Morning all!
Just wondering if anyone has had any success losing weight with weight watchers? i tried it once before and all of the point counting and carb counting and insulin measuring was just too much! Now with all of the apps and technology that do all of those for me, I'm thinking of giving it another go. I'm desperate to get these pounds coming off.
I had a friend that was quite successful with it. He had a fully functioning pancreas, however, so I'm sure a lot easier to do not worrying about insulin dosing. The key learning he took away from it was portion size and was able to maintain his weight loss even after discontinuing the program by keeping his foods and portions similar.
One of the easier ways to drop weight fast without signing up for any diet programs or suffering under calorie-restricted denial is by cutting all the processed, fast acting carbs (breads, starches, cereals, commercial flavored yogurts, etc.) out of your meals for a while until your body reaches its natural equilibrium. You can then test to see what you can re-introduce without causing weight gain. Diet 101 by Jenny Ruhl is a great book on the subject and available on Amazon.com, not to mention there a wealth of recipes and resources online covering low-carb starting with Atkins to Paleo and everything in-between.
Jenny Ruhl is a type 2, has no clue about the management of insulin or type 1 diabetes. many type 1's eat fast acting carbs, fruits, breads, etc...and do fine.
Not only is weight watchers not appropriate for Type 1 Diabetics (though they SAY they have a diabetes program), but it is definitely counter indicated for those of us with eating disorders. Many of us with ED have tried multiple weight loss programs and gained and lost the same 20 (or 40 or 70) pounds over and over. For people with eating disorders it is not about weight loss or diets, and until we deal with the underlying issues we are bound to keep the vicious cycle going.
Yes, you're right Sarah. Many T1's do fine eating all sorts of things. However the question being asked is not about diet for BG control, but weight loss, and in that regard Jenny does provide some excellent information in her book supported by well researched sources. Carb-restriction is an effective way to lose weight quickly for non-diabetics and diabetics alike. It's not the only way, just one way that works well.
I have been in WW for at least 1/2 of my life. I lost some, I gained some. But once I was diagnosed with "D"; I found the only thing I could use it for was weighing in without having to do it myself, and the knowledge of tracking foods. It has way too many carbs, supports foods that aren't the most healthy in their meals....it didn't work for me. What did work, was getting a great dietician/nutritionist and learning to count carbs, learning what are good carbs and how to eat as a diabetic ---- which is basically a person without d, but keeping track of your own body and system. Don't put your money in WW; put it towards a good carb program. IMHO ---- 88 lbs gone, 30 left to go
I tried WW several years ago, and left the meeting in tears. There was absolutely no understanding of diabetes, and the point-counting was just too much to add when I'm already counting carbs. I felt like I was going to have to do advanced calculus before every meal.
I then joined Overeaters Anonymous...which is NOT a diet program, but rather a twelve-step program that helps us figure out exactly why we're overeating and how to live a better life in general. I lost 25 pounds and have kept it off for over eight years. Every once in a while I have a set-back, but they don't last long and as I've said, it's been years with a consistent weight loss.
Ruth
I've tried it recently (online only, mind you) and feel kind of "eh" about it. Like you the point counting on top of the carb and insulin counting just got to be too much. The online version still does this and I don't feel like it is...super user friendly to add points in, if that makes any sense? And in using the online version I didn't feel a big sense of community?
I had better luck with myfitnesspal, which is free and is based on calories.
For a diabetic, you want to look at Bernstein and Atkins, BUT, you also need to keep careful records of what you eat and test a lot. Your goal is not weight lose. Your goal is controlling your blood sugar fluctuations! Too frequent spikes are the danger. Too many carbs produce that. BUT we all have different carb tolerances...TestTestTest. Learn what works for you....."If you want to treat diabetes by the book, you need to write a new book for every diabetic.".. There are a gazillion tastey ways to wean off excess carbs now: from cheesecake to mashed potatoes to bread for sandwiches. But we all have different tolerances....Ask. Research. Be brave. Let us help you.....Judith in Portland
I am currently on Weight Watchers. I like it for the sheer fact that I am in a room of like-minded people who are getting their weight under control. It makes me feel more normal and I can connect with people who have issues with food. But I have lots of issues with actually losing weight. If I don't take insulin and eat anything I want, I lose like 5 pounds. If I take insulin and only eat vegetables and fruit, I gain 5 pounds. Since September, I have lost about 7 pounds, actually lost those 7 pounds. With the fluctuation with insulin and BGs, I am still down 7 pounds. It is slow, but I think it is a way to hold yourself accountable.
