Weight Watchers!!

T

thea77

Cathlete
Hi everyone!

I joined Weight Watchers right before Christmas--have a quick question for those of you who also follow this program. Given my weight, my points target is only 20 points per day. I am finding it hard to eat 3 meals a day without going over this number! Especially when I get my milk requirements in--that is 4 points right there. Anyone else out there at this low of a points level? I have just begun exercising again this week after many weeks off due to a bad cold (still only doing Timesavers). Do you "eat up" your activity points or not use them in order to speed up weight loss? Also, do you use all of your flex points? I lost 3.6# my first 10 days, but yesterday when I weighed in I had gained 0.6#! Granted I cheated on New Years weekend a little bit, but just used my flex points (or so I thought). I want to be successful and do this right but I am a little bit frustrated! Any opinions, advice?

Thanks!
Thea
 
Hi Thea,

I was on 22 points, but can now have only 20 points a day! Those 2 points really did seem to make a difference to me - so I started eating small amounts 5 or 6 times a day - I am basically snacking throughout the day and have also incorporated a high protein shake into my daily allowance and a meal replacement bar - they are quite filling and are ok on points.

I also use fat free milk with the shake and eat a lot of fruit too. I've only been doing this for a couple of weeks now, so I'll just have to see how it goes! I have lost a couple of pounds though since going down to 20 points a day.

I allow myself a take-out night once a week to stop me from going crazy.

Some days I add in my activity points from workouts (especially if I start running out of points), but generally I don't for extra weight loss.

It will take time, but keep at it and you will succeed - I've lost about 18 pounds in total and at times I found it frustrating whenever I gained a pound or two, but now I'm so glad that I have kept going.

Good luck!

Josie
 
My target points were 20 my last four months of doing WW, Thea. Are you drinking whole milk? Try skim or 1% instead. MUCH less points. Or, get your dairy with something like low fat cheese or low fat cottage cheese, if that's why you're drinking milk. I always ate my AP's, and used most of my Flex points each week. In fact, I found I had to eat more to lose because of the intensity of the workouts. I started on the old system, where you had a range of points every day instead of a target, and I averaged 25 to 26 points a day, for the entire six months, and still lost 40 pounds and six sizes. It can be done, especially if you workout. Don't be too concerned about ups and downs. Look at the overall trend. You just started a few weeks ago, right? Look at how much you've lost total over those many weeks, not the week to week weigh-in. Your WI will be affected by everything. TOM, how much you ate or drank that day, the weight of your clothes, hormones and water shifts, etc. The idea is to focus on the overall trend. My average weight loss per week was only 1.4 pounds, but in six months, I made my goal. There were plenty of weeks I stalled, or gained, but the overall trend was downward. Best of luck to you!! You CAN do this!!

Carol
:)
 
Wow! Thanks for the quick responses! It is encouraging to hear your stories and advice. I know I shouldn't be frustrated already. My first week my weight put me at 22 points, then I lost a few pounds and went down to 20. I am drinking skim milk. I acutally got some of their smoothies--a lot of members have suggested those made with water and they are only one point. I will try your advice and get some of my calcium from low fat cheeses etc. I also take a multi-vitamin with calcium. I have trying to think of reasons my weight was up--I think your right, I need to consider the clothes I was wearing, the time of day, day of the week (all of which were different). I have had kind of a workout "relapse" lately--I used to workout and use Cathe's tapes all of time. I am kind of in a "starting over" phase. I think maybe by adding exercise this week I will see better results! I feel better now! Thanks again!!!!!
 
I am at 20 points also. I always, always eat my activity points. I do use almost all of my flex points too. It's normal for your weight to fluctuate up and down a bit, but in the end you will see overall weight loss.

BTW I always drink skim milk and I love fat free refried beans with corn tortillas. Half of the fat free can of refried beans is only 2 points and a corn tortilla is only 1 point! I love making bean tacos and frying them in Pam cooking spray. They come out delicious. I will sometimes add light sour cream also. :) The beans are very filling too and keep me satisfied for a long time. :)
 
Just remember that when your weight goes up a couple of pounds one week, or stays the same another week - you could have just gained some muscle from working out, which weighs more than fat of course - I sometimes forget this and then get so upset when I think I've put on weight. Just remain positive and don't weigh yourself more than once a week.

I now realise that for me, keeping fit and active through working out regularly is very important - although I'd love to lose my weight overnight, I know I'm not going to - so I am focusing my attention right now on building up my strength and stamina because it gives me the confidence to continue with my weight loss.

It's hard to lose weight, but it's even easier to let the weight slip back on again, there's no denying that. It helps if you have a good support structure and words of encouragement from friends or family.

Josie
 
I'm on the program with my target rate at 20 also.
There are days when I do eat my ap's ..that's what they're there for anyway. I use my ap's and flexpoints when needed and I'm a grazer eating 4-5 mini meals throughtout the day. As for milk I don't drink it except in my coffee and never count it. Since I've been on plan I average a loss of -1# weekly.
Just take it one day and even one meal at a time. This program does work and I'm always amazed on my WI day because I'm losing with practically no effort at all.
 
Thanks again for all of your help! I feel better about all of this today. I know it will just take time and committment!
 
Hi! I started Weight Watchers last June and lost 32 pounds by Christmas. It's a great program, so don't give up! I stay around 20 or 21 points a day. Don't forget that there are lots of vegetables that are ZERO points! Whenever I feel I need more food, I fix a big vegetable plant - asparagus, spinach, cabbage, brussel sprouts, etc., along with some potatoes (only 2 points there) and I have a great meal that's filling for practically no points!
 
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