Weight Watchers: Not Too Sure If It's Right For Me

Walkinshaw

I'm on an NHS referral to Weight Watchers in my local area - but I really don't think it's for me. Admittedly I have only been to one meeting but I have been researching it online for the past week so I feel pretty sure about what little I know.

I do wonder if a change in meeting venue might work for me as I wasn't too keen on the leader, she came across as though she didn't have time/want to talk to the newbies (me and three others) and didn't have time to answer any questions - it was 'this is how you find your points, this is where you find out how many points you are eating. goodbye.' type talk and she walked off and left us all sat there after. It is a pretty nice and quite direct 1 mile walk each way though.

There is another group I could attend in walking distance, but I used to work there and I know just dropping in would mean that I never got to leave afterwards and not get home for hours after. I also know they'd also ask me to volunteer for them again like they did when my contract ran out and whilst it'd be something I'd consider, it's not something I could realistically commit to at the minute. Everywhere else is either the evening/weekend (need daytime) or is further out and would require a bus journey which I could do without the extra expense, especially as I'm not sure it's right for me.

I have a heart problem and had to spend a LONG time getting rest etc which helped the weight heap on along with the medicine. Sort of a vicious circle as i need it off to get better - but couldn't get out or work out to get it off!

I need to eat 34 points and I am taking Orlistat at the same time. I eat small meals, I don't eat a lot but I have eaten the wrong things due to pure convinience so I could get sat back down and rest. I am feeling a lot better and I'm ready to tackle it head on with the support of my various doctors - but I'm not sure this is the way!

Because of the Orlistat, I am restricted to eating food with less than 5g of fat per 100g (or suffer the consequences!) which cuts a lot of things out to start with. I have already lost 3 stone with just the tablets (in 3 months) so I am reluctant to actually change things there. Had very little of the whole bad side effects (basically when getting started just to adjust) and so it's a massive deterrant to make sure I don't stray from the diet. Looking through the food lists in the WW booklets and things - a lot of what I eat is 0 points so that already doesn't detract from the total.

The bottom of the tracker page has confused me too. do I tick the Milk and dairy boxes? Or do I put the amount I've eaten in there - ditto the fruit and veg? What are activity points :S (I get what they are - but I don't know how you'd work them out)

So far today:
Breakfast (already eaten)
3 weetabix and 1/4 pint of 1% fat milk (how many points is that? More than semi-skimmed? I played it safe and put it as the same)
1 white tea.
4 Points

Lunch:
1 Quorn Fillet chopped up and mixed with half a tin of chopped toms
1 Med Jacket Potato
Large glass of OJ
4 Points

Dinner:
HMade pasta bake with quorn chicken pieces
Large glass of OJ
Approx 5 -6 points

At the outside, this gives me about 14 points used. I don't get hungry outside of it so I don't snack. Occasionally I eat some jelly as a desert but even that is 0 points as it's sugar free.

I can't really whack things up a level because of the fat content. I've been working out various meals that I could eat and I get around 20 points left over each time like above. I don't feel the urge/need to eat anymore, especially as it's summer and because I can't work at the minute I'm exisiting on my Incapacity Benefit so money isn't there to keep going out and getting fresh things. I'm sort of 70% vegetarian in that I mostly eat quorn but do also eat chicken, tuna and bacon (well did eat bacon - not now cos of the fat content, but do eat quorn bacon pieces).

I'd appreciate any advice that you can pass on, sorry for the long post. I did start by putting it in the WW thread but it's too long for that.

Thanks again guys

jenniewb

I'd say try the other meeting.

You do not have to volunteer, you can say no, you don't even need a reason why! Give anything 2-4 weeks before giving up seems to work for me, but within that month, you really must give it your best shot.

I'd also recommend speaking to the WW helpline themselves and explain your problem, if your leader has been of no help I am sure they'd like to know.... You pay for your meetings, this entitles you to help and advice. Your leader should be there to help you.

