Conference rocks::weight_control

Well, I can certainly say that Weight Watchers and I have succeeded together
in my weight loss. :-)

I had the motivation to succeed, which is important.  They have a very flexible
food plan, which I think is essential for continued interest.  I've been
following it since July, with only slight deviations, and haven't had a problem
with boredom.  A diet where you can eat chocolate (in limited quantities, of
course :-)) is my kind of diet!

I've been able to maintain my weight loss now for 2 months.  I'm still following
the basic plan, but probably cheating a little more than I should be.  It
remains to be seen what the future will hold.

Group support is also important during weight loss, and afterwards too, and
now we've just formed our own group!

Jill

    I have to say Weight Watchers really worked for me.  I've been
    'on plan' for the last 9-10 months and I've lost 75 lbs to date.
    Average weekly loss when I followed plan was 3 lbs (I cheated
    a lot from Thanksgiving to New Years).
    
    To sum the plan up in a few words, I would call it
    "Remedial Eating" - from the time I was in elementary school
    all the way through college there were "remedial" classes
    for something, for kids who couldn't read fast enough,
    or in english, or math, or gym, or spanish or whatever.
    
    Somehow, I never learned what to eat, when to eat or probably even
    why to eat, I definatly never learned how much to eat.  That's
    what weight watchers has taught me 'how to eat'.
    
    I've put myself on diets before, and I've always lost weight,
    but never this much and I never stayed on one this long.
    
    Weight Watchers isn't a diet, it's a lifestyle - sounds like a
    slogan, and I don't want to sound like a preacher or a salesman,
    but we can all lose weight.  We have all done it.  We know
    how to do it, it's simple 'eat less'.  But why can't we keep
    it off?
    
    For me, it was because I didn't want to realize that I couldn't
    eat what I wanted to without gaining weight.  When I went off
    a diet I went back to eating the way I did before the diet,
    and I started gaining weight again.
    
    Weight Watchers has taught me how to eat, so that I don't feel
    hungry, so that I enjoy what I am eating, how to satisfy
    my cravings and still lose weight.
    
    I don't see it as a diet, it is the way I should be eating for
    the rest of my life.  In addition, when I get to my goal weight,
    I'll get more to eat!  I now see those extra calories that I will
    be able to have as necessary to 'keep my weight up' rather than
    as things I can't have until I lose more weight.
    
    I can be content with a whole lot less food than I used to eat,
    and not be bored or hungry or deprived.  This is what was lacking
    from all the diets I used or created - they were all something
    I was doing to lose weight so I could go back to eating what
    I wanted to.
    
    How did WW teach me this?  I could go on (and will if someone wants
    me to...), my point is (after all this, he has a point?!?) that
    	1) I needed to learn how to eat, and
    	2) I had to admit that if after 30 years I hadn't learned
    	   how to do it on my own, I never was going to.
    
    Weight Watchers was the only plan I found that met my needs.  They
    have a good success record, and they teach you how to eat - if
    you want to learn.  It's just like school, just being there
    doesn't make it work...
    
    However, I will say that I haven't kept this weight off for any
    length of time yet.  I won't believe I've learned to keep
    it off for at least a year.  I think I have learned that
    success isn't reaching a goal weight, success is a plan
    I can live with for the rest of my life.  I hope...
    
    				Joe
    

    1.  Establish regular eating habits: three - or more - meals a day,
    at routine intervals, composed of a healthy variety of foods, including
    solid fibrous foods you must chew.
    
    2.  Don't skip meals, especially breakfast.
    
    3.  Carry some raw vegetables or a piece of fruit with you as an
    afternoon pick-me-up for that hour when your blood sugar level tends
    to drop and you're tempted to reach for sweets.
    
    4.  Don't chew gum. It stimulates the salivary glands and makes
    you feel hungry when you otherwise wouldn't.
    
    5.  Try not to shop when you're hungry.
    
    6. Don't eat absentmindedly while talking on the phone, reading,
    or watching TV.
    
    7. Eat sitting down and eat slowly. Chew well, so your digestive
    enzymes begin to work before food reaches the stomach. Your food
    will then have time to be absorbed into the blood and trigger the
    "had enough" signal before you've overeaten. By eating fast, you
    fill your stomach with more food than you may need to satisfy your
    true physical needs.
    
    8.  Take time to savor and enjoy what you are eating.
    
    9.  If you feel a binge coming on, take a fast walk - an hour-long
    one if possible. Your hunger will cool down as your body heats up.
    
    10. Always check with your physician before starting any weight-loss
    or excercise program.
    

    	One reason I like Weight Watchers is that with the exception
    of "optional" calories (truly "extras), there is NO CALORIE
    COUNTING.  Instead you count food "exchanges".
    