I going to a dietician/nutritionist in the next month. I am hoping that this will also shed some light on the food components that I am missing.
As I have said before, I had been on WW for most of my lifetime....join, rejoin, join, rejoin. However, that said, and just because I didn't reach goal is no reason not to try it for LOSING WEIGHT PURPOSES. However, I wouldn't advise it for diabetic control, if you are going to eat all that they say you should and can eat. Being a person with diabetes, controlling your sugars is the MOST important part of life, that means some type of counting. It also means, keeping track somehow of what you eat, how much you exercise, medications (insulin included if it applies) and your general state of health. It is overwhelming, but doesn't have to be a full time job so to speak.....it just has to be on your mind. WW is normal foods, you eat what your family eats, portion controlled, exercise and tracking. All of which are good for us, however, their foods and some of the things they suggest for you to eat are high in carbs (sugars) and not the best choices for us. As I've said before, too, the best thing I did for my diabetes, myself and my weight, was to find a good nutritionist and spend my money there...someone with a very good knowledge of diabetes is important; if you have a Certified Diabetic Educator in your area, that's even better, and if your doc will prescribe a visit to them or one, your insurance may cover it. I used to weight 252 at my diagnosis and now have lost over 100 lbs....and feel better than I ever have...and am considered a "controlled diabetic". If it's the company you need, most clinics, hospitals have a diabetic support group where you get the food and diabetic support in one....I asked my doc if her nurses would weigh me in twice a month ---- and then cheer if I lost....not only did they cheer, but celebrated when I got to a goal....so you are the only one who can decide what you really need, the company, the weight loss, the support, the food planning. and then go with it, and DO IT! I know you can!
I don't do good with programs. I tried Weight Watchers once and had no luck. I count calories using an app called Lose It. When I stick with it I do good and last year around this time of year I lost 20 pounds. I eat what I want and once I hit my calories for the day I am done eating. Granted I've gained almost all of the weight back due to pure laziness, no willpower & a really stressful year.I plan to start counting my calories again soon and I know if I stick with it I'll lose the weight. I don't believe in having to cut anything out of my diet to be able to lose weight except alcohol. I know lots of diet plans say you need to cut this or that but my opinion is if you eat less & move more you will lose weight.
Just a question Alisha, if you meet your calories for the day, let's say late afternoon, what do you do about dinner or keeping your bs at a level during that time. IF I don't eat a meal no matter what the size, or have a snack before bed, my numbers go into the dumpster and I am low despite how many carbs or calories I've taken in for the day. How do you deal with that part of it?
I do have to eat extra calories due to lows sometimes but I see where I am with my calorie count the app shows you how much you have left so I pace myself.If I eat more one day I try to eat less the next. It calculates the week as you go so that helps too. I just prefer going it on my own and being in control rather than following a specific diet. You can also scan foods so you can see all your specific fat, carbs,sodium,etc.. you've had during the day. If you use a fitbit or one of those trackers it can sync up to the app too. I don't have one my husband does and likes that option. I don't need anything nagging me about being lazy much less something I paid money for.
I totally agree with your ideas about the nagging. I tend to beat myself up about my weight on my own. But after hitting that 100 mark, I feel emotionally better about me than I have in a long time. I use a computer program for my carb counting...and that is a faster,better help than any book I've ever been given. After a lifetime on WW and other programs, can't say I mind the carb counting at all
I've been struggling with an extra 10 then 15 then 20 and now it's around 25. I know I am capable of losing it. I'm not one to say I just can't lose weight because if I'm not honest with myself it would probably give me the option to just give up. I don't beat myself up about my laziness or my weight gain I just try to get back on the treadmill and eat less and better when I decide I'm fed up with being where I am. If I could only keep the weight off I'd be golden that's the really hard part. I wish you luck ;)
Hi Alexa,
I lost about 25kg over 24 months.
I think the reason any diet or weight loss programme works is fairly straight forward, calorie control and an awareness of food groups. I don't believe you have to buy into a programme or a fad diet to lose weight, as if you adhere to some simple rules most people will see a reduction in weight.
