It took time, but I eventually received a response to my concerns over the lack of Weight Watchers leaders and support available to those following the ProPoints programme. Let's just say it wasn't really the response I'd hoped for, but I'll give them their dues: at least they responded. That's more than I can say for any of their leaders! This whole episode has been so tense and stressful as I really started out my week feeling in the zone for getting myself slimmer. I'm just glad to have it behind me, really.
Where do we go from here? It could be quite easy to simply keep myself on the slow and steady route. After all, losing 4 kg every six weeks (as I have done) could generate a weight loss of more than 50lbs this year alone. But then again there's every chance that it could not... and that's what this decision to join a programme is all about.
So last night I started looking into Slimming World - from talking to those who have been successful and those who haven't. I've decided on a meeting that is close enough for me to walk to and from and have had a quick chat with the leader who seems professional, supportive and knowledgable of the issues facing her members.
As I close the door on Weight Watchers, I'm seeing a new opportunity to succeed open. I know that the next few weeks will be a steep learning curve as I learn new habits, develop new skills and dream up new recipes which will aid my weight loss. It's terrifying, yet exciting.
In the meantime, I'm carrying on my mainly healthy eating (although I did succumb to custard creams earlier) and exercising. My walking has been going well - since Monday I've done 3.5 hours and am hoping to do at least another 3.5 between tomorrow and Sunday. Seven hours a week sounds perfect to me. Tonight I'll be heading back for some more rock climbing and this weekend I'm hoping to try out Zumba, go swimming and take in some canoeing. I've also been looking into joining a boxing club for circuit training/anger management. [NB: After a week like this one, I really need it!]
Showing posts with label weight watchers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label weight watchers. Show all posts
Thursday, 9 June 2011
Tuesday, 7 June 2011
Weight Watchers - VENT (Part II!!!!)
So last night I made my second attempt at getting started with ProPoints. In a series of events straight out of fiction, I went to two more classes... and STILL DID NOT SEE A LEADER!
From broken legs to leaders quitting, I think I've just about had it with Weight Watchers. While the customer service line was incredibly apologetic for this series of unfortunate events, I can't help but wonder if this is typical? After all, when you sign up for a meeting you want to make sure that it isn't a one-off. Plus, at one venue the helpers even told me there was a 'shortage of leaders' in the area. Does that mean that this model just isn't producing gold members who are worthy of being leaders?
So... I'm in two worlds. Weight Watchers or Slimming World. I should be getting a phone call from the Weight Watchers people today. If they don't ring, then my choice will be made for me. But I am really feeling tempted to try Slimming World and the 'sins' system of red and green days. Over the years I've met a few women who have had real success with Slimming World, so I might just give it a go. The nurse at my GPs surgery even hinted that Slimming World could offer better results as it's been developed with lifestyle change in mind.
As they say - watch this space. Tomorrow I might just be a Slimming World member...
From broken legs to leaders quitting, I think I've just about had it with Weight Watchers. While the customer service line was incredibly apologetic for this series of unfortunate events, I can't help but wonder if this is typical? After all, when you sign up for a meeting you want to make sure that it isn't a one-off. Plus, at one venue the helpers even told me there was a 'shortage of leaders' in the area. Does that mean that this model just isn't producing gold members who are worthy of being leaders?
So... I'm in two worlds. Weight Watchers or Slimming World. I should be getting a phone call from the Weight Watchers people today. If they don't ring, then my choice will be made for me. But I am really feeling tempted to try Slimming World and the 'sins' system of red and green days. Over the years I've met a few women who have had real success with Slimming World, so I might just give it a go. The nurse at my GPs surgery even hinted that Slimming World could offer better results as it's been developed with lifestyle change in mind.
As they say - watch this space. Tomorrow I might just be a Slimming World member...
Monday, 6 June 2011
Weight Watchers - VENT!
Knowing I was heading for my first Weight Watchers group meeting today filled me with both excitement and trepidation. As a mum-of-one, I had to plan in advance for the meeting after work. So when I got home tonight at 5:45, I knew that I had approximately 25 minutes to make and eat dinner for the two of us, before sorting out the babysitter and hitting the road in the car.
Arriving at the meeting place, my local Tesco, I was quietly happy to see plenty of faces waiting in the restaurant as I walked past - at least I knew I was in the right place. I ran through the zillion questions in my head. This ProPoints thing is new to me, so I want to make sure I actually get it right. Hopefully the leader would be there and might be available for a quick chat beforehand or - at worst - after.
Sadly, there was no Weight Watchers leader.... or even a set of scales! Just a gaggle of women who hadn't eaten and were desperate to get weighed super quickly. as you can imagine, tempers were fraying and even I was shocked when one of the ladies just grabbed a set of WW scales off the shelf and started weighing everyone who felt the need. Odder still were those who actually owned a set of WW scales at home - yet insisted being weighed just so their day was marked.
I couldn't help but wonder if this was some kind of omen. "Of course not," I thought as I dialled the customer services number from my car...
