Weight Watchers Has A New Plan

Weight Watchers has a new plan out for menopausal women.

This plan is separate from the other plans.  In other words, where right now you can switch between the regular points and the diabetic plan (whether diabetic or not) and even the GLP-1 plan (whether on the drugs or not); you don't have the option to flip to this plan.  You would have to give up your current plan and switch to the menopausal one.  This is causing a lot of problems for those on free lifetime status and even lifetimers not at goal paying $14.95/month - you'll lose that if you switch.

I don't know all the ends and outs but check on YouTube with Dish With Dee, she's so much better at getting the information out, 😁.  

14 Years Ago Today.....

 14 Years Ago Today - I Made Lifetime Status With Weight Watchers.

I remember being so proud of all my charms that led up to that.

That was quite a while ago.  I only remember this date because it popped up on my FB memories.  That weight loss is long gone - it came back.

Weight loss is hard, maintaining is harder.  I've had many other keychains and charms through WW, but none were even close to the success I had back then.

Back to Weight Watchers I Go.....

I'm back using the Weight Watchers app.  I love the Lose-It app; but..... I'm finding that I can fit unhealthy things into those calories, which has stalled my weight and worse - caused a gain.

My fault entirely....  WW will at least steer me closer to healthier choices.  They've updated the app a little and besides being able to also watch my calories, carbs, fiber and such; it now, when you pull an item up in the database, tells you why the item has the point value it does! For example, I had a Premier Protein Caramel protein drink - it told me that it is a Higher source of protein, Higher in calories and Higher in sodium - that makes it 3 pts. Good Job Weight Watchers!

Still have to do online only as no evening meetings within a 100 mile radius of me!

Anyway "officially" I'll do my weigh in tomorrow and start over....but I have been tracking today:

Breakfast:    Premier Protein, banana, Fage non-fat greek yogurt with 1 tbsp sugar free pudding mix, 1/2 tbsp PB2, 2 tbsp skim milk and 1/2 Fiber one brownie (yep, I mixed that all in the yogurt).  It was a little over 300 calories; but I packed in 50 gms of Protein!  5 pts.

For lunch I went lighter as I'm going to a movie later:

Lunch:    1 slice whole wheat bread with 1 slice lebanon bologna and 1/2 serving Cape Cod Reduced Fat potato chips; watermelon.  4 pts.

Dinner will be at the movies:

Breaded chicken bites with Korean BBQ sauce (they use bibibop gochujang sauce & boom boom sauce for this); I figured it out at 16 pts.

Then my popcorn - no butter, at 7 pts.

And even though I'll be over my points for the day; I'm still only at 1393 calories.

Oh - and I'm on my 5th serving of plain ole' water too!

Something I've Come To Realize

 This past week on Lose-It, I've discovered my main focus is on correct portions.  Guess what?  That's what the original Weight Watchers points plan was - portion control.  It seems odd they chose to move away from that.

I get it - not all calories and foods are created equal.  I understand what WW has tried to do with all the plan changes - steer you towards the healthy foods; well sort of - I don't consider fat free and sugar free foods healthy at all.

I'm a person that overeats.  So portion control is good for me.  I know what foods are healthy and what aren't.  Though WW claims you can do the plan and still eat all your favorite foods, you really can't - their zero food list and points don't allow it; but on that original plan, you could.

Anyway, my official weight loss since the start using Lose-It is:  3.2 lbs

YAY ME!!   

Also, my Shapa scale has me in the BLUE, which is the best you can get!

Now I do realize it was the first week (well actually 10 days) and I shouldn't expect a loss like that every week, but I'm off to a good start and am so very happy for it!

Still Moving Forward

 Today I have off work due to the holiday!  So I'm just relaxing at the house (hubby is dog sitting).

Since I am home, I opted to change things around and have this for breakfast:

It was a very filling breakfast ( 2 eggs, 2 slice Oscar Mayer fully cooked bacon; 3 cherry tomatoes, 4 strawberry slices and 2 slices of light Italian bread)!  4 pts on Weight Watchers; 312 calories on Lose It!

You're going to stop seeing point values on here soon...I'm really enjoying the Lose It app and getting away from points.

Right now, I'm only looking at calories - not anything else.  As I need to switch things up on my weight loss journey; I'll look at other things.

I'm thinking a protein smoothie for lunch and I have a beef roast with carrots and potatoes in the slow cooker for dinner.  I'm still under in calories, but that leaves room for some healthy snacks.

