Anyone else try it? I'm starting now. I need to lose 10 lbs.

From what I've seen it's the best program there is. I have two close friends and know numerous others that have had success with WW because it teaches you to diet and exercise properly, and allows you to eat whatever you want in sensible portions.

I always find it funny when a group of women are deciding which group to join, and the inevitable conclusion is the one where you're allowed the most 'sins'.

If you don't sin, you'll lose more weight, so it's a marketing tactic. Having said that, meeting as a group in itself, with basic knowledge about nutrition and exercise (which can easily be found on the internet), there's no need to pay for losing weight.

On the other side of the coin, the mere presence of an 'instructor' of some sort, can act as a motivator.

My little sister who was always slightly (30-40 pounds) overweight, after numerous failed attempts to lose weight, joined Weight Watchers and adopted their point counting system. She became slightly obsessed witht the counting, but hats off - it worked! She lost all of it some 5-6 years ago, and has only very slowly put some of it back on.

Whenever she feels she needs to drop 10-20 pounds, she simply starts counting her points again. She knows it works, and it keeps her motivated.

The system, I guess, is very simple and like any other diet/program it requires strict discipline. I am, by nature, very sceptical and cynical about such programs and their promises, but it worked - as the only thing - for my little sis, so I'll recommend it to anyone.

I think Weight Watchers is one of the better programs out there. Not my style, as I don't need others to motivate me or to teach me how to eat w/in my recommended limits.

But for others, as the above poster pointed out, it is a good program. My understanding is that they not only teach you how to lose weight but how to turn the advised nutrition into a lifestyle and that is what is most important.

Can't never look at it as a diet - must be a lifestyle change.

Also, for some the meetings are helpful. Many folks overeat as a reaction to stressors and to hear others share similar stories and other ways of coping, is only helpful.

Meon

Thought I should clarify that just coz I know what I should eat and how much I should exercise, that does not mean I actually do those things on a regular consistent basis. I would say far from it, but maybe I am not that far. Sort of within shooting or should I say spitting distance.

How about we allow me to split the difference, in my description?

Anyway, one thing to know what to do; quite another to actually do it.

I am going to be joining this week. I found out that my health insurance provider will pay the full cost of joining and attending meetings. I wish I only needed to lose 10 lbs. I need to lose about 40-45lbs and I am determined to lose it this year. At my age, each year that goes by with me being overweight leads me closer to developing diabetes and/or heart disease.

Meon has a point of making life style changes.That is where I majorly fail at keeping lost weight off.

Whenever my sister is following the program i.e. the point-system, and she invites me over for dinner, I accept happily 'cause I love my sister - but it can come as no surprise that the cooking and the recipes are not exactly culinary delights.

They are very low on fat, and a lot of the repices are really uncreative as far as spicing up your food goes. I am sure there are better recipes out their, and luckily you can be can add a great variety of spices without fattening up your meal.

And yes - being nothing but an observer in this question - I would say that Weight Watchers and their counterparts have one main thing going for them - as opposed to other diet programs and/or approaches to losing weight: They are structured around dietary changes that allow you to eat everything you need to feel physically fit and well, and as such they do a much better job at correcting your life-style related issues than most other diets, etc.

I think :-)

Sounds right to me Hommus. Lots of the healthy foods, like raw veggies are zero points. Steamed would be ok too. One could eat raw carrots all day and still stay on the program. In fact, almost all veggies (cept for the sugary ones) are zero points. Noone ever gained weight eating veggies and they are good for you 2.

The WW point system is just a way of making it easier to keep track of fat, calories, and nutrition.

Now in regards to lack of spice, well it does take a good cook to make healthy foods taste good. A few of my favorites are lemon juice which gives a kick to alot of things and quality red wine vinegar which does the same.

Herbs, herbs, herbs, help too. And so does heat such as Siracha (sp?), which is the asian hot sauce available in most grocery stores. That will perk anything. Course you might not be able to talk. LOL.

And mustard is pretty low fat and can add a lot to dressing or a marinade.

And I think WW is anti-salt but you could add it your dish as you are just a guest. Salt helps most dishes.

Hommus, nice of you to support your sister. It is encouraging when our siblings are striving to improve and be healthier.

Yes, it is. It really makes me feel good when my sister (or my little brother for that matter) makes a change for the better, and I wholeheartedly support them. I make an effort to catch my sis on the chat, and ask her how the point-counting is coming along. And I really do take my hat off for what she has accomplished. Losing 40 pounds is no small feat.

Good input on the spicing :-) I will make an effort to check out some nice WW-recipes and invite my sister to a fat-free tasty dinner.

Maybe Gene will share of her favorite recipes, now that she is joining.