Until, that is, my call was mysteriously cut off as I was trying to explain that obstacles aren't really helpful to anyone trying to lose weight... After all, it's an easy escape route, isn't it? And what a terrible place to offer dieters an easy escape route! Less than 25 m from the cake aisle! Who chose this place, anyway? Or is it part of the marketing plan for Weight Watchers?
Luckily I think my willpower isn't quite so weak. And, anyway, I think I'm strong enough to avoid cheating. My reason for heading to weight watchers is about portion control - rather than nibbling on choccies. The chocolate aversion therapy sorted that out weeks ago.
So, onwards and upwards. Looks like tomorrow night I'm heading back to Weight Watchers for round 2. Fingers crossed this leader actually turns up or I reckon the crowds might be out for blood!
Arriving at the meeting place, my local Tesco, I was quietly happy to see plenty of faces waiting in the restaurant as I walked past - at least I knew I was in the right place. I ran through the zillion questions in my head. This ProPoints thing is new to me, so I want to make sure I actually get it right. Hopefully the leader would be there and might be available for a quick chat beforehand or - at worst - after.
Sadly, there was no Weight Watchers leader.... or even a set of scales! Just a gaggle of women who hadn't eaten and were desperate to get weighed super quickly. as you can imagine, tempers were fraying and even I was shocked when one of the ladies just grabbed a set of WW scales off the shelf and started weighing everyone who felt the need. Odder still were those who actually owned a set of WW scales at home - yet insisted being weighed just so their day was marked.
I couldn't help but wonder if this was some kind of omen. "Of course not," I thought as I dialled the customer services number from my car...
Until, that is, my call was mysteriously cut off as I was trying to explain that obstacles aren't really helpful to anyone trying to lose weight... After all, it's an easy escape route, isn't it? And what a terrible place to offer dieters an easy escape route! Less than 25 m from the cake aisle! Who chose this place, anyway? Or is it part of the marketing plan for Weight Watchers?
Luckily I think my willpower isn't quite so weak. And, anyway, I think I'm strong enough to avoid cheating. My reason for heading to weight watchers is about portion control - rather than nibbling on choccies. The chocolate aversion therapy sorted that out weeks ago.
So, onwards and upwards. Looks like tomorrow night I'm heading back to Weight Watchers for round 2. Fingers crossed this leader actually turns up or I reckon the crowds might be out for blood!
Sunday, 5 June 2011
A new beginning
The months/years of hemming and hawing since I gave up smoking (nearly 3 years ago!) are over, I hope. After a really good chat with my practice's weight loss nurse, I've decided to go back to Weight Watchers - for good. While I've made decent swaps and am exercising more, I think that is what's needed to maintain a weight loss - rather than make a significant change quickly. My appreciation of portion control can be a bit lax...
That said, she did tell me that I was 9lbs lighter than I was 6 weeks ago - prior to going away and packing on a few pounds. So I'm happy but - more importantly - I'm feeling in the zone.
These past couple of years have made me realise that I leaned on one addiction (smoking) to cope with the weight. You know how they say smoking makes you thin? It did, I guess, but its draw (pun intended) was never strong enough to beat out food. At least I did away with one of the demons and I've managed to keep my weight from topping 20 stone... Thank god I get aches and puffed out! Without these physical signs, I just might have kept eating my way through to much, much more.
Whatever happens tomorrow, today I feel like everything has come together and I have to admit that I'm having more days like this than I'm not.
Scales differ from place to place, so will be interesting to register and log my weight. I've not done ProPoints, so it should be a fresh, new start for me. From what I understand you get a zillion or so...
That said, she did tell me that I was 9lbs lighter than I was 6 weeks ago - prior to going away and packing on a few pounds. So I'm happy but - more importantly - I'm feeling in the zone.
These past couple of years have made me realise that I leaned on one addiction (smoking) to cope with the weight. You know how they say smoking makes you thin? It did, I guess, but its draw (pun intended) was never strong enough to beat out food. At least I did away with one of the demons and I've managed to keep my weight from topping 20 stone... Thank god I get aches and puffed out! Without these physical signs, I just might have kept eating my way through to much, much more.
Whatever happens tomorrow, today I feel like everything has come together and I have to admit that I'm having more days like this than I'm not.
Scales differ from place to place, so will be interesting to register and log my weight. I've not done ProPoints, so it should be a fresh, new start for me. From what I understand you get a zillion or so...
Tuesday, 24 May 2011
Could a vacation from food work for you (and me)?
Liquid diets have long been effective - at least in the short-term - at reducing the pounds. But they've had a bad rap in recent years over malnutrition. In some cases dieters have died following a stint on a liquid-only regime.
But is there anything we can learn from them?
For one dieter, sticking to a liquid diet for 12 weeks gave her weight loss the jump start it needed. In six months she has lost 80 lbs! Of course this has been backed by teaching herself about healthy eating and making real lifelong changes.
