In 2007, I lost 37 pounds by doing Weight Watchers online (I’d lost 5 pounds before that, giving me a total loss of 42 pounds). I maintained the weight loss until my pregnancy with my now 11 year-old child. Weight Watchers invited me to come to New York City one weekend for a “Before and After“ photo shoot. However, I had to decline because I was 4 months pregnant, and Weight Watchers did not endorse their weight loss program for pregnant gals.
Back then, a point was worth about 50 calories, and I was allowed 21 Daily Points. I was also given 5 extra Points to use daily, or I could save them to use all at once. The system was easy to understand and convert. If I ate something that was 300 calories, I knew it would count as 6 points. After my daughter was born, I was about 15 pounds heavier than I was before the pregnancy. I tried to go back on Weight Watchers, put failed at using the new Points Plus system. Under the new rules, users were penalized with extra points if they chose an unhealthy item. For example, a 6-point Hershey’s With Almonds would be worth 7 or 8 points, because of the fat and sugar. I became discouraged, and craved the sugar I could no longer afford to eat.
Several years after that, I’d packed on 20 extra pounds of peri menopausal weight. I tried the program again. By this time Oprah was the ambassador, and Weight Watchers had hundreds of “free” foods (most fruits, vegetables, and eggs were zero points). However, a 600 calorie stack of IHOP pancakes cost me a full day’s points. I couldn’t stick with the plan, and gave up. I read that Weight Watchers wanted to distinguish themselves as being healthier than all the free calorie-counting apps.
Fast forward to Weight Watchers, or “WW,” in 2020. Kate Hudson is the newest ambassador. She has a fitness clothing line, and doesn’t look like a traditional Weight Watchers customer. Weight Watchers has changed their name to WW, which stands for Weight Loss and Wellness. The penalties for unhealthy choices are still part of the points system. A 600 calorie Mini M & M’s chocolate bar is counted as 31 points. I only get 30 points per day, so if I follow the plan closely and eat a BIG chocolate bar, free fruits and vegetables will be the only foods I can eat for the rest of that day. So, why am I going back, when I know I’m the girl that needs her sugar fix?
I’m going back to Weight Watchers because it’s the only program that’s ever worked for me. I’ve tried several other fitness apps. They do not have the extensive food catalog or generous fitness rewards as WW. Most importantly, I never achieved the results I wanted away from my beloved Weight Watchers. They have weight loss down to a science, and nobody does it better. I have to abandon the old way of doing things, and embrace the wellness of this new decade. I’ll have to eat more eggs, healthy dairy, fruits, and vegetables 🙄, and save my extra points for IHOP pancakes. I also love Cracker Barrel’s blackberry topping with whipped cream (a whopping 350 calories). I probably won’t be able to eat that at all, unless I decide to have a cheat day at some point.
They have several different programs to choose from, and a quiz to help you determine the right one. Naturally, I ended with the plan that gave me the least amount of free foods (100) and the most daily points. I’ve been doing the program for a few weeks now, and I’ve lost 4 pounds using their App (I’d lost 10 pounds before joining, then stopped losing). I’m happy with WW so far, and plan to carry on. I’m already feeling a lot less like a stuffed sausage than I did before. The negative 13 points on my log below is the result of eating that M & M bar. I won’t make that mistake again.
As a side note, my husband has convinced me that I need to strengthen my muscles at the gym, along with what I’m already doing (Planet Fitness is a great place to exercise because it only costs $10 per month). I love to walk, but hate the gym. Oh well, I guess I’ll have to change in that area too. Are you trying a new weight loss program? Are you an old-time Weight Watchers attendee who’s now trying the new WW? I’d love to hear about your thoughts and experiences!
Happy New Year!
Kristie
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Best of luck to you. I have a friend who has lost 45 lbs with the new WW plan.
That’s good to hear!
Happy New Year and Good for You! The point system from WW makes it easy to track progress. I pray you have amazing results as you work toward your goal!
Thanks, Linda!
Best wishes, Kristie! I hope you are healthy and happy in 2020 and beyond! I’m also working to shave off some pounds this year. 🙂
Thanks for sharing on FFTuesdays!
Good Luck, Lisa!
Hi, Kristie! I’ve been a WW Lifetime member since 2005 when I lost almost 50 lbs. 🙂 It works! They have it down to a science. Hope you have a wonderful 2020 and meet all your goals! 🙂
Thanks Patsy, I want to lose mine, then keep it off!
I’ve heard very good things about the WW program. Good luck to you and thank you for sharing at Party In Your PJ’s.
Thanks for hosting, Ann!
Thanks for sharing at Tuesday Turn About this week… two years ago, I did WW and lost a total of 26 pounds in about 6 months. Because of illness this last year, along with lack of discipline, I’ve gained almost all of it back. I decided I needed to get back to WW. I started before Christmas, and I did gain a bit more, but I think it would have been worse if I hadn’t started. I’m on full force now. Hope we can touch base and see how we are doing! I do love the program!
Me too! The only thing I’ve noticed this time is that they seem to only have the healthy listings from restaurants. Actually, I need to know the points for the unhealthy items too! Lol
LOL! Yes… I did notice that El Pollo Loco has the chicken (with the skin) listed… that was super helpful… I can eat a two piece with skin, corn, side salad, corn tortillas for a dinner/lunch if I eat zero for most of the day… and I still have points! (I think it’s 18… includes dressing!)
Happy to see you at Tuesday Turn About, Kristie!
Thanks, Julie!
all the best for your weight reduction goals – thanks for joining us in Bloggers Pit Stop – Pit Stop Crew
Thanks for hosting, Menaka!
Kristie, I know loads of people who have lost weight with WW and gained and lost and gained and lost. And now Oprah, queen of the yo-yo dieters (love her!), is in charge. Nope. Nobody can get permanent results from temporary diets. I’d like you to read two of my posts (free) before you sign up for anything. https://www.delightfulrepast.com/2016/09/sugar-toxin-or-treat.html and then https://www.delightfulrepast.com/2018/04/intermittent-fasting-168-its-not-just.html Two “programs” that cost absolutely nothing, actually work and will cure your sugar cravings to the point that you can take it or leave it! #InspireMeMonday
Thanks, Jean, I’ll read the posts.
Good luck on the new plan – you can do this! I have been considering trying it again with the new program but haven’t taken the leap yet. Thanks for a great review and sharing it at #HomeMattersParty
Thanks for the encouragement, Donna!
I used the old points system but I never signed up for the program so it wasn’t successful. Good for you for giving it another try. Sugar is a hard thing to give up.
Thanks for sharing at Keep In Touch.
Thanks for hosting, Katie!
Wishing you the best of luck. I’m trying to eat healthier this year too.
Thank you for joining The Really Crafty link Party this week.
Good luck eating healthy. It is hard, but worth it!