LOSE 2 LBS. PER WEEK...12 FABULOUS TIPS AND TRICKS INCLUDED!
Written: Jun 16 '00 (Updated Jan 31 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: easy to follow, works great
Cons: none
The Bottom Line: Do it and stick with it...it works!
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| DENGNY's Full Review: Weight Watchers 1-2-3 Success At Home |
The premise is simple...based on your current weight, you're give a point range. Every food has a certain point value. Add up the points, stay within the range and you will lose weight. Sound too good to be true? Well, it's not.
This is the best and most reasonable diet plan on the market today. Not only will you lose weight, you'll learn how to eat so you can keep it off for life.
This diet is really easy to follow, but you got to be determined to stick with it. I lost and kept off over 20 lbs in under three months! Here's how I did it:
1. Plan and prepare your meals in advance...
Probably the most difficult and most important part of this diet is not the fact that your eating more healthy, or eating less. The most difficult part is planning and preparing meals in advance. It's work, and sometimes time is a commodity that we just have too little of. However, your efforts in this are will pay off. Be sure to pay careful attention to details like weight and size when it comes to portions.
Also important, try to eat at the same times every day. We're creatures of habit. We get used to things quickly. You won't get those nasty cravings if you're body gets what it's expecting at the same time everyday.
2. Get it in writing...
Write everything down. What you've eaten, and it's point value. It's extremely important to your success that you don't forget anything. Also, set daily goals for yourself and write them down (more on that later).
3. Make the soup!...
There's a recipe in the Weight Watchers book for Garden Vegetable Soup that is really quite good. Guess what? It's zero points! Have it at lunch and dinner before your main meal so you'll want to eat less at those times. Also, have it in between meals to take the edge off. Make sure you've got plenty of this soup on hand. Make a big pot and stick it in the refrigerator, or separate into single portion freezer bowls and freeze it.
4. Make the lowest point in your range your daily goal...
Okay, let's say your point range is 20-26 per day. You will loose weight faster if you only eat 20 points a day rather than 26. Also, let's say you've hit 20 points for the day and stop. Then, in a moment of weakness you have a small piece of cake. Guess what...you're probably still within your daily limit. Even if you go over, it won't be by much.
If you are hungry with the lowest point value in your range, just eat more zero-point veggies. And, make sure that the veggies you choose are some or your favorites. The point I'm trying to make here is not only do you want to be full, you need to feel satisfied as well.
NOTE: If you are NOT losing weight at the point level selected, and you're NOT cheating your body is probably not getting enough calories and is 'starvation mode'. If this is the case, SLOWLY increase the point level until you start losing weight. Eating the right amount of food for your body's particular metabolism is a key element to your success.
5. Have your salad dressing, but beware...
Salad is great on this diet, it's zero points without the dressing. However, I don't know anyone who eats salad without dressing and likes it, especially me. Here's a trick...always get you dressing on the side. Get your fork and dip it in the dressing now grab some salad. Not so bad, right?
Now, I know what you're thinking...that will work for thick creamy dressings but what about oil & vinegar? Well, first don't buy the store brand. The oil to vinegar ratio is high and besides most of them are loaded with sugar. Make your own. Use 1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil and 1/2 cup Balsamic Vinegar for flavor. Add 1/4 cup water and to taste...salt, pepper, oregano, basil, and garlic powder. Blend well, and you've got a yourself a great dressing with a lot less oil.
6. Eat your meals in order...
Here's a really simple trick to fill you up fast at mealtime. Eat your foods in order from the lowest point value to the highest. Start off with a bowl of that veggie soup...zero points. Next, have a salad with a little dressing...2 points. Lastly, 3 oz. marinated grilled chicken breast and steamed broccoli on the side...3 points. Sound pretty filling? Well it is. See, the point here is by the time you get to the main part of your meal, you've already filled up on the lower point foods and you'll be satisfied with the rest. Believe me...it works!
7. Keep your starch intake down to minimum...
An average piece of fruit is worth at least 2 points per piece and a plain baked potato is also 2 points. Starchy foods are high in point values as well (rice and pasta). Watch these items carefully as these foods are easy to go overboard with...especially the pasta. Stick to having no more than 2 pieces of fruit and one potato per day and you'll be fine.
NOTE: Just to let you know, other than fruit and the occasional baked potato, I cut out all starchy foods. Knowing how I am, I know I wouldn't have been satisfied with an amount of pasta or rice that would allow me to stay within my daily point range. Instead, I ate more veggies that I really enjoyed.
8. Exercise everyday...
You knew this was coming. Well, it's true you'll get a lot faster results if you exercise. Start off slow. Nobody's expecting you to run a marathon, but you have to do something. Whatever you decide, set goals for yourself and write them down. For example..."Friday, June 16, 2000 - Walk to the post office and back in 30 minutes."
Another thing...get out of the house! That's where all the food is! Exercising outside will get you away from your kitchen and the temptation of cheating. Just don't plan daily walks to the convenience store that has your favorite flavor of Ben & Jerry's in stock!
9. Never add points to your allowable total...
In the Weight Watcher's instruction book it says you can add points to you allowable total for exercising. Also, there's a little thing called banking points where if you eat less than you're allowed, you can eat them the next day. No matter what Weight Watchers says don't do this. Stick with the points you're allowed and that's it. You'll reach your goals that much faster and you'll be less inclined to cheat. You'll also eat healthier and more satisfied by eating a consistent amount every day.
10. Reward yourself but be cautious...
Okay, you've been really good and you want a candy bar, or some cake because you deserve it. Go ahead, and have it! You're right, you've worked hard at this diet and it's been pretty easy, but you've had your moments. So a little candy bar, or a piece of cake isn't going to hurt you. Just remember two things. First, add those points to your daily total and never go over. Second, make your reward a reward, and not a daily occurrence.
Plan your rewards in advance. For example, let's say that Sunday is your reward day because you've been good all week. Great! Now you have a simple attainable goal.
11. Eat between meals...
Snack in between meals but snack smart. Have celery stalks or other veggies handy for when you get hungry (0 points). Have your fruit at this time. Eat a bowl of that soup I wrote about. It's okay to be hungry at meal time, but don't be famished! You'll be less inclined to overeat if you've had a little something in between meals. Plus, you'll have more energy throughout the day.
12. Read the lables...
Starting reading those nutrition labels and calculate the points per serving for everything you buy. Now, get a big black magic marker and write the point value per serving on each item when you get it home. This, way it's right there in your face and you don't have to worry about looking it up again. Plus, if you have some spare points to go before you reach your limit...you'll have an idea of what you can have just by looking at it.
And for goodness sake...NEVER GO FOOD SHOPPING HUNGRY!!!
One final thought...
If you cheat, don't beat yourself up. Shake it off and the next day pick up where you left off. Never forget that the day before you cheated. Write it down for yourself...something like "I cheated yesterday, but I won't today". Look at it, and read it out loud. It's a big help.
Recommended:
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DENGNY
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Member: Dennis G
Location: Morris County, NJ
Reviews written: 85
Trusted by: 38 members
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