Hi Lindyloo here again. I have re-commenced with WeightWatchers (2nd time this year). I keep trying with their way of eating but do not manage to lose weight as I think it is too restrictive and in fact have put on weight. Has anybody else have the same problems with WeightWatchers and, if so, do you find it much easier to calorie count. I rarely eat meat, can't stand fish (except for fish fingers) and rather would eat Weetbix instead of a main meal. I also like cheese, eggs and nuts. Help!!!
Sorry it didn't pan out for you and I'm afraid I can't help you with experience of WW but maybe you should be having a rethink after your description of your first attempt.
I'm sure I'm biased and I know you're going to have your reasons for choosing WW but to me it seems odd to pay money to a company who's main interest will be in taking as much money from you as they can, against a forum populated by people in the same boat as you who have a vested interest in making sure that the advice you get and the support you receive is going to be the same as what they'd wish for themselves.
Calorie counting is definitely an option and probably the other main way of life being followed here is lchf. Neither would be classed as restrictive.
If you look in the Daily Diary, you'll probably find that the menus are probably split about half and half. I've just read your last sentence and maybe lchf would suit you.
Good luck!
I think I will stick to this. People are so helpful. Trouble is I've paid for 3 months - they don't take into account life membership now when you sign on!!! Anyway thanks for your advice.
In my experience, WW can work if you are metabolically healthy and are overweight because you have been eating too much and not exercising enough.
But, if the cause of the weight gain is a combination of low metabolism (hypothyroidism) and insulin resistance, as in my case, WW may not work as well.
Insulin resistance will put the body in fat storage mode, and restricting calories can slow down metabolism further.
I am working on correcting insulin resistance, currently using drug Victoza, but planning to add supplements such as cinnamon, berberine, and gymnema sylvestre for long-term maintenance once I see some results and manage to lose some of the weight. When I was put on Victoza, I weighed 95 kg (I'm 173 cm) and after four weeks I'm down to almost 90. I needed quick results at first to stay motivated, but realise it's a lifelong struggle. Hopefully, though, I'll be able to control my insulin resistance with supplements and won't need to stay on prescription drugs indefinitely.
Fasting insulin levels should ideally be <5uU/mL (mine came back at 18 so almost four times as high). That along with slightly out of range fasting glucose levels (110 mg/dL (ref 70-105) means that my body is storing fat instead of burning it, and cutting calories is not helpful at the moment. Nor is intensive exercise BTW.
I am not saying you have the same problems, only that it could be worth having your insulin and blood glucose levels checked if you haven't already. I have read that it's impossible to lose weight with insulin resistance and I agree. I am on thyroid hormone replacement but my weight won't budge as long as my insulin levels are high.
Sounds like things are hard for you to lose weight. I wish you lots of luck.
I'd say if it hasn't worked for you in the past, don't bother with it again.
As the saying goes, 'If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you always got'.
I assume you want to lose weight and keep it lost. Members arrive here saying they have lost weight with a commercial weight loss plan and then regained and see that as success: in my eyes, success is finding a way of eating that you will enjoy for life and that will keep you healthy and happy. I'm sure someone will have shared this with you in the past but it's worth another read healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...
I recently came across this which I'm sharing around: you may find it useful psychologytoday.com/us/blog...
Have a look at this and see if it's something you'd enjoy dietdoctor.com/low-carb Explore the site: it has some great recipes.
Finally: you've dropped in here from time to time but never really got engaged with everything that's going on (I even see that you posted about WW 3 months ago). That was the turning point for me, joining a weigh in, using the Daily Diary, dropping in here regularly, reading and replying to posts, getting to know people and encouraging them in their journey.
I suggest you rejoin the Friday weigh in team tomorrow and post your meal plans on the Daily Diary for regular, constructive feedback - and decide what you're going to do with the WW subs that you save.
Just to add that I agree totally with Bridgegirl lindyloom and if you like cheese eggs and nuts then you’re half way to a lower carb way of eating already 😊👍
Hi BridgeGirl read the blurb you sent me for which I thank you very much. The bit that hit home with me is that "Most long term chronic "dieters" will no doubt have memories of how much easier it was to lose weight when they were younger and less metabolically damaged (although they may not have known this at the time) compared to now where they struggle although following similar restrictive regimes as they did back then. Some will always argue it's because you are not as active and in some cases this may play a part but, for lots of us, it's because the cards are heavily stacked against us when it comes to our metabolism and the damage we've incurred." I am going to take your advice and weigh in today and look at the daily diary. Hope I can help other people in their battle with weight loss too. Thanks. Lindyloom
Your support will always be welcome 
Wondering how tall/old/active you are? I am a past WW and SW user, but neither worked for me as it taught me nothing about portion control. I am a very short (4ft 8"), very sedentary (physically disabled) woman of 57. I just can't eat the same as someone who's 5ft 7" and able to move more.
