Weekend Update
A couple of une femme’s readers have asked how the WW is going, and the short answer is, “pretty well, with caveats.”
At about the three-week mark, I really hit the wall with the constant hunger which, although less actute than the first week, was still a bit more than I could live with on an ongoing basis. I was eating a lot of the WW-designated “filling foods” (mostly high fiber, low-fat) but they weren’t really staying with me, and I’d be quite hungry again an hour or so after eating. I’d been re-reading Gary Taubes’ book, “Good Calories, Bad Calories” (which I highly recommend if you are interested in the science of nutrition, weight and health). So I started tweaking the mix until I was eating almost all of my points as protein and fat, and of course lots of zero-point veggies. This did the trick, and I’m feeling much better: higher energy, no nagging hunger, improved sleep and concentration. I’m continuing to release weight at a good pace, and am now down a total of eight pounds in about a month. I’m fitting back into a lot of my clothes that had become too tight, and am working to drop another seven or so more pounds to look and feel my best.
For those of you contemplating WW, my suggestion would be to experiment to find the mix of protein, fat and carbs that works best for you. WW is set up to encourage very low-fat eating, which isn’t optimal for me, and you may find that you need to eat more fat and fewer carbs.
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Insightful. I get caught up in the low fat frenzy of WW and it never works, and makes me miserable in the process. I will have to try this as it makes total sense. Congratulations on your success.
Oh, and you never should have informed me of the purse forum. I can tell this is going to get me in trouble. I’ll have to limit my time there!
Good for you! Low fat is not for everyone, nor is int much fun. If one stays within points, your mix works. Isn’t it a pleasure to fit in to your favourite things again!
Pseu, You are so right about needing to do more protein and fat than they might suggest, at least that is what works for my body. And we need the fat to keep our skin nice, I don’t care what anybody says…fat or thin, I have eaten real butter all my life, and have always had very good skin. Every one is different, of course, but that is my take on it. Anyway, good for you that you have been sticking with it, my life is such a mess that I fell off the wagon into the ditch, then the wagon fell on top of me, and apparently the wagon was full of chocolate and donuts, and I had to eat Something while I was stuck under there….!
Bonjour Madame – thank you. Yes, the PF is a dangerous place, especially if one is trying to avoid temptation to spend money!
metscan – thanks! It helps that I was VERY motivated, but even more important I think is finding what works best for each individual, that makes you feel good and fits in with one’s lifestyle.
So happy for you Deja ! A great feeling to be able to wear your old clothes again. So you are in the middle of your goal,wow. Wish I had your spirit!
Cathy – thanks! I feel like this is working more in harmony with my body rather than fighting it.
Duchesse – it is such a relief actually; I feel like myself again. I have a pile of clothes that I stashed under the bed last summer that are going to come out for some trying on next week.
Maravonda – LOL! I think I’ve been stuck under that same donut wagon at times!
Congrats, Deja, for sticking with the WW and seeing results! Gary Taube’s book is great; I find that high protein and fat works better for me too. Eating this way makes it easy to take off weight and keep it off too.
Good for you for making it work for you and not just giving up. It sounds like you’ve really got a handle on this, and I’m looking forward to seeing you model some of the clothes you’re fitting back into. Very, very pleased for you.
I can’t do really low fat either – I need some fat to make me feel full, and protein too.
Congrats – 8 pounds is good work!
Wow Pseu! You can go shopping in your long term storage!!! congrats!
One thing I’ve found that kicks the day off with nice protein and keeps the hungries at bay: Kashi GoLean Crunch. There’s regular GoLean, too, but it’s too twiggy for my taste.
Excellent points – while I have to lose weight I also work out and lift weight, and aggressive low-fat regimes don’t work for me either. But some healthy oil, avocado or nuts in the mix with adequate protein and I’m fine.
I wonder if WW still carries a bit of their very old, hopefully outdated, ideas about not exercising (at least in the beginning of a diet) lest the muscle mass gain make you think that you are fat. Are their plans for inactive ladies? Frustrated 1960s housewives living on celery stick and water until the evening liver casserole? Who can tell…
Wow, I admire your fortitude for sticking with the diet. Doesn’t it feel great to be able to fit into your own clothes that you love instead of having to shop for more in a larger size.
This past weekend I exchanged my summer and winter clothes between closets and realized that if I want to wear my white jeans I need to get on the protein thing…and soon.
StyleSpy – thanks, and thanks for your support when I was getting started.
Imogen – thanks! I think some fat in the diet also keeps our skin and hair from looking too dried out.
Anon – no, they don’t recommend against exercise. In fact, one can earn “activity points” that allow you to eat a little (keyword being “little”) more.
Belle – thanks! It really is much easier once I started eating in a way that works better for my body. Doesn’t feel like I’m “white-knuckling it” through the hunger anymore. Let’s meet up for a nice Salad Nicoise sometime soon!
Hi, there!
I lost 30 lbs on WW about 8 years ago and have pretty well kept it off. Every couple of years I have to get a bit strict with myself for a month or two and drop off the 2-3 lbs that creep back on. Stick with it: once you sort out how to do it in a way that works for you, it will serve you well for the rest of your life because it is, really, all about eating normally.
Congratulations and keep going!
Congratulations and best wishes to you on WW. I have used the program before too, and I’m glad it’s working for you–or, more accurately, you’re making it work for you. Keep up the good work!