I can't advise on your diet as I think it bridges too closely to medical help as a step in the wrong direction could land you in a serious condition. I'd say the leader or your doctor should be able to help you out with that, but the fact that its a recognised medical condition gives me hope that it is resolvable.

meames_2

I used to be a leader and sometimes we all have off days and need to hurry home. Sometimes the meeting location can be a problem, you have to be out by a certain time because someone is coming in after you or there is a caretaker you really don't want to upset. There is usually only a few minutes allocated to new members although most would like to spend an hour with you. Often a leader will supply a phone number of the front of the card. They are happy for you to call at reasonable times (but not 1 am as one person did asking about the points in a pie). If you explain to her you need a bit more help she will be happy to give it. Bear in mind she can only give you advice within the diet and her main objective is to provide motivation and support. If you are eating within the points (being truthful) and are having problems she will have to ask you to speak yto your doctor as she will not have medical training to help you.

meames_2

Just looking at your diet and I would say -



So far today:
Breakfast (already eaten)
3 weetabix and 1/4 pint of 1% fat milk (how many points is that? More than semi-skimmed? I played it safe and put it as the same)
1 white tea.
4 Points

3 Weetabix is probably closer to 4 points than 3. I would also allocate a milk allowance i.e 2 points for skimmed milk all day, inc tea

Lunch:
1 Quorn Fillet chopped up and mixed with half a tin of chopped toms
1 Med Jacket Potato
Large glass of OJ
4 Points

A quorn fillets is around 2.5 points. A jacket potatoo is 2.5 pts for every 200g. A large glass of OJ - 100ml is 1 point, already that is at least 6

Dinner:
HMade pasta bake with quorn chicken pieces
Large glass of OJ
Approx 5 -6 points

Pasta bake - what oil has used, what was tha sauce, how much pasta? Dried pasta is around 1pt per 20g and I know 60g of pasta doesn't look like an awful lot. Cooked it will probably look like it takes up only a 1/4 of the plate. YOu really need to measure before its cooked. So if you use 200g of dried pasta and have half the dish you know your pasta is worth 5 pts.

I thik a week of weighing and measuring may help to show you waht you are actually eating. Or is you don't snack then perhps the no count diest would wok better (3 meals no snacking)

At the outside, this gives me about 14 points used. I don't get hungry outside of it so I don't snack. Occasionally I eat some jelly as a desert but even that is 0 points as it's sugar free.

I can't really whack things up a level because of the fat content. I've been working out various meals that I could eat and I get around 20 points left over each time like above. I don't feel the urge/need to eat anymore, especially as it's summer and because I can't work at the minute I'm exisiting on my Incapacity Benefit so money isn't there to keep going out and getting fresh things. I'm sort of 70% vegetarian in that I mostly eat quorn but do also eat chicken, tuna and bacon (well did eat bacon - not now cos of the fat content, but do eat quorn bacon pieces).

I'd appreciate any advice that you can pass on, sorry for the long post. I did start by putting it in the WW thread but it's too long for that.

Thanks again guys [/QUOTE]

Walkinshaw

Thanks guys I do appreciate your help.

The point allowances I quoted were all from the little book that came in the folder from the meeting. Are they really that wrong? :S

Robson65

Hi Walkenshaw,

I've been attending Weightwatchers for 18 months now and I've been at goal for almost a year.

I should try your original meeting for another couple if weeks and see how you go. Its a lot to take in at your first meeting so your leader may have been trying to just tell you the essentials the first week. I found that the support of the other people there was invaluable and I picked up lots of tips and recipes. Stay to the meetings if you can. Its worth it.

As for your leader don't be afraid to ask questions. That is what she's there for.

You tick the fruit and veg box when you've had your 5 a day and the dairy box when you've had the recommended daily amount (can't remember what it is off the top of my head)

Well done for making the first step. Follow the plan to the letter and you WILL lose weight.

Try and drink plenty of water. It certainly made a big difference with me (apart from all the trips to the toilet !) Also green tea is supposed to help. I quite like it but my OH says it tastes like drinking a farmyard ! (How does he know!!)

Try and eat often rather than three meals a day. You'll get hungry in between and your blood sugar will dip and you'll crave sweet things. Try and plan your food each day and plan for snacks.

Really for me planning was the key. Perhaps if you can't up your fat you should try eating slightly bigger portions of pasta, rice, bread etc.to make up your points.

Hope this helps. You can do it !

