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Posted 4/3/2008 8:26 PM (GMT 0)
I've been a member of WW for the past month or so. Within a week of being on the program, I flared up from eating so much raw foods (veggies, fruits, etc.). Then I was diagnosed with another arthritis flare up. I had to be put on prednisone because of that. I am starting to taper off the meds but its not helping my weight loss efforts...its only increasing my appeitite.

When I attend the meetings, I feel they talk about food suggestions, plans, etc. that is not really for me due to my UC and it only makes me more frustrated. My mother has been attending the meetings also. I have to interpret for her since she is hearing impaired.

Is it worth spending the money every week? Any one have success with this plan?

Thanks!

Heather

Posted 4/3/2008 10:34 PM (GMT 0)
WW is a very flexible program. A good Weight Watchers counselor should be able to listen to your concerns and help you work out modifications so that you can stick to the program and not flare. You don't have to eat raw veggies, you can cook them. Obviously you would be avoiding cabbage, so none of the "free" soup for you, but you can have veggie broth with green beans and other flare-friendly veggies. You just may have to cook the veggies longer to break down the fibers. Try for soluble fiber foods rather than insoluble fiber (oatmeal is soluble fiber for example). Soluble fiber is gentler on your colon.

If you find it's a an expense you can't manage, you can always attend for free as your mother's interpreter and rather than weighing in there weigh yourself at home. You'll just have to be accountable to yourself.

Meesh
Posted 4/3/2008 10:47 PM (GMT 0)
I think it is worth it for a time. Its a great way to learn about how to balance food. I was on WW for 6 months before my flare and was doing great. Now I have been dx'd with strictures and cannot barely handle any fiber which has made it really hard to lose weight. WW pushes fibre but look through the book and get to understand what foods are higher numbers. Stick to the lower numbers that your body can handle.

I agree that a counselor may be able to help. The one at the meetings i attended was also a nurse!

Oh but my favorite moment was when I was really sick. I had lost 12lbs in one week and went to the meeting just to get out of the house (my whole family was going) The counsler's mouth nearly dropped to the floor when she read my weight loss. I thought she was gonna pass out before i explained how sick I was. She thought i just had the flu or something. But being a nurse she understood.
Posted 4/3/2008 10:51 PM (GMT 0)
The WW leader I have is great! She is very friendly and sweet as well as outgoing. I just do not feel I benefit from the meetings. Its frustrating. My mother and I have decided to be accountable to each other. I will still follow the plan but my mom and I will come up with some kind of system. I have the WW books and just feel its not worth the money after awhile. Thanks so much for your suggestions! :)

Heather
Posted 4/3/2008 11:26 PM (GMT 0)
for me personally, after a few meetings, I found myself not getting much out of them. But others may have put more effort into it and/or had a better counselor.

For weight loss, I know what to do, it's just controlling my eating and changing my habits for the rest of my life.

I put on 20 pounds w/pred, I have lost 10 of them since I began my taper I am now at 25mg a day. However, I am on a low salt, low carb/low sugar diet so that is part of it b/c of my kidneys and the pred increased my sugars, I can't eat my chips anymore (i love salt and vinegar chips). I did have a small bag last night..........
Posted 4/6/2008 10:47 PM (GMT 0)
I did ww points a few years ago and lost a bunch of weight. They DO push lots of fiber. But it is up to you what you want to eat, etc. I decided to start keeping track of my points again but I am too cheap to pay the fee every week. I still have my little points calculator so I just do it on my own. I haven't lost any weight, but I haven't gained any either. Right now my problem is just motivation to lose that extra weight. It's only 5 to 10 pounds...if it were more, I'd probably be more motivated. For me, the meetings would not add any more motivation.

I guess it's up to you to figure out the value it provides (or doesn't provide) to you. If it seems worthwhile, go for it. If not, well, find something else to spend your $$ on.
Posted 4/8/2008 6:58 AM (GMT 0)
I've also been doing Weight Watchers to try to lose the 20kgs I've put on in the 3 years since diagnosis.  It's depressing, everyone else is losing and I'm struggling just to maintain my current weight. However if I wasn't going I'd be gaining so I'm sticking with it.  I do need to get some time alone with my leader though to see if she has any pointers regarding prednisone.  She probably doesn't.
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