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[veggiegirl73]

So, I am almost 9 months out.  I am 6.2 pounds away from my original goal.  Honestly, I didn't think I'd get here...so I didn't think about it too much.  However, now that I'm this close I think that I can go further.   If I lose 26.2 more pounds...I will be a "normal" weight.  That never seemed possible before but now that I'm this close I'd like to get there and see how I feel. 

I am still losing weight albeit quite slowly now.  Honestly, I do not track my food intake.  I keep a mental tally of my protein intake for the day and adjust my foods accordingly but I do not journal my foods.  (nor have I during this entire journey)  However, I have done weight watchers in the past and I was obsessive about writing down anything and everything that I put into or planned to put into my mouth.   

I am wondering if anyone tried weight watchers to get the last 20 pounds or so of their weight off even though they were still losing.  And I know this is my own insanity...but considering how many times I've used weight watchers in the past (successfully until I quit)  ...  I desperately would like to hit goal and achieve life time status! 

[sizzletime]

Congrats, I hope to get to the problem you have, my journey is only starting.  I know someone who was in a very similar situation and they used the bodybugg.  It requires discipline as you dont write your food down but log it into a computer so can be more complicated but lets you know your intake, calories burned and what you need to do to get to goal.  The problem is its like an exercise bike in your spare room, if you dont use it, it wont work.  I think the simple thing of writing down what you eat might make you more aware and possibly help out.

[saucywench]

Congrats wonderful to hear your doin so great! It's only been 9mo. Lady your rocking this! I have not tried WW but I hope you'd take it easy on yourself and be patient. You've already accomplished so much.
-Mel

[baka]

wooohooo!

Congrats

Ian

[Jabba2Halle]

Congrats on being so close to goal!

[ttowe]

Being I'm far out...WW is a great way for me to get back on track when I feel like my portions are heading out of control.

toni

[veggiegirl73]

I am thinking of using weight watchers as an additional tool.  I am close enough to goal now that I am looking at it as more of a maintenance tool than a weight loss tool.  I just want to be sure that I have a good plan and foundation before this period of "automatic" weight loss ends. 

[Heather Lundquist]

I have a cheaper and just as good alternative -- TOPS! www.tops.org Love them!! Same concept, more fun, cheaper meetings ($1). I am a part of them.

[Mo-Mik]

WW is great as a "get there" option it can help family that you have been giving leftovers to as well! 

[kmol42]

I am 3 years and 7 months out and I am doing WW's to get back on track and just be more aware of my portions.

[Superfreaky]

I think the support alone is worth the cost of the meetings, if you get a good leader.  I have made good friends at WW that I am still in contact with on Facebook.

[npc02]

Being I'm far out...WW is a great way for me to get back on track when I feel like my portions are heading out of control.

toni

Hey Toni!
Do you use WW as it is laid out, or do you change it to focus more on protein to make sure you meet your protein quota?

Thanks,
Nicole

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!

[MacMadame]

My friend started WW pre-op and just kept going after WLS. She likes the accountability.

I have a BodyMedia FIT and I like it because it tells me exactly how many calories I've burned each day instead of just guessing or -- as most programs do -- assuming my base is the same every day and all that varies is my exercise. I found my basic calorie burn varies by 200 calories a day and that can make a big difference in what you can and can't eat.

You can log your food on their site but I like MyFitnessPal and I use that to log my food and then I just copy over the total calories at the end of the day. Plus MFP has forums and I like forums. I've found logging my food online to be much easier than logging it with pen and paper. The sites have big databases of foods and they do all the math for you!

I tried WW once when I was obese and I just couldn't get into the meetings. Not my thing, I guess. I like their points system and how you aren't eating special food. WW and Jenny Craig have the best systems in my opinion but JC doesn't work well for us post-op as their packaged food just isn't right for us and is too big a portion size for most of us. But they use the diabetic exchange system to count food (on the days you are on real food) and that's a system that works really well to make sure you get enough protein, etc. It's really easy to use, I've found.

