Weight Watchers Support Group 2008

[Little Mary]

I'm starting tomorrow, Friday, Jan. 4th.

Anybody interested?

[Church Militant]

Is this real WW or just dieters in general?

[Hilde89]

Originally Posted by Church Militant

Is this real WW or just dieters in general?

I'm wondering the same.

[jrabs]

I am going to be so bold and say anyone. Count me in.

I am actually thinking of starting WW on Tues Jan 8th. I only want to lose about 10 lbs or so for my honeymoon but a little extra encouragement would be great (and a few less cookies).

[jrabs]

Originally Posted by Church Militant

Is this real WW or just dieters in general?

Awe CM, you don't need WW. In my mind I picture you as the buff warrior.

Please note: I did NOT say a warrior in the buff.

[DL82]

I did some counter-evangelism against a dangerous cult that was recruiting on my university campus back when I was a student. Stephen Wookey's book 'when a church becomes a cult' gives 7 defining marks of cult activity.

It strikes me that Weight Watchers has several of these defining marks:

People are brought together for a singular purpose, and all their conversation is about that purpose (losing weight).

People are publicly judged (weighed) and their personal worth valued on the basis of that judgment using rewards and punishments.

People are urged to put their faith in systems and schemes designed by a hierarchical leadership, often without any scientific evidence (e.g. the 'red/green' diet, 'points' diet, or some other fad). These schemes are often sold to members at high prices (e.g. Weight Watchers branded meals and snacks).

People are encouraged to put major life events (weddings, summer holidays, work ambitions) on hold while they await the fulfilment of often impossible goals (weight loss 'target' weights).

OK, I'm half-joking here. I do think Weight Watchers can damage your personal self-esteem. Instead, think of all the things you would want to do or feel when you've lost weight, and do them now while you're still overweight. You'll find yourself living a healthier life and being more confident, and as a result you'll lose weight anyway, and not feel miserable about it in the meantime.

[anamchara]

Originally Posted by Little Mary

I'm starting tomorrow, Friday, Jan. 4th.

Anybody interested?

Thanks Mary, I was planning on doing Weight Watches as well

[Little Mary]

Anybody who is trying to lose weight is welcome! There were some WW threads a while back that I participated in and I was just trying to resurrect the idea. It helped me then.

WW is great b/c of the point system. I wanted to also use this thread to exchange menu ideas, recipes, tricks to stay on track, etc.

[jrabs]

Originally Posted by DL82

Stephen Wookey's book 'when a church becomes a cult' gives 7 defining marks of cult activity.

People are brought together for a singular purpose, and all their conversation is about that purpose (losing weight).

People are urged to put their faith in systems and schemes designed by a hierarchical leadership, often without any scientific evidence (e.g. the 'red/green' diet, 'points' diet, or some other fad). These schemes are often sold to members at high prices (e.g. Weight Watchers branded meals and snacks).

People are encouraged to put major life events (weddings, summer holidays, work ambition) on hold while they await the fulfillment of often impossible goals.

OK, I'm half-joking here. I do think Weight Watchers can damage your personal self-esteem. Instead, think of all the things you would want to do or feel when you've lost weight, and do them now while you're still overweight. .

I am not overweight, I do not suffer from loss of esteem - though my particular problem stems from the fact that I bought a snug fitting wedding dress several months ago and the holidays were overly abundant with cookies and sweets. ugh!

Dangerous Cult? In discussing cults, one must be careful.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/cult
Cult:
1.a particular system of religious worship, esp. with reference to its rites and ceremonies. 2.an instance of great veneration of a person, ideal, or thing, esp. as manifested by a body of admirers: the physical fitness cult. 3.the object of such devotion. 4.a group or sect bound together by veneration of the same thing, person, ideal, etc. 5.Sociology. a group having a sacred ideology and a set of rites centering around their sacred symbols. 6.a religion or sect considered to be false, unorthodox, or extremist, with members often living outside of conventional society under the direction of a charismatic leader.

Let's discus your points.
People usually band together for a single purpose in any club or meeting - be it an auto club, sewing club, radio club ( HAM). The primary conversation topic is centered around the topic of the meeting.

Reasons for weight loss
Weight loss is important for many people - not just for vanity purposes. Health plays a major role in fighting heart disease and type 2 diabetes to name a few - and so many more.

Yes, it often is centered around vanity and society does indeed judge the overweight. It's a mean and cruel reality. Many people do need to be taught the proper way to eat. Serving sizes, wise choices for snacks, eating to satisfy and not to fill, etc.

Meeting being focused on one topic:
The meetings last 30 min. That said, the meetings need to stay on topic. Not much wiggle room for off-topic conversation as often can happen when a meeting time is 90 min. for clubs and such.

Membership prices:
In my area, the program is offered through my town at $7 per meeting. How is that expensive? I am never coerced into buying anything more. It's an affordable weight loss option.