    	Steady state in the program is something like this for women.
    (men get more) Each day you must eat ALL of these:
    	2 Milk exchanges
    	2-3 Bread exchanges                                          
    	3 Fat exchanges
    	6-8 Protein exchanges
    	>= 2 Vegetable exchanges  (no limit, but potatoes, corn and
    peas count as BREAD, not veggies)
    	3 Fruit exchanges
                
    	You must eat SOMETHING at breakfast, and at least 2 Protein
    exchanges each at lunch and at dinner.  Beyond that, you can mostly
    eat what you want, when you want.
    
    	Once you learn what fits into each category, you're off and
    running.  The first few weeks--the "Quick Start" program, give
    you somewhat restricted lists of what fits.  At first that feels
    like a nuisance, but it helps you learn the program.  Then, the
    addition of things like raisins or peanut butter in week 4 are
    like heaven!                     
    
    	In addition, they now have booklets that give exchanges for
    things like party food (expensive!), eating out, desserts, etc.,
    so you don't have to be as limited as many diets are/used to be
    (including the "old" weight watchers program.)
                                 
    	

    I have to tout Richard Simmons' Never Say Diet.  It provided the
    motivation I needed and taught me how to eat.  Yes, how to eat!
    
    I'm a firm believer that the only way to lose weight (successfully
    and healthfully) is through the redesign of eating habits.
    
    These fad diets you see all over the place are a crock!  (And many
    of them dangerous).
    
    Once you learn HOW and WHAT to eat, you can be successful (if you're
    ready - we all know one cannot be forced to diet)!
    
    Mike

    ...further to 6.5.......
    I was in a hurry and  forgot a few thoughts....
                            
    The Richard Simmons program is not a calorie-counting program (like
    W/W).  That's one reason why I liked it so much!  It's basically
    healthy foods in healthy quantities coupled with EXERCISE!  Exercise
    is an extremely important part of a successful weight loss program.
    
    My wife and I tried W/W earlier this year and really liked it. 
    It's a healthy program (without calorie-counting).  But, it seemed
    like an awful lot of work, too.  But in a way, that was good, cause
    you could concentrate on the food more and really feel good about
    the results.  And recording intake is a great idea - you can see
    where you've gone wrong, or where you've had successes.  You never
    forget what you ate, either.
    
    Mike

    What kind of average weekly losses ( after the first week) have
    most people experienced who have been on Weight Watchers?

    	At the beginning, I lost about 2#/wk, for 3 weeks.  Then,
    for the remaining 10#, it took about 15 weeks.  It went something
    like  -�, 0, -1, +�, -�, etc.  I tended to get discouraged until
    I started plotting my weight vs. time on a chart, and then it 
    wasn't so bad.  I agree wholeheartedly with WW philosophy of 
    ONLY weighing once per week--same time, etc.  Otherwise you end
    up "worshipping the scale god".
                             
    	HOWEVER, that also covered a two week vacation by automobile,
    eating out 95% of the time, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years.
    
    	When some of us got discouraged, our instructor reminded us
    of some key ideas:  
    	A)  Even if you've temporarily plateaued, you've still already
    		lost some weight--You ARE ahead of where you used to
    		be.
    	B)  Most folks GAIN 10# from Thanksgiving to New Year's.  Even
    		if we only lost 1 or 2 # over that time period, we've
    		done well.  Think how bad it has been in other years!
                                   
    	C)  Most of us found that even when we plateaued or lost very
    		slowly, our bodies were adjusting and slimming.  Our
    		clothes still got baggier.  Would you care what your
    		actual weight in pounds really was if you could wear
    		that size N and look good?
    
    	Slow weight loss is discouraging, but you don't have the 
    sense (actually, terror) that it will pop right back on the instant 
    you relax.  Also, with just swimming laps for about 25 minutes, 
    2-3 times per week, I found that my body toned up as fast as the 
    weight came off.
    
    

    Eat to Win by Dr. Robert Haas
    
    An eating plan (not a diet) geared toward athletes, both professional
    and casual.  Dr. Haas is a sports nutritionist.  He gained fame by
    helping to bring Martina Navritilova back to world class tennis status. 

    The plan is centered around the idea of increasing the percentage of
    calories consumed as carbohydrates, decreasing the percentage of those
    consumed as protein, and virtually eliminating fats, oils, and
    cholesterol.  This is pretty much in line with the recommendations
    being put out by the American Heart Association, and the AMA. 
    
    I lost 30 pounds in the first month, and an additional 10 pounds in the
    second month.  Provided you follow the recommendations, you should be
    able to reach and maintain your ideal muscle to fat ratio. I have been
    able to maintain this loss fairly successfully even during my less
    active winter months.  My wife lost 30 pounds in about 2 months (as the
    book points out, because of biological differences between men and
    women, women loose weight more slowly). 
    
    I suggest getting and reading the entire book before plunging in. There
    is a lot of useful information on his philosophies of diet and
    excercise (excercise is an integral part of this plan).  There are
    sections in the book on eating out, modifying your favorite recipes,
    and dietary supplements.  There is a complete 28 day menu with recipes.
    There is no calorie counting. 

