Motivation requested: Anyone using WW??

[kwormann]

I am trying to lose 16 lbs and am starting to use WW 123 points. ANy success stories out there for CL/WW combined? They may help with motivation!

Kim

[jd]

kwormann, I hope that I can motivate you. I started WW 12 weeks ago, and as of tonight's weigh in, I've lost 18 lb (with about 15 more to go). When I joined WW, it was part of a lifestyle change which included teaching myself to cook using CL. I've really been enjoying 2-3 new CL recipes per week and using the nutritional analysis to determine points and stay on track. I am a member of a CL supper club, and since I know the menu in advance, I've had no trouble enjoying the dinners (after I've calculated points).
Biggest factor in my success has been completing the journal religiously - so that I know exactly what's going in!
Good luck and let me know how you are doing.

[kwormann]

Thanx for the help jd. I havent been doing very well, but feel if I eat out less and cook more that will help. I neeed to be more religious about the journal!!! COngrats on your success. I keep telling myself that I have so little to lose (in the scheme of most people on WW) and if I lose, I can up my points to maintanence!

Keep in touch

Kim http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/cool.gif http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[Jen]

I started WW 14 weeks ago and just got my 25 lb magnet this week! (I know, these rewards sound dorky, but they really mean a lot when you get them!). I cook almost exclusively from CL now. I find tons of recipes that fit nicely into my plan - most dinners are around 7-10 pts. I like that CL includes rice in many of its dishes, so I don't have to add a side dish with extra points. Also, having a big salad next to almost anything makes a meal and helps to fill you up. My biggest advice would be to plan your days in advance, at least loosely. I find this helps me force myself to get all my fruits, veggies, and milk, and I know at the beginning of the day how many "extra" points I have left so that I can treat myself if the opportunity arises without going over my limit!

Good luck! I never believed I could lose weight until this program. It really does work!

Jen

[cookincyn]

kwormann, i joined WW in 1995 on the old Fat & Fiber plan. I lost 37 pounds in 15 months and reached goal weight. Unfortunately I got a bit cocky after that and stopped going to the meetings and over about 4 years I gained back about 30 pounds. Since I reached my goal weight the first time, I am still a lifetime member. I started attending again about 6 weeks ago and have lost 5 pounds. I have found that keeping the journal really keeps me on track. The weeks I am not diligent with my journal are the weeks when I gain weight! CL has also been a big help to me as well, due to the nutritional analysis. Good luck with your weight loss! WW is one of the best programs you will ever find!

[HARRYET]

Hi kim,

I started on WW in january of 1998, and made goal in April of 98, I lost a total of 26 pounds, which took until Oct. of 98. I have gained back about 7-8 pounds in the last year, but realistically I don't think I could have maintained my lostest weight, and feel comfortable about 4-5 pounds less then my currant weight. I know for me it was the weekly meetings that kept me in check. I need to be accountable to someone, if not I just keep putting off, I'm a BIG procratinator! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif Also for me, it's the water and the exercise! I know that WW doesn't push the exercise anymore until you reach your 10%, but I think, if you do/can exercise don't wait, start now! Good Luck ~~ I think maybe this thread will remotivate me to start back to meetings again, If only I could get control of my life and not let my kids control it, easier said then done http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif, again Good Luck and keep us posted as to how you are doing. Ann

[CATHIEA]

Here speaks a WW leader who lost 36 pounds on WW and has kept it off for 5 years. I love the 123 program because all foods are possible. I consider CL recipes an integral part of my weight management plan! After all, I wouldn't have been 36 pounds overweight in the first place if I wasn't a "foody." Having access to hundreds of low fat recipes a year means I don't ever get bored with my menus. When I'm experiencing new tastes I pay more attention to what I'm eating and I'm far less likely to overeat.
Good luck on program!
CathieA

[kwormann]

wow..I love all the support. My worst time is evening when I am exhausted...like tonight when I had cheese, peanut butter and crackers instead of the broccoli rice casserole I was supposed to make.

kim

[BJennif]

When you're tired it is really hard to be good, or shall I say "make smart choices". I guess I have learned something in the almost 2 years straight I have been going to WW! Like tonight for example, I got home late from work and was planning on making the eggplant casserole from the latest issue for dinner. I thought it would be quick and easy and it was real low in points. Then I read the fine print and realized it had to bake for 1 hour!!! "Hello, Domino's?" It is a constant struggle! Like I said 2 years, 65 pounds at my highest weight loss, around 63 right now. I have maintained for about a year. REALLY lacking the motivation this year. At least I'm maintaining! Journal is very important and planning is key! Always stay for the meeting, otherwise you can just mail that $10 to me!!! It's a waste! The program is so great b/c you can adapt ANY recipe to fit! Keep striving everyone!!

Jen

[JJeannette]

First of all, I want to congratulate all of you! I just made "lifetime" two weeks ago, so am trying maintance without journaling for now--so far,so good( of course, I'm much more active at this time). Anyway, I'm loving CL--even if I don't make the exact recipe, it's always great for ideas. And I find cooking more fun now than it has been for years. I'm really enjoying finding ways to lower fat, calories, and add fiber to my old favorites.

[HARRYET]

JJeannette,
Great job and congratulations !!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif, but
Please don't stop journaling, once you get out of the habit of not journaling it's hard to get back. I journaled for a complete year after making lifetime and kept losing weight, then I got a little cockey and stopped journaling, hence I've gained 6-8 pounds back, now I'm struggling to get remotivated and start journaling again. I would hate to see you or anyone else gain any weight back that you worked so hard to lose. Please reconsider, Good Luck Ann http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Margie]

I lost weight with WW 123 last year, but didn't stay with the program and am getting the motivation together to start again. What I liked best about 1-2-3 that you can calculate the number of points easily with CL recipes because they publish the calories and fat grams, etc, so that you can use the handy-dandy counter.

I think the two biggest factors are: plan ahead for the day and use the diary.

This thread has helped to motivate me to get on the plan. We are gong on a two week cruise in January and would love to be comfortable in a bathing suit and evening clothes while on the trip. BTW-- I never gain weight on a cruise. The portions are small and I am so much more active with sightseeing and dancing and walking all day all over the big ship. While the food is delicious, there are so many things to tastes, that I rarely finish anything on my plate, because I know that there is something else delicious around the corner and heaven forbid that I'm too full to try it. One night my husband and I ordered all 5 desserts and each had one bite of each!! I wish we could be that disciplined at home!

[SallyJ]

My husband and I both started WW three weeks ago. I'm a lifetime member for 23 years, but 12 lbs over my goal. I have not done the points before, but find it is the easiest WW plan I have used. I have lost about 6 and my husband has lost 9. We are using CL recipes and I find it very easy to calculate the points. We are both conscientiously keeping our journals and that is the key! Our WW leader says, "if you bite it, you write it!" Another thing I think is critical is planning (which I don't enjoy doing). But, we are committed to losing, so I am forcing myself to plan and that's where the CL recipes are helping the most. Stick with it and you're sure to succeed!

[kwormann]

Thanx for all the support. It is nice since I do WW at home and dont go to meetings. I like if you bite you write...I need to remember to do that! That migth be the key...also I plan on eating out less!

kim

[PJB]

I have lost 45 pounds since April thanks to WW and CL. Journaling is key and I always plan ahead, usually beginning with CL dinners and working my way up to the beginning of the day. This program really works and the CL recipes help to make it not so boring. Good luck to all. I still have 15 to go.