Okay, Trying Again!!!

[Janet]

I've been trying to follow the WW point system and thought I was doing pretty good. I've been told that I should never feel hungry, but I do...sometimes. I don't care for a lot of foods so I do understand it will be difficult, but so far it pretty much sucks.

I've been trying for a week now...I've lost one lousy lb. Here is a sample of my menus:

Breakfast
One cup Honey Bunches of Oats w/Almonds and 1/4 cup whole milk -- 4 points (?)
1/4 cup Florida Natural Orange juice -- 1 point (?)

I've tried the skim milk, but it tastes like chalky water to me. Plus I don't think 1/4 cup will hurt will it? I know oatmeal would be better, but after a few bites, I have to force myself to eat the rest and try not to gag...just not one of my favorite things to eat...but at least I try. I usually eat this at 6:30 AM and by 10 AM I'm hungry and shaking. So I'll eat a snack bar -- 3 points (?)

Lunch
Carl Buddig Turkey lunch meat on one piece of wheat bread -- 4 points (?)
Veggies - broccoli, cauliflower, few baby carrots - 0 points (?)

or I may have a Lean Cuisine meal and the points are usually 4 or 5 according to the box. AND the veggies also and maybe 1 piece of wheat bread to wipe up all the good stuff left...lol

Dinner (Supper)
Same thing as for lunch, but a different Lean Cuisine meal.

Throughout the day, I may have some Quaker Caramel Rice Cakes - 1 point. The most I've had during the day is 3..but I get so hungry. I also have one or two or three of the WW choc. cakes during the day....they are 1 point each. I think I'll have to quit buying them. It's very hard for me not to want to go grab one every time I feel a hunger pain.

What else can I do? Usually my points add up to 28 or a point or two lower or higher.

Marilyn....Judy....you two are the WW pros it looks like. Please help me.

[katepoet]

Check for added high fructose corn syrup in any and all foods - it makes you feel hungry. It could be in the turkey, the cereal, Lean Cuisine and the rice cakes.

[Mandy]

I'm of no help here, not familiar with WW, but it sounds like you are doing great, 1 lb in one week is not bad. Maybe drinking water inbetween will help?


You can do it, you did so well before, i have faith in you!

[AngieDoogles]

I don't know very much about WW either, but my mom may be able to help. She did really great on that diet, and I'm sure you will too! Remember, you can snack on veggies and most of them are zero points so that's a good option if you get hungry. And like Mandy said, water will help too. Good luck!

[rivermom]

Janet - the fact that you are trying a healthier eating style again is worth so much. I am very proud of you!!

Changing the way one eats really is challenging. It's difficult to change the eating habits one has been used to all their life. Introducing new foods, giving up unhealthy ones, etc can be head spinning....Hang in there and just one day at a time.

Understanding that this isn't on the WW plan and just an idea..., what if you maybe pick one meal out of breakfast, lunch, or dinner that you make healthier. This way you possibly wont feel too deprived or overwhelmed. Once you get that one meal in the healthy range and feel satisfied move onto the second meal.

If you are eating something that is making you gag or you feel you have to force down, that isn't good you poor thing. Keep searching for foods within your point system which you find enjoyable to you. I would think this would keep you feeling more positive about your "new eating habits" and find ways to make a lifestyle change.

Good luck Janet -

[Janet]

Thanks Sheryl!! I thought I was doing really good, but I guess not. I've been told to "keep eating those veggies" by everyone, but gosh, I feel like I should be out in a pasture somewhere...I'm already sick of veggies...lol.

I've cut out all pop, didn't drink that much anyway, no white sugar, white flour, white anything. The stuff on the list Kate gave, I bet I only like less than half of it. Some times I feel like I should just try to get below 200 and then say to heck with the rest. I'm just so angry with myself for letting it get this far in the first place.

[Janet]

I'm just so darn picky, I'll put in red what I really like:

Glycemic Index -
Acceptable Foods
Meats
(Trimmed or Skinned)
Lean Beef
Lamb
Pork
Veal
Antelope
Rabbit
Goose
Alligator
Chicken
Turkey
Quail
Venison
Fish
Shellfish
Pheasant
Partridge
Elk
Dove
Duck

Vegetables
Artichokes
Asparagus
Beans some
Bell Peppers
Broccoli
Brussel Sprouts
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Celery
Cucumbers
Dill Pickles
Eggplant
Hearts of Palm
Lentils
Lettuce
Mirliton
Mushrooms
Okra
Onions
Peas
Radishes
Spinach
Squash
Sweet Potatoes
Turnip Greens
Watercress
Zucchini

Fruit
Apple
Apricot
Avocado
Berries
Cantaloupe
Cherries
Dates
Grapefruit
Grapes
Honeydew
Kiwi
Lemon
Lime
Mango
Orange
Peach
Pears
Plum
Pumpkin
Satsuma
Tangerine
Tomato

Dairy Products
Milk
Cheese
Egg
Yogurt
Cream
Butter

Grains and Cereals
Whole-Grain Products (without dextrose, maltose, honey, molasses, brown sugar, or corn syrup)
Whole-Grain Breads
Whole-Grain Pastas
Whole-Grain Brown Rice
Wheat Bran
Oat Bran
Natural Grains
Oatmeal (I guess it wouldn't be too bad if sweetened)
Miscellaneous
Nuts a few
Seeds
Spices
Garlic light
Chocolate (60% or Greater Cocoa)
Tabasco Sauce
Coffee (need a little sugar)
Tea (need a little sugar)
Sodas - Artificially Sweetened
Fruit Juices (100% Juice)
Olive oil, Canola Oil
Peanut Butter - without Added Sugar not sure if I've had any without added sugar...never checked.
Fruit Jelly - without Added Sugar

[gja1000]

Janet,
I use WW too - and I'm a very picky eater also. I have to search for things that satisfy me, that are within the WW point system. I know I eat lots of things that others might frown on, but it works for me.