    As from my previous note in 'who are you' I did have an unorthodox
    method at first and a few before that.  But keeping it off meant
    changing a few habits and not only eating habits.
    
    The 'never skip breakfast' doesn't work for me.  I feel absolutely
    nauseated trying to eat at 7:30 a.m.  However, making the largest
    meal at lunchtime was one thing I could do.  My body is now programmed
    to growl the loudest at noon time.  As your body starts to gear
    down for the evening it isn't as efficient and doesn't require as
    much energy.  So eating a light supper works the best.
    
    A very interesting article I read stated that in recent experimental
    programs eating before excercizing allowed the body to burn even
    more calories than not eating.  Participants in this program all
    went through the same exercize routine and those that ate lost more
    weight than those that didn't.  The article didn't elaborate on
    why this happened.  But it was an interesting item to note.
    
    Another thing to remember is that exercize is essential to any good
    weight loss program.  You needent go to extremes either.  Keep in
    mind though that you may start to plateau in your weight loss as
    you increase your muscle tone and bulk.  Muscle weighs more than
    fat.  So don't panic if this happens to you.  Also as you increase
    your muscle tone and bulk your metabolism rate will also increase and
    this is the desired effect you want to attain.
    
    Eating healthy and staying fit is the best way to take it off and
    keep it off.  Maintaining a good attitude throughout will ensure
    that you stick to your routine until it becomes a natural part of
    your everyday life.
    
    Bernice

    I follow the McDougall Plan.  John McDougall simply says that Americans
    have the affluence to eat feast foods 21 times a week and therefore
    have some of the highest rates of bad teeth, cancer, heart disease,
    osteoporosis, acne, etc.  Feast foods are made for feasts.  Eat
    a starch based diet with side dishes of fruit and vegetables.  No
    meat; red, chicken or fish, no dairy products, no eggs.  High fiber,
    high carbohydrates, low fat, low cholesterol and low protein.  Eat as
    much as you want, whenever you want.  Eat the foods your body is
    designed to eat.  Bear in mind this is NOT a weightloss diet.  This
    is a health supporting diet.  Loosing weight is only a byproduct
    of being in good health.
    
    Glenn   DTN 522-4615

    The McDougall plan is very similar to what I am doing.  I became
    a Vegan Vegetarian on March 9th of this year and I have now lost
    35 pounds!  I now find that I must actually plan ahead to be sure
    that I get *ENOUGH CALORIES*.  This is a real blast for a former
    constant dieter.  I am very encouraged to know that Veganism is
    a philosophy, not a diet.  Therefore there is no such thing as
    cheating.  You follow the philosophy and you become healthy and,
    by the way, thin.  From now on when I use the words "food exchange"
    it'll be in reference to a Russian grain embargo!
    
    Marion

    I was a vegetarian who also ate dairy products for about 5 years.
    I began eating some meat after a severe bout of anemia which could
    have been prevented if I had been more careful about iron and B
    vitamins.
    
    I forget what a vegan eats exactly...only the food that falls from
    trees?  Please refresh my memory.
             

    I also became severely anemic from vegetarianism, and I ate milk
    products, some eggs and took a vitamin pill daily!  Iron wasn't
    the problem - I had iron deficiency tests and took iron pills
    and it wasn't that.  Anemia can be caused by lack of various
    B vitamins, and by lack of minerals which go with the vitamins,
    some of which probably haven't been discovered and aren't in
    the vitamin pills.  I was an ovo-lacto vegetarian for 2 years,
    and while I lost weight I was certainly not healthy.
    
    The diet I've been on for, oh, about 6 months now is taught by
    the Lifesteps program.  Lifesteps is sponsored in corporations
    by the Dairy council, but it doesn't promote eating large quantities
    of cheese etc!  It does promote calorie counting, recording food
    eaten, balancing meals (2 servings of milk, 2 meat, 4+ veg/fruit,
    4 grain, 0 other which includes fats and alcohol and junk food),
    and portion control.  The best things for me were portion control,
    having to write down HONESTLY what I ate, and learning to cook
    without adding fats.  Exercise is also a big part of the program.
    You're asked to submit an exercise program and there's space to
    record what you've done for exercise each day in the food record
    book.
    
    I found that, as long as I keep my calorie intake between 1100 and
    1200 calories per day and do my exercise regularly, I can eat
    what I want.  If I want a slice of cake, I count the calories.
    If I know I'm going out to a steak-house on saturday, I have
    the whole week to save up calories for it.  BEFORE hand, not
    afterward.
    
    It works.

    I find it very difficult to drink all the water that I should/need
    to drink. I finally found my answer to my problem. I thought I'd
    share it with others.
    
    I keep a bottle of store-bought drinking water in my office. As
    soon as I enter my office in the morning I pour myself a glass.
    I find that if it's there next to me all day, I drink it!
    
