Strongly Considering WW, have questions

Hi everyone,

I'm new to this ng, but not new to dieting. I've needed to lose a "few
pounds" my entire life. I want to change my WOE for a healthier
WOL-including exercise. I'm looking for a sustainable WOE. I've done Jenny
Craig, it was too expensive. In my mind, WW and JC were the same thing (I
understand that this was an old stereotype from years ago, but I'm having a
hard time differentiating the two).

In the past when I've changed my WOE, I've been very single-minded in
weightloss efforts and working out. The short version is that it was too
difficult to maintain and I missed certain foods. It took me over 4 years
to get back to the weight where I started to LC. The weight gain occurred
because I stopped paying attention to what I ate.

I know that following a WOE comes from within. I'm concerned that I might
not stick with WW and I don't want to beat myself up for "wasting money on
yet another program". I'm too good at beating myself up for "failing" and I
don't need to do that to myself.

My questions a
Other than registration fees and weekly meeting fees, what else do you have
to buy to start the program and how much is it (approximately)?
What happens at meetings other than the weekly weigh-in?
What types of topics are on offer for discussion?

Thanks for answering my questions.

Julie

My questions a
Other than registration fees and weekly meeting fees, what else do you have
to buy to start the program and how much is it (approximately)?
What happens at meetings other than the weekly weigh-in?
What types of topics are on offer for discussion?

Thanks for answering my questions.

Julie



Hi Julie! I'll answer your questions and I'm sure others will too..

1) my registration was free when I joined r4 weeks ago. I pay $9.95 per week
and I get two passes every 6 months for when I am on vacation or can't go to a
meeting. I did buy the "dining out guide" for around $9-10 because I do go out
to eat a lot and I wanted to know the points. However you don't have to buy
that. The points are listed on the internet at places like www.dwlz.com and
www.dietfacts.com.

2)At the meetings you weigh-in, celebrations are done (lose 5 lbs get a
bookmark, etc.), then we talk about that weeks topic. At my meeting last week
was "dining out" and this week was "breakfast". My leader talked about the
importance of eating breakfast, low point breakfast ideas, etc.

3)I pretty much answered that in #2, but each week is a different topic.

Kathy

My registration was free too (until March 31 it is free in the usa)

I pay $12 per meeting but bought a $108 prepaid plan for 10 meetings.


"skiur" wrote in message
...
Hi everyone,

I'm new to this ng, but not new to dieting. I've needed to lose a "few
pounds" my entire life. I want to change my WOE for a healthier
WOL-including exercise. I'm looking for a sustainable WOE. I've done
Jenny
Craig, it was too expensive. In my mind, WW and JC were the same thing (I
understand that this was an old stereotype from years ago, but I'm having
a
hard time differentiating the two).

In the past when I've changed my WOE, I've been very single-minded in
weightloss efforts and working out. The short version is that it was too
difficult to maintain and I missed certain foods. It took me over 4 years
to get back to the weight where I started to LC. The weight gain occurred
because I stopped paying attention to what I ate.

I know that following a WOE comes from within. I'm concerned that I might
not stick with WW and I don't want to beat myself up for "wasting money on
yet another program". I'm too good at beating myself up for "failing" and
I
don't need to do that to myself.

My questions a
Other than registration fees and weekly meeting fees, what else do you
have
to buy to start the program and how much is it (approximately)?
What happens at meetings other than the weekly weigh-in?
What types of topics are on offer for discussion?

Thanks for answering my questions.

Julie

Hi Julie from another Julie! WW is a great program - there are even a lot
of people here who don't go to meetings (if that's not your thing), so it's
flexible enough to suit your lifestyle. Others have answered your specific
questions, so I'll just add the official welcome notice. There's a lot of
good info in there too.

Welcome to this great newsgroup where you'll receive lots of support,
advice, and encouragement. Once a week on Sundays, I post a list of links
that newcomers to asdww might find useful. You may want to look for that
later in the week, or do a backwards search for last Sunday's post.

