The Me I Want to Be--Week of Oct. 5

[Jessica]

I decided to start this thread for two reasons:

1. I had a topic idea, and

2. I leave next Monday for two weeks in Italy, so I won't be around to contribute.

I went shopping this weekend for some new clothes, and as I tried on outfit after outfit and looked in all those mirrors, I realized I can finally see some progress. I look better than I did a year ago. I've lost 9 pounds and firmed up, and I realized that while I have a ways to go, 9 pounds down looks pretty good. I started at 140 and I am 5'3", so I was borderline overweight. Now, my BMI is just over 23 and my goal is to hit 21.

I didn't find much in the way of clothes, but for the first time in a long time I left the mall without hating myself.

On to my topic...what do we love about our bodies? No matter where you are in your journey, you must like SOMETHING.

I have nice skin. It is very fair and I never tan, which is unfashionable but has left me with soft and smooth skin with only a few faint lines. I rarely get more than a pimple or two. One day, the Scarlett complexion will come back into style and I will be first in line :)

I've also been told I have nice blue eyes. And, millions of tricep extensions later, I have lost my incipient bat wings. Mostly.

Now, you...

[hannah_phi]

I think this is a great topic! I know I have a lot to like about my body, but so often I only think about what could be better.

I like my eyes, they are green and almond shaped and I think they look exotic. I like my broad shoulders, I have natural shoulder pads. I like that I have a small frame, so that even when I am carrying a lot of weight I don't look like it (as long as I am wearing clothes). I like my calves, they are strong and well shaped. I like the shape of my lips. My favorite thing, however, is my skin. I'm lucky like you Jessica I rarely have pimples.

Thanks, that felt good.

[Kayaksoup]

Yay, a feel good topic.
I like my calves. Very muscley (sp). And My skin. Fair smooth etc... Its nice to focus on the good bits. Thanks Jessica

[badunnin]

Woohoo! I love lots of things about my body! Honestly, there's little I don't like (that was a long road I tell you!) I have great eyes, great long legs, a nice curvy figure, lovely breasts (hey, as long as I'm mentioning things I like!) nice feet, nice shoulders. The only major point that I might want to change is my upper arms, but I've pretty much come to grips with that as well!

It's been a rough couple of weeks for me. I've been writing papers non-stop, and as a result I'm feeling very lethargic. Not physically tired, but mentally exhausted! My workouts have been limited to yoga, which isn't as much cardio as I like, but it's better than nothing, and it's what I'm doing now! Speaking of, I need to finish up this paper so that I can still get a half hour in. Oy - it's 10 minutes to midnight. And 10 minutes until my birthday!

[Jessica]

Happy Birthday, Bethany!

Sounds like we have a lot of good skin on this board. Must be all the fruits and vegetables :)

[buffygirl]

Well, since you asked.... I have really gorgeous skin thanks to my grandmother. And my lips are a really pretty shape and naturally pouty. What a great topic.

BK

[pbutterfly]

Happy Birthday, Bethany!!

What a GREAT topic, Jessica. I spend a lot of time thinking about and noticing the things I am working on changing about my body, but not always appreciating the things that I DO like. I try to, especially, as I notice changes, but this is a great chance to really think about it!

I've always liked my eyes. They're pretty big and blue - I get asked a lot, "Do you have colored contacts, because your eyes are this amazing blue!?" and the answer is NO! :) I like the balance of my face - that I don't have any feature way out of proportion or assymetrical. I like my collarbones, which I am seeing more and more. I've always liked my shoulder-area in general, but it's really cool to have the bones again. Most of all, though (and I was saying this to my DH over the weekend!) I like that my body, by and large, WORKS. It heals itself. It's pretty healthy. I can rely on it.

Oh, and I have pretty good skin, usually, too. :) I attribute it to water drinking and good genes! :)

lynne

[greysangel]

YAY! Great topic! I too have come a long way in this area:

Buns of steel- Baby's got back, but it's in proportion to the rest of my body and it's rock hard!

Legs - I'm short, but my legs are pretty shapely considering.

Eyes - Nice deep brown ...DH calls them "seductress eyes" hee hee :D He also calls me his Portuguese princess :o

Overall shape - Even at my heaviest, I've been an hourglass figure and I like that. Now my shoulders are developed which brings even more attention to a narrower waist balanced with fuller hips. I like that I'm pretty evenly proportioned and the proportions are visually pleasing even though larger than the "norm"

Skin - it's the fruit, veggies and water :D You really are what you eat! My complexion is fair mediterranean, I flush easily and I rarely get a pimple.

