Weight Watchers?

[NyAngela]

Hi
I was wondering which plan is better for people with Ic and are always hungry,lol Points or the core i think its called? and also which books to buy that explains the way the diet works and recipe books? man oh man I am gaining and gaining from my pills. I am always hungry. I am on that pill which makes u lose hair sry 4got what its called I take it 3 times a day. I have never been so hungry. Please someone help me... Thank you
Angela

[ICNDonna]

When I was on weight watchers they hadn't come up with the core system so I was on points. It's not a difficult diet to follow and you can stay within an IC diet.

I don't do weight watchers any more; I'm now on a diabetes diet, which is also controlling my weight.

Donna

[NyAngela]

thanx. do i have to go to the meetings or can i buy a book????????

[ICNDonna]

I went to the meetings.

Donna

[girl]

I am currently doing Weight Watchers. I think if you are constantly hungry, and don't have any restrictions other than the IC diet, the core plan is going to be your best bet. It doesn't restrict the amounts of food you eat, as long as they are core foods. Basic whole, unprocessed foods with low calorie count such as certain veggies, etc. (not all vegetables are core). Most of the core foods are IC friendly, I believe ( I do not follow core plan).

The points system is good if you like more variety in your food or if you are like me and have to follow many other food restrictions in your diet for health reasons.

I go to meetings; I need the accountability. I have heard many people say, however, that the online program does very well for them.

Good luck!

[crazy_beautiful]

I have tried everything to lose weight and nothing has worked :( I hope you can find something that works ;) please share it you do.

[NyAngela]

Is it alot of money to go to the meetings? do they give u recipes?? or do u buy something from them??? I need to start losing weight!! thanx all

[girl]

In my area (it varies according to where you live) it is twelve dollars a week, or you can buy a twelve week plan which averages out then to about 9.50 a week. Everything you have to have is included with that fee. They do have some neat extras, but you don't need them or have to buy them. There is a one time sign up fee, but if you ask, they are often running a special where you get that free.

[girl]

Oh, and yes, they give you lots of recipes, and ideas for adapting old recipes. I can't use any of them because my diet is so restricted, but they do give you some good ideas.

[yvette]

I did weight watchers and gained 13 pounds! :dizzy: I couldn't really get into the whole converting pounds into points and because of my IBS-D, I couldn't do the Core program. I had to pay $186 up front, but I got a receipt and a form from my insurance co. and it ended up only costing me $36 for 17 weeks. Blue Cross paid for $150 of it. :)

Kadi told me about Spark People, and I've liked that a lot more...the food diary portion of the site I really like....it shows where my calories are going and shows where I need more or less of (like protien/fat/carbs). And Spark people is free and you still get support from others (if you want it) and has other features like recipe ideas, exercise demos and ideas and will even plan menus for you....it jsut takes some time to play around with it and see all what the website has to offer.

[NyAngela]

wow Thanks all. I wish i had insurance but i don't I never heard of insurance paying 4 a diet.. Lucky!! lol I will call them sometimes this week and see how much to join.

[yvette]

A lot of insurance companies have wellness programs. BCBS will also reimburse a portion of your gym membership. Tufts also has similar benefits for their members.

[born2swim]

I tried WW 2-3 times in the past and I never did well with it. I actually followed their points system. It was very easy to use and I was within the point range. I lost 17 pounds (of 200 that needed to come off) and then stopped. I did the program for 7 months without losing anymore weight. It was so frustrating to follow the points to a T (even lowering them at one point), exercising (walking), and not seeing the results.

I think you might do better talking with a dietitian that knows about food restrictions, especially IC. You can talk about the IC diet and maybe any other concerns you have. The cookbook they sell on ICN is good. I think that counting calories, getting tons of fiber and veggies, and plenty of protein is the best way to do it. The points didn't work for me. Counting calories/protein is more efficient for me. I lost 145 pounds (after I got my Lap-band and hunger control). I had complications and haven't had a "working band" in 18 months. I gained all the weight back with all the IC crap and meds. :cussing:

[NyAngela]

I would love to do the band but i don't think i weigh enough,lol i use 2 tho believe me i was over 226 lb at one time.... I wish i could find a dietaction where i live that knows about ic!!

[born2swim]

Yeah, weight loss surgery is the ultimate last resort, so if you are a "lightweight" and can lose weight without surgery, that is wonderful! I was 350 pounds and gaining. I have had a major weight and hunger problem my entire life. They just found out that I get reactive hypoglycemia and insulin resistance and that is (they think) the major source of my hunger. With the band and this knowledge, I should be able to get this weight off for good!

I know plenty of people that have been successful with the WW points system and with IC, that might be an ok plan. I don't know much about the core plan. If you could find a dietitian, even just for one visit, you might get some ideas of what you should be eating and when. I did dietetics as an undergrad and ironically enough, one of my favorite professors knows all about IC and has heard of the IC diet (she doesn't think it is healthy if you follow it to the T).

Ok, I'm babbling now. Good luck with WW but if you could meet with a dietitian at least once, you might be better off! I found that WW meetings were "motivational" and not helpful in meal planning. They also rely heavily on artificial sweeteners and tomato products (as they are low-cal ways to give food flavor). Things might have changed since I last went (5 years ago)...

[NyAngela]

lol, I am no light weight believe me!! I lost weight be4 I found out i have IC so it was much easier for me.. I am so confused about losing weight!

[girl]

No, things haven't changed all that much! I am following the points exactly and in 8 weeks have only lost 4 pounds. They rely a lot, lot, on tomato bases and on raw vegetables (which I can't have either)and it is extremely frustrating! I did the program back when I was in remission and could eat what I wanted and easily lost the 30 pounds I needed to lose. Now I'm just spinning my wheels.

But the OP originally only asked about how the program worked, so that's what I answered.

However, I saw a dietician and she told me just to forget about losing weight, it was going to be too hard with all of my restrictions! At least four pounds is four pounds!

[born2swim]

lol, I am no light weight believe me!! I lost weight be4 I found out i have IC so it was much easier for me.. I am so confused about losing weight!

Compared to me, you are a lightweight! haha! I have always had a weight problem, but this IC makes losing weight so difficult (due to limited exercise and the screwy diet). I wish you the best of luck losing weight! If you find success, post what you are doing! Us "curvy" women need some pointers!

[NyAngela]

I lost my weight the first time doing a low carb diet and U can eat any protein u wanted.. i lost 96 lb in 1yr.. and sadly i am thinking i need to go back. That diet is odd but i guess if it works i should do it. On this diet u can only eat carbs with veggies... Most diets i have noticed do a lot of tomato sauce recipes it sucks. but i guess u do what u gotta do to lose weight u just skip those recipes,lol

[sugar]

I started WW just over two weeks ago and find that the points plan is really working well for me. At my weigh in yesterday, I have lost 5.4 lbs! The meetings work best for me. I find them very encouraging and supportive. And there are others in mine who also have health issues that have contributed to their gain. I'm really really pleased so far. The points plan allows you to pick and chose what you want...so I just skip anything tomatoey, citrus, flare foods. I'm not much of a cook, and they have lots of Smart Ones dinners that I can tolerate without any problem.
Annette