Well, it's about time I did something about the fat I am carrying around and quite frankly I am getting tired of being called "Big Guy" so...It's going to be weight watchers for me but....

Do I go to my local chapter and attend meetings with a bunch of hens and old roosters who crow about how much they lost (or gained) each week, or do I go the on-line route where I can maintain a small amount of dignity if the devil tempts me with an apple fritter.

I know, I know, it's the group dynamic thing that's suppose to motivate me so in my heart I know what I need to do but...I sure would like to hear from some of you about your successes or failures with WW, or for that matter Jenny Craig or other programs. And please don't bore me or insult me with supplements that claim to take off 20 pounds in 5 minutes.

Week 1...

I have just returned from my first WW meeting and am now into the transition phase (you know, rabit food as opposed to large hunks of flesh). Frankly I was pleasantly surprised that I did not have to get-up and say “my name is x and I am FAT”. The Flex points plan looks like the one for me and I have set a reasonable goal to achieve (5 pounds a month).

I do have a bit of an advantage in that my significant other is a vegan and I have read food labels most of my adult life so figuring out my daily points will be easy.

Until next week...

Week 2.

Well so far so good, I have lost a total of 11.2 pounds in two weeks (I am now in my third week and have lost a total of 15 pounds), and am very please at how easy it is to take the pounds off. Of course I miss the Apple fritters and 16oz steaks but not enough to care about my health and what all this weight is doing to me. My goal is to take 50 pounds off. More importantly is the need to change a lifetime of eating habits and of stuffing myself like a thanksgiving turkey at every meal.

I think it is important to point out that I am never hungry and my big challange is to ensure that when I do get hungry I eat something healthy like a tomato or some other zero point food. Finally I notice a big difference in my energy level (You try carrying around 15 pounds and see if it feels good when you put it down).

Until next time

I

Week 3

I have now lost 16.8 pounds (in three weeks) and am on a roll. While I feel somewhat strange when I attend the meetings as I am the only man there I really enjoy the interaction and support.

I have also found that I really need to do my daily 1/2 hour on the treadmill as it not only makes me feel good but it is fast becoming a habit. I actually felt guilty when I missed a couple of days because I was sick with some sort of bug.

The weight is actually coming off faster than I had thought and while my goal is to loose 50 pounds I am very pleased at my progress.

Week 7

I have now lost a total of 25 pounds and feel great! I am almost halfway there and while I don't want you to think that this is an endorsement for WeightWatchers, it is working well for me.

Stay tuned for more

Week ?

Well thanksgiving has come and gone here in the US and I am happy to report that while I did not loose any weight during this holiday, I didn't gain any either. I am now minus 27 pounds and still on track towards my goal weight. One thing I learned is that food management alone is not enough to loose weight and be healthly. I took a rather rugged hike (7.4 miles up and down hills) and dispite the fact that every day I walk on a treadmill for 40 min. If felt like every muscle in my body was complaining.

Not only is loosing weight very important to me from a health standpoint, but I also want to be fit as I am traveling to Argentina in Feb. 2008 to hike Patagonia for several weeks and want to be able to do it without a lot of pain and discomfort.

Until next time

Week 12

While I think that Weight Watchers is a fantastic program and I have lost 30 pounds so far, I am somewhat put off at the meetings as I am the only male among a gaggle of females and quite frankly am a little turned off by the "girl talk" most of the time.

I would really like to see more of a focus on things like weight - exercise physiology, core plan vs flex plan, value of exercise and types, healthly eating vs low points, the value of fruits vs veggies, low point foods such as progresso soups that contain more salt than an entire days average requirements, free foods, etc.

I find that I am either skipping the meetings or listening with half an ear when subjects like cravings during the monthly cycle, baking low point goodies and managing food stress during the holidays.

Finally I am not a happy camper when some well-intentioned do-gooder brings "low point" cookies they baked to a meeting. While I am tempted, this type of generosity is not welcomed. It is like blowing smoke into the face of a recent ex-smoker.

Week 13

I seem to have reached a leveling off point as I was unable to loose any weight this week. Do you think it was the parties I have been attending all week? Duh! I am not going to beat myself up however as this is a tough time of year to be loosing weight. My goal this (and next) week is to not gain any weight and then I will walk the line once again. I WILL LOOSE ANOTHER 5 - 10 POUNDS before I leave for Argentina on 2/19.

Wishing everyone a happy and healthly holiday

Week ???

I am now at the 35 pound level and feel great. I have suspended my WW membership for two months as I will not be around to use it until April. In review, I believe that this is a lifestyle change rather than a diet in that I will need to continue the good eating habits I have developed for the rest of my life. That does not mean I still don't think about Burger King Woppers or KFC on ocassion but it ends their.

We shall see how I do in Argentina?

Great job on losing weight. I've always been curious about WW and it's great to see some real life experiences (both good and bad.) If you're looking for some sound and solid info on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, check out some of these health and fitness articles - http://www.quickmedical.com/health_information/index.html. You won't find any fad diets or carb-only plans. Basically, it's about eating well and exercising. Enjoy the trip!

i did WW and loved it. it is really a lifestyle not a diet

I am now back from my 35 day South American trip and have been very lax in that I put on 10 pounds. I would like to say that most of it came from the 12 day Princess cruise but I did in fact eat a lot of beef and potatoes in both Chile and Argentina. Since I was a former beef eater big time, I wanted to experience the beef of Argentina and except for a couple of lomo steaks, I was rather disappointed in the texture, cut and flavor of the meat. As well the lamb was full of fat. I did however have some wonderful fish in Chile. One thing I did notice was that it is really hard to get fresh veggies in some places (mostly lettice, tomatos and onions) and black beans do not exist in Argentina. They do have some wonderful fruit however.

Now back on the WW program. I will be going to Spain for the month of September and my goal is to loose 15 pounds..

you can Lose much more weight in few Days when your mission is to squeeze into a new outfit in time for a reunion or wedding, or you finally decide you just want to lose weight by reffering some wonder pills like Generic Accomplia and Generic Xenical .