JeAnne

[badunnin]

Originally posted by greysangel
I rarely get a pimple.

JeAnne


Oohh, all the nasty names I'd call you if I didn't like you so durn much! ;)

Thanks for the birthday wishes everyone!

[greysangel]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BETHANY!!!!!

[rosie_one]

Happy Birthday Bethany!

Hope you enjoy!

Speaking of birthdays... Lots of things I guess that I like about my body like skin, height, hair and such but the big one is that it produced two incredible kids. It's just amazing to me that I could do that!

[Gracie]

Well I like my overall shape too. I've always had a much smaller waist than hips even when I was heavier. One thing I really like is that I used to have a huge problem getting pants and straight skirts to fit both my waist and fit over my hips and thighs without being huge in the waist and tight over the thighs. After 2 years of walking, I rarely have this problem anymore!!

I have good news - I lost 2.6 at WI on Saturday! :cool:

However if I keep eating like I ate at Susan's NE klatch Saturday, I will be right back where I started!! (see her chocolate-covered PB mousse cake thread.) Just because we're all CL ladies didn't mean we all made CL recipes. :D

Today's my BD too and DD made me surprise breakfast in bed. She baked yesterday and made FF blueberry muffins. She made me 2 poached eggs, some apple slices and a muffin with cinnamon nut decaf. It was way more than I normally eat at 5:30 am :eek: but she really tried and it was a 5-point breakfast at the most.

Loren

[badunnin]

Way to go Loren! How sweet of your DD to make you such a delicious (and nutritious!) breakfast that early in the morning! :D

[Kayaksoup]

Happy Birthday Loren and Bethany:D Breakfast in bed? How sweet of her. even if it was 5:30 am:p

So I had the most amazing run this morning and i had to share my excitement. It was one of those runs where you finish faster than ever before and just high on adrenaline. No knee pain, nothing. I LOVE RUNNING. Check back with me in two days, I might change my tune:rolleyes: But I tried something new today. I usually get hungry during my run, so today I had half a banana 15 mins before. I think that really helped....

[RebeccaT]

Hello all! What a great topic. Thanks, Jessica. I don't think about the things I like about my body nearly enough.

I like my waist. It's very small, thanks to my mom's genes, and I have always gotten compliments on my figure, even at my heaviest. I have a male friend (like a brother to me, DH of one of my closest friends, DH's roomate for two years, we're like blood) who called it "the S-factor," which made me feel good.

I like my hair. It's wild and curly and gives me fits when it's humid (like today), but it's different and distinctive.

I have nice blue eyes (I get the same question about colored contacts, Lynne!).

I have good skin too. Finally. I had adult onset acne from age 18 to about 25, but I hardly ever break out anymore (knock on wood!)

I don't love how my legs look (too short and thighs are too thick) , but they are very very strong and I love that.

:)

I had a good weekend, my first on FlexPoints. I did pretty well, and didn't use as many FPs as I thought I would. It was hard, though. I didn't realize just how firmly the grazing habit had taken hold. <sigh> It's hard to discover that you aren't invincible.

Loren, congrats on the loss this week! That was very encouraging to hear!

[RunnerKim]

Happy Birthday Loren and Bethany!

I love my hair. It's curly and thick. It does seem to have straightened some since pg/child birth but still has a lot of wave to it. I like being left handed too -if that counts.

Kayaksoup - I love those adrenline rushes and runs when everything goes so well. I know the feeling - been way to long since I felt it.

Did a weekly weigh in today with no change, which doesn't surpise me with all the initial loss (and that I haven't been the best at watching my food with not 1 but 2 birthday parties this weekend). Been really good about getting out for my walks, even doing it at 4am when I couldn't get back to sleep on Saturday. What's up with that?!! Very peaceful though and it felt great to have it done and out of the way on what I knew was going to be a busy day. I want to get back into running and most mornings I run the couple of downhill sections on my route b/c that's the only way to keep my heart rate in the zone but this morning (as with a couple of others) my heart rate went too high with even the easiest running on the downhills :confused:. Figure I need to put in several more weeks of power walking before starting my "10 week to running" schedule.

