Conference rocks::weight_control

Hi, I don't know if the WW food plan for pregnant women is "new",
as it was available when I got pregnant about 2.5 years ago.  In
general, it's what the regular program is, only more exchanges in 
all catagories except fat (if I remember correctly).  The main idea
is not so much for you to lose weight, but to help you maintain a
healthy gain.  I have heard of some women who do lose on it.  There
is also a slightly different program for lactating women.  

I will confess that I was on the regular program when I became pregnant,
my doctor fully approved of their preg plan, but I kept "forgetting" to
bring a note from her so I could continue.  As a result, I let myself
to the the chocolate shop in a hand-basket and ended up gaining a little
over 50 pounds!  Next time around I will not do that, I will remain a 
faithful WW follower.

Our leader gave me a copy of the preg plan so I could show it to my
Dr. because they required a note stating that it was ok for you and
also telling them how much you could gain.  

Liz

    The weight watcher's programs designed for pregnent women is NOT
    designed to lose weight.  According to my OB, it is not a good idea
    to lose weight while pregnant.  You need all the nutrition for the
    developing baby, and although Weight Watcher's is a well balanced
    diet, you probably won't get enough for you and the developing child.
    I joined weight watchers and found out I was pregnant 2 weeks later
    (I knew there was a reason I was putting on weight so easily!).
     
    The diet is basically the week 5 program with lost of stuff added
    - more milk, bread and fruit.  Total daily calories are between
    1900 and 2150 (my doctor wants me on 2200 which would maintain a
    180 pound person, a little below my present weight).  The calorie
    difference depends on whether you eat all the red meat anc cheese
    allowed for the week.  You must have doctor's permission to remain
    in Weight Watchers.  The diet is designed to have you eat wisely
    and gain weight in a controlled manner.
    
    In a nutshell, unless you're willing to delay your weight loss until
    after you've had the baby (and are totally finished nursing, because
    nursing women need even more food than pregnant women, surprizingly),
    then take it off before you get pregnant, and watch CAREFULLY your
    food intake and weight gain during pregnancy.  Double check with
    your GYN or OB to see what his/her ideas on the subject are.  
    
    
    If you want more details of the program, send me mail at netrix::geiser
    and I'll be happy to fill you in.
    
    Good luck!
    
    					Maryann
    
    

    Speaking of weight watcher's and the pregnency plan, I've got a
    few questions.  But first, my background...
    
    Like I mentioned in the last reply, I joined weight watchers then
    found out I was pregnant.  In the 9 weeks I've attended, I've got
    a net loss of 2 pounds (most of in the beginning with slow gain
    in the past few weeks).  I'm into my 2nd trimester and I know I
    haven't gotten to the point of major gain yet.  My doctor wants
    me to gain between 15 and 20 pounds (not a lot!), so I know I have
    to really watch what I eat.
    
    Now my questions: the new session of ww@work starts next week -
    should I rejoin?  I realy enjoy the support from the group and weighing
    in each week keeps me in line, but I really don't have the same
    problems and concerns as the rest of the group any more.  I'm afraid
    that going and weighing in every week will get discouraging after
    a while.  The reasons I thinking about staying (at least for the
    next 10 week session) is that I know how to LOSE weight in a controled
    manner (I've done it a million times :^)), and I KNOW (all too well)
    how to GAIN weight in an UNcontrolled manner, but never in my life
    have I ever gained in a controlled manner.  Maybe because I am so
    aware and afraid of gaining too much weight, I can control eating
    for two adults rather than an adult and a developing baby.
    
    I'd like your opinions  and reasons why I should continue and why
    I chould quit.
    
    					Maryann
    

	"In order to gain sufficient weight, the woman must
    increase the number of calories she consumes.  This is not
    difficult, since as part of the maternal adaptation, she
    will experience an increased appetite.  The extra 300 to 500
    calories per day required for a normal pregnancy are readily
    consumed by most women.
    
    	What happens if the diet is inadequate because insufficient
    food is avaliable, unwise food choices have been made, or because
    dietary restrictions have been imposed by well-meaningfriends and
    relatives and sometiems even by well-meaning physicians, midwives,
    and nurses?  Fetal growth is impaired and the birth weight of the
    infant is reduced.  Thus, the fetus is unable to extract the nec-
    essary nutrients to maintain optimal growth.  This might seem un-
    likely in view of the relatively large size of the woman when
    compared to the fetus.  One might expect her to tap her own stores
    to supply the fetus, but in fact, this does not occur."

    I find the assertions in .4 a little hard to believe.  What is the CEofN?   
    Certainly a pregnant woman needs to be sure that she is getting enough of
    all the nutrients, but why should that preclude a modest weightloss, at
    least early on?  How can it hurt the fetus for a woman who has n pounds
    of fat stored up to use it for some of the needed calories, as long as
    she gets enough protein, carbohydrates, and vitamins?

    I've read that some members of the medical profession believe that the
    reason women gain weight more easily and have a harder time losing it is
    that their bodies are storing up those calories to protect against famine
    during pregnancy.  Therefore, pregnancy is the one time when your body
    will cooperate with your attempts to access the stored calories.  This
    makes sense to me; I intend to discuss the issue with my Obstetrician
    when/if I get pregnant.

    Beverly

.5>    I find the assertions in .4 a little hard to believe.  What is the CEofN?   
.5>    Certainly a pregnant woman needs to be sure that she is getting enough of
.5>    all the nutrients, but why should that preclude a modest weightloss, at
.5>    least early on?  How can it hurt the fetus for a woman who has n pounds
.5>    of fat stored up to use it for some of the needed calories, as long as
.5>    she gets enough protein, carbohydrates, and vitamins?