I know everybody is different but this is what worked for me.
1) I started out with a view that this was to be an habitual lifestyle change and was not a diet. My goal was to completely change my relationship with food. I read alot and was particularly taken with the work of Gary Taubes.
2) I worked out my basal metabolic rate e.g.. I burnt approximately 2150 a day at rest. I then ensured that I ran a daily calorie deficit of 500 calories a day. I also removed simple carbs (bread, pasta, cereals, processed foods, grains etc) from my diet. I ate mostly lean meats, leafy greens, veg, fish. This was doubly effective as by reducing my carb intake my insulin requirements reduced which meant less hypos and less fat storing hormone causing havoc with my metabolism.
I also ensured my macros where spot on, plenty of protein and fats, carbs of the complex kind on lifting days etc.
3) I religiously kept a food diary and tracked ALL calories on myfitness pal (even down to teaspoons of milk). I learnt I was under estimating calorie intake by 20-30% a day before I started keeping a diary. I no longer need to keep a diary as I can pretty much eyeball all foods for carbs, calories, protein, fat content ha :)
4) I did morning cardio on an empty stomach for 45 minutes to an hour, I then did compound weight lifting in the evening, four sessions a week (squats, deadlifts, press etc) this again increased my insulin sensitively markedly. A lot of trial and error with hypos here.
I also had some good success with bodyweight exercise and HIIT training.
5) I kept a body chart and did key measurements monthly (waist, thighs, biceps, hips etc) every month, I also had body fat analysis done. Sounds a little obsessive and a tad narcissistic but it was a great motivator seeing my body fat drop from 25% down to 12% and loosing 10 inches off my waist measurement :)
I guess I moved alot more, ate less of the wrong things, more of the right things. Calorie counting, exercise and portion control where the most important aspects for me I think.
Another key point when I'd lost the weight I readjusted my daily calorie allowance, now I am 25kg lighter I only need approx 1800 calories at rest and I eat alot less then I did when I was heavier.
I also ensured I was getting plenty of sleep, drinking plenty of water and green tea.
I think if you remove simple carbs, processed foods, work on the calories in and calories out principle with whole foods, take regular exercise you will lose weight.
I was losing about 1lbs a week with this method,sometimes weight would drop off, then I'd stagnate but I did it slow and steady, didn't have any stretch marks, actually built some decent muscle instead of loosing it, which is not easy on a calorie deficit.
Best thing I've ever done with regards to my health and well being.
Good luck!
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Congratulations on your successful weight loss. I was taken by all the work you did for yourself in relationship to BMI, calorie analysis, etc. It worked for you and I think that is great! For me all that math and all that work wouldn't be on my plate. I know that I can have 125 carbs a day, more if it's a day I exercise at the pool, and less if it's a day I don't. This is strictly for weight loss not carb counting for diabetes control. Simple, easy....use fitday for my carb measurement. I doubt I will ever be able to "eyeball" any food as portion control and calories or carbs are concerned...the saying "my eyes are bigger than my stomach" works in reverse for me. My stomach says the more the merrier. But if you are into math and figuring out diets (such as what you eat, not programs) this is great. I figure as long as what you are doing is nutritionally sound, and healthy for you --- go for it.
I hear you :)
The tracking and number side of it has kind of fallen by the way side now, I tend to it alot of the same things alot of the time, for both diabetic control reasons and weight maintenance ha.
But what that tracking did was change my relationship with food and give me an understanding of what certain foods did to both my weight and my diabetes, so it was a valuable exercise.
There is a great app called "carbs and cals" which has images of most types of food in varying portions along with the associated nutritional values.
http://www.carbsandcals.com/products/carb-and-calorie-counter-app/
I did become a terrible bore on the subject and was obsessed with getting lean, probably much less fun to be around!Well I definitely was as all my friends told me so :)
Still think Pollan offer the best advice on food.
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/news/20090323/7-rules-for-eating
I lost 132 pounds on Weight Watchers before I was diagnosed with Diabetes last year. Once I started insulin, I regained about 22 pounds. I have lost about half of that to date. That said, the leader who I see has Diabetes herself, which is probably why she gives such helpful advice.
Weight Watchers staff don't have any formal training in diabetes, but some of the leaders have a diagnosis themselves. It's just worth dropping into a meeting and asking the leader if they have D or if any other leaders they know do.