Robson

got-it-spend-it

Walkinshaw wrote: »

I'm on an NHS referral to Weight Watchers in my local area - but I really don't think it's for me. Admittedly I have only been to one meeting but I have been researching it online for the past week so I feel pretty sure about what little I know.

I do wonder if a change in meeting venue might work for me as I wasn't too keen on the leader, she came across as though she didn't have time/want to talk to the newbies (me and three others) and didn't have time to answer any questions - it was 'this is how you find your points, this is where you find out how many points you are eating. goodbye.' type talk and she walked off and left us all sat there after. It is a pretty nice and quite direct 1 mile walk each way though.

There is another group I could attend in walking distance, but I used to work there and I know just dropping in would mean that I never got to leave afterwards and not get home for hours after. I also know they'd also ask me to volunteer for them again like they did when my contract ran out and whilst it'd be something I'd consider, it's not something I could realistically commit to at the minute. Everywhere else is either the evening/weekend (need daytime) or is further out and would require a bus journey which I could do without the extra expense, especially as I'm not sure it's right for me.

I have a heart problem and had to spend a LONG time getting rest etc which helped the weight heap on along with the medicine. Sort of a vicious circle as i need it off to get better - but couldn't get out or work out to get it off!

I need to eat 34 points and I am taking Orlistat at the same time. I eat small meals, I don't eat a lot but I have eaten the wrong things due to pure convinience so I could get sat back down and rest. I am feeling a lot better and I'm ready to tackle it head on with the support of my various doctors - but I'm not sure this is the way!

Because of the Orlistat, I am restricted to eating food with less than 5g of fat per 100g (or suffer the consequences!) which cuts a lot of things out to start with. I have already lost 3 stone with just the tablets (in 3 months) so I am reluctant to actually change things there. Had very little of the whole bad side effects (basically when getting started just to adjust) and so it's a massive deterrant to make sure I don't stray from the diet. Looking through the food lists in the WW booklets and things - a lot of what I eat is 0 points so that already doesn't detract from the total.

The bottom of the tracker page has confused me too. do I tick the Milk and dairy boxes? Or do I put the amount I've eaten in there - ditto the fruit and veg? What are activity points :S (I get what they are - but I don't know how you'd work them out)

So far today:
Breakfast (already eaten)
3 weetabix and 1/4 pint of 1% fat milk (how many points is that? More than semi-skimmed? I played it safe and put it as the same)
1 white tea.
4 Points

Lunch:
1 Quorn Fillet chopped up and mixed with half a tin of chopped toms
1 Med Jacket Potato
Large glass of OJ
4 Points

Dinner:
HMade pasta bake with quorn chicken pieces
Large glass of OJ
Approx 5 -6 points

At the outside, this gives me about 14 points used. I don't get hungry outside of it so I don't snack. Occasionally I eat some jelly as a desert but even that is 0 points as it's sugar free.

I can't really whack things up a level because of the fat content. I've been working out various meals that I could eat and I get around 20 points left over each time like above. I don't feel the urge/need to eat anymore, especially as it's summer and because I can't work at the minute I'm exisiting on my Incapacity Benefit so money isn't there to keep going out and getting fresh things. I'm sort of 70% vegetarian in that I mostly eat quorn but do also eat chicken, tuna and bacon (well did eat bacon - not now cos of the fat content, but do eat quorn bacon pieces).

I'd appreciate any advice that you can pass on, sorry for the long post. I did start by putting it in the WW thread but it's too long for that.

Thanks again guys

Have you measured your orange juice? I would guess a large glass would be around 300ml (just over half a pint) which would be an extra 3 points at lunch and dinner.

I don't think you are pointing wrong, just underestimating portion sizes.

Don't forget that fruit also has points on WW so you could try having some fruit to use up your points without having an extra fat.

Why not try another group and see if you get on better with a different leader. Check online to see which local groups are the same leader and which are different ones as often leaders do a few groups.

jessicamb

the portion sizing is really important on WW - some of the things you think are a portion are really tiny (eg you could have cheese but it counts a matchbox size as a portion). Def suggest weighing things for a period of time until you get used to what the WW assumed portions are. I found some of them a bug surprise!