ifya_1999 wrote:I am a long time weight watchers member. I had good results with ww 140 lbs. But honestly how many times do you really need to hear the same topic discussed in these meetings? After a couple of years (give or take) I figured i knew exactly how this system worked and tried to follow it on my own. Im now 40 lbs up.
Been there, done that with WW. Finally lost 60 lbs, made Lifetime, got sick of counting points, found No-S, and have successfully kept it off for almost 6 years, 5 with WW, almost 8 months with No-S. No-S has certainly given me a new perspective on how to manage eating, but I'm going to confess: I still go to a WW meeting every week (free for Lifetimers who maintain their loss).
What makes me go back to the meetings is that my previous 4 failures on WW resulted from thinking I had "it" figured out and could do it on my own. ("It" means how to keep my weight at a realistic and healthy level). No-S is working really well for me in terms of getting out of the diet mentality, but going to a (free) meeting each week, even if I've heard the same thing 20 times, reaffirms for me what I think is the "good" part of WW -- following the healthy eating guidelines, paying attention to portions, getting some moderate exercise. I don't agree with their use of phony food, the relentless points-counting for long term maintenance, and the idea that you have to eat many times per day, but some of their message is right on target for healthful living. I used to eat like an absolute idiot, and they really did lead me to a better, healthier way to eat. And I am so delighted that No-S gives me the "scaffolding" to continue eating that way in the Real World.
At first, with No-S, I thought "zowie! now I can eat all that stuff that got me up to 200 lbs on a 5'6" frame, as long as it's confined to one plate with no seconds, it's ok! Well, of course, it's not. A breakfast of 2 eggs over easy in 4 T of butter, with hash browns, 2 sausages, and 2 slices of toast with butter and jelly -- even though it fits on one plate, is not the same as, say, 1 cup of blueberries on 1/2 cup of oatmeal, with skim milk, 3 walnuts, and 1/4 cup of Fiber One.
I guess what I trying to say is (a) for some of us, a combination approach can work pretty well, and (b) for former WW-ers, don't "throw the baby out with the bath water". I think about what worked for me with WW, think about what didn't, and try to remember the healthy, sustainable lessons WW taught me. Then I try to integrate that with No-S for a long term approach.
I do not intend this to be a plug for WW -- I just think that if you have had a WW experience, it may have some worthwhile concepts that you may want to carry over into No-S.
I don't know if there's ever a final answer, but I think No-S layered over any healthy eating experience is dynamite!
by day three i never had the first craving for anything sweet (unbelievable) day 5 and it was the end of my day before i had the first thought of wow i can have a treat if i want. but i really didnt want one. I love this site and have become addicted to you guys. I guess I should say I have been reading over the posts for a few now and its like reading a good book that you dont want to put down. Im so glad I found this way of eating and i really think its something to be done for a lifetime and never feel like the fat one at the table who is yet on another diet.
Debs
