I know this probably sounds horrible coming from someone with my background, but I can't seem to do it for myself. I have lost basically all of my pregnancy weight, which is good, but I am battling this weight that I had gained before I got prego due to birth control pills. Ever since I started taking those about a year before my son was born, I gained 10 to 15 lbs. I am currently working with my MD to get me the new Meridia IUD, just so that I can stop taking the pills and actually lose the weight.
I was thinking seriously about joining Weight Watchers, but I am not sure if I should go to the meetings or do the online thing, just because I have a very busy schedule. Monday through Friday, I wake up at six to drop off my eight month old son at daycare by seven thirty, and get to work by eight thirty to open at nine. I work until around five (sometimes it vaires from five to five thirty... depending on patients), then go pick my son up. Because of traffic, I dont get to him until at least quarter to six or even six. We dont get home until the latest six thirty, assuming we dont make any quick stops to the store to get a side dish for dinner. By the time I get dinner ready and juggle him... it's already eight. I try to cook dinners that are healthy, have plenty of variety, and enough for lunches the next day for my husband and myself. Some nights, he gets home before me, and he has tried to help begin dinner until I get home. Other nights, he has night school... so I am left to do everything.
Should I go to the meetings, just for the face to face encouragement since I need that type of support to keep myself on this diet? Or, with my busy schedule, should I opt for the online deal and work to sticking to it?
I went to a meeting, and didn't really enjoy it like I thought I would. Weight Watchers did give me a two week free trial of the online stuff, so I am planning on giving that a shot. I have read on the website the difference between the E-tools and the Weight Watchers online.... to me the only difference is price. The e-tools are supposed to supplement the meetings, but I wonder if you could just use them and not go to meetings.
Anyway, until then, this week, I have tried to cut out some fatty foods, as well as limit my carb intake. I have been eating LOTS of salad and rice cakes for snacks to keep me from over eating. Last night I ate salad and a bit of the hamburger helper that I had cooked for my husband. My paperplate had 75% salad and 25% hamburger helper... I was going to just eat a salad, but I didn't want to cause myself to have a binge later, so I ate a little bit of it... I figured that since I cooked it, that was enough torture to only eat a little bit.
Thanks for the imput. I am going to also try to go to the gym Wed, Fri, and Saturdays... I would like to go Sunday's too, but right now I am only going to committ to those three days. I went yesterday, and was suprised since I lasted 15 min on the eliptical machine. I usually can't last 10 min on that thing (I hate it)... but I know that using that machine will sure melt away the fat quicker than a bike. I am trying to get to 20 minutes, then go to 25... all the up to 45. I might need some motivational cds to listen to cause it took all I had to last 15 min.
Weight watchers can be good. I have a friend who is a group leader. You have to do whatever will work for you! Try it out. If it doesn't work for you, then at least you tried!
This reply may come a little late, but maybe it will help you or others.. I had Gestational Diabetes during pregnancy and they put me on a special diet. Not only did that diet keep my blood sugar in check, but it also helped me drop 35 pounds after my baby was born. I am still on the diet 4 months later. It is not super restrictive, but you really have to follow it. There is a 2000 calorie and 2200 calorie version. It allows you to eat 6 times a day: breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner, snack. This is to regulate your metabolism. Also, drinking tons (I mean TONS) of water helps. I drink almost a gallon a day. I had very poor eating habits prior to this, and always felt tired. Now I feel super energetic, and I fit into my "skinny jeans" again! Feel free to drop me an e-mail and I can send you the diet. I wish you continued luck with your weight loss!!
I have done the Weight Watchers program several times throughout my life. For me, I have found that attending the meetings is very helpful. Other members provide support, encouragement and suggestions for recipes and other tools to keep your motivation going. The program offers meetings on both Saturdays and Sundays to accomodate people that are busy Monday through Friday. Go to the Weight Watchers website, www.weightwatchers.com to locate meeting places and times located near your home. They also offer at work programs if you can get enough people at your job to want to do it as well. This is the program I have been most successful with and would recommend it to anyone. Good luck!
Hi S.,
I've tried the Nutrisystem diet and it wasn't too bad. I did the online program and was motivated for about 2 weeks and I lost 8 pounds. The first week was the worst because the food portions aren't exactly spectacular but you get used to it eventually. The main purpose of these weight-loss programs is to help you see what portion sizes really are supposed to be like. Eventually, I got tired of the boxed foods and the constant salads so I've started eating regular foods at least once a day and substituting either lunch or dinner with the nutrisistem foods. Now, these programs are supposedly in conjunction with regular exercise - which I'm still having a hard time with my schedule - and I have a lighter load than you because I don't work outside the house! Don't give up though, if you really want to lose the weight you can do it!
I have heard that Weight Watchers is pretty good, but a little pricey. You may want to look into something called TOPS it stands for Take Off Pounds Sensibly. It's a non profit weight loss organization. They have meetings and online diet help. It does cost but the price is very minimal, and that is mostley just to cover costs of having the program. I think it's like $25 for the year. You can look into it at http://www.tops.org
I think the decision to go to meetings is up to you. You have to find out when and where they are, if you can get there on time, if it's gonna add too much stress to go, if it's gonna relieve stress by having support, if it will help keep you on track. The support itself can be very helpfull, but if there's no time then that can cause problems.
Good luck.
V.
Hello! Congratulations on trying to lose the weight! I am also trying to take that first step. I would suggest that you see if there is any meetings that possibly take place at lunch time one day a week - if you could sneak out of work. I personally did weight watchers online which was great due to the ease of inputing your points online (i work on a computer all day long). One way I made it work from me was I did it with a friend from work and we had to share our points from the day before every day - this kept up both on track. We also had lunch together every day so we encouraged eachother to stay on track. I lost about 20 pounds in 3 months coupled with exercise. GOOD LUCK!
I think that the key is a partner. You look forward to seeing the person, you make a plan. Obviously, you need to work out. But it sounds like you also need some time for yourself, so if you find a friend or a new acquaintance that you look forward to seeing, you will be less likely to not make it for your work out.
You have to get fed up enough to dedicate some time to yourself.
K
HI S.,
If I were you I'd forget WW and go to Transformations Medical Weight Loss in Lake Mary. I've never seen anything like it for weight loss!
Best wishes!
J.
after having 2 babies back to back i have gained 80 lbs. I have been doing weight watchers for 11 weeks and so far have taken off 19 lbs. I go to the meetings because it just seems to help motivate me. I do not know what it costs to join, but weekly I pay 15 dollars. check there website out to get prices
