I finally hit my Weight Watchers goal. Ask me anything. (nt)

[LuckyTheDog]

[lavenderdiva]

1. Congratulations!!!!!!

That's terrific about reaching your goal! What are you doing to celebrate? :bounce: :toast: :fistbump: :woohoo: :applause:

[LuckyTheDog]

2. Hmmm. Maybe I SHOULD celebrate.

Not sure how, though. Maybe I'll go to a movie and a healthy meal with my wife.

[KaryninMiami]

3. Ok- first congratulations! Second...

Why should I choose Weight Watchers? I'm exploring options now like many people do this time of year. I am ready to give it a go again- determined to do it finally - have had enough of this constant gaining thing that happens during middle age. I've been checking out all sorts of things - even sort of contemplating lap band surgery but my insurance doesn't cover it and those that do, would consider me to be inappropriate anyway because I am not as overweight as most people who do this tend to be. I've done all of the diets- south beach, atkins, low carb, low fat, lo cal, food combining, sugar busters, Opti-fast- all of them and the only thing that ever worked for me was Phen-Phen which I would use again in a minute if it were still available. I'm mostly a veggie (fish only no meat or chicken) and I tend to eat healthfully- organic mostly- but like many of us, I eat too much or eat when not hungry.
Lot's of friends have done Weight Watchers- most have not been very successful because of frustration in how long it took them to loose it and falling off of the wagon too soon. I know of few if any who made their goal-- most wind up starting and stopping a lot. So- what made you stick with it? How did you manage to make your goal- what was your goal by the way?

Congrats again! Maybe you can inspire me to take another more serious look at Weight Watchers.

[LuckyTheDog]

4. My doctor suggested Weight Watchers

Weight Watchers gave me a structure around which I could gradually change my eating. The guidelines are pretty common-sense. But there was something about having a daily "points" target and keeping a food journal that made it easier to stick with it. I had not realized how much mindless eating I was doing.

Also helpful: the weekly weigh-ins and the group meetings. Everyone in that room has the same problem and it's nice to be with people going through the same things.

Weight Watchers is NOT a quick fix. Most people lose 1-3 pounds per week in the beginning. That pace can be frustrating for people who expect the weight to fall off NOW. But you just cannot lose 10 pounds per week in a healthy way. It takes time. It also requires changing habits, which can take longer. I went into it figuring I was on a 2-year journey. It took me about a year an a half to lose 95 pounds. And I figure I'll be in for a while longer (maybe for life) to help me keep it off.

There are people who have been in my group for as long as I have who look pretty much the same as when they started. Others look like different people. One has lost about 120 pounds.

[KaryninMiami]

5. Thank you so much for sharing your story!

I will visit the site this week and take a more serious look. I was all set to start on the Rice diet tomorrow or antoher low carb -high protien thing that may bring quick results but has NEVER lead to permanent weight loss- quite the opposite in fact. Opti-fast worked great- how could it not? 800 calories a day- who wouldn't loose weight? But once you start eating again- the weight comes back pretty quickly. I need to shift my relationship with food and as you mention- change my habits.

95 Pounds- that's amazing! Congratulations again- wow!! I need to lose between 40 and 50- more would be better but unrealistic.

Anyway, thank you again!

[LuckyTheDog]

6. Glad I could help

I also should point out that it is pretty commonplace to go through "plateaus" that can last for weeks at a time. It's important not to stress yourself out or give up when that happens. If you keep following the program, you'll get past it. Exercise can help a lot. Moving more alters your metabolism and help you get through those plateaus.

There were times when I'd stay virtually the same weight for about a month and then drop 3-4 pounds all at once.

Another thing to realize: For most people, weight loss slows down after one loses a significant amount. For example, I'd like to lose a few more pounds, just to provide a "cushion." But at this point, I find it hard to lose more than a few TENTHS of a pound in a week. But that is normal after losing as much as I have.

[Goblinmonger]

8. I've been doing the Rice Diet for a month

and I would not compare it to the Atkins--not long-term weight loss category. It is about realizing what good portioning is, changing your views to food, and eating a low fat, low sodium, high fiber diet. The other fad diets are about eating all you want of something and this is more mindset-shifting. YMMV. Message me if you want to chat.

[MadAnne]

7. Congratulations!!!

How much and how long did it take? Just started, I like the Momentum plan.

[LuckyTheDog]

9. It took about a year and a half

But I really had to stick to the plan. I was on Flex, most of which seems to have been incorporated into the Momentum plan.

[justgamma]

10. Way to go, Lucky!!

That's fantastic! We're proud of you.

[psychmommy]

11. i just started back on 1/8/09.

i had went before and lost 45 lbs, went on vacation and fell off of the wagon-too ashamed to go back. i found a new meeting by my job-i go at lunch time. i enjoy weight watchers and i am not gonna stop this time until i meet my goal. i have about 100 lbs to lose. congrats on your weight loss. keep going for free as a lifetime member, folks make their goal and stray. my aunt made goal and she is still there God bless her.

[auntAgonist]

12. good luck with the program! keep us posted and

come here often. We're all good listeners (readers)

:hug:

We'll cheer you on.

aA

[psychmommy]

14. thanks alot, lost my first 3 lbs today. 97 more to go

one day at a time.

[auntAgonist]

13. congratulations Lucky! Your hard work has paid off

I'm sure you feel much healthier too!

Hope we can get together sometime in the summer. We'd love to see you again.

aA
kesha
:hi:

[gauguin57]

15. Congratulations!

I've been back and forth to Weight Watchers. Sometimes I succeed, sometimes not so much. But I will continue to go ... because even the weeks I don't lose weight, I know I'm keeping myself from continuing to gain more.

And I go to a meeting where both the leader and the group have FABULOUS senses of humor. It's like going to a comedy club (where we all have the weight struggle in common, but don't have to be deadly serious about it all the time!)

[chatnoir]

16. Did you do Core or Flex (i think that's what it's called)?