I’ve been a member of Weight Watchers for almost two years and I thought, “Wow, it would be cool to be able to come to the SDMB for discussion and support on this subject.”
Any other point-counters out there?
FYI:
I’m 5’5" and my healthy weight range is 144-120
Beginning weight: 172.8
Current weight : 153.8
Goal weight: 131
That would be me. I’ve been with WW since the end of January.
I’m 5’2" - my healthy weight range is 109 to 131.
Beginning weight: 142
Current weight: 122.4
Goal weight: 115
I joined WW because my mom did in the 70s and lost 25 lbs., so I knew it worked. I’m just glad you don’t have to eat liver once a week like you were required to back then or I don’t think I could do it!
I really like WW, and the fact that it is helping me to rid of my bubble butt.
Started 10 weeks ago. Lost 20lbs so far. Many, many pounds to go before I reach my goal weight. Which is not WW’s goal weight. In order to be a lifetime member I have to get to 120lbs. There is no way on God’s green Earth that I will be happy at 120. 140 is my goal.
That being said, I loooove WW. It is just a good, healthy diet packaged so even an idiot like me can understand. I do find that the insulin resistance that comes along with PCOS has me eating at less points then recommended to get the same results as everyone else. Found that out in a most fustrating way. Weeks 3 and 4 I lost nothing and actually gained in week 5. The instructor could not understand it (I think she thought I was cheating). Week 6 I came in under the minimum 5 days out of the 7.
This just means I have to go to the next set of points about 15 lbs before everyone else. No biggie. Except I can see a problem if I have to eat less than 18 points a day. I’ll eat that bridge when I get to it— in 5 years!
Wait a minute, Biggirl… Our WW lets you choose your goal weight. I think it has to be within the range, but they let you choose. Are you saying that 120 is the max weight for your height? Well, I guess if you’re 5’1" or under…
Another WW-er checking in.
Started October 28, 2001.
Starting Weight: 174
Current Weight: 143
Goal Weight: 135
Doing everything completely online.
Ive been stalled out at 143 for several weeks now.
It’s because I’m bored with my snack foods, so I’ve been eating more of them than I should. Need to go shopping to discover new ones.
Need re-motivation. Sigh.
Regarding weight…
Weight Watchers gives you a weight RANGE. You pick a weight within that range. Having said that, if you don’t like the WW range, a note from your doctor with an appropriate weight range for you will override the WW goal ranges. Please talk to your meeting room team at your meeting and tell them you’re interested in something like that. It certainly is an option.
Okay, so as you can tell, I’m a WW member, too. Actually, I work for them as well as a receptionist and leader.
Height 5’4"
Starting Weight: 160.4
Goal Weight: 134
Current Weight: 133 (I’m trying to get back that cushion I had!)
Years at Goal: 5 in August
Hey Motorgirl… My favorite snack is fresh fruit. 20 cherries=1 point. Small orange=1 point. Apple=1 point. Banana=2 points.
Also love chocolate so DQ Fudge Bar=1 point, Skinny Cow=2 points, WW 2-Point Bar, Pria Bar
Oh yeah - Orville Reddenbacher’s 98% (?) Less Fat Popcorn=2 points for the whole bag!
The WW measured me at 5’2". I say I’m 5’3". I’m still a very long way from either goal. Right now I’m focussing on my next “mini-goal”. Seriously, if I start thinking about how long it’s going to take to reach my ultimate goal, or even being happy with less points per day than I already have, I get nervous.
Things are working really well now. 20 lbs is more than I’ve ever lost on any diet. . . and it wasn’t even that hard, once I figured things out.
Oh! Well good. That makes sense. I was a leetle confused there for a second.
20 pounds ROCKS! You are a badass! You know that, don’t you?
Let me repeat that:
Biggirl is a badass!
I was on WW many years ago…want to get back into it…my sister & b-in-law are doing really well…they just started in Jan and he’s lost 45, she’s lost 20…You can do it all online? Tell me more!
** Biggirl** - for me, mini goals are very important.
My most recent minigoal was to be 145 by May 1.
I made it, but barely, and now I’m stuck. I need to decide on a new minigoal to get my a** in gear again. Maybe I’ll try a minigoal of going completely vegan for a week. Should keep my brain occupied enough not to eat a bunch of cheese! 
** Canthearya** - thanks for the ideas, MUCH appreciated.
Too bad I hate fruit. I know, I know. Hate fruit? What kind of freak am I? I’d rather have broccoli or beets or asparagus any day, but they’re not as portable on short notice as fruit.
I’ve been on an afternoon popcorn kick for awhile (Orville 98% FF kind) but it’s gotten to the point where the thought of popcorn makes me despair! WHich is why I’m ending up at the vending machine too often. Or if I hold out all afternoon I end up having a snack after dinner, which I know puts me over points for the day.
Weak willed, I am!
I think I will look into spices to sprinkle on my popcorn, and I’ve been hearing rumors of Baked Doritos, though they have yet to show up in the stores I shop at.