How do people handle tracking their food when they eat something they don't know how to account for? I rarely eat out but a co-worker took me out for lunch on Friday and I ate a Veggie sandwich. A good choice but I don't know what to put in my log. I have a really hard time tracking when I have an unknown like that - then the rest of the day sort of falls apart too. What do others do?

Kim

[Gracie]

Originally posted by RunnerKim
How do people handle tracking their food when they eat something they don't know how to account for? I rarely eat out but a co-worker took me out for lunch on Friday and I ate a Veggie sandwich. A good choice but I don't know what to put in my log. I have a really hard time tracking when I have an unknown like that - then the rest of the day sort of falls apart too. What do others do?

Kim

I hear you there! I could have written this. I try to "take apart" the meal and give it my best guestimate point-wise on the ingredients. Like your veggie sandwich - how much bread do you think there was? Was there oil on the veggies? Stuff like that.

One of the hardest foods to estimate IMO is soup.

I know that's not much help. I'll be interested to hear what others have to say.

Loren

[JanetJ]

Happy Birthday Bethany and Loren!! And congrats, Loren, on the great WI!

This is a fantastic topic...I love all the good vibes coming off this thread. :)

I really like my shoulder/collarbone area. I'm getting some good definition in my arms and upper back, so that's pretty exciting. I have strong, firm legs even if I do wish they were longer. I really like my eyes and I'm liking my jawline more and more as it is being revealed to me.

WI isn't until tomorrow, but I did my monthly measurements on Saturday and I lost 4 inches in the last month. Seven total since ordering my wedding dress in July! I lost 1 inch off my bust, upper ribcage area and hips and .5 from my waist and lower tummy. I cannot wait for my wedding dress to arrive!!!! I'm so glad that all this getting up early and exercising business is paying off. :)

[ReneeV]

Great Topic!

I like my hair. It's thick, wavy but NOT frizzy, and very luxuriant.
I rarely ever have a "bad hair day". Even when it's bad, it's not bad! I also have very good skin, fair, unfreckled and unblemished.
I also like my petite hands and feet. People always comment on my delicate hands.

I had a good week! Lost 1.5 lbs at my weigh in. I'm very encouraged by this. I've had a loss 4 weeks in a row. Some have been very small - 4/10 lbs, but a loss none the less. A couple of years ago I tried WW and was so frustrated with only a 2 lb loss in 8 weeks, that I gave up. I kept gaining and losing the same 2 pounds. I thought I was following the program, but for whatever reason, it wasn't working. I must admit that this time around, I'm being much more scrupulous about counting points and journaling.

Kim, I do as Loren does. I try my best to break it down into components and do my best "guesstimate". I usually will add a point or two to the total, for good measure. I have also found that writing it down, even if I can't estimate the points helps me keep it all in persepctive.

Congrats on your WI, Loren!

Renee

[pbutterfly]

Kim - I'm with Renee - I try and break down the ingredients best as I can (in your case, veggies, oil?, bread, spread?, etc.) then I usually tack on 1-2 just to be safe. I write it down, note where I ate it (so that I can look back weeks from now and see if it was a week that worked or not, a meal to repeat or not), then I move on. I wrote it, I counted it, and that's a success! (Even if I miscalculated!) :)

I'm loving hearing all the postive things people have to say about their bodies! Whooo-hooo, ladies!!!! :)

lynne

[greysangel]

Hey everyone!

How we all doin? What's going on? Still loving your hot bod? :D

If no one's claimed the topic, I would love to do it this weekend if I'm still invited to :D

And now for more depressing news..this from the Wall St Journal. I'll try to keep my mouth shut on this, but it just breaks my heart and makes me angry at the same time :( :mad:


http://www.emailthis.clickability.com/et/emailThis?clickMap=viewThis&etMailToID=1853644334&pt=Y

My favorite quote:

"The reasons [for
severe obesity in teens] aren't fully understood, though the likely causes
include high-calorie diets and insufficient exercise."

Ya think? :rolleyes:

j

[Kayaksoup]

That is such a sad story. I don't understand how these things happen... When I was 11, I was 4'11" and I weighed almost 200 pounds.My mom and other gaurdians had done nothing, in fact encouraged me to eat.... I went to live with my dad and stepmom. Within a year and a half I weighed 120 pounds. And I stayed that way for 10 years. What did my stepmom do? She fed me a healthy balanced diet, made me go out and play outside. No junk food in the house except rare treats etc.... No video games, limited TV watching...I understand that there are diseases that can cause obeisity, but I believe they are very rare..