In the meantime, here's our FAQ:
http://www.didian.com/asdww/
our welcome notice:
http://www.geocities.com/welcomenotice/index.html

Frequently seen acronyms on this NG:
NSV = Non-Scale Victory
WOE = Way of Eating
WOL = Way of Life (Living)
OP = on Points or On Program
DH = Dear or Darling Husband
DS/DD/DGD/etc = Dear or Darling Son, Daughter, Granddaughter, etc
WI = Weigh-in

Amberle3's Challenges:

THTP - Take Heart, Take Part Exercise Challenge:
http://www.angelfire.com/me4/travelgirl/thtp.htm

RafL - Resolutions are for Losers Weight Loss Challenge:
http://www.angelfire.com/me4/travelgirl/rafl.htm


Other acronyms:
http://www.wwlissa.com/dwlz100+/100+acronyms.htm

Here's a short synopsis of the USA program by Joyce -

How many points you can eat is only based on your current weight, as you
lose
weight those points allowed will decrease (logic is that your body will need
less
to operate). At 183 pounds and based on the new US flexpoints system, you
will
have a set point target of 24. In addition to this you are allowed 35
flexpoints
to be used throughout the week ... as well as any activity points you earn
on a
particular day. When your weight drops to 175, your target drops to 22
points ...
weight reaches 150, target once again drop to 20 points. 3 servings of
dairy of
recommended per day, 5 servings of fruit and veggies, minimum of 6 glasses
of
water.

To calculate food and activity points, I love this computer desktop
calculator ...
http://www.zythra.com/downloads/points.exe

The basic plan is easy. Eat at least your minimum daily number of points.
Points
do not carry over from day to day. You are allotted 35 weekly flexpoints to
be
used at your discretion ... can divide them up and use daily (would be an
additional 5 points per day) or save them and use them for a special
occassion
during the week. Activity points are earned based when exercising, but can
ONLY
be used on the day they are earned.

If you can afford $15/month, the online ww program might be a great thing
for you
to look into. There is lots of information available, as well as the food
point
database and journaling system.

Joyce
WW starting weight: 228.8 - 2/5/02
current weight: 133.3
Lifetime: 4/4/03

Please note that if you live in onther countries (UK, Australia, NZ,
Europe), the Points plans are different. The UK and Australia/NZ calculate
points based on saturated fat and total kilojoules. Most of Europe
calculates based on total fat and total kilojoules. The desktop calculator
above can handle all of these programs.

Disclaimer: As an unmoderated Usenet newsgroup, asdww is unusual in that
most of the people who participate are respectful, considerate folks who
freely share their experience with and knowledge of WW, weight loss, and
maintenance. Yet occasionally, spammers, trolls, and flamers show up to post
advertising, false information, insults, and the like. Nearly all of the
time, people like this are just trying to yank someone's chain. Most of the
regulars on this newsgroup offer their experience as a suggestion to try if
you're stuck, but are quick to advise that each person has to find what
works for him/herself. If someone posts something that doesn't sound right
to you, ask the newsgroup, ask your WW leader, or ask your health
professional.

Much success on your weight loss journey! WW works!

--
Julie.
93.5/72.3/74 (WW)/72 (Personal) kg
205.7/159.0/162.8 (WW)/158 (Personal) lb

Here's our FAQ: http://www.didian.com/asdww/ and welcome notice:
http://www.geocities.com/welcomenotice/index.html

"skiur" wrote in message
...
Hi everyone,

I'm new to this ng, but not new to dieting. I've needed to lose a "few
pounds" my entire life. I want to change my WOE for a healthier
WOL-including exercise. I'm looking for a sustainable WOE. I've done
Jenny
Craig, it was too expensive. In my mind, WW and JC were the same thing (I
understand that this was an old stereotype from years ago, but I'm having
a
hard time differentiating the two).

In the past when I've changed my WOE, I've been very single-minded in
weightloss efforts and working out. The short version is that it was too
difficult to maintain and I missed certain foods. It took me over 4 years
to get back to the weight where I started to LC. The weight gain occurred
because I stopped paying attention to what I ate.

I know that following a WOE comes from within. I'm concerned that I might
not stick with WW and I don't want to beat myself up for "wasting money on
yet another program". I'm too good at beating myself up for "failing" and
I
don't need to do that to myself.

My questions a
Other than registration fees and weekly meeting fees, what else do you
have
to buy to start the program and how much is it (approximately)?
What happens at meetings other than the weekly weigh-in?
What types of topics are on offer for discussion?

Thanks for answering my questions.

Julie

Hello Julie,

As others have stated there are only the registration (which is free
sometimes, depending on the time of year) and the weekly meeting fees.
There is nothing else to buy at all. I would highly recommend you have a
food scale and good measuring cups and spoons to be successful though.
Sometimes you are not truly aware of what a portion size is until it is
measured or weighed. You learn over time what these are when you use your
scale or measuring cups/spoons, but it is always good to check as portions
tend to creep up and that can be detrimental to your weight loss efforts. I
know my center has a getting started package that includes the Dining Out
Guide and also the Complete Food Companion. These will help you a lot to
determine portion sizes and point values. There are also available to you
in the WW center, cookbooks, WW magazine, 2 point snack bars, smoothie
mixes, pedometer, exercise videos/DVDs and other things to help you along
your journey, BUT none of them are required, the only think you are required
to pay is your weekly meeting fee. I highly recommend getting the 10 week
block of coupons as you normally get about $1 off per week buying them in
advance, I also like it as you don't have to wait in line to pay AND wait in
line to weigh. You can just go straight to the scale and weigh in.