WW is more like real life and I like that but their various points systems are still somewhat trickier IME than the diabetic exchanges. The other thing I like about WW is that they are really into the science and they keep up with the latest research and tweak their program based on it on a regular basis.

[futuresveltemom]

At some point, the majority of people who have WLS will come to a point where they not only stop losing weight but in fact, will probably begin to regain. With an RNY, one normally can expect to lose 65-80% of her excess weight which essentially means that for most people, the RNY alone will not help them to achieve complete weight loss to goal. Yes, there is the magical period of almost effortless weight loss but our bodies do adapt and there is an end (unfortunately) to the "magic".

However..The RNY is a tool; it is not a miracle cure of obesity. It does help jump start a weight loss effort though and by creating a permanently smaller stomach and in many case a less tolerance for simple carbs and sweets so we do have a leg up, an advantage, in continuing to lose weight and maintaining that weight loss. That being said, I have personally found Weight Watchers to be an excellent program in not only helping me take off my 15 pounds of regain but to continue losing weight. I follow WW Online as I am not into the group "support" approach and don't feel that a WW group would understand some of the special additional concerns of a WLS patient. WW Online is excellent for tracking and visibility of what I am eating. It helps me to maintain control and keep track of my eating. Since portions usually are not a issue with WLS people who have had thier stomachs altered (afterall, they can only hold so much until it is very uncomfortable) it is also excellent for keeping "grazing" in check. Those little nibbles here and there do add up.  You do need to emphasize protein, of course, but the really cool thing about the program this year, is that all fruits and veggies are zero points (whereas, it use to be a banana was 2 points, same as some crackers). Not only does this help me focus my daily points on protein but it steers me into snacking on a piece of fruit instead of some crackers, which is healthier for me from a WLS and non-WLS perspective.

Anyway, anything which you can use to keep track is good but having tried a couple of methods I do prefer Weight Watchers Online the best as it provides me with more than just a journal to track (and the monthly cost is a bit more motivation to stick with it). 

[Dr_Adventure]

Congrats - I've never done WW - the only thing I have observed is that they have different assumptions about carbs and fat - I would say this would need to be adjusted.  I suspect that if you recorded food for three days you would have a picture how much you are doing in terms of calories, and percentage of fat, carbs protein.  I found http://www.headsupeating.com to be useful for this (it is free and allows you to enter nutrition labels for foods not listed and to create your own recipes).  I would guess that WW is great for the support though.  I have yet to find a great program for recording both nutrition and work outs (fitday is not bad - but it does not track simple sugar - which I like to track).

[lesliethequeen]

I have been a WW Lifetime Member for 35 years and I love the program! It was never their fault that I didn't eat the way i was suppose to! The new PointPlus System is certainly a lot of steps above the one I started on - pages of "Illegal" Foods, you had to eat liver once a week and only 2 slices of bread a day - no matter what kind or how nutritious!

I go with my daughter now to give her support (She has lost 50 pounds), and it's a little weird because I can't afford to pay, so I don't weigh, but the Leader (who has known me for years) knows something's going on because, well, I have lost 85 pounds since Sept! I know she wants to ask what i am doing but is too polite! I know the time will come when I can "join" again and I know it will keep me healthy...right now it's just a little AWKWARD!!!

[futuresveltemom]

Leslie, that is sort of why I am hesitant about going to the group meetings. Besides the time I would have to spend in finding one which would "fit" not only my schedule but also my style (ie, leader), I have concerns that they would not understand the special situation of the WLS patient. I also don't have time to deal with strangers who will inevitably comment ignorantly how I "took the easy way out" and other such nonsense.  However...since nobody has x-ray vision except Superman, it really is none of their business whether or not you have an altered anatomy.

Leslie, I would keep the leader guessing then, when she finally does ask, just tell her you've modified your diet and exercise for weight loss...because, lol, you have done just that!