Motivation is hard to come by at times for dieters with more than 3 stone to lose. Like the girl who just needs to lose a stone, we want results quickly... even if we know that it will take at least 18 months to reach our weight loss goal at a rate of 1 to 2 lbs per week. Perhaps a quick loss over a fixed period backed by a sustainable eating plan is the way to go forward.
Last week my GP offered to put me on Weight Watchers - it isn't Lighter Life but it's a fixed regime that can get my weight going in the right direction with support. Strongly considering it!!
But is there anything we can learn from them?
For one dieter, sticking to a liquid diet for 12 weeks gave her weight loss the jump start it needed. In six months she has lost 80 lbs! Of course this has been backed by teaching herself about healthy eating and making real lifelong changes.
Motivation is hard to come by at times for dieters with more than 3 stone to lose. Like the girl who just needs to lose a stone, we want results quickly... even if we know that it will take at least 18 months to reach our weight loss goal at a rate of 1 to 2 lbs per week. Perhaps a quick loss over a fixed period backed by a sustainable eating plan is the way to go forward.
Last week my GP offered to put me on Weight Watchers - it isn't Lighter Life but it's a fixed regime that can get my weight going in the right direction with support. Strongly considering it!!
Sunday, 25 July 2010
Who would choose a high sugar diet? Look at any low fat diet before you answer!
Perhaps the easiest weight losses I've encountered in recent years have been thanks to low-fat, no-nonsense eating plans like Weight Watchers. But then again, I'm 18-plus stone now... What is that telling you?!?
Your modern low-fat commercially produced food isn't just low calorie, it's tasty to boot! Weight Watchers chocolate mousses are my personal favourite. They really hit the spot, fulfil my sweet cravings and they're low fat, too. Their low calorie and saturated fat levels mean they weigh in at just 1.5 points.
But, according to Australian professor Kerin O'Dea, of St Vincent's Institute in Sydney, everything isn't quite as healthy (or non-addictive) as it might seem. In 2008 she cautioned that food manufacturers are using increased amounts of fructose - a cheap, sugary corn syrup - to enhance flavour of 'diet foods'. High levels of fructose can be found in:
Prof. O'Dea explained that reducing the level of a fat in a product has a direct effect on the levels of carbohydrate or protein. These would need to compensate by increasing.
She warns that fructose is most dangerous as it doesen't stimulate insulin secretion or leptin: the two crucial hormones that help make people feel full.
She explains: "You can consume fructose and not feel like you have eaten much. It does not make people feel full and it is getting under the radar... and if you are well nourished and don't need it, then the fructose goes through the liver and is converted into fat. While fructose was added to low-fat products to improve the taste, food manufacturers found the holy grail because people started consuming more of it because they thought it was healthy and they were still hungry."
The professor goes as far as to say: "People would be better off eating a full-fat plain yoghurt than a low-fat yoghurt."
Researchers at Rockefeller University and the University of California at Berkeley found that people on weight maintenance diets which were low-fat but high-sugar had an increased production of saturated fat (1996).
Your modern low-fat commercially produced food isn't just low calorie, it's tasty to boot! Weight Watchers chocolate mousses are my personal favourite. They really hit the spot, fulfil my sweet cravings and they're low fat, too. Their low calorie and saturated fat levels mean they weigh in at just 1.5 points.
But, according to Australian professor Kerin O'Dea, of St Vincent's Institute in Sydney, everything isn't quite as healthy (or non-addictive) as it might seem. In 2008 she cautioned that food manufacturers are using increased amounts of fructose - a cheap, sugary corn syrup - to enhance flavour of 'diet foods'. High levels of fructose can be found in:
- Breakfast cereals
- Low-fat yoghurts
- Cereal bars
- Juices
- Low-fat peanut butter
- Salad dressings
Prof O'Dea warns: "The argument that obesity is driven by high fat intakes has led to a proliferation of low-fat processed foods... but many of the low-fat products, especially the `99 per cent fat free', are loaded with sugars and kilojoules."
Prof. O'Dea explained that reducing the level of a fat in a product has a direct effect on the levels of carbohydrate or protein. These would need to compensate by increasing.
Fructose appears under many names on food labels. These include:
- corn syrup
- hydrolysed corn starch
- sucrose
Researchers at Rockefeller University and the University of California at Berkeley found that people on weight maintenance diets which were low-fat but high-sugar had an increased production of saturated fat (1996).
"Our study suggests that low-fat diets designed to maintain - not lose-weight could be a hazard for people who also eat lots of simple carbohydrates, mostly sugars," says Lisa Cooper Hudgins, M.D., assistant professor in the Laboratory of Human Behavior and Metabolism at Rockefeller. "Current public health recommendations suggest that people should reduce fat in their diets and increase their carbohydrates. However, too great a reduction in fats and too much of an increase in simple carbohydrates may prompt the body to make the sugar into saturated fats, which could harm the heart and blood vessels."
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