Weight Watchers...HUH??

[Bemabound 11]

HI all,

I am beginning my 6 month supervised diet (so is the hubby)....we weigh over 400lbs...yuk! Well, the dr gave the go ahead to use Weight watchers online so one of us registered and put in our weight loss goal (even though we are only doing this for awhile). It spit out that we have 63 points per day and 49 extra points per week....WHAT?????????? Just for kicks I ate today exactly what I would normally eat today and can't even get to those points! How can we loose some weight on this???? OUr surgeon wants us at 400 even if possible. Any ideas, anybody use this????? So confused? Thanks, Tracy

[renniemommie 8]

Veggies and Protein (low-fat) maybe? I never lost weight with WW, only following low-carb Atkins, which doesn't count calories, only carbs. Another thing I've tried is recording on Sparkepeople. Free, online.

[a.walker 2]

Yeah, the weight watchers points never worked for me either because I weighed 300 lbs and it wanted me to eat a lot. I am pretty sure I have a low BMR, and don't need as many calories a day as some people of my same weight, because the weight watchers points never worked. I think either a low carb or low calorie diet would be best for losing weight pre-op. I have always done best with low-carb, and since that's part of what you'll be doing post- VSG, it might be good to get a head start. Good luck, and sorry the Weight Watcher's thing didn't work out.

[sleeve 4 me 910]

I love weight watchers. I lost 46 lbs. on ww in 2004, but gained it all back, as soon as I got off program. I reall do think it's the best program out there. It's truly about balance, balance, balance. I may get back on it, now that I have this awesome tool

Try it and see what happens

[kgremmy 36]

I would try to follow WW as much as possible. There have been many people who have lost weight with WW (including me 50lb in 2007 but gained it all back). Make sure that you journal everything that you put in your mouth.

[LilMissDiva Irene 3,280]

WW is very WLS sleeve friendly. I even had a lot of success with it with my Lap Band. No way can I eat the points it suggests so I place my maximum daily points to 24 - which is a maximum of 1200 calories per day. Pre-ops I really don't know because I never used the system before any of my surgeries.

You have to really make sure you are being 100% honest with what you are eating and how you are preparing your food. You have to account for every little thing, even if you are cooking and eating with olive oils - everything. The points do add up when you do this. It's super important. Weighing and measuring all your food too - you will see the points go fast.

Also, I just tweak the system to fit my personal life. There is no law saying you can't so I do. It would be simply impossible for me to eat up all the points they suggest. Remember too, this is a paid service and the longer they can keep you on it, the more money they make. So, if you choose to continue this program just make it work for you.

It's really good at tracking all corners of a healthy eating and fitness lifestyle and I really love it!! :-) Just my two cents...

If not I really highly suggest the true Atkins Diet -or- the South Beach Diet. Try to find a copy of the books, at your library or wherever. You WILL lose a lot of weight with that.

Good luck!!!

[Bemabound 11]

Thanks guys! We were just really looking forward to something that would make life easier for us to track food, prepare food for us and the kids and spit out a shopping list...oh well....maybe we will just lower the points...does anyone know how many points 1500 cal diet would be? Maybe LilMissDiva????? Thanks again! Tracy

[LilMissDiva Irene 3,280]

Thanks guys! We were just really looking forward to something that would make life easier for us to track food, prepare food for us and the kids and spit out a shopping list...oh well....maybe we will just lower the points...does anyone know how many points 1500 cal diet would be? Maybe LilMissDiva????? Thanks again! Tracy

Hi Bema, a point will average out to approx 50 calories. So whatever you are choosing to base you MAXIMUM calorie level at, divide by 50. So your points per day for 1,500 Calories would be 30. I hope this helps!

[Becca 108]

I nver really had success with Weight Watchers. I think the points are just too much for me to keep up with because I am so busy. I really like My Fitness Pal. com. It tracks your calories, carbs, etc for free. Almost all foods are on there, even restaurants. I keep very acurate track of my calories there and it is unreal how many calories are in some of the food you eat. I have had the most success with low carb diets. I wish you the best with your pre-op diet. I know it will be hard , but the sleeve is so worth it!

[dramagirl28 22]

I know WW just changed their program... now they calculate points based not only on calories/fat/fiber, but also carbs and Protein. So make sure you're not calculating the points values of food based on old materials. I have been on WW twice where I *really* tried. The first time I lost 45lbs and the second time almost 70lbs. It really works if you follow the plan. As soon as I stopped tracking and attending meetings I started putting it back on.

And whatever you do, DON'T tell anyone on the WW forums that you've had surgery!! You'll be bombarded with negativity. I've seen some pretty brutal posts. Good luck!

[Smillzee 0]

I agree with most people here. It really is about the carbs. They are the devil when it comes to weight loss. I lost about 40 pounds on WW from 300 to about 260 and didn't put it back on but could not get any more off. My fitnesspal.com is a great free program that really helps to track food intake. Check it out and it is free. I got sleeved on 12/29 and I think it is just the tool I need to really lose. But again, it is only a tool. You have to work at it for life. I'm hoping that you go with a high proteing low carb alternative to WW because it sounds like way too many points to really lose any weight. Good Luck. Smillzee

[LilMissDiva Irene 3,280]

For the record Weight Watchers is now promoting a low carb diet. The old system did not take this into account - however it *still* works if you follow the system 100%.

And I totally agree with drama - don't post about your WLS on the forums there. If they only knew though how wonderfully this nutrition tool works with our restriction tool... they'd be sorry they waiting so long to do it!!! LOL

It will take a lot of work, time, patience... but IT DOES WORK. I'm telling you, since I started counting my points again I've already lost 5 pounds. I've only been tracking for 5 days... so - yes, it's possible if you work it. I'm over four months out now and it's definitely not as easy to lose as it was in the first two months. So I know I'm on the right track.

[thinoneday 445]

this sounds dumb i know but i'm starting a diet today. . . old habits NEVER die do they??? Thank god for this sleeve and Portion Control, this shouldn't be too tough ( I hope)

[LilMissDiva Irene 3,280]

this sounds dumb i know but i'm starting a diet today. . . old habits NEVER die do they??? Thank god for this sleeve and Portion Control, this shouldn't be too tough ( I hope)

Thin honestly it is SUPER EASY!! I thought I'd have some struggles but really, I'm never hungry and I'm burning at least 1,000 calories per day on workouts alone. You'd think my stomach would be ravenous. It's not. I LOVE MY SLEEVE SOOO MUCH!!! :wub: :wub: :wub:

You will do fine, you just watch.

[thinoneday 445]

Thin honestly it is SUPER EASY!! I thought I'd have some struggles but really, I'm never hungry and I'm burning at least 1,000 calories per day on workouts alone. You'd think my stomach would be ravenous. It's not. I LOVE MY SLEEVE SOOO MUCH!!! :wub: :wub: :wub:

You will do fine, you just watch.

hahaha thanks for the support, I am one of those unfortunate folks who never lost the hunger thing. . i don't go hog wild on slider foods and stuff though, i'm more or less doing this for hubbie, he has gained 20 lbs since thanksgiving and is really upset about it. . so to support him i'll start a diet as well . . .poor baby. . .