Anyone else finding those last few hard to get rid of?

[MyKidsMummy]

Does anyone else have just a little bit of weight left to go and finding that it's almost impossible? I have about 5kg left (about 10lb) and I've been stuck for months. I've finally been able to get more exercise ~ I put Mr Busy on his bike so he rides while I walk for 1/2 hour...and he keeps me walking pretty fast ;).

I do struggle a bit keeping my points down because I'm trying to eat a little more dairy and since I can't have artificial sweetners it means things like yoghurt have to be the higher point brands. I don't know....it just seems like no matter how hard I try I seem to not exactly be failing, but certainly not succeeding. I see all these success stories of people who have gotten to their goal and I feel like I'm missing the boat.

I have a family function just before Christmas where a lot of our interstate rellies will be here and I want to feel fantastic....and look it too!

Any ideas, hints, tips....encouragement? If nothing else we can all cry together :sobbing:

[Julez]

Hi-
I certainly feel your pain. I've been a WW member for a few years now and even though I was able to meet my goal the first time around (and subsequently a couple of times when I've tried), I'm having a heck of a time this time around.

Like you I have a special event coming up, a vacation to Mexico with my husband in a couple of weeks. I started "buckling down" a month ago and I've only been able to take 1lb. of the 5lbs. I'm trying for. I just can't explain it! I've been averaging between 16-19pt.s a day and I know that on my lower point days I may not be eating enough to generate a weight loss. But instead of not loosing on those days, I'll actually be up the next day. ???? I'm totally stumped by what is going on.

I'm going to stick it out and try not to get discouraged although difficult at times. I figure if I give it my best and I still don't have the loss I'm hoping for by vacation, at least I gave it what I could and it just wasn't meant to be.

Hang in there and keep at it. I've decided that I'm going to try making different meals than what I have been, and also might revert to trying Smart One meals for dinner a few nights to see if that helps (since I know for certain what a serving yields in points). Also, great that you are starting exercise. I haven't done that myself yet, but I think that could make the difference.

We're in it together and we just need to keep the faith that we'll reach our goals with enough hard work!

[MyKidsMummy]

I so appreciate your encouragement Julez! It's nice to know there's someone else out there just like me!

[calgal]

Those last few definitely are the hardest, often because we're just so darn comfortable where we are (esp. if we've lost a lot already). I stopped short of making goal, and then had to come back after a year or so because I regained 8 of the 36 lbs I'd lost. Then I gradually lost those 8, plus the 2 I hadn't lost before I stopped following WW.

As for how to get there - 16 to 19 points a day is NOT going to take off those last few pounds. In fact, in the U.S., 16 to 19 points a day is NOT on-program. There is no weight range for which 16 to 19 points is enough food. The lowest target is 20 points, plus an average of 5 points a day for flexpoints. If you want to get to goal, you have to eat those points. (Also, if the points you are eating are high-sodium, you'll show an increase on the scale the next day or so.)

As for how to cut out artificial sweeteners and still stay OP, I'm pregnant now, and for the months of "trying" leading up to it (and now), I've steered clear of artificial sweeteners of any sort, and I also have to concentrate on getting enough dairy/calcium. Granted, I don't have to keep as firm an eye on how many points I have left for the day, but in general, all it's done is made me far more conscious of what I eat for snacks. Bye bye diet sodas, hello unsweetened selzer (or plain water). For things like yogurt, even the sugared versions of some (Stonyfield Farm fat-free, for example) have only 1 extra point compared to the artificially-sweetened. Also, plain non-fat yogurt can be "sweetened" and flavored with a tsp or tbsp of real-fruit jam (or better yet, real fruit). Other ways to get in calcium are to melt a slice of 2% cheese on a serving of broccoli (1 point total), add non-fat milk to your coffee/tea, if that's your thing, have oatmeal cooked in non-fat milk for breakfast (total of only 4 points and EXTREMELY filling), have a fat-free pudding cup (sweetened with sugar) for 2 points (and I think 1/2 calcium), etc.

It takes a little bit more planning, but it can be done.

[Julez]

Hi Calgal-

Thanks for your post! You are right, I'm definately not eating enough points and I'm finally a believer in that. Although, I did not adopt the the FlexPoints WW plan but rather follow the former Winning Points plan where between 18-23 points are my daily range. The 16 & 17 I was eating was merely my attempt to try and spur a weight loss after getting discouraged with not loosing after a couple of weeks. Sometimes I get so fixed on what I eat, it's hard for me to eat the additional.

But I do now suspect that a series of really low point days has actually delayed my weight loss not allowing my metabolism to trigger a healthy loss. I talked to my girlfriend at work today (a fellow WW'r) and told her my difficultly planning meals that allow me to eat all my points. She actually suggested that if I'm having a hard planning meals that have me eating my full 18, try drinking them. So tonight I took her advice and drank a 4 oz. glass of red wine with dinner. Not only was it filling, it gave me the extra 2 pts. I needed to bring my range up for the day.