Penzeys.com sells some cheese sprinkles. I think I’ll phone and find out how many calories they are.
I like the Skinny Cows, but they don;t travel well to work, which is where my biggest snacking problem occurs.
Have you tried Tofutti Cuties? They are 3 pts, I think, and I’d never know they are dairy free.
kittenblue - www.weightwatchers.com has an all-online option for US members. I think they are not yet offering it in other countries, but I know some people have lied about what country they are in and WW never knows the difference, apparently. They just have to deal with US measurements in the databases.
I’m not much of a group-support type person, so the online program was very attractive to me. You weigh in once a week at home (or the gym, or wherever) and record your weight online.
You also journal online to keep track of your points. There is a database of recipes, food point values, etc. It’s actually very easy to use, and I’ve found it very useful. I think you can browse some of the features either anonymously or with the free registration. The cost for me (and I don;t know if it is based on your geographic location the way meeting fees are) is 15.00 per month, and there was aoyt a 30 or 40 sign up fee.
One drawback - you don’t have access to some of the things that meeting attendees get, like new recipes each week, the ability to purchase some of the cookbooks, the electronic or mechanical points calculator, etc.
But it’s easy to find a WW member willing to pick things up at a meeting for you.
Oh -and the online database of activities for earning activity points is, IMO pretty lackluster.
Let’s just say that everytime I want to reach for a Pepsi I think “3 points.”
Thanks Canthearya. Although it’s my bad ass I’m trying to get rid of!
MotorGirl have you tried Quaker’s Quakes? They’re mini-rice cakes, but good. The caramel one’s are slammin’.
You could do 11 Jelly Bellies. The hard part is only eating 11 of them. I’ll do it at save a nasty peanut butter one for last. Then I call my kids or cube-mates. They always finish them.
Biggirl - nope haven’t tried the Quaker Quakes yet. Have been thinking about them, though, so now that I have a recommendation, I think I’ll get some during my next supermarket trip.
mm, jelly bellies. I have a serious weakness for gum drops and the like as well.
Another WW checking in. My stats are about the same as Canthearya’s, except she’s closer to her goal weight. I’m losing enthusiasm though for following the plan. It has nothing to do with the program, but there’s some “stuff” going on in my life that is getting me down. But you guys are giving me some motivation, so let’s keep up this thread!
Hey peedin!
Since I’ve been a WW member for almost two years, I’m sure you can guess that I’ve been through some “stuff” myself.
We have some WW members who lose their weight within a few months and then there are people like me who take “the scenic route.” Our leader is awesome. She says that people who take the scenic route are more likely to keep it off because they go through tough times and make mistakes… If you lose it all within a few months with no hitches, what happens when something big comes up? Like an injury, illness, family problem, etc.?
Anyway, I just keep going to the meetings and keep telling myself that it will sink in. And right now I’m back on a losing streak and it feels so good.
The number one thing I’ve learned is that I cannot be perfect with the program and shouldn’t expect myself to be. I aim for sticking to my points five out of seven days. When I do, I lose weight. And the days I do go over, I don’t go too overboard…
You can do it, peedin. Take it from Aunty Canty, who still struggles with her inner teenager on a weekly basis.
Height: 5’11"
Starting weight: 277
Current weight: 227
Goal: 210?
We’ll see. I’m adding muscle as rapidly as I’m losing fat at the moment, so my goal may have to rise a bit. Time for a body fat % test! Thank goodness for WW!!!
(and thank goodness for WW software for palm pilot! Unfortunately WW issued a cease order to the person who made it after allowing him to write it)
RenegadeLibrarian, I love your handle. My mom is a former librarian so it makes me imagine my mother with a sweat-soaked bandanna across her forehead and a wicked blade clenched in her teeth.
Here’s a question for you veterans: Does the time ever come when one of those Smart Ones meals is actually all you need for dinner?
It’s not a points thing either. I make one bitching broiled shrimp salad with portabellos, roasted red peppers, baby spinach and romaine that’ll leave me stuffed for hours, but I’m still hungry right after I eat a Smart One.
In case you wanna try it, here’s my very own Shrimp ala Biggirl. There are 4 people in my house, so this serves 4 (with seconds)
Roast a big red pepper. (Hold it over a gas burner until it’s black all over–use tongs!). Put it in a paper bag. Set aside.
Slice 2 big portabellos. Add salt, pepper, oregano to taste. Heat up a tablespoon of oil in a pan (I like olive oil for this). Cook ports on one side. Add another tablespoon of oil and cook on the other side.
Salt, pepper and coat 1 lb of biggish shrimp with garlic. Put under broiler for 3 minutes. Turn shrimp and broil for another minute or two until done.
In a really big bowl, toss greens, ports and the pepper (that you’ve sliced up somewhere along the way). Add shrimp on top. Sprinkle with balsamic vinegar.
Yummy, yum!
How many points?