New to WW
 

Hey everyone!

I am trying to do WW by myself and it is a bit overwheming. I can't believe how many people are on these boards! I am not currently going to meetings (I know, A no no.) but, I really can't afford the added cost of another monthly expense.

So, I have the points books and know how many points I need for the day. It just doesn't seem like many. But, I have tried so many fad diets and I am really tired of all the hype. I am ready for something sensible that works.

Holly

Dear Holly,
I Have Been Doing Weight Watchers For Almost Two Years Now, So If I Can Help You With Any Thing Lets Me Know. I Have To Go To The Meeting Because If I Don't, I'll Just Keep Gaining Weight.what Ever You Do Don't Give Up, Its A Long Road And A Lot Of Ups And Downs. Remember Its Not A Diet Its A Change In Your Eating Habbits For Life!!
If You Don't Think You Will Have Enough Points To Fill You Up For The Day Don't Forget About You Free Foods And Your 35 Allowance Point For The Week.

P.s. Drink Lots Of Water!!!!!!!!!! Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks, Andrea. I literally laughed out loud when I saw your avatar! LOL. What are free foods? I mean, I know they are foods that don't count toward your points, but what foods are they?

Mostly they are veggies, do you have the books? they are the zero point foods. Carrots, Broccoli, Celery, etc.........

Just keep in mind that if you eat to much "free foods" they can add up and start counting as your daily points allowance. I learned that while I was a member of the WW online group.

I have found several people who do not attend meetings (and not involved online either) that has been successful on WW! So don't sweat it. However, if you find your struggling after time... might not hurt to try a meeting.... first one is normally free!! :)

You may feel like you only have so little points. However, that is to help you make healthier choices for your foods each day! Junk food costs tons in points!!! Where as heatlhy food (veggies and so on) don't cost as much most of the time. :)

In the long run, once you get used to counting the points and stuff it gets easier and after time sometimes it may even feel like you have to many points!!

Remember.... you also get 35 extra points to spend as you wish for the whole (7 days) week!!! So that helps to. My hubby devided those points up between the 7 days when he first started WW and he did awesome!! :)

Fad diets are a JOKE!! I have tried them all it feels like sometimes!!! They work at first... but then look out!!! WW has been proven and noted to be the best way! I have done it. And I was not able to succeed on it... but that is due to my metabolism right now.

I think you will do great though! Give it time.. and it will get easier and easier. And you will feel and look great! :)

Here's a little trick that may help. In the first weeks of the diet you seem to feel hungry all the time. That's because we think about food all the time. It will pass in time. So to move you along you may want to have some very low point meals and save up some for your hungriest time of day.

I like to go to Subway and order a veggie salad w/out cheese. I include all the veggies including spinach and hot peppers. I use fat-free Italian dressing. Believe it or not it has 0 points and is huge. I eat from it when I'm hungry throughout the day.

The key is to get a lot of food for your points. I make it game! I've been well below goal for 3 years. Good Luck!

Thank you all for your replies and encouragement. I was afraid that people would be against me doing WW at home without going to meetings. I really would LOVE to go to them, but I will have to hold off for a few months until things get squared away financially.

I have another quick question:

Most of the foods in the books are brand names. What about homemade meals? For instance, last night I made homemade chili. All the listings in the book(that I saw anyway) were from a can or package. How do I find the points value? Do I use the formula for each ingredient and then divide it into portions? I ate about 2 cups.

At any rate, I am starting counting today...I was just curious.

I'm also someone who is doing WW at home, without ever going to meetings or paying for it online. As long as you stick to it, it will work :)

Good luck!!

~Liz

Hi Holly...I am new to this board and one thing with WW is make sure to drink a lot of water. It gets easier and you feel less hungry after the first week or so. I also have to rave about Subways veggie sub on whole wheat! I don't add cheese but do ALL the veggies and instead of mayo or musturd, I do a little oil and vinager with salt and pepper. The six inch really does fill you up if they pile the sandwich with veggies. Don't be afriad to ask for more veggies! They always gave me extra cheese in the old days...LOL! I wish you luck and just take one day at a time:) Another fav snakc for me is hummus with baby carrots. When I am in a chip and dip mood I grab those instead!

So far, I have had 5 points for Breakfast. Is that too many?

Holly, do you have the getting started book? That has all the basic foods in it. If not you are right add everything up that you put in it and divide it into your portions! i like to find recipies that people have already figured the points and portions out for me, I'm lazy!! You can get good recipies on this website, dwlz.com, or the WW website. If you like beans there is a good recipe that is low in points and very filling. Taco soup, Just add 1 large jar of Great northern Beans, 1 large can of diced tomatoes, 1 can of mexican corn, 1 package of ranch dressing mix and 1 package of taco seasoning. Sounds nasty but it tastes great I think it is 1 or 2 points for 1 cup. It is on this website in the recipe forum for WW, you just have to look for it!! GOOD LUCK!!!!!!

5 Points Is Not To Many, Just Keep Track!

Thank you. A friend of mine gave me that Taco Soup recipie. I want to make it sooo bad...but I would love to have Chips with it. Maybe baked chips?