    AS a pat on the back I also put a little star on my calendar every
    time I pour another glass. This not only helps me keep track of
    how much I'm drinking, but it also feels good to give myself the
    star!
                                                               
    I find that by noon I've had my 8 glasses, so I can treat myself
    to a diet coke in the afternoon. Another added bennie of drinking
    all that I need in the morning is that then I'm not in the bathroom
    all night long when I'm trying to get my badly-needed sleep!
    
    Gale
    

    RE: .13
    
    A vegan vegitarian does not eat milk products or eggs or fish or
    any sort of animal (by)product.
    
    RE: the last few
    
    In order to be a Vegan, you do have to work at it a bit.  You have
    to be sure that you properly mix grains to provide complete protien.
     You also have to balance the veggies you do eat.  Leafy green types,
    root types, flower top types (etc) or yu will get sick.
                                  
    Marion

    re -.2
    
    Since Spitbrook doesn't offer bottled water, I have been having
    the 2 1/2 gallon water containers with a spout-like dispenser delivered
    to my house when we have our regular water delivered by Poland Springs.
    
    It's great!  I keep them on my bookcase in my ofice and just "turn
    on the tap" whenever I get the urge.  Sometimes I get lemons from
    the caf and add those.  
    
    Holly 

    We don't have bottled/spring water at the Acton facility either.
    
    I, too, have been lugging in bottled water ever since I've been
    on the Weight Watchers program (and before that) to get my
    necessary water intake (6-8 glasses/day).
    
    It would be wonderful if all the Digital's HAD drinkable, healthy,
    spring water.  If there is anyone out there who has INFLUENCE in
    the right places, please see what can be done; we'll ALL be better
    off for it!  Thank YOU!!!!
    
    

My name is Karyn Woodward and I'm a lifetime Weight Watchers member.
    However, (I know this will be discouraging for you new weight watchers)
    I gained all the weight back + 10 pounds, while still going to
    meetings.  I only had 20 pounds to lose, and I think that I just
    wasn't getting the picture that weight watching is for life.  And
    I also think that once you hit maintainance, your not one of the
    gang anymore.  They do try to have a maintainance circle, before
    the lectures but you really don't get a chance to talk to other
    people on maintainance, but just the lecturer.  Anyway, that's my
    story, and I'm back as part of the gang with 30 pounds to lose.
    I do like the control that the Weight Watcher's plan provides, however
    that same control seems like a noose at times.  
    
    Also, my site is offering the Diet Workshop plan.  Does anyone know
    anything about that?
    
    Karyn

    I've been on the Multi-Trym diet plan for one week now and have
    lost 7 pounds already.  I have approximately 50 more pounds to lose
    and plan on staying on this plan since I'm feeling great!
    
    This diet is advertised on Saturday afternoons on Channel 25 or
    27 (in New England).  
    
    The diet contains all-natural supplements: daily vitamin, appetite
    suppressant, fluid regulator, protein complement.  The diet itelf
    is very easy to follow and gives you lots of choices.
    
    If anyone is interested in knowing more about the Multi-Trym diet
    or has any feedback on it, please let me know.
    
    I have been on the diet yo-yo for the past 15 years and am trying
    to make this the last diet I'll ever be on!  So far, it's working
    well for me.
    
    Patty

    Hi, my name is Lin, and I am new to this notes file.  I recently
    started a weightloss program (14 SEP 87) using HERBALIFE products.
    I have been on the weightloss rollercoster for years!  I have tried
    lots of ways to lose, but this one is working for me!!  I especially
    like it because it fits well into my busy lifestyle.  I currently
    drink the "shake" made with lowfat milk for breakfast and lunch.
    I often add a banana to the breakfast shake, and it's delicious!!
    
    With each meal I take the required vitamins.  I eat a good sized
    dinner or sometimes eat lunch and have a shake for dinner.  I feel
    super!  I have lost 12 pounds so far.  At 5' 2" and topping at 157
    pounds I had to do something for me!  
    
    I also drink alot of water and/or flavored seltzer water (no calories
    and no salt...my favorite it Polar's Cranberry/Lime).  Also, I try
    my ()#&@* to get on my exercycle each morning first thing.  It gets
    the heart pumping and really helps wake me up!
    
    Hope this helps,
    
    Lin
    

                          { Thin Within}
    
    	I, of course, am speaking for myself when I say this.  I found
    that when I was heavier, than I am right now, I had very few things
    to say that were good about myself.  I did not like myself very
    much.  I was tired for all the diets that I had tried.  Each of
    them telling me what I could eat and when to eat it.  Thin people
    never seam to mind when they eat or when they ate it.  
    
    	Well I bought a book.  One of hundreds that I have on the subject.
    It was called "Thin Within".  It made me look at myself.  To understand
    myself.  To make me feel better about myself.  And I'll tell you
    something.  The weight came off without me even knowing it until
    my cloths started to tell me that I was.  My whole life had changed.
    