WW Leadership:
You brought up the hierarchical leadership. The folks leading the brief meeting have achieved weight loss success and maintained their weight loss. There is no shame in having achieved this success. A large percentage of people losing weight do not keep it off. The leadership of WW has. They try to provide inspiration and hope through the techniques of portion size and choice.

WW Food:
WW does sell packaged food. This is not the premise of the program, however. Perhaps you are thinking of other weight loss plans? Jenny Craig or Nutrisystem? WW is not this type.
Anyone who has ever attended a meeting will verify this. The focus once again is food management and portion size. It is a lifestyle change and modification of eating habits and choices.

Scientific Evidence:
No? How much science does one need to know that if you eat 2 small slices of veggie pizza instead of your normal 3 slices of pepperoni pizza, your caloric and fat intake will be significantly less?
Adding a bit of exercise to your daily routine is also recommended. Is there any scientific data out there to support that exercise can help those in a weight loss program? Absolutely.

Self Esteem:
This is a reality. Many people have low self esteem as a result of being over weight. To suggest that WW can make people lose self esteem is harsh. WW is only a program and does not have that ability. WW is NOT a person.
People are the ones that have the ability to affect esteem.

- People demand quick weight loss solutions. WW is not that program.
- People have over-expectations that cannot be met. They expect to lose 30 lbs in 6 weeks for example.
- People cheat on weight loss programs and still expect success
- people do not stick to programs

WW is not to blame for the - but the potential customer is.

[jrabs]

Originally Posted by Little Mary

WW is great b/c of the point system. I wanted to also use this thread to exchange menu ideas, recipes, tricks to stay on track, etc.

Let's not get discouraged by nay-sayers. sheesh.

That said, I love to fill up on veggie soup. I toss anything I can think of in there. My new thing is spaghetti squash. It has the consistency of pasta and I scoop it out and add to the soup in place a macaroni.

0 points. ahhh the beauty.

[Hilde89]

What are these points you are talking about?

[jrabs]

Originally Posted by Hilde89

What are these points you are talking about?

Kind of complex to explain in a post- but in a briefing:
Every food has a point assigned to it based on fiber, fat and calories and serving size of each food you select. Pizza may have 8 points per slice according to your topping selection. A whopping slice of cake can have 12+ points.

A small apple would have 2 points ( I think). Celery has 0 points.

In order to achieve weight loss success, you should eat within your required points for your current weight and gender.
For example a woman of my size can consume ANY food I want as long as the total of the points range between 18 and 23 for the day.

I get to pick how I use my points - and I can earn extra point for adding exercise to my day.

In short, that is the system. It is based on keeping a clear record of everything you eat - even the samples you have while cooking. Otherwise you are sabotaging yourself by adding unaccounted points.

It's work - but can be rewarding if you stick to the plan. It teaches you that size and portions matter. Some choices are better than others and the goal is always to make the wise choice.

[Hilde89]

Originally Posted by jrabs

Kind of complex to explain in a post- but in a briefing:
Every food has a point assigned to it based on fiber, fat and calories and serving size of each food you select. Pizza may have 8 points per slice according to your topping selection. A whopping slice of cake can have 12+ points.

A small apple would have 2 points ( I think). Celery has 0 points.

In order to achieve weight loss success, you should eat within your required points for your current weight and gender.
For example a woman of my size can consume ANY food I want as long as the total of the points range between 18 and 23 for the day.

I get to pick how I use my points - and I can earn extra point for adding exercise to my day.

In short, that is the system. It is based on keeping a clear record of everything you eat - even the samples you have while cooking. Otherwise you are sabotaging yourself by adding unaccounted points.

It's work - but can be rewarding if you stick to the plan. It teaches you that size and portions matter. Some choices are better than others and the goal is always to make the wise choice.

Ok, I get it.

It's easier than counting calories.

[jrabs]

Originally Posted by Hilde89

Ok, I get it.

It's easier than counting calories.

It's just a different discipline. The big difference is that counting calories only does not involve fiber. Fiber plays an important role in the points system as WW deemed fiber an essential element to one's diet.

Fat content is also a factor of points. When one is counting calories alone, the calories from fat can be deceiving.
You may take a small candy bar that has 160 cals and a high fat content vs a large slice of watermelon - sans the fat. The candy bar for the same cals is going to be higher in points.

[Little Mary]

Originally Posted by jrabs

Let's not get discouraged by nay-sayers. sheesh.

That said, I love to fill up on veggie soup. I toss anything I can think of in there. My new thing is spaghetti squash. It has the consistency of pasta and I scoop it out and add to the soup in place a macaroni.

0 points. ahhh the beauty.

Spaghetti squash is a great idea. I also like WW Taco Soup. A one cup serving only has 2 points, which gives you room to add cheese or chips, but it's good by itself.