Weight Watchers Anyone
#226639 - 11/22/05 09:06 AM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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My friend, her daughter, and I are all thinking of joining Weight Watchers. Shell told me several of you have tried it but it didn't work for you with the IBS Diet program. Anyone here have any experience with WW? I'd appreciate any advice or suggestions you have. While my friend and her daughter do not have IBS, I do, so this is a big issue for me.
Thanks,
Bev
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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I follow Weight Watchers, and did before IBS. I lost about 30 lbs. and have kept it off for 3 years now.
While IBS does make it a little trickier to get in all one's fruits and veggies, it is not impossible. As for artificial sweetners, just avoid them like you do anyway. As for dairy, well, just do soy or whatever your moo replacement of choice already is.
WW now has two different plans. There's the points system where you get so many per day based on your weight and the Core system. You do not count points on Core, but I don't know much about it beyond that. I lost all my weight with points and just kept with it since it works for me.
Oh, and you can "earn points" for exercising, which then means you can eat a bit more that day.
If you have more questions, fire away. I'd be happy to answer them. I think I'm one of the few people here who won't say "OH NO!" whenever WW is mentioned.  I know it does not work for everyone, but it HAS worked for me.  I'd be happy to answer any questions. 
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Thanks Snorkie!
#226648 - 11/22/05 09:19 AM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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Good stuff here. Thanks a lot. Yes, I just might take you up on that kind offer of yours to "fire away" if we decide to join. I belonged to WW back in 1980 and got my gold key -- but that was before my IBS, so I have no idea how to combine the two programs now.
30 pounds, eh? Good for you! That's fantastic! I'd kill to lose 30 pounds! Which I might just have to do.....
By the way, did you buy any of their cookbooks? In 1980, I bought all the cookbooks they had at the time, and used each and every one of them; I still have them -- a moving box stuffed full! Any chance I can still use them, even though the program at the time was based on exchanges instead of points?
Thanks again,
Bev
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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(nb - i haven't been on weight watchers, but a co-worker was on it last year, and i read through her materials, so my memory of the details isn't perfect.)
i think the core plan is more where ibs becomes a problem. it's based around 'core' foods that you can eat as much as you want, or at least without counting - you're still instructed to not eat beyond fullness, to not binge. the core foods include a lot of IF foods - whole grains, vegetables - but also include other low-caloric-density foods like brothy soups. i don't remember how non-core foods are added, but i think it might be a points system, as well.
the points plan is tricky for ibs mostly in that SF foods, like white grain products and starchy vegetables, tend to be on the higher points end. (like the core plan, this still privileges whole grains & veggies, giving them much lower points values.) points are calculated based on fat, calories, and fiber - the low-fat part goes with ibs, but the high-fiber is often high-IF, which is rough. no pun intended.
so i do think it could work for ibs - the support system is supposed to be great, and the diet is healthy and sustainable - but it's not an easy fit.
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jaime
ibs-a (mostly d) // vegetarian
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Thanks Jaime!
#226653 - 11/22/05 09:25 AM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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Actually, I don't do well with soluble fiber, believe it or not. I discovered -- the hard way -- that bread actually causes me to cramp up on occasion. I cut out all white bread and will usually opt for whole wheat, although I don't eat much of either.
My problems are fat and large portions; they always cause my attacks. I also have a problem with broccoli and cabbage; otherwise, I do pretty well with veggies and fruits.
Thanks for the input. Good stuff here.
I think I might give it a try. The "not an easy fit" part is a challenge that I kinda like. See how I am?
Bev
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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Quote:
My problems are fat and large portions; they always cause my attacks. I also have a problem with broccoli and cabbage; otherwise, I do pretty well with veggies and fruits.
in that case, WW can probably work really well for you. if you're okay with whole grains and IF, it should be fine. the WW diets are low-fat, and they take care to help you re-learn good sense with hunger and portions.
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jaime
ibs-a (mostly d) // vegetarian
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It's 5 Ingredients & 15 Minutes or something like that. I ordered it 2003 and used it a fair amount before IBS and have modified a couple recipes since. I've also seen it in stores as a Cooking Light cookbook.
If your old recipe books list the calories, total fat content, fiber content, you can still use them with points. Heck, even if they aren't listed, you can guestimate after awhile.
If you use WW online services (which is a separate fee from meetings), you can use their Recipe Builder to find out points for any recipe. I understand it's a little quirky, though. I've never used it.
Oh yeah, the message boards on WW are no charge. It's some of the other stuff that has a fee like the recipe swap and recipe builder.
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That sounds right about the Core plan.
To be honest, when I was unstable, I sort of ignored the points with rice especially because the IBS was causing me to lose weight I didn't want to.
In a away, adjusting to the IBS diet wasn't terribly difficult because I'd been following WW for a couple years already and tracking what I ate. So, I think the reverse can also be true.
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This last spring I spent over $300 on WW and suffered and starved for 12 weeks and didn't lose a darn pound. I exercised faithfully, and everything. It was the most frustrating experience of my life. Mind you, I was on medication (Antidepressants) which make it brutally hard to lose weight. If not impossible.
With that said, here goes.
Anything that is good for us (ie. soluble fibre) is VERY high in points (usually 4 or more per serving) and is practically nonexistent on the core plan. There are maybe 2 or 3 choices on the core plan and you're restricted to how many times a day you can eat them. You'll probably be eating about 22 points a day. With that said, by the time you get in soluble fibre say 4 times a day, that's 16 points. Yikes! Doesn't leave much left for anything else.
Also, they rely heavily on FF dairy products. All my soy alternatives are high in sugar and have more fat so they're high in points as well. Yikes!
I literally lived off turkey sandwiches with WW bread, FFturkey, FF mayo and lettuce and mustard. 2 points.
Then I snacked on sugar free applesauce (I think 1 cup was 1 point).
They also have a tally at the end of the day where you're supposed to have eaten so many servings of fruits and veggies, so many of dairy and so many fats. With the high points of the SF I just simply couldn't do it. I was starving all the time! First they would suggest snacking on an apple or some raw carrots or a salad with FF italian dressing or their 0 point veggy soup. I couldn't tolerate any of them.
Don't want to discourage you - you might be successful, but I just wanted you to know my experience - the truth and nothing but. 
Ask Shell or Laurel (Retrograde) about the BMR way of counting calories. It allows for more caloric intake with the idea that the calories rev up your metabolism. The WW way, according to the BMR people is that it's just too few calories and your bod goes into starvation mode. Hope I'm not putting words in your mouth, S and L. Please correct me if I'm wrong!
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Formerly HanSolo. IBS, OCD, Bipolar, PTSD times 3.
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Thanks Alicia!
#226681 - 11/22/05 11:02 AM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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I appreciate your input. This is what I want to know -- the good AND the bad. I'm still researching it, so don't know for sure yet whether or not I'll join, but this is all good stuff for me to consider.
I'm printing out your post and I'll read it over a few more times.
Thanks again!
Bevvy
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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