    	After all the years of this diet and that.  After all the insane
    things I had done to loss weight.  All I needed was to feel good
    about me and the way I look.  
    
    Robin

    RE:   .22
    
    
    Robin,
    
    Thank you for the info.  It sounds like the book will fit in well
    with what I am trying to do for myself.  I think you can sonsider
    your good deed done for today.  I will buy the book tonight.
    
    Marion

    I have belonged to Diet Workshop and lost 37 lbs. They are very
    
    similar to WW but they have small groups and like that better. I've
    tried WW's 3 different times and they don't motivate me at all.
    The groups are too large. The Diet Workshop are very supportive
    and I didn't get that feeling at WW meetings. Too many people and
    no time to get support on a one-on-one.  I have just recently re-joined
    and it had been 5 years since I last needed them. They have specials
    to join and Diet Workshop Foods there to purchase. Give them a call
    I think you will like it. I have paid hundres of dollars at Physician
    weight loss clinics, and  Weight Loss clinics and even a specialist
    (M.D.) and they either have riduculous low calories (400-500 per
    day) or no motivation.  Try them and see for yourself!!
    
    Good luck
    

    ...when nothing else would work.  I now know that I couldn't do
    it alone because I did not have the right education.  Now I know
    what a truly balanced diet is, and what comprises a normal portion
    (which is about half the amount I used to eat!)
    
    I have lost 40 pounds in 10 months, which averages a little less
    than a pound a week.  *BUT*, I have been on a plateau for 3 months,
    so my weight for the first 7 months was rapid, averaging 2+ pounds
    a week.
    
    Lynn (The Thynn)

    I have been able to loss 10-20lbs every summer and gain it all back
    in December.  My method is to drink a lot black coffee during the
    day and lose my appetite, skip breakfast, eat small lunch and regular
    dinner.(I have to eat a "regular" dinner because I have to feed
    my roommate, and no such thing as diet food for him, and no such
    thing as not picking from his plate for me.  If I cook a special
    plate for myself, I always end up eating two plates.)  Anyway, I
    would like to start some more effecient method.  I have tried Weight
    Watcher's but I gained weight from the program.  I look very puffy
    when I drink my 8-glasses of water too.  I can not live without
    meat and bread, sometimes, for days that's all I eat.  I try not to
    eat any more ice cream, but it is hard since my roommate buys them all
    the time.  I know I probably have to change my roommate, but we are
    going to get married soon.  I am 130lbs w/ 5'7", and I do aerobics 3
    times a week.  It seems so hard to get myself slim down during winter
    time.  Any suggections?  By the way, anyone knows a clean indoor
    pool near Marlboro, or anyone wants to go swimming after work?

re .-1

Dear Ms. Chen (you didn't give your first name in your reply...),

First off, you are (I think...) within your "normal" weight range, since
130 is the high end of a medium frame for me at 5'3", so don't be TOO worried.
Of course, if you think you're too heavy, that's important, too.  Just put it
in a little perspective and you'll feel better to start with, ok?

Second off, I don't think you have much to change about your roommate, which
is good because changing other people is not easy/not recommended.  You
take charge of what you eat, and how much, and that control that you have gives
you power.  The only pushing you might have to do (depending on your situation)
would be telling him that you'll eat what you want to eat, and not what he
wants you to eat.  Does he not want you to lose weight?  Does he wish he was
thinner, and wishes he could have the willpower to do something about it?

It's not hard to feed one person to gain weight and one person to lose weight;
I've done it.  Quantities are probably the biggest factor; if you make enough
for you+him, give him what he wants, and take the rest, you're eating "diet
food" and he's eating "non-diet food".  Keeping away from fried or fatty
sauces, etc. is another factor, but that isn't good for ANYONE.

So, I think the first step is for you to talk with your future husband and
tell him how you feel about your weight (which is a very important part of
feeling good about yourself, and we all hope he wants you to feel good about
yourself!) and ask for his support, letting him know he's not going on a diet
with you.

Good luck, and keep us informed of your progress, we're here to support you
too.

(by the way, are you in DEC aerobics?  I noticed you're in MRO).

Jill

    
    
    Hi, Jill
    	Ms. Chen's first name is Charlotte. I am in MRO2's aerobics
    also.  Thanks for your support.  
    

    I don't know if this is the best place to raise this issue, but
    it is good enough.  A couple of people have made remarks along the
    lines of "it took a while to put that weight on, so it will take
    a while to get rid of it".  Am I the only one who doesn't agree
    with that statement.  It did not take me much time to put on
    weight.  I have gained an extra 5 lbs. in 1.5 weeks.  The amount
    that I am overweight has been the same since I was 12, and that
    did happen almost overnight (milk shakes and coffee cakes for lunch
    everyday will get you every time.  Granted all the weight has made 
    itself at home on my body, so my setpoint is higher, but I still 
    don't need much time to put on more weight.  
    
