Weigh****chers and no support. PLEASE help

I am sorry but I have to speak up. WW gives you your targeted Points value for the day and gives you additional weekly bonus points. They leave it up to the individual on how they want to use those points. They stress how important it is to use your points wisely but the bottom line is it is up the each individual to choose their own path. Yes many people do waste their points on junk but we know that we need to focus on protein and should therefore fill up on protein rather than junk. It comes down to they offer a program with support and encouragement. it is up to each individual to choose their own way to make the program work for them.

Those are definitely some of the things I have wondered about.. being a RNY patient, is something like WW and how their program works right for me since I have to focus on protein?  I mean I am sure I could set my meals to focus more on protein, couldn't I?  Then again, this is all of what I have no clue about, how it all works.  I guess I am just trying to find something to ease me into eating better and focusing more on what I need to and I've heard good things about it so I starting looking into it.  I do track my food and get my protein in now, I just have a problem eating fast and therefore, more at times.  And snacking is way out of control.  :(  Kellysnewlife, in your opinion, does your mom enjoy the meetings and that route better than the online route?

My mom really enjoys the support and ideas from the meetings.  She has been staying with me for the winter and I have been attending meetings with her.  The focus for the month of February is planning activity each day.  This has been something that has helped me think about exercise a little differently.  Our meeting today focused on power foods ie..(low/no fat dairy, lean protein, whole grains, and fruits/veggies) to help stay satisfied longer.  The plan can easily be made be wls friendly.  You don't have to eat all your daily points or extra points if you are satisfied on less.  I track what I eat,  attend the meetings for support but I don't count my points every day just my protein grams.  I find the myfitnesspal app to be a better place to track for me instead of the ww app.

It definitely IS hard work. You have to learn to put yourself first and also believe you are worth the effort. You can do this!!

Melanie (That is my daughter's name.) - OH is my ONLY support.  I will be using this forum for help as I go through my journey.  You can do the same, as well.  Start back journaling.  Keep track of what you eat.  Get back to the smaller portions and protein first.  You CAN do it!

I commend you for recognizing you need to regain control before you have regained an overwhelming amount.  I always found great support at WW, but I think the quality depends on the leader.  Some are wonderful, but one was clueless.  She had only lost about 20 pounds of baby weight and I don't feel like she understood the struggles of those of us with huge amounts of weight to lose.  She would talk about her donut fix, but that was ok because she kept it within points.  BUT that was only one leader.  The rest were wonderful.  I would suggest you go to several meetings and find one that you like.

Thanks for all of your opinions.  Yes, I do understand that it is up to me to choose how I eat and what to eat and what comes first.  I definitely know that I focus on my protein first and I know obviously not to choose chips and cookies over fresh veggies and fruits.  I am not using WW either (if I did try it) as any kind of excuse or program to be able to eat "whatever I want", just as a jump starter to get me on the right path of getting into better habits and smaller portions again.  Personally, for me, it helps me when someone tells me exactly where I need to be or where I need to stay in between.  Just thought maybe WW would be a way to ease back into that.  I'm just confused.  I don't eat terribly, but just need a push to cut out the crap I am letting slip back in.

Are you tracking your food? I would recommend tracking your food as you eat right now. Then cut back around 500 calories a day. I typically eat 1700-2000 calories a day. When I need to lose a few, I cut back to 1200 until they are gone. Try to limit your crappy carbs. Some people severely limit their carbs overall, but I don't do that. I limit mine to 150 carbs per day. Others limit theirs to 80-100 grams per day. I try to get 100 grams of protein a day. I believe it helps curb my hunger. 60-80 is typical, I believe. Plan, plan, plan. When I need to lose I journal ahead of time and only allow myself to eat what is on my plan for the day.

I posted this in a few other threads, but it relates to your situation and might be helpful to you. I am a long-term post-op who struggled with regain a few years ago and had to put myself back on track. Take it one step at a time--you can do it!

This is what worked for me, so please consider it in the context of your own limits and expectations:

-Eat whole foods and avoid things that have been heavily processed (i.e. bagged sandwich breads, frozen foods--too much sodium and preservatives, and boxed mixes.) The cleaner and more local foods you eat, the better satiated your body will be. Make friends with some of your local farmers and go to local markets if you have them.

-If you eat starches as I do, be sure that you are eating whole grain ones that have a high fiber content. These are more satiating and you will find that you crave a little bit less, and every little bit counts. If you are so inclined, learn to bake your own bread and have even more control over what is in it. High fiber will also aid your digestion, as will things like yogurt with live active cultures.

-Pick one day a week to make meals ahead of time. The worst problem I encounter is when I don't have options for meals and make quick, not ideal choices. I usually slow cook something, make some noodles, soup, and a cold salad and keep those in the fridge or freezer for easy access to pre-portioned meals.

-Exercise! If you're already exercising, try increasing the length or doing something different. I found that my body gets used to a certain kind of exercise if I do it for awhile and I'd end up stalling my progress. Now I alternate yoga, running, being on the elliptical, and some strength training for maximum benefit.

-Remember the basics: Protein first, veggies second, starches third. If my plate were to be divided into four quadrants, two would be taken up by protein, one by veggies, and one by a healthy whole grain like brown rice, bulgur, quinoa, whole grain noodles, or homemade bread. The starch only gets eaten once I get enough protein at the meal.

-Be compassionate. Some days you will want a cookie. Eat a cookie and move forward. Don't take the time to beat yourself up, because all it will do is start a binge. Be kind to yourself.

Best wishes to you!

Melanie,

I  went to my very first support group last  night and my surgery date is 3/1. There were a couple people there who have regained a bit of their weight. But they commented on how much the support group helps them get back on track and to have a buddy! I hope you go back to your local support group. I'm sure you know your daughter needs the healthy you around so perhaps that can help be your motivator. I was terribly nervous and embarrassed to go last night, but everyone was amazing! I hope you go soon and be sure to use your nutritionalist ! That's what they are there for!