Am I Nuts?

[sraebaer]

I have decided to join Weight Watchers to get off these crazy glued to me for almost a year 5 pounds over goal. I was a lifetime member back in the 90's when I lost all my weight with phen-phen (I'm sure you know the rest of the story there), so would only have to pay until I lose 5 pounds, and then could weigh monthly for free.

Somehow standing on that scale every week I think will make me take this more seriously than my own scale. And when I read about their plan, it sounds like they now stress high protein, low carbs, like we should eat. Plus they make you track, which I need to do. Not to mention the place is a mile from my house.

Has anyone done this? If it were 3 years ago I would have told someone they were insane to do this.

[Dutchie]

If you feel that you need that, go for it!
Whatever suits you best.
Maybe after a couple of weeks you find that routine again of tracking and monitoring your food intake.
Plus the weighing in front of a leader may give you that extra sense of responsibility.
I don't know about the nutty part , but it seems to me that you do what you have to, in order to take good care of yourself!

[RehabNurse]

Yes, I feel it's batshit crazy to rejoin Weight Watchers.

Since you were a daily runner until recently, I'll bet top dollar those 5 additional pounds are not from fat, but from lower body muscle in the quadriceps, hamstrings and calves.

I had a regain of 9 pounds over the past year. However, per the results of my hydrostatic body fat test, I actually lost 1 pound of body fat, gained 8 pounds of muscle, and gained 2 pounds of water.

Therefore, my weight regain was all good. I didn't gain any fat.

Your weight regain might be the good kind, but the only way to know is to either get a hydrostatic (water displacement) body fat test or a DEXA scan.

In essence, you'd be better off spending your money on body fat testing rather than wasting it on Weight Watchers, a company that profits off peoples' failures.

In addition, if your clothes still fit the same as when you weighed 140 pounds, I wouldn't worry.

[Lisa73me]

I have decided to join Weight Watchers to get off these crazy glued to me for almost a year 5 pounds over goal. I was a lifetime member back in the 90's when I lost all my weight with phen-phen (I'm sure you know the rest of the story there), so would only have to pay until I lose 5 pounds, and then could weigh monthly for free.

Somehow standing on that scale every week I think will make me take this more seriously than my own scale. And when I read about their plan, it sounds like they now stress high protein, low carbs, like we should eat. Plus they make you track, which I need to do. Not to mention the place is a mile from my house.

Has anyone done this? If it were 3 years ago I would have told someone they were insane to do this.

No, I have been thinking about doing the same thing! Let me know how it goes please!

[sraebaer]

Yes, I feel it's batshit crazy to rejoin Weight Watchers.

Since you were a daily runner until recently, I'll bet top dollar those 5 additional pounds are not from fat, but from lower body muscle in the quadriceps, hamstrings and calves.

I had a regain of 9 pounds over the past year. However, per the results of my hydrostatic body fat test, I actually lost 1 pound of body fat, gained 8 pounds of muscle, and gained 2 pounds of water.

Therefore, my weight regain was all good. I didn't gain any fat.

Your weight regain might be the good kind, but the only way to know is to either get a hydrostatic (water displacement) body fat test or a DEXA scan.

In essence, you'd be better off spending your money on body fat testing rather than wasting it on Weight Watchers, a company that profits off peoples' failures.

In addition, if your clothes still fit the same as when you weighed 140 pounds, I wouldn't worry.

My pants are tight!! And I refuse to buy new pants. I appreciate your honest response.

[sraebaer]

No, I have been thinking about doing the same thing! Let me know how it goes please!

It's pretty cool, I can track any food online, even take a photo of the bar code. It is basically how we are supposed to be eating, so something high in protein without the sugar and fat is very low in points. Like my Premier Protein shake is only 2 points. And my low-fat bumble tuna pack with crackers is only 2 points. But then I had an oatmeal at the coffee shop today which was 11 points (obviously from the sugar) so I won't be eating that again. And the Bang Bang shrimp I love at Bonefish is 25 points!! Obviously I can't eat it all, but I'm already learning a lot. Also surprised to learn my low-fat greek yogurt was 3 points, again must be the sugar. I'd eat the yogurt and just count the protein. So I have been making some poor choices and this should open my eyes.

I need to start tracking so this will get me into it. 4 years and I have never tracked anything except protein and liquids. Not to mention I get to go attend for free after I lose 5 pounds, which shouldn't take long.