The meetings are a support group. The topics change each week, typically
the week runs Sunday-Saturday, so the topic would be the same all week, but
different leaders offer different information based on their experience, so
if it is a particularly good topic, you could go to more than one meeting
for just the one fee for the week. There is so much to the group support,
as everyone offers their experience in what they do along this journey. I
know there are weeks, when sometimes the topic is barely touched on as
someone is dealing with a situation that is difficult for them and we all
offer our help with the issue at hand. I know I love my group and all the
members in it, we are like a big family and support and help each other
immensely. We do celebrations too, and like someone else mentioned, they
are 5 lb bookmark, then you get a star for ever 5 lbs lost after that, then
there is the 25 lb and 50 lb magnets, and also the 10% keychain, there is
also the 16 weeks of attendance charm and the other charms that are for
reaching goal and then making lifetime. Of course the ultimate goal is to
be at lifetime so you can continue to attend meetings free of charge as long
as you are no more than 2 lbs over your declared goal weight.

I love the program and highly recommend it. It is a real livable program
that you can work around any dietary needs you may have. If there is
something you don't like, you don't have to have it, if there is something
you love, there are no restrictions as long as it fits with in your points
available to you. It is a livable plan, that you can follow for life.

Debbie


"skiur" wrote in message
...
Hi everyone,

I'm new to this ng, but not new to dieting. I've needed to lose a "few
pounds" my entire life. I want to change my WOE for a healthier
WOL-including exercise. I'm looking for a sustainable WOE. I've done
Jenny
Craig, it was too expensive. In my mind, WW and JC were the same thing (I
understand that this was an old stereotype from years ago, but I'm having
a
hard time differentiating the two).

In the past when I've changed my WOE, I've been very single-minded in
weightloss efforts and working out. The short version is that it was too
difficult to maintain and I missed certain foods. It took me over 4 years
to get back to the weight where I started to LC. The weight gain occurred
because I stopped paying attention to what I ate.

I know that following a WOE comes from within. I'm concerned that I might
not stick with WW and I don't want to beat myself up for "wasting money on
yet another program". I'm too good at beating myself up for "failing" and
I
don't need to do that to myself.

My questions a
Other than registration fees and weekly meeting fees, what else do you
have
to buy to start the program and how much is it (approximately)?
What happens at meetings other than the weekly weigh-in?
What types of topics are on offer for discussion?

Thanks for answering my questions.

Julie

First I have to say the WW and JC are totally different. I ate many of the
same foods on WW that I eat when I am eating exactly what I want to eat, and
not on any sort of WOE, or plan of any kind. I did begin to eat more like I
Wanted to eat (nutritionally), but made room for my favorites as well, just
not every day. I also have done every program there is, and find myself now
209 pounds less than my heaviest ever weight, and going to meetings for free
(on lifetime) when I need some extra motivation to stick with my healthy
lifestyle. That said...
My questions a
Other than registration fees and weekly meeting fees, what else do you
have
to buy to start the program and how much is it (approximately)?

**ZERO, nothing, nada. You may buy some other things if you wish to, but
you can do the program perfectly well with the weekly meeting fee. I used
to give myself little treats ( a new WW mug, a magazine, a bracelet ) when I
lost 5 pounds.
What happens at meetings other than the weekly weigh-in?

****They teach tools for living, and share experiences. You learn how other
people are succeeding and watch what messes other people up.
What types of topics are on offer for discussion?

All kinds of things. They have a whole program of stuff. Some of the
things that helped me this time, were making a storyboard (a picture book of
where I was going) formulating a winning outcome, all kinds of stuff. Too
much to put here.
Thanks for answering my questions.

Anytime, I hope you join us !!

Lesanne
365/157.5/157.5

I've never tried Jenny Craig so I can't speak from personal experience
about the program. But straight from the Jenny Craig Web site, here's
why I won't consider it: "Jenny's delicious cuisine offers satisfying,
nutritious and convenient meals and snacks that take the guesswork out
of calorie counting, portion control and nutritional balance."

In order for me to maintain my weight loss once I reach my goal, I
have to know what foods I can eat in what quantities and learn how to
integrate real-life events and occasions. What I'm learning on WW is
that weight loss is the classroom for me to learn what I need to know
for the rest of my life. Eating prepackaged and pre-portioned foods do
nothing to teach me.