I know FlexPoints works different whereas they would have me eating 20pt.s a day plus my weekly flex's. I'm just more comfortable using the plan I started on and know worked for me. Because I'm at the lower end of the weight scale for my height and weight, I think it's feasible for me to stay at the low end of my point range and still have a loss. I just don't think I should have anymore of those 15-16 pt. days where I'm clearly not eating enough.

Keeping my fingers crossed and hoping this works. If not, I'm just going to have to learn to be content where I am... After trying so many different avenues, if I still don't loose, I'm not meant too.

Thanks again for your advice! -Julez

[MyKidsMummy]

You guys must have a slightly tweaked program? Over here we're using "Time For Success" ~ for my weight range of 65-79kg (I'm aiming for 65) I should be eating 20 points. We can earn up to 14 bonus points per week that can be eaten ~ any more than that you just earn 'em, you can't eat them as well!

The trouble is that for each person the rules are going to work a little differently. For me, 20 points just maintains....18 does better to lose ~ theorectically at least! I had a lecturer when I first started who was fantastic. She was soooooo well informed about nutrition and health in general as well as the WW program. I do remember her saying that to get to those last few kg's that you have to do things that seem a bit picky.

She suggested things like exercising before eating in the morning, rather than after dinner at night. One person she had in her meetings had to eat more point free foods as snacks.

Calgal, I so understand about aritificial sweetners. I can eat a little now, but they can make me VERY VERY sick. The only no fat yoghurt on the market here without AS is 2.5 points ~ as opposed to 1 point for the AS version. I never drink fizzy stuff with it in. In any case I would prefer water over fizzy any day.

You know, when I was walking at 6.30am today (brrrrrrr....it was cooooolllddd!) I was thinking gee I wish I could breastfeed for a couple of months ~ I lost so easily when I was breastfeeding! I had more points available to me so I could eat pretty much anything I wanted to, in a healthy way and the weight dropped off. However, even with the $3k/baby payment as an incentive I'm not wanting to go back there!!!

[yals]

Hi guys,
I'm right there with you. Only have about 10 to lose, and its tough. I also tried the lower pt days, and found that I totally stalled my losses if I didn't eat enough. In terms of the artificial sweeteners - ever heard of Stevia.
Its a natural, sugar-free sweetener. It tastes a little different, and some don't like it, but I don't mind it at all. I was worried about my sweetener intake,so I tried it - you can find it at health food stores.
In terms of getting rid of those last few - if anyone has any pointers, pass them along!

[MyKidsMummy]

You know, to be honest, I just avoid sugar as much as possible. I still have to bake for the rest of the family so that I don't spend a fortune on "lunchables" for the kids, but I've moved those boxes to a spot in the pantry where I can't see them every time I open the door.

I snack on fruit, drink hot or cold water or an occasional cup of tea which I don't like sugar in anyway. I also try to have crackers instead of cakes or bikkies or whatever for snacks. I'm finding that by the time I fit in a tub of yoghurt, a cup of milk and my meals there really aren't many points left for sweet things anyway.

[ginakathryn]

Hello, I just wanted to share that I too have been having trouble w/ my last 8 to 10 pounds. But I tried something new and it worked for me. I lost 1 pound last week and 2 this week. It may work for you as well...

one week i ate exactly my points - 20. i made sure i counted all of the fraction points, 1/2 points, non-veggie 0 point items, and made sure i did not go over 20 points. no flex points. and i worked out 3 x's that week on my treadmill for 30 mins.

the next week i ate my 20 points plus about 15 of my flex points and worked out every day on the tread for 30 mins and did some crunches.

of course, both of these weeks i made SURE that i ate my 5 fruits and veggies, at least 2 dairy's, and drank 8 glasses of water a day.

The switch in the exercise and food must boost metabolism. this worked for me a few months back when i was on a serious plateau so i thought i would try it again. Just wanted to share in hopes it may work for you!

[MyKidsMummy]

Someone's going to have to explain the flex point thing to me, I think.

Over here, you get your daily points allowance. If you exercise you earn "bonus points". You can save points each day by eating a couple less and then you can exercise to earn extra points. The most extra points you can earn and eat is 14 though. If you earn more than that, then you just earn 'em and that's it.

Maybe it's the exercise I need to look at. I've gotten to the point where I eat very very little added sugar. This week, I think the only sweet thing I've had is a hot chocolate after dinner ~ but that was only 1/2 point worth! Generally I eat 17.5 - 19 points per day and have been exercising 4-5 days a week.