    	CEofN is my shorthand notation for Columbia Encyclopedia of
    Nutrition.  I post it only as a reference, I know nothing about
    the impact of pregnancy on dieting (since I have to select what
    I'll read, and I will never be pregnant, I skip these articles).
    
    	The potential risk to the fetus, in my mind, outweights any
    possible gain to the mother, unless weight is threatening either
    or both lives.
    
.5>    will cooperate with your attempts to access the stored calories.  This
.5>    makes sense to me; I intend to discuss the issue with my Obstetrician
.5>    when/if I get pregnant.
    
    	That's the best bet.  And if your obstetrician gives you faulty
    advice, there's always time for a malpractice suit.  Of course,
    that may not help a malnuorished baby develop normally.
    
    	IMHO, if you're going to have a baby, and your motivation for
    weight loss is cosmetic, you're taking too big a risk.
    
    -mike z

    Wanted to share a quick note with 2 people that I am aware of; both
    of whom had weight problems as they entered their pregnancys.
    
    The first was a woman that I worked with in a prior job; she was
    about 50 pounds overweight as her pregnancy started.  Because of
    the excess weight as the baby was growing, the baby simply stopped
    growing at 8 months.  Mom simply ran out of room.  As a result the
    baby has developed much more slowly than other babies ... and a
    form of mild retardation is a strong possibility.  Its made me realize
    how important it is to give baby a chance from day 1.
    
    The second woman was a friend of my mom's ... she found it easier
    to lose weight during her pregnancy, as she was constantly feeling
    sick, and not forcing herself to eat.  She actually lost weight
    during her pregancy ... and in this case, baby was born deformed
    and also had learning problems.
    
    

    Re: 7   Just because a woman doesn't gain during her pregnancy doesn't
    mean she will have a deformed child.  My sister just had a beautiful,
    healthy son and she lost weight during her pregnancy.  Now she didn't
    do it on purpose, just wasn't hungry.
    
    I think we should be careful of the things we present here.  It
    is scary enough to be pregnant without people presenting
    one-in-a-million horror stories.
    
    Sorry, you just touched a hot-button

    Linda B

    	Never diet when pregnant unless a doctor very closely supervises
    you.  According to a friend of mine who is pregnant, your system
    changes extremely drastically.  I am no doctor, but the law of survival
    dictates, that if the mother is starving, the child is expendable.
    (Wild world of animals)

    I have a friend who has recently become pregnant and would like to
    follow a sensible food plan. She would like to see a copy of the WW
    pregnant woman's plan so she can discuss this plan and others with her
    doctor. Does anyone out there have a copy of the WW plan that they
    could send me? 
    
    Rachelle �elletete
    ZKO1-1/D19
    

    The Weight Watchers for pregnant women is as follows:
    
    Using Week 5 Plan you are allowed the following exchanges:
    
    	Fruit		6(at least 2 high Vitamin C)
        Vegetables 	3(at least)
    	Milk		4
    	Bread		5
    	Fat		3
    	Protein		7
    	Floating	1(optional)
    
    I have been following this plan pretty much, I will admit I have 
    cheated, but to date I have only gained 17 lbs with 7 weeks to go.
    
    

Just a quick update as I picked up the WW pregnancy plan this week:

Fruit		4-5 (at least 2 hight vitamin C)
Vegetables	3 (at least)
Milk		4
Bread		7-8
Fat 		3-4
Protein		7
Floating	1 (MANDATORY)

Quite honestly, I'M STUFFED and don't know if I can even stay
at the low end of things on this.

There was also a note that if you have milk allergies, substitute
1 protein exchange for each milk exchange and talk to you Dr. about
taking calcium suppliments.

The prog for lactating moms is this with same info in () as above:

Fruit		5-6
veg		3
milk		5
bread		8-9
fat 		4-5
protein		7
floating	1

    Hi..
    
    I'm 7 1/2 months pregnant and have gone from 125 lbs (which was
    thin for me) to 163 SO FAR.  Thats a total gain of 38 pounds!  My
    doctor originally told me I should gain approx 25 lbs, and I've
    way overdone that, and I'm not even finished yet.  My 4th 5th and
    6th months were my biggest weight gains and I wrote into Parenting,
    a weight gain while pregnant note, and everyone flamed me saying
    oh you shouldn't worry about your gain, your doctor is crazy, you
    should let your body do what comes natural etc.  But I don't think
    they understood I have a problem! 
    
    I've been overweight by at least 10 to 15 lbs since I was in Jr.
    High.  I've been on weight watchers about 3 times.  The only time
    I've been at my goal weight was twice.  Once for a year, and then
    once for a year again and then I got pregnant!  I thought I'd be
    able to keep my weight down by exercising, but I'm just eating too
    much that exercise really isn't helping.  I'm REALLY depressed about
    this, and when I look at my thighs which is where I am carrying
    all this weight, (my stomach isn't that big) I just feel awful.
    Help!  I don't want my final weight to be 170 or more!  I feel like
    I'll never be able to lose it.  What I want to do is eat a normal
    meal at lunch and then maybe just vegetables for dinner, and see
    if that helps.  But can I do it is the problem!  I also snack alot.
    I need some encouragement!
    
    BW
    

    Have you talked to your Dr. about following the Weight Watchers
    pregnancy program?  Judging by .12, it looks like you get plenty to
    eat.  That way, you could plan for your snacks and not feel guilty
    about eating them.  That's one of the main reasons I don't want to get
    pregnant right now, as I'm afraid I'll look at it as an excuse to eat
    all the time and I want to have a healthy baby, not a junk food baby!!
    Good luck and you can do it if you just PLAN for it!!
    
    Virginia