Just remember you can have what ever you want, BUT you have to COUNT THE POINTS!!! Don't deprive yourself or you'll want to bindge!!

Holly,

Welcome to the group! I've read many of your questions and although I would love to be able to give you correct answers for each I will instead point you to some other great websites where most of these answers can be found. I've never been to a WW meeting either, so I don't want to steer you wrong ;) .

Check out Dotties at www.dwlz.com she has some great point lists for you, she also has points for foods at most major restaurants, and lots more. Click on her message board you you'll find another great source of information( make sure you check out the Hitchhikers guide near the bottom of the message board).

Also check out BootCamp buddies at www.***************.net under their message board. Once again lots of great information available.

Both boards have tons of recipies with points already figured out for you.

Best of luck on your journey.
Phyllis :)

Hi,

I'm Susan and I have about 30-40 pounds to lose. I have lost two times on weight watchers and attended meetings. I just can't seem to get the get up and go to begin. I am tentatively planning to begin on Aug. 29. Why then??? It's the first day of school. This week we are back and get to go out to lunch, yes I know I should just count and make allowances, but it's the only good thing about going back to work. Sooo, I really need to get into the mindset to do this. I won't be able to attend meetings as life is really hectic. I commute 40 minutes each way to work. I have a child in high, middle, and elementary school. We do ballet, jazz, figure skating, synchronized skating team, few private lessons, and each boy does 2 hockey teams. I skate also. The key to making this work for me is organization and a little less sleep. Hopefully someone can keep me going on this. I am 5 foot. I weigh 160. I was down to 113. I would realistically like to be in the 120's. Hope everyone has a good week.


Susan

Holly,
You canm spend your points any way you want. If you are more hungry in the evenings, save some points throughout the day to 'spend' at night. I also think having a lot of low point foods on your plate with a little indulgence. Example, salad with fat free dressing, green beans, sliced tomatoes, and a baked chicken thigh or breast. Have fruit salad for dessert. Then if you want a brownie you should have points left for the threat.

Hello all,
I spent the summer doing my own thing with the food exchange and about 1500 cal/day. I lost 15 then gained it back!!!! Many of my coworkers have lost and been successful with WW. I have a new office mate who mentioned that she was starting back again on WW and I attached myself to her like glue!! "me too, let me be with you, I'll do it too, etc...." I was pitifull, really. Anyway, I can't afford it yet....soon, hopefully, but I have some old starter books from my sister that list the points of food. I've been lurking so I know the websites you recommend....my question: How do I figure the points I can eat in a day? Is there a formula like there is for figuring the points of food? Can you help me?
Thanks,
Lynne

Hi Lynne! Now WW has changed there plan. I am not sure if you new that or not. They used to have Winning Points but now that have Flex Points or Core or Turn Around... whichever you want to call it. Flex Points is like Winning Points though just a little different.

Here is the eating points daily allowance chart:

Current Weight / Daily Points Target

Less then 150 = 20
150 to 174 = 22
175 to 199 = 24
200 to 224 = 26
225 to 249 = 28
250 to 274 = 30
275 to 299 = 31
300 to 324 = 32
325 to 349 = 33
More then 350 = 34

You get 35 flex points a week in addition to the points above to spend however you would like. You can save it to use all in one free day or split it up between the days, not use them, or use them all..... and so on.

Flex points is a little different then winning points. I thought it was a lot easier.

Thanks. Do you know why the more you weigh the more points you get? That seems like a motivator to not lose...

Because when your smaller you don't need as much food. Your stomach and everything is smaller I think. I beleive this is why it is like that.

:p I started WW on my own on memorial day weekend. i have lost about 20 lbs so far. I proabaly would have lost more if I didnt splurge on vacaction and things like that. Me and my boyfriend both do it and now we got my mom to do it too. she has lost 15 pounds in about 2 months. Pretty amazing.
i have lots of links to homemade meals recipes and stuff. I recently bought a crockpot at taget for 20 $$ and it is GREAT!! its so easy to make things and there are tons of recipes for WW.
let me know
GOod Luck
Claudia

Claudia,
Welcome!

Well, I have been doing WW for a few weeks (not as strictly as I should) and I am here to report that I have already lost a few inches. I love WW because it gives me the freedom to eat what my family eats...in smaller portions. AND, they eat healthier too! It's a win-win situation!

Congrats on your loss of inches! It is an awesome feeling! :) I have to agree with you! It is nice not to restrict foods from your plan and be able to eat what every one else is eating. One day they will catch on and eat smaller portions too..... we can hope anyway. ;)

ww at home
 

I just was reading posts on the forum, very interesting. I do ww myself & have never been a member or online either. I am doing ok, work the program & it works for you. I'll try to checkin more often.I'm on another forum on3fc.good luck all . Bonnie

Hi Lynne,
The formula to figure points is (Calories/50) + (Fat/12) - (Fiber/5) = points. I have checked this out with my points finder and it works just fine, just a little figuring involved.
Venencia