    With this in mind, is it much easier to take off the quickly gained
    pounds and keep them off?  I mean, could I just use one of the 
    quick weightloss methods without risking slowing down my 
    metabolism too much?  I don't know if these are valid or even logical
    questions, but I just needed to speak my peace about that weightloss
    cliche'.
    
    D.

    Don't be so hard on that phrase.  To me, it simply means "have
    patience and don't look to lose 30 lbs in 2 weeks."  It'll take
    awhile to get 30lbs off.
    
    Glenn

    I agree with Glenn; Have patience, and it will come off.  A "few"
    pounds (read 0-5) put on because of a holiday or binge can come
    off with some dedicated effort in a fairly short time frame; but
    30 or 40 pounds takes a while longer. Bad eating habits (milkshakes
    and coffeecakes for breakfast and/or lunch) can cause extra weight
    that WILL come off when you stop - if you don't follow those habits
    forever.  A few pounds can be tken care of if you are aware of your
    weight and your body and your eating habits.
    
    Val

re .30 
<    ...lines of "it took a while to put that weight on, so it will take
<    a while to get rid of it".  Am I the only one who doesn't agree
<    with that statement.  It did not take me much time to put on
<    weight.  I have gained an extra 5 lbs. in 1.5 weeks.... 
<    ....but I just needed to speak my peace about that weightloss
<    cliche'.
    
	For whatever it's worth, there is another topic in this conference
title WEEKENDERS.  I weigh myself daily and keep a chart on the wall of my
office.  I routinely gain 5 - 7 lbs between my trip to the scale on Friday
morning and my weighing on Monday morning.  IT DOESN"T BOTHER ME.  I know that
by the end of the week my weight will be back within a pound (up or down) of
the previous Friday.  I attribute the gain to additional material in the
digestive tract, and water retention.  Your observation of 5 lb gain in 10 days
may frighten you a little, but I would be very surprised if a significant
amount of those 5 lbs were FAT. 

	Don't worry about it, hang in there, I doubt you've gained much at
all that won't shortly be flushed away...;-);-);-)


					Al

    Hi All,
    	I am fairly new to this conference, but I have enjoyed reading
    about methods that have worked for you.
    	
    	I have lost 45 lbs. since December 14, 1987....45 more to go.
    I too tried WW twice, going to fitness classes but I always gained
    it back.  About 3 years ago I gained "mass quantities"  (the 45
    pounds I just lost)  I'm an avid magazine reader and over the last
    2 years read all the diet articles I could find.  I had to intentions
    of starting a diet until I could commit myself to loosing it and
    keeping it off---I basically went into "mental training".  I learnt
    that I had to relearn eating habits and I had to give myself time
    to get use to the change.  But more importantly I believed it. 
    I follow my own program created by me, but really I went back to
    basics.  I keep in mind the 4 major food groups and I eat from each
    one at meal time.  I keep my calorie intake to 1000 calories a day
    and I try to walk 15 miles per week.  I never skip a meal and when
    ever I feel hungry I have a piece of fruit.  I find if I reach a
    plateau I cut back to 900cal and walk a little more.  My support
    group is my husband and my children and my scale.  I weigh myself
    daily and I write it down.  I have learnt that I get bad habit really
    easily and good one take longer but if I never skip I'm safe.
    
    	Going to outside (my home) for a program was hard, if I was
    tired or if I signed up for a class, all the little things that
    life give you, was just an easy way not to do it.  Just one other
    very important point before closing, I read (November Reader Digest)
    an article about 90 days to change a habit, it works, it really
    works.  Anybody on any kind of diet program all I have to say is
    "just give it 90 short days" truely commit yourself to that time
    frame, at the end of 90 days it won't be hard anymore, it'll be
    second nature..........that's all folks
    
    Elaine

    Hi!
    
    I've had great success with the Love Your Body program. See #281.
    
    :)
    Lois

    
    Me, I just count calories. If I know I'm going to chow down on
    a certain day, I'll cut back earlier in the week so that it'll
    even out. If I feel like having something, I have it, whether
    it be Chinese food, lobster drenched in butter, or junk food.
    The sacrifice you make for these treats is tough, but it's
    worth it. Hell, dieting is tough enough without robbing your-
    self of life's little pleasures.
      I know this is not the way to go for a lot of people, but I've
    been doing this for 9 weeks and I've lost 8.5 lbs. It ain't alot
    but I know I headed in the right direction.
    
    Mike
    
    

    Back in January my doctor told me I'd gained 10 lbs since March
    (I don't have a scale in my house- I don't like them ;-) and suggested
    that I really should lose weight.  I was devastated.  I knew I'd gained
    weight (had to start buying size 13's instead of 11's) but I had no
    idea I was up to 157 lbs (at 5'6").
    
