So I joined Weigh****chers.....

For $10.95. I bought the Dining out companion and point companions for $18.00. I went to Subway because a turkey sub was 5 points so I figured I'd have that for lunch. Got home to have lunch with hubby, was able to eat a little over half of the sandwich, talked to hubby, and came to the conclusion that WW is not for us! I felt gross eating that sub and it just didn't feel right! It only cost me $30.00 to realize I just need to go back to basics and up the exercise. Money well spent, I guess! Thanks for all your advice the oher day! Erica Lap Rny 12/15/2003 Julia Abigail was born 8/1/05!

I joined the online weigh****chers about 3 weeks ago. I take the Smart Ones to work with me for lunch and have them for dinner also. You have to remember who you are and what you can eat, just cause it's on their list at low points doesn't mean it's good for wls people. You still have to make wise choices... I feel lots better eating the smart ones. I don't do as many carbs as I would have normally and don't have that sluggish feeling... Good luck to you on this quest.....remember one thing, that no matter what program your on it's up to you to make the best choices.... Darlene

As I was reading your post, I was wondering how on earth you were going to eat that entire sub. Of course, you couldn't!! I still think I can eat more than I actually can because my hunger hasn't lessened. When I'm hungry, I'm really hungry!! It just takes so little to satisfy that, though. Now get thee to eBay and sell those little books you bought!! Jan

Hey you!! I'm glad you posted this because I have been contemplating re-joining WW to get back on track. However, I think I have come to the conclusion that what I too need to do is just do it and more importantly, find out why I like to eat so much, even after having this surgery. I DEFINITELY have a food addiction and need to find out why and then work on that. For that reason, I am thinking now about finding a local OA chapter and going to a couple of meetings to see if they have what I am looking for. Best of luck to you my friend and hope you are getting enough sleep with the little one in your life now...Be good and have a super day...Cap'n K-Man

Hey Ken Having a little trouble staying on track? My Doc told me that those of us who Regularly attend support groups Typically do Far Better at staying at goal weight Than those who did not. I think it's that whole Face to Face thing that keeps you in touch With staying "accountable" for your choices. Find some local shrinking buddies, And meet often. This is working great for me. Don't be a stranger! Best Wishes- Dx

Hey Dx!! It's so good to hear from you!! I have been quite busy and just haven't had the time to be online like I used to. I am sure though that with our soon to be...FREEZING WEATHER...I'll be inside much more than out so I won't have as many excuses not to be on OH. Unless, of course, I choose to stay in our hot tub all day while the kids are in school!! Anywho...I have been to a couple of meetings and loved them. Trouble is that they have weird meeting times and my schedule is a rotating one that goes for 2 weeks at a time...they rarely coincide. I have been toying with the idea of starting an OH chapter here in the area where we moved to. Without sounding too much like I am tooting my own horn...I think I would be a damn good OH support group meeting leader....Whatcha think??? Well, I better get going...I have been offline since early this morning and want to check a few more posts out before I fall asleep at the keyboard. See ya around the board and hope you are doing well...Cap'n K-Man

You are too funny Dee Dee!! As I sit here, I am wearing flannel pj bottoms, socks, slippers and a long sleeve shirt and I am still FREEZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just knew this would happen....I complain all summer about how hot it is and then we go from being in the mid to upper 80's the week before last to highs in the 40's this week...once again...No Fall season Oh well....enjoy that hot tub...I know I enjoy ours!!! Have a super day...Cap'n K-Man

Hey Erica! It does all finally comes down to that Calories In / Calories Out business. Why I love my WLS, Is - That if I eat my Protein first And then Veggies, Then carbs (if still not full) I stay full on the good food choices And don't have room for "Empty Calories." Play around with what works for you. You'll get to the right balance! Kiss the baby for us!! Best Wishes- Dx

Erica, I think if we are going to follow any "diet" other than what our WLS docs suggest, the South Beach is a good one. At least it's pretty high protein, good carbs and tends to follow the low glycemic index foods. I'll share with you a couple of tips from my surgeon - that were for me - so they aren't necessarily for everyone, as we all have different food triggers. First, he told me to stay away from bananas, cantaloupe, watermelon and pineapple because they are so sugar heavy and have so little dietary fiber. Next, especially for me, avoid starcy carbs (I'm a carb addict - crackers, chips, popcorn, etc) - if I eat three small crackers, I have trouble with grazing for weeks - they trigger grazing like crazy for me. I have a protein shake for breakfast - then if I want a snack, Dr. W suggested raw cauliflower or carrots - they are high fiber, satisfy the need to crunch and fill you up and keep you full (and I've found that it works really well). I try to eat mostly grilled meats and good vegies or salad. He told me I could eat as much salad as I can possibly hold - I have a lot every day and use a fat free salad dressing. I don't eat rice, potatos, bread or pasta. I try to avoid soups as they are thin and you can consume a lot of calories before getting full. I rarely have milk and he told me not to eat cheese - I've even given up cottage cheese because I can eat so much of it. I eat a lot of chicken, pork and fish. I religiously have at least on protein drink a day. I'm losing - but slowly. After getting off track and gaining, we aren't going to lose rapidly. The best thing I've done is start exercising. I feel so much better and it helps kill my appetite. And, when I look at something that say, has 100 calories in it, I stop and remember how much I have to do to burn up that 100 calories and then I can make a rational decision as to whether it's worth it. This works well for me because of the intense pain I'm in and exercise isn't easy. I just got back from working out - 1 hour on the eliptical and I burned up 480 calories - but it was at a big price - but a price I consider worth it. I am also doing weights - muscle burns up calories faster than fat. I will be having a total knee replacement November 21 and I want to get in as good a shape as I can before then - it will probably be at least three months, maybe longer before I can start back exercising. I am really dreading giving it up but I know that eventually I will be able to do much more. As it is right now, I have to take a 10 mg hydrocodone just get through the workout - am really looking forwatd to being free of pain. I do have to admit that I'm now addicted to exercise - but that is a much better addiction than my addition to Cheez its. You can find the right soulution for you - but basically it's a matter of calories - and metabolism. My surgeron thinks that my metabolism is totally shot - I can do 500 calories a day and not lose - or lose extremely slowly. I hope the exercise helps boost the metabolism so I use my calories more efficiently. My advice, not only to you but to everyone, is stay away from cookies, candy, cake, chips, and other junk foods - even the sugar free ones. I did some research for a presentation to a support group meeting and found that sugar free candies have as many, and in some cases, more calories than the fully loaded ones. They just perpetuate the eating problems. The execpetions I make to that rule are sugar free jello and popsicles. I've gotten long winded with this but I hope it helps some. Patty