Conference rocks::weight_control

    I would recommend joining Weight Watchers when you are only 10 -
    15 pounds from goal.  (You only need to have 10 lbs to loose to join
    WW.)  By doing this you would be eligible to become a life-time
    member.  
    
    The only legal problem I can see (and I'm not an expert by any means)
    is that when you sign up for Weight Watchers I believe the card
    you sign states that they can use your photo in advertising.  You
    can always cross this line out of the statement and I have seen
    people do that.  But my point is that if Weight Watchers uses your
    photos and/or success story then they will unknowingly be using
    false advertising.  It may also be difficult for you to participate
    in the group meetings (at least before re-feeding) since you will
    not be following the problem.
    
    By waiting until the end of the program you can truly follow the
    Weight Watchers program and use their maintenance.  It is great
    that you have planned ahead and decided how you are going to maintain
    your weight once you have lost it.  I am on WWs and have a long
    way to go before reaching goal, but I think the program is great
    and look forward to maintenance. 
    
    Good luck!

	Following the suggestion in .1 would have the added advantage of 
	costing a bit less - WW costs at least $6.50/week (in NH - I don't
	know if it varies from place to place).

	Beverly

    I go to Weight Watchers at work so the price is paid for a ten week
    session, but I believe the evening classes are up to $9.00/week,
    plus a registration fee.

    I live in the south and it's  $20.00 to join and $10.00/week.  Funny
    how the prices vary.

    I have thought about your suggestion of joining WW AFTER opti. I
    have always done well on WW but never had the longevity to go all
    the way to goal. Opti fixed the longevity and goal part and quite
    possibly, WW will play a part in losing the last 10 and then keeping
    it off. Right now, Opti is still satisfying my needs. I am in refeeding
    and getting the propper nutitional and psychological support. 
    In fact, the support of the tight knit Opti group I am in is much
    stronger than any I have experienced in WW. We get into much heavier
    topics and are perhaps more serious about the issues. We also have
    a closer relationship because of our common experiences.
    
    Yes it is more expensive - without suppliment, Opti costs me $55
    per week but John Hancock gives me back 80% - they would not do
    that for WW - so all in all, it comes out even. The next 6 months
    on Opti are maintainance only in a group therapy session. No supplement
    or doctors so the cost goes down to $25.

    Does not seem very honest to other WW members, your dropping 3-5
    pounds a week, they are loosing 1-2 pounds a week, how do you think
    it would make them feel ?  This is not meant to be a flame, but
    these people are supporting each other, sharing receips, ups and
    downs on the scales, and wondering why your doing so much better
    than they are.

    RE .6  
    
    At my WW meetings, nobody finds out what other people lost or gained.
    Our leader asks if anybody wants to share their weight loss with
    the group.  But you don't have to.  I definately agree with you,
    that I shouldn't tell my weight loss to the class.  On the other
    hand - it works the other way for some people.  I know I get really
    motivated when I see someone else get their ribbon or another star.
    I say to myself, if they can do it, so can I.  So maybe it'll help
    motivate the other group members if they see me losing weight? 
    But as I said, I definately won't tell my progress, and I agree
    it's not honest.  I'll do some thinking about this.
    
    RE: all replies.
    
    Thanks for your thoughts.  I know this is a weird situation.  I've
    never heard of anyone doing this before.  It's just that I've been
    in WW for so long (2 years on and off.  Mostly on), that I hate
    to drop out, just to return in a couple of months.  I really benefit
    from the WW meetings much more than the Medi-fast counseling.  And
    I know that the fast is just a temporary solution mandated by my
    current situation, but I really feel WW is a better program and
    should be my lifetime goal.
    
    
    Anyway - for the time being, I've decided to stay in both.  But
    I've just started the fast and the weight isn't "dropping off" yet.
    So I don't know what will happen in a month or so.  I'll keep re-
    evaluating my situation, and any problems it's causing, and drop
    out of WW if I think it's warranted.
    
    Please keep any replies coming.  I appreciate your input.  
    
    Thanks,
    
    - Molly -
                                                               
    P.S.  So much for the hypothetical situation!!!!! :-)

    RE:  422.7...
    
    I just want to share that WW is a fantastic place to be.  My mother,
    grandmother, and sister are all attending, and have been since March
    of last year.  The most inspiring person (my sister) has lost 133lbs
    to date, and she only started in July.  She says the meetings help
    her to deal with the frustrations of the week, and her instructor
    is a SAINT!!  So do what is best for you Molly, and hang in there!!
    
    kathy

    Hi Molly,
    
    Just a thought -- I have been in and out of WW for almost 20 years
    (I even worked for them as a lecturer about 15 years ago) and from
    my experience, most people who are "faithful" WW members rarely if
    ever stick to the diet perfectly.  When you go to WW and pay your
    weekly fee, you are urged to stay on the program but no one says it
    is mandatory to stay on the program.  I realize this is more
    relevant to most people who "cheat" as opposed to you, who is
    thinking of Medi-fasting.  I know that after having been to WW
    so many times, I adhered to my own little version of their diet.
    It would be different if you signed a contract with them that you
    would only use their diet, but I have never seen such a contract.
    
    I think if this works for you, you should go for it.
    
    Rebecca

    RE: .9
    
    Thanks Rebecca!  That's definately the perfect piece of info I needed.
    I feel better about what I'm doing now.
    
    You know what's interesting....... Now that I'm fasting and not
    allowed to have ANY food, I would KILL to be allowed to have a legal
    weight watche day on program!!!!!  But I didn't do it when I had
    the chance.  Maybe that's one way that fasting and WW at the same
    time will help me.  I'll learn to appreciate WW, and realize that
    ANY food (even STRICT WW program) is better than NO food!!!!
    
    - Molly -