Read this NG for a while and you'll discover that each of us is
finding what works for us--sometimes by trial and error, sometimes by
guesswork--all within the guidelines of WW. That's the genius of WW.
You can make it fit your life.

BTW, I don't attend WW meetings. I joined WW Online and use the online
points tracker. I use this NG for support and encouragement and
accountability.

Prairie Roots
232/158.8/WW goal 145
joined WW Online 22-Feb-2003

On Sun, 15 Feb 2004 09:51:48 -0600, "skiur"
wrote:

Hi everyone,

I'm new to this ng, but not new to dieting. I've needed to lose a "few
pounds" my entire life. I want to change my WOE for a healthier
WOL-including exercise. I'm looking for a sustainable WOE. I've done Jenny
Craig, it was too expensive. In my mind, WW and JC were the same thing (I
understand that this was an old stereotype from years ago, but I'm having a
hard time differentiating the two).

In the past when I've changed my WOE, I've been very single-minded in
weightloss efforts and working out. The short version is that it was too
difficult to maintain and I missed certain foods. It took me over 4 years
to get back to the weight where I started to LC. The weight gain occurred
because I stopped paying attention to what I ate.

I know that following a WOE comes from within. I'm concerned that I might
not stick with WW and I don't want to beat myself up for "wasting money on
yet another program". I'm too good at beating myself up for "failing" and I
don't need to do that to myself.

My questions a
Other than registration fees and weekly meeting fees, what else do you have
to buy to start the program and how much is it (approximately)?
What happens at meetings other than the weekly weigh-in?
What types of topics are on offer for discussion?

Thanks for answering my questions.

Julie

first welcome to this group, You don't have to buy anything special to work
the program, even though they do have some things that help some of us in
our efforts. you should be able to save a bit if you commit to the ten or
twelve week savings plan you get the meetings a bit cheaper. The food is
what YOU want to purchase from your market. if you don't want to purchase
more expensive items then don't. I actually think our overall food expenses
have gone down, and I can tell you I have saved loads on not purchasing
stomach remedies. The topics at our meetings have covered everything from
shoe size, to recipes, to new products to the fact that I wear A size panty
hose. Our leaders are open to questions and comments. The general topics,
the "lessons" if you will are on a cycle but our leaders at the center I
attend keep it fresh, some are, eating out, stress, goals, exercise,
nutrition/carbos/ fat and the like. binges, water, mother in laws and pets
taking your food have all been talked about. I wish you the best, I have
lost a total of 86.1 pounds since a year ago Sept 18 and all but 14.5 pounds
of that have been on WW and I will eat this way forever. It is not a diet,
it is how I eat, Lee
skiur wrote in message
...
Hi everyone,

I'm new to this ng, but not new to dieting. I've needed to lose a "few
pounds" my entire life. I want to change my WOE for a healthier
WOL-including exercise. I'm looking for a sustainable WOE. I've done
Jenny
Craig, it was too expensive. In my mind, WW and JC were the same thing (I
understand that this was an old stereotype from years ago, but I'm having
a
hard time differentiating the two).

In the past when I've changed my WOE, I've been very single-minded in
weightloss efforts and working out. The short version is that it was too
difficult to maintain and I missed certain foods. It took me over 4 years
to get back to the weight where I started to LC. The weight gain occurred
because I stopped paying attention to what I ate.

I know that following a WOE comes from within. I'm concerned that I might
not stick with WW and I don't want to beat myself up for "wasting money on
yet another program". I'm too good at beating myself up for "failing" and
I
don't need to do that to myself.

My questions a
Other than registration fees and weekly meeting fees, what else do you
have
to buy to start the program and how much is it (approximately)?
What happens at meetings other than the weekly weigh-in?
What types of topics are on offer for discussion?

Thanks for answering my questions.

Julie

Great post Lee. Almost (not quite) makes me wish I went to meetings!