I love what I am doing now as I can choose what I eat and have learned to make choices that enable me to eat healthily, eat a good balance of nutrients and - I never feel as though I am missing out.
Whats more, I am keeping the weight off this time (after a lifetime of trying to!)
Hi thanks for your reply. I see that WW was no good for you. It must be very hard for you as you are physically disabled. I am glad that you are keeping the weight off so obviously this program is helping you. Keep doing what you do. Thanks Lindyloom.
It's been over seven and a half years lindyloom - not all plain sailing, there have been ups and downs, but I have never, ever got back anywhere close to the 14 stone I started from! As a 4ft 8" woman, I just can't afford to be carrying that additional weight.
Hi, I lost 5 stone with WW twice, but both times I put it all back on, it wasn't sustainable for me! I'm now doing lchf and if you like cheese, eggs and nuts, you'll love it! x
Yes, that's it, you had to do it twice - well, three times as it still didn't stay off.
And I think it's weird when people say, "It works" when they've lost and then re-gained
Before coming here, I would have said it does work, I thought it was my fault for being greedy or not having the willpower to keep it up, but now I can see, I couldn't live like that forever.
When I first came here I thought it sounded a bit "corney" when people were saying it's not a diet, it's a lifestyle change , but it's so right, it is ! x
I think that's the same for many of us, we blame ourselves for lack of willpower - that was me, too, though not in relation to WW. Now we know better
Thank heavens we do because I feel quite annoyed at all the years I've spent being hungry and doing without, I could cry ! x
and the biggest change Lytham has to take place in our heads - understanding that this new way of live doesn't mean missing out or a lifetime of salads!
Seeing some of the recipes that people post I think at least I don't have to have salads all the time. Now it is spring in Australia but when summer comes it will probably be too hot to eat at all!!!!
And I'm still losing weight! Albeit slowly! x
Think you're right. 3 times is enough!!!
5 stone was a lot of weight to lose but obviously WW was not a regime that was any good for you as you put it on again. My daughter in London is doing the Keto diet which is a lchf and she has lost a lot of weight. So I will try that. Thanks. Lindyloom
Hi, lindyloom and Hidden .
Many of us here find that what works is a combination of The Low Carbohydrate, High-Fat (LCHF) diet (see the forum here on Health Unlocked) and Not Snacking All Day AKA Intermittent Fasting (IF). See:
healthunlocked.com/fasting-...
My husband and I have tried intermittent fasting and it does work. But hard to keep up.
Yes, not sustainable forever lindyloom but a good way to enjoy an initial weight loss which can give you the incentive to carry on. For me, 5:2 fasting (which I used for about 2 years on my "journey") helped me to understand what "real" hunger was and really helped to break the control that food seemed to have on me
I expect you are right as I find that food does tend to control you.
For me, it came naturally once I changed what I was eating and significantly reduced carbs. It's not something I set out to do as a goal. As I increased healthy fats, I no longer felt hungry in the morning. I usually have two coffees with cream and that sees me through till 1, but it wouldn't have done when I was having cereal for breakfast and something on toast, or sandwiches, at lunchtime.
If you try and force it, you may well end up feeling hungry and that it's a battle. Once you get the food balance right, there's no battle
I find sometimes if you have cereal and then lunch you feel more hungry in the evenings. Probably be good to have yoghourt and a banana as that's quite nice.
Full fat yoghurt's the way to go, maybe some nuts and seeds. Berries are a lower carb option, if that's what you go for. I always have some in the freezer
I prefer full fat and also butter on my bread. I love nuts and we have some berries, like you, in the freezer. I'll get some out tonight so that they de-frost - don't like crunchy berries!!! Thanks a lot Bridge Girl.
You're welcome
Hello, lindyloom, have these replies been helpful? What course do you think you'll take?
I hope we'll see you on the Daily Diary this week
The advice was very helpful and I thank everyone for their suggestions. I will put in my weight today (which is not good) this week. Do you think it best to weigh just once a week as I find if I see the scales go up at all (probably water retention) it makes me fed up.
It's a very individual decision. Some people find it offputting to see those daily blips that we all have,and it sets them back. Some people find it reminds them that there are inevitable blips and it reassures them this is normal and keeps them on track. Do which works best for you.
I see you said your daughter follows a keto diet. Many members have used that for a couple of weeks and then moved to a low carb high fat approach for the long term. I find it very satisfying, though I'd find keto too restrictive except in short bursts. It fits very well with that piece you quoted above.
Have a browse of the Daily Diary, even if you're not ready to join in yet, and you'll see what foods choices people are making
Thanks BridgeGirl I will look at the Daily Diary and I think I will weigh once a week. I think my daughter does too. My daughter does the keto diet all week whilst she is working and then has a few treats at the weekend but she still lost weight. Thanks. Lindyloom
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