Gene, feel like posting about WW? How's it going? What's the hard part? Is your family supportive or complaining?

Hey, thebird, how's it going with WW? Has anyone else joined recently?

I received the paperwork to start back in March but didn't actually get to a meeting until two weeks ago! That's Ok. I've already lost about five pounds. I had hoped to lose all the weight by late June, but as long as I don't end the year still packing it around, I'll be happy!

I really like the point system. I'm using the online eTools and that is taking some time to figure out but overall it is an easy way to keep track of the points I've used. What I like best about the program is no food is off-limits, unless you want it to be (for example, coca-cola is off-limits for me. I feel so much better when I'm not drinking it).

meonlyits - Since it's just my husband & I, and since he enjoys eating simple, healthy food, it's not a problem (besides, he wants to lose about 15-20).

Now, if I can just get an exercise program going. I talked with my PT today about what I can do. He doesn't recommend I do too much. I need to just work on some gentle core strengthening excercises. Once I can tolerate that, I can work towards being more active. I hate being so limited but, hopefully, if I just keep working at it, I will eventually be able to more physical activity.

All I know about WW is that a friend of mine has used that program a couple of times, and she was very happy with the results.

She said it's like most things in life - you get out of it what you put into it. An "if you work it, it works" kind of a deal. She lost all the weight she wanted to, and said the program works because of the various supports built into it.

Well, I'm pretty happy so far. I lost about 5 lbs in two weeks. That means I've only about 35-40 more to lose, lol!

Woo hoo - I can't believe I've lost another two lbs this week! (I wasn't completely on track with my eating so I was worried I would either have a zero or I would have gained).

Congrats Gene! Pretty soon we won't be able to see ya!

Of course! There's an app for that.

Gene, Congats on the weight loss. I am glad you are finding the program easy to follow.

I have been struggling trying to keep my dd active w/her injured leg, so I understand your plight.

We are gonna start swimming/playing in the pool now that it is opening today.

I also bought her one of those pedalers, that one can use sitting down. It keeps your knee moving w/no impact.

Also, there used to be exercise programs on TV for older folks that were very low impact, some even sitting. I used to encourage my mom all the time to try those.

Maybe some of those would work for you, IF your doc oks.

I have been maintaining my weight, but need to lose 15 lbs like most of us do. In fact, for me it was that last part of the baby weight that I never lost.

Meon

Weight watchers stopped their business here in Finland for the reason that there were not enough people attending their programs.

Even though each summer when people start using less clothes you can see that there are more and more obese people here and type two diabetes is getting more and more usual disease.

How odd to think that millions of people are starving in the world daily (including, ironically enough, the 30 million individuals who are "food insecure" in the USA), and yet a significant population in first world nations are becoming increasingly obese--so obese that there is a booming business in self-mutilation, i.e., gastric bypass and similar proceedures.

Yes we should invite those starving people to eat with us so it would be a win-win situation for all.

I find the subject amazing. In this country, even the "poor" are high on the obesity charts. I was never obese but 3 yers ago I weighed around 30 lbs more than I do now. I have less money and I guess I don't eat as much.

And yet those obese people lack of vitamins and other stuff that our bodies need. They are undernourished and still obese.

Good point, Adult onset diabetes, high BP, etc.

Food insecure? Are you referring to eating when not hungry? One factor related to sugar products is the affect it has on the chemistry of depressed people. Once they're on a satisfactory dose of serotonin, often the craving for sugar and salt is appeased. Sugar and salt are metabolised as interactive substances.

The correlation of obesity and self mutilation has no valid or reliable findings.

Medicaid is the most prolific insurance carrier approving gastric bypass, often done by physicians who don't require a psychological; the best practice way to determine motivation for bypass surgery.

Poverty breeds low cost, high calorie foods. The wealthy in this country are reported to have the lowest bodyfat, attributed to ability to afford personal trainers, quality food, improved self image, prestige, a desire to keep an optimal appearance.

I agree w/this but also agree w/Tiger mom's statement about how hard it is to think of so much of the world starving while others eat too much. Seems weird to me.

I think it is a myth that quality, REAL food is more expensive than fast food or other convienence foods. However, it is more time consuming to prepare. Plus folks cook/buy what they know and what they have been taught. It's a shame really.

I am really working w/my dd so she does not get overwieght. But she is only 9 so I must be careful as she will rebel as soon as she can. I try to lead by example and we don't have junk food in the house.

But lately, seems like she is ALWAYS hungry but only for sweets or fat. My dh is a bit of the food police too and keep telling him to back off or she will start secret eating or worse. Healthy eating must be a choice one makes for oneself.