Anyway, another fabulous run today. Just all out. And back to swimming after the holiday weekend. WOuld you believe they close the pool on Thanksgiving??

Oh and Kim I wanted to comment on what you said about difficulty gettting back into running. I started running about 8 months ago. And I started with once around the block at an easy pace and slowly worked up from there. Had I tried to run what I run now, I might have died or given up on running all together:rolleyes:

[heide]

Hi all. I'm back from my vacation to Cape Town. We ate good food and drank great wine and I came home a bit heavier. Bleah. But we had a really good time. So I've got to work just a bit harder for the next few weeks. :eek:

Anyway, the bloom of newly being down a clothes size has worn off and I feel the need to get working again. I want to be down another size by the time we go to Australia in mid November. I'll work at it; I'm not sure how feasible it is.

So, the things I do like about my body? I like my eyes (blue-green). I like my hair (usually)(dark blond/light brown, thick and wavy). I like my breasts (not too big not too small). I like the general shape of my body, even though I'm more of an apple than a pear and I really don't have a waist, I like that when I'm fit I look like an athlete because I have an athletic build. I like that I tan easily and look younger than I am.

That's what's happening in my life.

[pbutterfly]

What a sad, angering, and frustrating article! Aside from the quote JeAnne already highlighted, the other part that got me was the part about Ms. Moore - who pre-surgery was a 'cupcake junkie and drank a 12-pack of Mountain Dew a day'. Um, that's a good place to start cutting back! And, when they put her on a restricted diet pre-surgery to see if she could lose weight that way -- she dropped from 325# to 298#... which seems like a successfully good start to me, yet they did the surgery anyhow?! I know that it really is a last-resort life-saving surgery for some people, don't get me wrong... but I also feel like it's being pushed a lot these days, and other, healthier, more natural options aren't being REALLY tried.

Yes, losing weight by changing eating habits is hard. It can take a while. But you're going to have to change the way you eat, in the end, anyhow.

And to read the opening paragraph of that story? Just heartbreaking.

That's the problem. Pain is, well, painful. And we want it to stop. As quickly as possible.

It's such a hard thing.
:(
lynne

[RebeccaT]

Lynne, that bit about the cupcakes and Mountain Dew made me mad, too. And sad. That someone would feel so helpless and weak that they need to resort to this.

I wonder how much information the people who get this surgery really receive regarding how much of a lifestyle change it will be. Like you said, they are going to have to change their eating habits anyway...

But one thing that did give me pause was the statement that once obesity reaches a certain point, it becomes incredibly difficult for folks to get any exercise, to get moving and try to increase their metabolism because of the pain and risk involved. What a cycle to be caught in. :( :(

Are there any RD's lurking who work with kids and teenagers, and their parents? I think the parents play a huge role, here... when we are talking about gastric bypass for children and teens, are we not also talking about parents who let things get out of hand? I could be wrong here, or speaking out of turn, and I am sorry, but I really struggle to grasp this.

[greysangel]

All I know is that I would have hated it if my parents had made that LIFE ALTERING decision for me without exhausting every single possibility. It was bad enough my mom had me on phen fen when it first came out :rolleyes:

I guess what upsets me the most is what Lynne pointed out about the person who dropped a pretty good amount of weight..just doing the presurgery diet. Why not continue on that path? Why are doctors allowing people to gain weight to qualify for this surgery?



j

[Peggy C.]

I feel like I have great skin and eyes. Powerful legs and a beutiful neck and chest. Does anyone else find it interesting that all most all of us think we have great eyes? Is it because that is much more important than body size?

JeAnne great article!

I think most of you know I was layed off of work last week and that is why I've been laying low. My home computer is very slow, so I won't be checking in as often.

Congrats to everyone losing, hugs to those struggling.

Buffykim good to see you, I owe you an email.:)

[Peggy C.]

I attempted to edit my post, but couldn't.

I also wanted to say that it is great to beable to depend on my body. Today I ripped out two shrubs and deconstructed our porch rail. Granted I smelled like a monkey (where is that smiley holding it's nose when you need it?;) when I was done, but it felt sooo good to accomplish it.:D

[greysangel]

Peggy;

I had no idea you were laid off :o Please take care and best wishes with your next step..be it another job, job hunt etc..


