Weigh****chers

I was looking into having WLS(lapband), but due to my insurance it is not a option.  At first I was alittle upset, but I know that everything happens for a reason. I am now ready to make this lifetime change on my own.  My question is:::  Anyone have any feedback that will assist me? I am really ready to do this, and I know that I can.  I will be starting on 12/01/07 on Weigh****chers, please I am open to all advice. Thanks

Well you sound a lot like me.... October 31 2006 I thought in January I was having a lap band, but by December I knew I wasn't.  There was no choice but to make some changes.  I started gradually on a weigh****chers based diet and after a month started some exercise. First used the upper extremity arm bike, then the stationary bike then some machines recommended by the trainers, and finally the pool with an hour worth of exercise 5 times a week.  The pool is what I am doing now and also started a slow cycling plan with my new bike.  I have lost 123 lbs without surgery and am off of bp meds etc.  Basically took my basic caloric needs and cut them in half which gave me 1200-1400 cal per day diet and added the exercise and it has worked.  Be sure you get enough protein.  Not a bad idea to have your MD draw some baseline and later follow up labs after you have  been dieting a bit.  Found out I was very low in B-12 and sluggish thyroid though within normal levels.  I allow myself one night a week if we eat out to have a treat, but then get back on it.  Exercise is a must.  Good Luck. Patty

You sound a lot what my problem was, I joined WW this past April, and really have found that its something i want and need to do for myself. Along with excercise, plenty of water, but sometimes when i eat out i get what i really want , but iam back  to it the next day, This is mostly on a weekend.I went to WW long time ago, but its really better now. Good Luck!!!  You can do it!!!  Delilah

WW has two plans -- I lost most of my weight on Flex but I recently switched to Core for a change.  Make sure you look into both before jumping on the Flex bandwagon -- I read a lot at the WW boards about people making poor choices with their points.

wow, I found out that surgery was off the table for me too!!
I joined WW on 10/6/07 and have lost 11.8 so far!!

It's really very easy - and in addition to WW I'm exercising like a crazy woman!!!

I'm on a mission now - you can do it!

When you start the Weigh****chers program, stay for meetings and if you have any questions at all ask the leader at the meeting. December always rolls out new meeting material for Weigh****chers and for next year (which starts in december) 2008 there will be some new items and packaging of some meeting material which by the way is AWESOME!