Unsuccessful Weight Watchers

If you've been unsuccessful at WW, what has worked for you?

I have 20 lbs to use and have been on WW for 6 months. I've tried changing my diet, using all extra points, using none, using some, exercising, not exercising...you name it. I just fluctuate +/- 3 lbs at this weight.

Is there another diet program that might work?? Help!

Re: Unsuccessful Weight Watchers

I think before you choose another plan, you should think about why you believe WW doesn't work for you. Then, once you get a handle on that, you can figure out what might work better.

I have always been most successful on WW, but I really like fruits and veggies, and I think WW works best for people who will bulk up their meals and snacks with a lot of produce. I think it also works best for people who can indulge moderately without going off the rails.

I have a friend, for example, who feels WW is not structured enough for her... if left to her own devices, she doesn't make good choices. Plus, she doesn't have the patience for weighing, measuring, counting points. She has had success with the Flat Belly Diet, which is very strict but tells you exactly what to eat at what times of day (and does loosen up as the days/weeks go on). That same friend has also had good results with consulting with a nutritionist about her personal issues and getting a customized eating plan. That's expensive upfront, but once you get some ideas, you probably don't need a weekly visit to the nutritionist.

For awhile, I didn't feel like dealing with points counting and paying for WW, so I did calorie counting on www.myfitnesspal.com. I had moderate success with that (lost maybe 6-7 lbs in a couple of months). I lose better with the more structured plan of WW and accountability at meetings, but I know people who love the myfitnesspal site. It has a ton of food info on it.

I also think WW is easier for people who like to cook and prepare a lot of food at home, like I do. I know people who prefer something like Jenny Craig or Nutrisystem, where they don't have to think about what to eat - they just eat the prepared food. But I've always been wary of that because eventually you have to eat the "non-diet plan" food, so learning about nutrition and portion control is an important skill for weight maintenance. But starting out with a plan that provides food could jump start you.

Unsuccessful Weight Watchers

Have you had your thyroid tested?

What's your calorie intake

Re: Unsuccessful Weight Watchers

I did WW several years ago and had the same problem. For me, it didn't work. I think part of the problem with WW is that it encourages you to eat a lot of fruits and veggies because they're 0 points...but fruit is packed with sugars. I was eating fruit constantly and I was retaining water weight and taking in too much sugar.

To be honest, the only thing that worked for me was going GF.

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Unsuccessful Weight Watchers

Eta. Excersise is great but the majority of weight loss comes from the kitchen :)

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Unsuccessful Weight Watchers

Katareen - I am cutting out processed foods and carbs again because I know that works for me. I'm down 3 lbs in just 3 days so far by eating wholesome foods. If you want to ever chat or suppor one another, feel free to fm me!

Re: Unsuccessful Weight Watchers

Did you discuss this with the leaders at WW about why it may not be working for you? Are you counting EVERY SINGLE bite you put in your mouth? I have honestly never heard of it not working for anyone who was following the program properly. Do you go to meetings, as well? The leaders can help you. I think it's a great program that has always worked for me (been on it many times over the years, but I gain back b/c I stop doing maintenance).

Re: Unsuccessful Weight Watchers

Jenny Craig has worked for me. Its packaged foods, but for me that is the key to portion control. If I have to cook, I find it very hard to limit my intake of calories.

Re: Unsuccessful Weight Watchers

And while I know that WW is not for everyone, I do think that those who succeed at it the most are the ones who try to stick to their "Good Health Guidelines" -- the healthy oils, dairy servings, lean meat, whole grains, and fruits and veggies. In other words, it's not just about focusing on the number of points (basically, calories) consumed, but also on the content of what I am eating. I find if I focus on eating according to the Good Health Guidelines recommended, I eat unprocessed, nutrient-dense food that fills me up more, and I feel more satisfied. But if I ate my daily points in 100 calorie packs and packaged granola bars, I'd probably be hungry and find it harder to stay on program, and I don't know if I'd lose weight as much.

Not saying that this is the OP's issue, but I know a lot of people misunderstand WW and think it's about just eating whatever within your points target, but it's really about more than that.

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Unsuccessful Weight Watchers

That would be me. And I totally believe in WWs system...just not for everyone.
If it is not coming off and you are exercising and moving...go to a nutritionist. My visit to one 32 days ago has changed my life. Down over 20 pounds so far.
I had to give up whole grains mushrooms nuts and vinegar. Basically everything I was eating while on WW. Giving up this, weight is falling off.
Tmi...but if you get yeast infections...check out a it yeast diet. You are not on it forever...just till yeast dies off. I am amazed every morning I hop my ass on my scale.
I gave up HFCS years ago...barely had dairy...nothing fried...too cheap for eating out. Exercised daily, fitness pal, WW. I was going insane.

Unsuccessful Weight Watchers

That is anti yeast diet

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Unsuccessful Weight Watchers

Yes...only doing anti yeast right now, totally loosing weight.
Due to BC pill, antibiotics during csections, nursing babies with allergy issues...I had yeast overgrowth.
Your body is not going to function right with yeast overgrowth.
Nuts, vinegar, mushrooms all feed the yeast.
My 4 pm daily snack was pistachios. I drank AM smoothies for years with almond milk. I did not eat red meat, a lot of ground turkey breast...which I would add mushrooms too to keep from drying.
Vinegar on coleslaw and salad instead of dairy or something processed.
I was going insane. During both pregnancies I has reoccurring yeast infections. Completely hormonal.
My parents could not take it anymore since they see how I eat and live, made appt for me.
It is like I have my life back.
Obviously. Not for everyone. I do believe in WW.
But if there is something else going on, nothing is going to work

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Yes, I had trouble with WW and I was told to try to get my points form different foods. I was eating the same as ever but changing my quantity to fit into the points system. I don't think it was enough of a change for my body. I only lost weight after making a drastic change & it wasn't really WW. Today I ate like my old types of food but I won't keep doing that. I can't even try to take in the amount I used to.

Unsuccessful Weight Watchers

Thanks all! I did lose about 18 lbs and then I just got stalled. I spoke with a leader, and we basically redid my entire eating plan, so we'll see how it goes!