not a magic solution but concept makes sense!
Written: Oct 24 '05 (Updated Oct 25 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: all about healthy lifestyle, not dieting
Cons: not always easy to figure out points for some foods.
The Bottom Line: Bottom line is diet works if you keep to it. Long term goals are possible but patience a must.
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| gaviesgal's Full Review: Weight Watcher's Points Weight Loss Program with F... |
Weight has always been an issue for me. I have never been severely over weight but for some reason have always wanted to "lose a few". For as long as I remember I have hated some part of my body or another. Perhaps it goes back to grade seven when on more than one occassion one of the "popular" boys looked at me and called me "thunder thighs"- I was devestated and have never forgotten that feeling of desperation to lose weight-although I have never really acted upon my desire to be thin.
Recently though I gained a lot of weight. Probably due to a new marriage, excessive stress and some health issues. I decided that it was finally time to take action. I joined Weight Watchers. I had no idea what to expect and thought that the people there wouldn't like me because I wasn't extremely obese and only had 20-30 pounds to lose. I'm glad to say my fears were unwarranted. The leaders, staff and other members were all very friendly and also extremely supportive. I was never made to feel like an outsider and was always welcomed and greeted with a warm smile and encouraging words. People there came in all shapes and sizes and were from all backgrounds. There were just as many men as women in my meetings as well.
I have managed to lose 16 pounds so far and am on my way to losing the 30 I was aiming for. The process is slow and WW is not a magic solution-they don't give you a wonder pill so you wake up one morning a size 6. It is all about making healthy choices. There are things I thought I was doing right but were actually doing all wrong...who knew that too many fruits weren't that good for you. All that natural sugar actually adds up to excess points/calories.
The System
It is all about counting your points and tracking them in your daily tracker. You are given a certain number of points daily in which you are allowed to consume. The number of points you are allowed depends on your starting weight. For example, I started at 160 pounds so I was allowed to eat 22 points to start. When I made it to less than 150 pounds my points allowed went to 20. The heavier you are to start the more points you are allowed to intially consume. The rational of course being that the more you weigh the more calaries you need and as your weight goes down the number of calaries you need goes down. If you eat more than your daily allowance you are then going in your "flex points". What this means...in addition to your daily points you are given 35 flex points weekly. These flex points can be used in any way you wish but do not accumlate from week to week. I try not to use them but sometimes it is inevitable. You are also able to earn points through activity, these are referred to as activity points. For example I can earn 4 points by doing 1 hours of intense exercise. The system states that intense exercise is that in which you are left unable to speak or if you are breathing really hard...this just doesn't make sense to me as if your heart rate gets that high you are working way too hard. I always count my workouts as intense even though i'm able to talk and am not huffing and puffing.
From Weightwatchers.com
How Weight Watchers Meetings work
You attend Meetings once a week for less than an hour. Benefit from real-life experience of trained Weight Watchers Leaders.
Each week you have a confidential weigh-in to help you track your progress.
You learn how to make wise choices, eat healthy and enjoy food and exercise.
Every week you get new tips and program materials to help you follow TurnAround™.
Coaching and exchange
Enjoy support from your Meeting leader who lost weight with Weight Watchers, is a trained expert in the program and is committed to your success.
You also benefit from the exchange of tips, recipes and others’ practical experiences.
As a Meeting Member, you can sign up for our Internet weight-loss companion for Meetings, Weight Watchers eTools.
The Weight Watchers meetings can be very useful and encouraging. It really depends on your leader. The better the leader the more inspiring.
Weight Watchers is a very simple concept that makes sense if you are willing to commit to a healthy lifestyle permanently. If you have will power and the desire to succeed you will do it.
Recommended:
Yes
Approximate Monthly Cost (US$) 60
Food Variety Restrictions A wide variety of allowed foods
Restrictiveness of Portions Satisfying
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Epinions.com ID:
gaviesgal
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Member: gaviesgal
Location: Toronto Canada
Reviews written: 21
Trusted by: 0 members
About Me:
mom of two...suburban
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