    That hit me like a freight train- a DOCTOR TELLING me to LOSE weight!
    That very night I went home and bought an exercise bike.  I did 10
    miles that very first night and had a salad for dinner (no salad
    dressing just a squeeze of lemon juice). I committed myself to riding
    20 miles a day for the next 10 weeks and did just that.  I stopped
    eating red meat and junk food.  I dropped 20 lbs in about 8 weeks. My
    success (Yes I've kept it off) has been in continuing to ride 10 miles
    a day at least 5 days a week on my exercise bike (I'm a much more
    active energetic person now -- tennis, golf, walking) and eliminating
    unnecessary fats, salt/sodium, and white sugar from my diet.  I feel
    good about me now that I've accomplished my goal.
    
    I feel the only way you can be successful (REMEMBER I did this ON MY
    OWN), is if YOU want to lose the weight and keep it off and YOU want to
    be healthy and not worry about dying at the age of 49 from a heart
    attack (my father). You are the one that has to have discipline and not
    back down at the first weakening.  I also recommend drinking a lot of
    water and not eating in front of the television (I cut out alcohol too
    during the first 8 weeks of my crusade).
    
    If I can do it (EXERCISE did it for me - and I used to HATE to sweat!)
    then anyone can.

My name is Theresa and I can identify with what youy are going through.
    October of last year I was 158lbs and 5'5.5'' tall. Anyway WW said
    that I can weigh 118 to 145 depending on my build which is medium.
    In the first week I lost 5lbs and lost consistently until I reached
    my goal of 138 in March. Well, since I have been a lifetime member
    every step I take seems to be uphill. I am gradually gaining the
    weight back and I feel really stupid and helpless. I know everything
    about what kinds of foods are good for me, how important exercise
    is for me etc but I can't seem to stop myself from falling into
    my old bad habits-chips, bars etc- nothing is safe. I'm continuing
    to exercise which includes a half hour of low bounce aerobics and
    a forty minute walk but I am not doing it as much as I used to.
    It seems that the more I gain the less I like myself and the less
    I want to exercise.
       I didn't mean to say so much but I do agree that I feel like
    an outsider at the meetings now because I am expected to not have
    any problems with food anymore. 
       Yes, I am trying to grabe hold of myself and even weight for
    a half hour walk at lunch today. I know better than to eat all that
    junk. I'll keep you posted on my attempts to get back to goal weight.
    It is really great to get this of my chest. I want to congratulate
    all of us who has the nerve to write in.
    
    Theresa
           

                       <<< Note 6.38 by KAOA01::MERCER >>>
                     -< "ITS NICE TO KNOW I AM NOT ALONE" >-
>>       I didn't mean to say so much but I do agree that I feel like
>>    an outsider at the meetings now because I am expected to not have
>>    any problems with food anymore. 

Theresa, who is expecting you to not have any problems with food anymore?
If it's your WW leader/group, I think you could take this opportunity to
EDUCATE THEM!  They should realize that you didn't acquire your weight
"problem" overnight and that it could literally take years to get rid
of it.  In fact, some of us never get rid of it, just learn to control
it.

If YOU are the one with this expectation, then maybe it's time to stop
being so hard on yourself.  I understand what you're going thru, having
done so myself.  It's also real easy for me or anyone else to say,
"hey, you're worthwile and wonderful, so realize it!", but it's not so
easy to feel that way and until YOU do feel that way all the warm feelings
from us aren't going to do the job.  But, we'll never quit piling on
the warm fuzzies 'cause we do know you're worth it :-).


Take good care of YOU!

Liz

        Thanks Liz for your encouragement. I do make sure that I let
    the group at WW know that it isn't peaches and cream (what a choice
    of words) after you reach goal weight. I do feel, however that I
    am busting their bubble. During the whole eight months that I was
    working my way to goal weight, not one lifetime member spoke up
    to let our group in on the continuing setbacks that are often faced.
        I think maybe that I fooled myself into thinking that I wouldn't
    have a problem anymore. I thought that looking great in clothes,
    being able to wear those short black skirts and bikinis would be
    enough to keep me motivated. It may be for some lucky people.
        I still saw that chunky girl when I looked in the mirror even
    when I was at goal weight.                    
    
    Theresa
    

    It's too bad you didn't hear about this; the leader we had when I was
    first in WW had been at goal for 14 years, and when people were feeling
    down about having a rough time, she would share that she still has
    red-light foods, and days when program doesn't seem to matter.  It was
    quite clear that these changes are for a lifetime, and that there are
    times when that's going to be hard.

    She also mentioned that it took her quite a while (years, I believe) to
    adjust her mental self-image.  Seeing a heavy image in the mirror for a
    while is very common -- it eventually does go away.  It works in both
    directions, too: when I'm gaining weight, it takes a while before I see
    fat when I look in the mirror...

    A more recent leader had only been at goal for a few months (after losing
    98 lbs in less than a year!), and she still found herself going to the big
    sizes when she went clothes shopping; she was also finding that it wasn't
    easy to stay at goal.