Prairie Roots

On Sun, 15 Feb 2004 18:45:49 -0600, "Miss Violette"
wrote:

first welcome to this group, You don't have to buy anything special to work
the program, even though they do have some things that help some of us in
our efforts. you should be able to save a bit if you commit to the ten or
twelve week savings plan you get the meetings a bit cheaper. The food is
what YOU want to purchase from your market. if you don't want to purchase
more expensive items then don't. I actually think our overall food expenses
have gone down, and I can tell you I have saved loads on not purchasing
stomach remedies. The topics at our meetings have covered everything from
shoe size, to recipes, to new products to the fact that I wear A size panty
hose. Our leaders are open to questions and comments. The general topics,
the "lessons" if you will are on a cycle but our leaders at the center I
attend keep it fresh, some are, eating out, stress, goals, exercise,
nutrition/carbos/ fat and the like. binges, water, mother in laws and pets
taking your food have all been talked about. I wish you the best, I have
lost a total of 86.1 pounds since a year ago Sept 18 and all but 14.5 pounds
of that have been on WW and I will eat this way forever. It is not a diet,
it is how I eat, Lee
skiur wrote in message
...
Hi everyone,

I'm new to this ng, but not new to dieting. I've needed to lose a "few
pounds" my entire life. I want to change my WOE for a healthier
WOL-including exercise. I'm looking for a sustainable WOE. I've done
Jenny
Craig, it was too expensive. In my mind, WW and JC were the same thing (I
understand that this was an old stereotype from years ago, but I'm having
a
hard time differentiating the two).

In the past when I've changed my WOE, I've been very single-minded in
weightloss efforts and working out. The short version is that it was too
difficult to maintain and I missed certain foods. It took me over 4 years
to get back to the weight where I started to LC. The weight gain occurred
because I stopped paying attention to what I ate.

I know that following a WOE comes from within. I'm concerned that I might
not stick with WW and I don't want to beat myself up for "wasting money on
yet another program". I'm too good at beating myself up for "failing" and
I
don't need to do that to myself.

My questions a
Other than registration fees and weekly meeting fees, what else do you
have
to buy to start the program and how much is it (approximately)?
What happens at meetings other than the weekly weigh-in?
What types of topics are on offer for discussion?

Thanks for answering my questions.

Julie

To tell you the truth I am not by nature a joiner so it came as a real shock
that I enjoy them so much. I get something from whatever meeting I attend,
and I do prefer a particular leader. My favorite meeting is one that just
has the most outrageous people and it is extremely fun. I miss that group
but I can honestly say I don't ever invision a time when I only WI once a
month. It seems so natural to go. I have never missed a WI and only one
time did I do WI and leave the meeting early, I had to because of work but I
will never do that again. It was my worst week on WW emotionally. Lee
Prairie Roots wrote in message
...
Great post Lee. Almost (not quite) makes me wish I went to meetings!

Prairie Roots

On Sun, 15 Feb 2004 18:45:49 -0600, "Miss Violette"
wrote:

first welcome to this group, You don't have to buy anything special to
work
the program, even though they do have some things that help some of us in
our efforts. you should be able to save a bit if you commit to the ten
or
twelve week savings plan you get the meetings a bit cheaper. The food is
what YOU want to purchase from your market. if you don't want to
purchase
more expensive items then don't. I actually think our overall food
expenses
have gone down, and I can tell you I have saved loads on not purchasing
stomach remedies. The topics at our meetings have covered everything
from
shoe size, to recipes, to new products to the fact that I wear A size
panty
hose. Our leaders are open to questions and comments. The general
topics,
the "lessons" if you will are on a cycle but our leaders at the center I
attend keep it fresh, some are, eating out, stress, goals, exercise,
nutrition/carbos/ fat and the like. binges, water, mother in laws and
pets
taking your food have all been talked about. I wish you the best, I have
lost a total of 86.1 pounds since a year ago Sept 18 and all but 14.5
pounds
of that have been on WW and I will eat this way forever. It is not a
diet,
it is how I eat, Lee
skiur wrote in message
...
Hi everyone,

I'm new to this ng, but not new to dieting. I've needed to lose a "few
pounds" my entire life. I want to change my WOE for a healthier
WOL-including exercise. I'm looking for a sustainable WOE. I've done
Jenny
Craig, it was too expensive. In my mind, WW and JC were the same thing
(I
understand that this was an old stereotype from years ago, but I'm
having
a
hard time differentiating the two).

In the past when I've changed my WOE, I've been very single-minded in
weightloss efforts and working out. The short version is that it was
too
difficult to maintain and I missed certain foods. It took me over 4
years
to get back to the weight where I started to LC. The weight gain
occurred
because I stopped paying attention to what I ate.

I know that following a WOE comes from within. I'm concerned that I
might
not stick with WW and I don't want to beat myself up for "wasting money
on
yet another program". I'm too good at beating myself up for "failing"
and
I
don't need to do that to myself.

My questions a
Other than registration fees and weekly meeting fees, what else do you
have
to buy to start the program and how much is it (approximately)?
What happens at meetings other than the weekly weigh-in?
What types of topics are on offer for discussion?

Thanks for answering my questions.

Julie