I buy the Nature's Own Light bread. It is 80 calories and 4 grams of fiber for 2 slices, thus it is only one WW point. I like scrambled egg sandwiches - so 2 slices of bread, one egg and a bit of light mayo is only about 3.5 points. Thus, if I am hungry, then I will have 2 sandwiches for 7 points. That fills me up.

Experiment with the Lean Cuisine/Smart Ones/Lean Gormet/etc meals. I eat one everyday for lunch at work. I've found about 5-6 of them that I like and I rotate them.

Sometimes I have one for dinner too. I don't like vegetables much either - if I eat too many of them, then I feel deprived and I want to eat the house.

I have to have salty snacks, so I eat the Light potato chips (not the baked ones). I can have one serving for 1 point. So, sometimes I will have a ham sandwich, 2 slices of bread = 1 point, ham = 1 point, mustard = 0 point, and then an ounce of light potato chips. Again, sometimes, I have 2 sandwichs.

I pop the 100 calorie popcorn packs = 1 point. I spray with Pam and sprinkle with my favorite salty/spices (red pepper, etc) and bake on 275 for 20 mins. YUM!

I also eat Fat Free Saltine crackers. You can eat 7 of them for one point. So, I might have vegetable soup with 7 crackers.

You just have to experiment with foods that you like that fit in the WW point system. Yes, I do get hungry sometimes and I usually need a snack. I find somthing like the Reeses Snack Bars (I can only get them at Walgreens pharmacies - go figure) that is sweet/salty satisfies me better. They are 110 calories = 2 points, but worth it!!! Sometimes at work, I pop a 100 calorie bag of popcorn, and that works!

You can't just eat vegies/fruits, if they don't satisfy you. I know many people would not like my suggestions, at all - but they work for me! And you have to find what works for you!

It is so very hard!! Like I said on another thread, I've been trying to lose ten pounds all summer!!!

[judy]

Janet,

Not only are you doing great, but the foods you do like are healthy. You're only supposed to lose 1-2 lbs./week, so you're actually right on track. Remember 52 weeks (l year) = at least 52 pounds, usually much more.

I don't blame you about the milk. The fat free cheeses are okay though.

I cheated big-time a couple of days ago. I haven't gone shopping, and just didn't;t like the WW-legal food I had in the house, so I ordered a chicken cutlet parm dinner with spaghetti. But, I ate it for 3 days for dinner, so it was at least small portions. I often have spaghetti with 3 turkey meatballs. Carbs aren't my problem. It's fat I crave.

I didn't have lunch today, so I get to have my 4 point muffin tonight! I'm excited.

Sheryl has some very good advice. You have to find foods you like. It takes some time, and it's not really the goal that counts, it's how much you enjoy the process.
I eat some of the weirdest things, but I like them and they work for me. One of my favs is fat free Cool Whip (which isn't even food!) and fat-free chocolate syrup.
Yummy!

I can't find that slide thingie that tells you the points, but I did find some pamphlets which you can have.

[katepoet]

Hey Janet
Looks like you have some good food choices.

Remember, "picky eater" just means allergic eater most of the time. Down the road, consider getting p/n allergy testing.

I'm rooting for you, Janet!
Kate

[DianaB]

Janet, I read somewhere the other day that if you take a fiber supplement that it's suppose to help curb your hunger so I started taking one that's for weight management. So far I think that it has been helping with curbing my appetite. You might want to try something like that.

[Mandy]

A lot of Asian people drink a hot cup of water after waking up, i have done this for the past few months, it doesnt taste yummy lol - and if it makes you gag, add a drop of lemon juice, but it is said to work.

[Marilyn]

Janet, just caught your thread and I'm running late getting ready for work, so can't say much, but gja1000 is right on track with her suggestions. If you look around, there are quite a few low point snack foods that really help to curb your appetite. For me, the TV dinners that gja1000 mentioned are staples for lunch and dinner. For lunch, I'd add a Skinny Cow fat free ice cream sandwich (2 points) to satisfy my sweet craving, or one of the WW ice cream snacks. For dinner, I'd add my favorite steamed 0 point vegetables and an ice cream snack. I'll try to review this thread again & look over my WW stuff with your food list and make some suggestions this evening.

I could only have 16 points per day, so had to get creative to not feel like I was starving. Hubby actually had trouble eating all his points.

Oh, also, it's really important to drink lots of water. At least six to eight glasses a day.

[Janet]

You ladies are great!! Thanks Kate, but I have no allergies, except sinus when the pollen is extremely high. I just don't care for certain foods.

I do love the Lean Cuisines, Smart Ones and a couple of others. I eat them for lunch almost every day and sometimes supper. The days I don't eat them I have a turkey sandwich. I'm still eating the veggies, I'm just tired of them. I will steam them and add a spray of dressing, just to have a bit of different taste.

My problem is I love sweets, especially chocolate!!! And now you've gone and mentioned ice cream and I love that too. It is very hard to do this. I could just kick myself for letting it get so out of hand in the first place. Sometimes in the tub or just plain sitting on the couch...I just feel so huge....because I am...it's so depressing.

Looking forward to your post Marilyn. I'm taking all the suggestions from all my friends here and putting together what will work for me. I really appreciate all your help everyone.

[katepoet]

Check out the healthy chocolates that are low sugar, dark chocolate. For your health, you can have one ounce a day. Try Paul Newman's - my husband likes those best.