How's everyone today? What choice are you making towards healthy living today? Are you choosing to struggle or choosing to be strong like an amazon? :D

j

[pbutterfly]

Peggy - I, too, didn't know about your lay-off. *hug* May it lead to better things.

Rebecca - I totally agree that the parents play a huge role in a child/teen's weight problem. I've struggled with my weight since I was young, and while my parents didn't help in the best ways possible (name-calling, 'the stewardess diet', etc.), they WERE aware and trying to help (sending me to a nutritionist, watching what I ate, insisting that I go outside and play and encouraging me to play sports).

That bit about the too-dangerous to embark on exercise, even walking around the block hit me as well. I am grateful that even at my heaviest (313# on a 5'2" me) I was still healthy enough to be cleared for physical activity.

My choice towards healthy living yesterday was to cut up all of DH's leftover birthday cake into small pieces and freeze them. (Though we do still have some of JeAnne's heavenly Spicy Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars!!) - and to do an extra 20 minutes on the elliptical yesterday in addition to my dance class.

For today, my choices towards healthy living are: Don't have one of those SPC Bars! (Sigh!), drink lots of water, and do my back exercises and a really good stretching session.

Thanks for the push to make a commitment on those, JeAnne! :)
lynne

[Kayaksoup]

((Peggy))

My healthy choice yesterday was to eat only one square of my peanut butter chocolate chip blondies. I ate 3 the night before and I actually felt a little ill because I hardly ever eat sugar/flour things.... I am happy that my body is conditioned to be satisfied with a bite of dessert. now I just need to train the mind to be satisfied:p
Have a good healthy day all.
Linda

[greysangel]

Hey lynne! I have a quick WW question for ya. Do you eat your activity points before your "flex" points? Do you eat all your activity points? Just curious.

I still track points/calories. And it seems like I eat in the same range assuming I eat all of my activity points and no flex points. Why is this not working darnit?

j

[heide]

JeAnne, I eat my activity points before my flex points, so I've ended up with most of my flexpoints left at the end of the week, usually. I also usually eat all of my activity points, but I think that may be working against me. I haven't really lost much weight since the change in the program, but I don't know if that's because of the way I'm working the program or because I was on vacation for 2 weeks recently. I think I need to tweak it. Tomorrow is my WI and I think I'm down maybe a pound and I've got about 17 flex points left. I'm going to try to just eat my target points and my activity points but not use any flex points next week to see how I do. I'm a little bit frustrated, but I really don't know if that's due to my lifestyle or the program in the last month or so. It was a really busy month, socially, so it may just be that, for me. We'll see.

[rosie_one]

The cupcake and Mt. Dew thing got me too. Desperation and low self worth is an ugly combination, no matter how you slice it. What a sad article. And someone else HAS to be enabling that. If you can't walk around the block, you can't make it through the grocery either. I guess that is another side of the story that would have been interesting. How involved are these teens families, have they been counseled as to how to help them as well? Even at 14 and 16 you usually aren't the primary influence on your own diet.

Speaking of influence... my healthy choice for today? Work out with my stability ball (my abs are already cringing at the thought, this workout is whipping them into shape!) during naptime and make a yummy healthy dinner. Also spending as much time as possible outside! It's gorgeous here. Already took DS to the park for some fun.

Peggy, sorry to hear about your layoff. That is happening alot around here too. I hope it leads to something better for you. That old cliche about doors closing and windows opening usually proves to be true.

Enjoy your day everyone, thanks for the motivations.

Alice

[ReneeV]

That's a very sad article indeed! These kids and/or their parents are making life altering decisions before they are fully formed adults. While something definitely needs to be done, I'm not certain this is the way to go. They could have terrible medical problems in the end, if they continue to eat to excess after the surgery.

Well, I made some good choices today and yesteray. Yesterday, I knew DH would be home early and if we wanted to, we could go to the diner for dinner. And even though I probably would have made some good choices off the menu, I decided not to bring it up and just cooked a healthy, OP dinner. (Didn't need to dip into those Flex Points:D )

Today, I'm opting for my daily 2.5 mile lunch walk/hike (the path is very hilly) instead of going to a lunchtime presentation where cookies and cider will be served. It's not so much the cookies and cider, I can resist or have just 1, but I don't want to miss a walking oppertunity on such a gorgeous day! I made a commitment to excercise everyday, if possible. I don't have a cow,(that's an oldie LOL) if I can't, but I do make the attempt.