[DHB]

It's pretty cool, I can track any food online, even take a photo of the bar code. It is basically how we are supposed to be eating, so something high in protein without the sugar and fat is very low in points. Like my Premier Protein shake is only 2 points. And my low-fat bumble tuna pack with crackers is only 2 points. But then I had an oatmeal at the coffee shop today which was 11 points (obviously from the sugar) so I won't be eating that again. And the Bang Bang shrimp I love at Bonefish is 25 points!! Obviously I can't eat it all, but I'm already learning a lot. Also surprised to learn my low-fat greek yogurt was 3 points, again must be the sugar. I'd eat the yogurt and just count the protein. So I have been making some poor choices and this should open my eyes.

I need to start tracking so this will get me into it. 4 years and I have never tracked anything except protein and liquids. Not to mention I get to go attend for free after I lose 5 pounds, which shouldn't take long.

Have you used MyFitnessPal in the past? If so, does this seem easier/more informative?

[sraebaer]

Have you used MyFitnessPal in the past? If so, does this seem easier/more informative?

Never tried that. This one has practically every restaurant listed with everything they serve, along with taking a photo of the bar code of anything packaged to get points. Plus a calculator where if you can't find something you fill in the information (protein, sugar,carbs, etc) and it figures it out for you. Seems pretty cool. But I'm really new to this, you guys probably have free stuff to do the same thing.

[Ann2]

No, I don't think you're nuts.

People skin this maintenance cat in a number of different ways.

If WW doesn't work for you, then, hey, you'll know not to keep doing it and will try something else.

I have ZERO worries that you are going to let your new lifestyle fall by the wayside. Just fine-tune what you're doing ANY WAY you want to try.

Best wishes!

[Christie13]

It's pretty cool, I can track any food online, even take a photo of the bar code. It is basically how we are supposed to be eating, so something high in protein without the sugar and fat is very low in points. Like my Premier Protein shake is only 2 points. And my low-fat bumble tuna pack with crackers is only 2 points. But then I had an oatmeal at the coffee shop today which was 11 points (obviously from the sugar) so I won't be eating that again. And the Bang Bang shrimp I love at Bonefish is 25 points!! Obviously I can't eat it all, but I'm already learning a lot. Also surprised to learn my low-fat greek yogurt was 3 points, again must be the sugar. I'd eat the yogurt and just count the protein. So I have been making some poor choices and this should open my eyes.

I need to start tracking so this will get me into it. 4 years and I have never tracked anything except protein and liquids. Not to mention I get to go attend for free after I lose 5 pounds, which shouldn't take long.

The yogurt does not surprise me one bit. When I was first sleeved and looking at yogurts I was surprised by how high in sugar most of them were. (Between 30-40 grams!!!) I have the Oikos Triple Zero Greek yogurt and it was the lowest I found with 7 g sugar. I don't get much sugar so this is one that I am ok with.

[Christie13]

I don't think you are nuts. I think weighing publically does hold one accountable. Some people need that.

[Stacey03]

I think drive your own bus and do what you want to do. I don't think it's a bad idea to track. I wondered about this a lot at the start but I have been doing it, of course at the moment it's super simple, as I'm not eating much. I may get tired of doing it a bit later when I'm eating more but I'm going to keep going and see how it goes.
I went to weight watchers back in my early 20s and had heaps of fun. I made loads of friends in the group I was in and this is hilarious, but we used to go for fish and chips after the meeting once a week and then be really good all week!!!! Of course we lost weight because we were young!!! Then we put it all back on again! But for the social aspect it was heaps of fun :-)

[AnnieG]

Not nuts for certain! I use LiveStrong MyPlate which tracks everything except poo (seriously). Having had diabetes & celiac my whole life, I am used to watching (and figuring out) how things affect me.

The thing about WW, you have some "accountability" beyond the scales, tight clothes or the mirror. And friends/buddies to talk to. The support component in any life change is so important to human beings! I know you have all of us but its not the same as a "real time" friend.

You are an amazing help to everyone here. Hope your friend with the cancer is doing okay. Be at peace with whatever you decide

[sraebaer]

Not nuts for certain! I use LiveStrong MyPlate which tracks everything except poo (seriously). Having had diabetes & celiac my whole life, I am used to watching (and figuring out) how things affect me.

The thing about WW, you have some "accountability" beyond the scales, tight clothes or the mirror. And friends/buddies to talk to. The support component in any life change is so important to human beings! I know you have all of us but its not the same as a "real time" friend.

You are an amazing help to everyone here. Hope your friend with the cancer is doing okay. Be at peace with whatever you decide

Thanks Annie, my friend I'm subbing for got a great report, cancer free! I guess they caught it very early, stage 1. No need for chemo or radiation. She will be back to work when her 6 weeks are over, next week Wednesday. Then I return to retirement.

[Ann2]

Great news, sraebaer!

Congrats to her. And to you (you can go home soon).