    You're not the only one to experience these things; don't beat yourself 
    up over them.  You'll reach goal again, and this time you'll be better
    prepared to deal with the new challenges that it brings.

    Good luck,
    Beverly

    Hi.  My name is Debbie.  I have been reading this file for a long time
    but this is the first time I have input to it.  I too have fallen into
    the bad habit routine again.  I am a lifetime WW.  I lost 10 lbs and
    got to my goal weight and felt great.  I have since put on 8 of the 10
    lbs and I am going to rejoin WW again this month.  I felt better
    weighing less even though it is not that much less than my current
    weight.  My biggest problem is after work.  I can stay on plan all day
    long, but the minute I walk in the door at night it's all over.  No
    matter how hard I try or change my routine, it doesn't matter.  I just
    hope that this next (and hopefully last) WW sign up will do it.  It
    seems like I am almost there each day and then something happens to blow
    it.  Let's all hope for the best and hang in there.  Keep you
    posted....

    Well have you ever heard of the Permanent Weight Loss System? 
    Not new but is having a great impact on people's weight loss for
    it not only lets you loss weight but by blocking sugar intake it
    uses a herb named Gymnema Sylvestre,this herb has been used in the
    Far east for the control of diabetes and also prevents sugar from
    getting into the system.If you would like to hear more or read more
    than send me a self stamped enevlope to Damaco,Post Office Box 514
    No. Salem,N.H 03073 and they will send  you the information as soon
    as possible.And if you wish to try the program they give money back
    Guarantee on it .Just something to think about.
    

    

    TO NOTE NUMBER 527.10 SENTENANCE SHOULD READ "SEND THEM A SELF
    ADDRESSED ENEVLOPE SEND TO DAMACO POST OFFICE BOX 514 DEPT.D
    NO.SALEM,NEW H. 03073 I FORGOT TO INCLUDE THEIR WHOLE ADDRESS IN
    NOTE 527.10 and they will write back and send the information to
    you as soon as the supply of information is available again after
    so many requests which they had to fill first, so they say.

    Recently I've had success losing weight following certain guidelines.
    See if these guidelines will work for you.
    
    While reading the Sunday paper one day I read how Rosanne (Barr) Arnold
    and Tom Arnold lost all their weight. Basically they stayed away from
    Fat and Sugar and exercised a lot. I decided to give it a try but also
    made a pact with myself to try this for 30 days before giving up on it.
    Here's what I did:
    
        - For breakfast every day I had one cup of tea (no sugar), and
          either a grapefruit, banana, or bowl of hot cereal.
    
        - At around 10 A.M. in work I had a banana, an apple, or a pear.
    
        - During lunchtime I ran 4-5 miles. Now I know some of you are 
          saying "Ahhh there's the catch". Well, I only was able to run
          for about 5 or 6 of the first 30 days....AND I STILL LOST
          WEIGHT.
    
        - After my run (or for lunch) I would have nothing but fruit and
          fruit juice. This would consist again of either a banana, an
          apple, or a pear....and maybe a small can of Lite Fruit.
    
        - During mid-afternoon I'd have a can of apple or grapefruit juice.
    
        - For Supper I'd have chicken or fish...put the meat off until
          weekends. I'd remove the skin from the chicken.
    
        - Every other night I'd make myself some pasta. I'd just boil some
          water, cook the pasta, drain it, mix in a slice of WW cheese,
          maybe an egg or two, and flavor it with chili powder. Notice
          no sauce.
    
        - For snacks there would be rice cakes or pretzels and I drank
          either water, juice or skim milk.
    
    While doing all this I made sure I stayed within a 1200-1500 calorie
    range and did not go over 50 grams of fat per day.
    
    At the end of 30 days I had lost 18 pounds. I don't deny myself
    anything but desserts. I am setting a certain goal for myself and
    when I hit the half-way point I may give myself a treat, but if I do I
    will have to include it in the <50 <1500 limits I set for myself.
    
    It's really easy to follow this plan, if only for a few weeks to lose 
    some extra pounds here and there. I plan to continue on this little
    plan for another two months and see what happens. I am running almost
    everyday so that comes in to the formula too. But remember that the
    exercise is not necessary to lose the weight but DOES cause the weight
    to come off much faster.
    
    Also remember that since your body is not taking in as much fat as it
    was previously, then the fat stored in your body is being used up and
    you will notice a slimming effect in those areas where fat is stored.
    
    Good luck.
    
    Mike

    ...which just goes to show that if you want to weigh less, eating less
    and exercising more equals weightloss.

    Well, I seem to have lost some weight, but I wouldn't recommend this
    method.  I broke my leg and the lack of ability to move around the
    kitchen has drastically cut back my food consumption.  My belts are
    down a notch or two, but since I can't stand on the scale on one foot
    without support, and I don't know how much a cast weights, I don't know
    how much I may have lost.