Renee

[JanetJ]

Today I am continuing to drink my water when what I really want is some hot chocolate. I also chose to brave the icebox that is my house in the morning and workout. That was a tough one, but I'm glad I did it.

[pattiarl]

Hi all. I have MIA so I much to catch up on.

Peggy, so sorry about your job. I'll keep you in my thoughts and hope that everything works out. I am sure you will use this opportunity to take care of yourself.

And belated birthday, Bethany.

For what seems like the millionth time this year, I am trying to be healthy and eat right. Today I haven't ruined yet and I put out a pork chop for dinner so that should continue the trend. (I haven't had a "proper dinner" all week - and I am even counting cereal as a proper dinner.) Yesterday, I went to a sculpt class and stayed for the yoga class so that made me feel good. And today I went to a BodyFlow class for lunch. So far, so good.

But as far as having a body part I like, I'm just too down in the dumps to participate :( But I applaud everyone's answers and all the positive energy on this week's thread.

Patti

[pbutterfly]

JeAnne - I don't eat my activity points at all. And I try and limit myself to only 21 (or less) of the 35 FlexPoints for the week. I'm still learning what works and doesn't for me with the FP thing, but when I ate more than 21, I gained. I do try and balance it so that the days that I am using more than 2 FlexPoints are also the days that I am earning 5 or more Activity Points. Hope that helps. :) (What Heide does is what they recommend as a starting point - to eat your AP's for the day before dipping into your FPs. But, since I found that on Winning Points I couldn't eat my APs without gaining, I'm not about to start now -- unless I hit a wall and need to shake things up!)

Then again, while my body has been shrinking lately, my scale numbers haven't been moving much, so I don't know that I'm the best person to ask! :)

Sounds like there were a lot of good choices going on yesterday! YAY FOR US!!! That's a great way to discover more things that we like about our bodies.

Speaking of which, Patti, even just one good thought about your body will make you feel a lot better! :) It sounds like you have a strong, limber body with all the workouts that you listed - that's something to be happy about! :)

happy beginning of the weekend (and full moon!), everyone!
lynne

[greysangel]

See this is the part that confuses me:

I mean, what if you have a problem figuring out your activity points? Are you just supposed to have your target points each day where most places I have read recommend eating differently each day for variety? If you ate all your flex points in one day, surely you would show some kind of gain the next day?

grr argh.

In other news, MY DRESS CAME IN!!!!! Too bad I didn't have time this am to try it on. I am totally excited and it looks beautiful WOO HOO! I can't wait to get home tonight :)

J

[pattiarl]

The dress has arrived--yippee! I'm hoping we see a pic of it soon.

Patti

[RebeccaT]

Originally posted by greysangel
See this is the part that confuses me:

I mean, what if you have a problem figuring out your activity points? Are you just supposed to have your target points each day where most places I have read recommend eating differently each day for variety? If you ate all your flex points in one day, surely you would show some kind of gain the next day?


I am FAR from an expert, since I have only been back to doing WW for a week, but frankly, FP is not very different from the way I was working WP. On WP, I was too active to ever eat at the bottom of my range, so it was just a matter of whether I ate my APs or banked (hoarded!) them for the weekend. Now, I eat my AP's every day, but I have the FPs as backup if I go a point or two over or if I have a special event or meal.

The way I see it, this is a pretty darn realistic program. There will be weeks when you don't eat all (or any!) of your FPs. There will be weeks when you need all of them. I think that the idea is to not make people feel totally derailed if they have something come up, or if they go out to lunch, think they made a good choice, and then find out it was 12 points. How sucky was that on WP when that happened and you only had 3 points left for dinner? I truly think it's all mental, the program itself is not that much different. Another good new thing that they are doing (although I wish they would call more attention to it) is a recommended points breakdown, how many points from each major food group they recommend. Just another piece of information for people who are totally new to the concept of balanced eating. They have suggestions for balanced, higher protein, vegetarian, etc. It's pretty cool.

And I lost .5 this week. I was hoping for more, but since I am still trying to get to know the program I will take it! :)

[ReneeV]

Hi JeAnne,

I just re-joined officially about 4 weeks ago, so the Flex Point explanation is fairly fresh in my mind. You are told to try to eat your target number of points every day. However, if you occasionally go below, that's OK too. Never go below 20 points because WW feels that it is not healthy. If you have eaten all your target points and still need/want more food, you should use your activity points. (Since you are a long time member, I'm sure you have that slide rule thingy for figuring out the points for activity. I have a really great activity pointer that came with my WWCalc Palm Pilot Program. I believe it's a little more exacting than the slide rule.)

