Weight Watchers gals...

How do you count points at Easter? I have been doing really well and don't want to blow it! I already used up a few extra points today stuffing Easter eggs with candy!!! Any pointers??

Weight Watchers gals...

Whenever I have a party or holiday, I just have to stick to the veggies (without the dips) and only eat something if I really think it's worth the calories. It's hard. I will also eat light for breakfast and lunch that day.

Re: Weight Watchers gals...

This is a little late, since the holiday is done and over - but here's my two cents:

Honestly, I've done WW for years and been a Lifetime member since 2005, and I never count points on holidays. Even when I am in "hard-core" losing mode and really being very on top of points counting, I don't count points at big events like holidays and weddings. And it's never impacted the progress of my weight loss (or weight maintenance).

But this is my personal preference. I take a long-term view of weight loss, so if the overall trend is down, I don't sweat it if I have a 2-3 lbs bump up one week because it was a vacation or holiday or something. And for me, it makes it more "liveable" -- I try to eat really healthy 90% of the time, but I don't feel deprived because I know I can indulge on special occasions. I need to be a bit flexible.

I think the key is to keep it to the one day. It's hard for me, because I host some holidays and then I have leftovers and desserts and everything tempting in the house. So obviously a holiday can't turn into a "holi-WEEK"... that can be harmful to weight loss efforts! But if you limit it to one day or one meal, even, where you give yourself permission to stop counting points, it's ok in my book. Nobody ever became really overweight from indulging on holidays, you know what I mean? It's the everyday habits that count more. And even if you really overindulge, you won't gain 10 lbs from one day of eating! It would be a few lbs at most and they will probably come right off if you revert back to the plan the day after.

And I also don't think you need to go crazy on a holiday, even if indulging a bit and not counting points. I try to still watch my portions and sample the dishes that are "special" and not everyday foods, but avoid filling up on things I can eat any old time or that aren't "worth" the calories to me. Like if someone brings store bought cookies and there is a homemade cheesecake, I am going to not bother with the former but definitely have the latter if I want it. Just a slice, not a huge hunk of it! And if there is an amazing pasta dish and plain old bread, I will choose the pasta (but won't take both).

But I know some people feel if they deviate from their routine at all, it will sabotage their weight loss. So in that case, I know recommended strategies are to bring a dish or two that you know is point-friendly and you can account for, and rely heavily on those dishes for a holiday (assuming you are not the host and don't know how all of the other dishes are prepped), or just try to estimate points as much as you can (the way you would in a restaurant).