ask why you don't utilize your ActivityPoints. While they are optional if you are hungry use them ... it is your body more than likely telling you that you need more food so eat them.

Here is a typical day for me:

Breakfast - 3 points
1/2 cup Egg Beaters w/1 tbsp shredded cheese
1 cup of Skim Milk

MidMorning Snack - 1-2 points
SnackSize Microwave Popcorn or Celery w/salsa and/or Laughing Cow Cheese

Lunch - 7 Points
Large Salad w/Fat Free Dressing + 1 tsp of Olive Oil
Meat&Cheese Sandwich (2 slices light bread <and I vary it>, 6 slices Hillshire Farms Deli Select Ham, 3/4 of a slice American Cheese or Provolone Cheese, lettuce, tomato, 1 tbsp Miracle Whip Free
Piece of Fruit
8 oz Light Yogurt

Midafternoon Snack - 0-1 Points
Piece of Fruit or Zero Point Veggies

Dinner - 7-10 Points
3-6 oz of lean meat or fish
2-3 cups of zero point veggies
Starch (pasta, potatoes or rice)
1 tsp of Olive or Canola oil

Evening Snack - Varies depending on my hunger level and how many points I have left

I drink 3 32oz bottles of water a day.

As you can see I have enough protein, I have all my dairy, I have all my healthy oils.