Living The Lifestyle - Monday 3/13/23

crewahl

This is a thread for everyone. If you're new to GoaD, or to weight loss, your questions and comments are always welcome. If you're maintaining, or a long-term loser, your thoughts on the topic may be just what someone else needs to hear. If you're reading this, join in the discussion!

Each weekday, a new topic is offered up for discussion.

Monday - crewahl (Charlie)
Tuesday – Flintwinch (Tim)
Wednesday - misterhub (Greg)
Thursday -imastar2 (Derrick)
Friday - Wildcard

Today's Topic: Transition

For those who have transitioned away from WW, what was key to your success and what was the biggest challenge? For those using WW, what is the biggest reason you stay, and what might cause you to leave?

crewahl

I use WW for in-person meetings, for their (ever-evolving) food guidelines, and for the online community. I stay because of the combination; it works for me in a way other things haven’t. I need a framework, even if I refuse to follow the framework exactly as designed.

Not sure what would make me leave. I’m waiting for the other to drop about what’s happening to my local Studio, which is open but with a schedule I don’t yet know. I’m also waiting to hear what they’re planning to do with Lifetime status. (They gave us the “reward” of not having to weigh in for a year, but that preceded the closure of many studios.). So will I bite off my nose to spite my face?

Stay tuned.

88olds

So we moved from IL to FL. There was a meeting in Key West but it wasn’t the same. But I showed up 1X per month to weigh in to stay in the system. Then Hurricane Irma disrupted that. Somewhere along the line GOAD switched to MFP.

Then came an issue. I was gaining. Tracking was called for. Using MFP I calculated all my numbers in calories and started tracking calories. Only thing I missed about WW was the WPA. But tracking calories worked. Now instead of WW pts, my head is full of calorie counts. Pretty apparent that the real reason for WW points is not some vital formula but copyright protection.

cakeman21k

So I have already recieved a notice that our local studio is closing the end of the month, the next closet one is at least 20 minutes further away. We have not decided yet if we are willing to make that extra trek or not, probably will depend a lot on the meeting leader and the class schedule. I will have to wait and see.

steve0mania

I think the key for me when I left WW was to remember the lessons I learned. I had already given up tracking before I left WW, but to this day I still weigh/measure many foods, I still stick to a single portion, I do pay attention to what a portion is, I still avoid (to the extent possible) rich sauces and things that add lots of extra calories, etc. Thus, I think of WW as a training program that one can complete and continue to use its lessons (like a defensive driving class).

The biggest challenge is the loss of accountability (or maybe pride?) from the loss of FTF meetings. There was something about someone else weighing you and marking it in your little book. Likewise, there was also some value to showing the others who were not making progress that the program is do-able, but you just have to do it!

crewahl

steve0mania wrote: »

The biggest challenge is the loss of accountability (or maybe pride?) from the loss of FTF meetings. There was something about someone else weighing you and marking it in your little book.

I agree, Steve, that demonstrating not just to yourself but to others that you can do this is valuable. Similarly, the F2F meetings are a way to give back for the lessons I’ve been provided along the way.

Al_Howard

I agree with both. After reaching goal in 1979, we lost our FTF, and I couldn't find another I was comfortable with. So...195 up to my high of 335. Got "real" and used a disc I bought, for a few years, dropping to @265. Then upgraded my PC, and it wouldn't work. Went to back, and joined TOL's FTF WW meeting, and started losing again. With COVID, I struggled, and in the end, WW closed our studio, BUT a few of us tried a meeting in a town, about 14 mi south of us. Still going there, when I can. This gang of various maladies has kept me away WAY too long.
FTF is really a BIG part of my weight loss success.

88olds

What’s FTF?

Al_Howard

Face To Face live meetings.

misterhub

My biggest issue, whether with WW or without WW, is discipline. A framework helps. Tracking food helps, and there are so many ways to accomplish both.

imastar2

I was an online member of WW from the get go in 2009. However along the way around the time Opra got involved with WW and they made some changes with their point structure. I thought WW moved to far toward a keto diet structure. I decided to move on to MFP full time. I tracked both for awhile till it seemed way too time consuming. I then stayed with MFP entirely.

Since I had already transitioned away I'll skip the last part of the question. I did like a lot of thing about WW but at the time they WW a little pricey for me.

Cutting back on types of food and volume was .y success but to the opposite it was my downfall.