Then if you still have an opportunity or desire to eat more, you dip in yor Flex Point bank. You can no longer carry over daily or activity points to the next day. When the day is over, they are gone and you start over again. You also cannot carry over Flex Points from week to week. When your week is over the Flex Points are gone and you start again.

I believe that with the new flexability comes new challenges. It puts more of the responsibility back in the hands of the participant. It's no longer a program that says, "eat this many of this thing and that many of that thing, and you'll lose weight." Now we have to do a little R&D to see how exactly it works on our bodies. There is nothing in the "guidelines" that prohibits a person from eating all their Flex Points in one day or one sitting, for that matter. However, it doesn't take a genious to figure out that that could potentially be a problem for a lot of people. I think a person just needs to work within the new program and configure it in a way that works best for them, individually. I love the freedom of choice. I have used my Flex Points for emergencies, a special night out or the occasional day when I'm hungrier than usual. Other than that, I try to live within my target plus activity points. I never plan them into my week. I kind of ignore them. I haven't used all my Flex Points in a week yet. For some reason, I don't feel compelled to use them all.

This program seems to be working for me. I've lost 5.5 lbs in 4 weeks, which is substantial for me. I was an utter failure at the Winning Points system. In 8 weeks, I lost a total of 2 lbs! I finally decided I could stay home, not spend the $$$, and remain at the same weight:rolleyes: I think because I have this cushion of 35 points, I tend to be more accurate in my evaluation of points. I don't do any point "shaving". In fact, I probably overvalue, if anything. This is most likely why I'm having success with this program. There is this feeling of security - the points are there, just in case I need them.

Frankly, if I ever do eat all 35 Flex Points in a week, I probably wouldn't lose that week. But that's OK. I view it as "taking a break" while technically staying on program. Psychologically, this works better for me than "jumping off the wagon" and having to climb back on. Now I know there are members who routinely eat all or most of their Flex Points and lose, but that's their bodies, not mine... unfortunately.

I finally decided to work with what I've got. I rejoined WW because it seemed the most "livable" and easy to work into a lifestyle where I'm working full time outside of the house, feeding myself, my DH and 2 small children. The reality is, I couldn't imagine staying with a program that required me to eat only certain foods, or shop at certain stores for specialty items. I don't have the time or frankly, the inclination to do that. I decided to try WW again and tweak it a little if necessary, before I went to anything more restrictive both in the food and lifestyle sense. It's working for me. This is definitely something I can see myself doing years down the road. And for me that was an important part of the equation.

Sorry to go on and on... Just my perspective on the new progarm.

Renée

[greysangel]

Thanks for the explanation Renee and Rebecca. I agree it is a very livable and sound program if you work the program. Part of me would like to go back to WW and just incorporate what I know and part of me feels like why go back when they (3 different leaders) didn't really offer me any advice apart from what I already know. And I definitely know I don't want to go back to the scale...ever. I'm definitely healthier without it.

anyhoo...in other news, I thought this was a pretty decent article:

http://www.maxpotential.com/b-yowe-excerpt.htm

[Pam Campbell]

Well, I have not ever posted here before but like the topic. I decided to join WW when someone told me I had great posture. Well, for some reason that made me Reallylook in the mirror and saw all of the lumps and bumps and bulges....oooh what a horrible sight. But I was really looking for the first time and it made me realize posture was not good enough, if that was all the good they could say about the way I looked. I do think I have good posture! I like my hair, it is red (with the help of a color job!) and has natural curl but not too much. I have lost 40 lbs but then went off WW & gained back a good portion. Well I am back & I am happier with the program...not so much because of the changes they have made but I am more happy with myself and that is a place that I need to be to make this a way of life not just a short/long vacation that ends. Going to WW because I want to be there and not just to lose weight, but following the program with a smile and knowing that I am finally in charge and in control! That is very important to making it last! This short post turned into a book and I apologize, I am not sure if what I say makes sense because words are only words and feelings cannot always be explained by them! I am stopping now. Thanks for the opportunity to be here! :)

[greysangel]

Welcome Pam!!!

everyone-
I posted wedding dress pics on the other stuff board :cool:

J