[Mar9999]

mykidsmummy--
Flex points is pretty similiar to your program. The difference being that they raised our daily food points, and encourage us to not go below them. There is no more banking points(letting the ones you don't use roll over). We have 15 additional points per week that we can use whenever and however we please. Those are our flex points. However, they do not roll over from week to week. We can still earn "activity" points by doing exercise.
In my opinion, they changed it to be this way so we would not feel guilty and give up if we had a bad day. It also makes planning for parties.etc much easier. In they end, it ends up being almost the same amount of points as the program you follow. I did winning points a few years back....which is what you do now....and I have been much more successful on the flex points program. 67 lbs more successful to be exact:)) But I think to each his own.
I hope this helps:)
~Martha

[MyKidsMummy]

Thanks for explaining that for me...the flex point thing was something I wasn't really understanding. Interesting that they haven't done that here. You'd think the program would be the same no matter where you live.

I went to my meeting this morning and in 4 weeks I've lost a whopping 700g (just over 1lb). I'm soooooo cranky. It's just not fair that I have worked so hard for such a tiny result. I spoke to my Mum tonight and she said she eats a lot of raw vegies during the day ~ vegie sticks or whatever and fruit. She has no snacks between meals and has almost gotten to her goal. That was my last thing I know to try ~ to use point free foods as snacks so I'll see what happens with it this week.

[Mar9999]

Mykidsmummy-- Only a pound! :bcbsalute:bcbsalute I think that is very good. Don't be upset over that. You only have a little bit of weight to lose, and a pound is very good. much better than a gain......which I have had a few of even when I was 100% OP. I would say to stick with what you are doing. Your body will catch up to you in the next few weeks to come.
~Martha

[sky]

Hello, Can anyone tell me what the next step is. I'm down to eating 18 points a day. I weighed 198 pounds when i started. Now i'm 143 pounds. I want to get down to 140 but i just cant seem to lose those few pounds to reach my goal.Help, the books dont tell you what to do after that.If i go lower than the 18 points i feel like im staving. Help:headover:

[MyKidsMummy]

Mar9999 ~ it took me 4 weeks to lose that 1lb!!!! That's why I'm cranky. I should be able to lose about that much every week! I certainly used to!

Sky, the two things that have always made a big difference to me is keeping my sugar points under control and making sure I don't eat any more than 14. And exercise ~ I need to keep that regular.

Someone on another board suggested that at 17-19 points per day maybe I'm not eating enough points. Our program is just slightly different to yours, cos we don't have the flex point thing here. But since I'm meant to be on 20, I'm going to try eating that many every day. I'm not eating any added sugar (ie. no cakes, bikkies, sweet things of any kind, besides fruit etc). And I'm walking at least 1/2 hour every day before I eat breaky. On Friday I go to aerobics, so I won't walk that day. If in a couple of days if the 20 point thing isn't working I'll go back to 18 a day. I know 2 years ago I found that 20 points maintained for me, rather than losing.

[calgal]

MyKidsMummy - if you eat fewer points that your bare minimum, you are not OP. Period. This is not a starvation diet or a contest to see who can eat the least. If you eat under your minimum for long enough, you will eventually stop losing on 18 points, then on 17 points, and so on. Your body will go into starvation mode. Do yourself a huge favor and suck up a few weeks of "maintaining" on 20 points/day until your body kick-starts itself into working again and starts to lose in that range.

[Bee25]

mykidsmummie - I agree with calgal, going under your minimum is not an option. Please re-read your materials to check whether you get your calcium, your veggies, your fruit and your good fats in.
I am in a range from 17-21, and I could eat 10ww 2pts bars, but would be in no way satiesfied.
The key is to find a way to eat a good balance of food. I work out so I have to eat pasta/rice/potatoes, meat and alot!!! of veggies to keep my system running and keep me satisfied.

You might want to join any journal thread and get suggestions from others regarding your daily menues.

:bcbsalute

[MyKidsMummy]

I just wanted to clarify the points thing. In Australia I think they do it a little different to you guys. We don't get a daily range. For my weight, it's 20 points, period ~ that's people from 64kg-79kg. We also don't have flex points. You can earn exercise points and you can save points eg. eat 18 points a day so that you have an extra 14 points at the end of the week for a special event. But the most extra points you can save to use is 14. And at the end of the week those points don't roll over. According to WW here, you should never go below 14 points ever ~ that's the starvation line, if you want to call it that.

I have worked it out before, the basic nutrition requirements comes to 14 points, and the rest is just the extra kj you need to function.

As I say, I'm willing to try anything that sounds reasonable....but I also wanted you guys to know I'm not being silly and doing dumb things either. It's just that our program's "rules" run a little different to yours.

[Bee25]

mykidsmummy - we have the *starvation line" of 14 points here, too. By that it is considered that you have alot of free veggies, fruits - don't know wheather you have the 2-point-potatoes - something like that.

Even though 14 is the lowest you can go - if you are on 20 points - you know better, that your personel minimum is 16! If I am right, please stay within your points range :bcbsalute