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Wednesday, May 4, 2011

A PointsPlus-Less Week 2 Weigh In

I’ve been trying to start this post for days. Well, at least part of it. Now I’m jamming too much in as usual.

I think I was unconsciously procrastinating becuase I’m really not sure what I want to say. Or, rather, how I want to say it.

Let’s start with the good news. I had a RIDICULOUS week on the weight loss front. At my Weight Watchers meeting yesterday I weighed in 4.6 lbs less!

How is that even possible? I’m thinking I’m stills shedding some water weight from the baby.

Here’s the funny thing. I didn’t count points. Nope. Not one. That’s why I didn’t put any food journals on the site like I did last week.

Now don’t get me wrong I kept my food journal. I just didn’t assign any points or pointsplus values to what I was eating.

Why?

Well, it’s a combination of a few things.

For starters I’m not sold on the new pointsplus for ME. Honestly, I just don’t like them. That’s my OPINION, so no need to attack me in the comments.

I’m sure they are working for some folks and not for others just as the old points did. My problem with them is simply ease of use. Again, in my OPINION, I don’t find the new plan to be as intuitive as the old. I understand all the benefits others have mentioned (nudging more fruit intake, focusing on filling foods, more points feels like I get more, etc) but I don’t need any of that. I already eat lots of fruit. Never once did I think I was "wasting points" on a banana as I heard another member say in this weeks meeting. I already focused on filling food–anyone remember this ancient post where I talked about bulking? And as for more points, I don’t care? In my final weeks of weight loss I was down to 19 points a day and that didn’t bother me. I knew I had 35 more points to add in if and when I needed them. That is the beauty of Weight Watchers.

So for me and how I eat, the new pointsplus plan adds nothing except confusion, stress and more work.

It was this comment from Nancy on last week’s weigh in post that helped me "see the light" so to say,

It’s fruit!! It’s not like we’re downing sleeves of cookies here. Although, I’ve certainly done that more than once! :-0 I have been as confused as everyone else here about the fruit issue, but then decided. . . It’s fruit! I’m not going to put this much more thought into it anymore. So, I decided that I will eat all the fruit I want as part of a meal or a snack for 0 points. If it’s part of a recipe I throw it into the online recipe builder and it is what it is. Having said that, I do try to make sure I stick to around 4 fruits a day or less. However, if having some extra fruit at night is going to ward off mindless snacking, I have some.

In the end, we all need to do what works for us. Maybe it’s not a matter of what’s “right” but what’s “right for me.” What’s right for you, is healthy, managable, and will allow you to continue the journey to better health over the long term? Gee, who knew fruit could generate so much conversation?! :-)

Roni, congratulations on your weight loss this week. Obviously, whatever you are doing is working for you! Keep up the great work!

It is working! And my second week weigh in proves that to me.

I still love Weight Watchers–the weekly meetings, the sense of community, the accountability–but at this point in my "weight loss career" I don’t need their food advice. In a way, they taught me everything I know and now it’s time for me to move on.

I just don’t NEED them anymore.

WOW That was so freeing to say.

Hmmm I could be getting cocky.

You know what… I am!

I maintained my weight loss for 6 years. Through some pretty stressful events, might I add. And in that time, I adopted a love of fitness and a running habit. For Pete’s sake I ran a freakin’ marathon!

I’m a completely different person when it comes to how I approach eating and my body now. I should start to recognize and embrace that. Wait… I AM recognizing and embracing that.

I’m sure people will chime in with all sorts of opinions on this but I’m standing by my decision. No PointsPlus for me. If I find I actually do need the structure of a food plan I’ll go back to tracking old points as they are simply easier for me. Not to mention I have a history of success with them. Why fix what isn’t broken?

I will be continuing to go to meetings and weighing in until I reach my goal. As I stated above, I really do love the meetings. I found a new leader I like and officially weighing in weekly helps keep me honest.

So there you have it. I’m not sure what else to say on the subject except that I’m completely confident in my decision.

In other news…

Ok, I need sleep. Little Bean’s been having a VERY fussy day.


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