Lose It says I will reach my goal weight by October 1st.  The goal I set isn't where I want to be; but I can be satisfied there while moving towards the next goal.  I will not be going to where Weight Watchers wants me.  I could never maintain that, but did have an area I could maintain.  I realize Weight Watchers needed to set areas for Lifetimers to achieve; it was just never doable in the long term for me.

But any weight loss is putting me in the right direction.

Tomorrow I'm thinking baked oatmeal again for breakfast, leftovers from dinner for lunch and dinner is undecided.  It may be another pork chop with corn on cob or hubby and I may go out.  

Shapa has me in the green, so I'm pushing towards teal or even better blue!

This & That

So the carnival last night didn't go quite as planned..... I had a hamburger, fries and popcorn!  I did have the points for it, but it wasn't the best choice.  We didn't really stay long; the band was great...but there was a group of people standing (blocking some people's view - not ours fortunately) that were acting out the songs.  Not just dancing, but acting out the songs.  It was extremely annoying and I'm pretty sure they were friends of the band.

 I have baked oatmeal in the oven right now to have at work later for breakfast.  I'm still deciding on lunch.

I definitely know when my WW membership runs out in September; that I won't be renewing.  There really isn't a point (for lack of a better word) since I don't have access to meetings anymore.  A co-worker is seeing a nutritionist and they have her using the Lose-It app.

I've used Lose-It many times over the years; it's my favorite of the calorie counting apps.  There is a free version.  I normally sign up for that and at some point they'll offer me their premium version at a discount - the last time it was $9.99 for the year.  The app was still on my phone and when I opened it, I found that my premium membership was still good for a few more months (and as long as I didn't cancel, it would continue yearly at $9.99); last night when I opened the app a pop-up was offering me premium for a lifetime at 74% off.  So I got that at $50 for lifetime.  I'm not sure what the actual prices are for it - but always hold out and see what offer they are willing to give you!

So I'm going to give Lose-It a whirl - maybe not right away; but that's what I'm going to migrate too.

A Quick One

 Today's breakfast will be baked blueberry oatmeal again; this time with a banana.  Lunch yesterday, though good, didn't keep me full and I finished off the chips when I got home.  I've opted for rotisserie chicken with mashed potatoes for lunch today.  We're suppose to be going to the carnival tonight (weather pending) to hear a band.  If we get there, I'll have a grilled chicken sandwich (no bread) and some chicken corn soup. If not, I'll do something with the rotisserie chicken!

I'll also take something for a snack, to avoid those hunger signals if lunch isn't enough!

I hate trying to lose weight as the focus is always on food.

Rotisserie Chicken

 May seem like a weird topic, but rotisserie chicken became a huge discussion on one of the FB groups.

A person posted they had called Weight Watchers wondering how to count skinned rotisserie chicken they were going to buy at Costco.  The answer?  Throw that away, Weight Watchers doesn't want you eating that - make your own. (not exact words, but very close)

I really find it hard to believe that a WW rep responded that way; and even with the wrong information!

However.....you couldn't tell this person that because "I'm paying for WW and they are the experts and this is what I was told by an expert."

Yeah, you read that right.  I was able to go right to the WW website and find a snippet about rotiesserie chicken.  With the exception of the wing, any part of the chicken, as long as you remove the skin, is zero points.  Now I realize the person was asking about skinned chicken, which would have points; but the person didn't want to hear about it in any way.  We were all doing it wrong; and she was trying to pass on the expert information.

All she had to do was call again, ask the same question and she'd find out she'd get an entirely different answer.  So they really aren't trained well, nor are they experts.

The snippet from the website didn't matter, others called or chatted online and got different information - but that didn't matter.  Only her so called expert was correct.

After awhile I was thinking we were dealing with a spammer; mostly because she started with Costco, then Sam's, then chicken breasts that weren't even rotisserie.  The influencer had to shut the conversation down.

For one; I buy a rotisserie chicken weekly and eat off of it all week.  Sometimes with rice or make soup or make pot pie or just pull it off and eat it as a snack.  Rotisserie chicken from the store is not the reason I'm fat - potato chips are!

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Meal Prep - I can't do a whole week of meal prep; but yesterday, I did prepare for today!

Breakfast was baked oatmeal.  I use a very basic recipe for this and it makes one serving:  1/3 cup oatmeal, 1/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk, 1 egg, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1 pack sweetener and 1 tsp baking powder.  I then throw in any fruit I want, in this case it was blueberries.  Bake for 30 minutes at 375 degrees.  I'll eat this with a side of strawberries all for 0 pts.

For lunch I chose a throw together:

This one comes to 7 pts. due to the crackers, babybel cheese and green olives; but that's okay! It will still be yummy!

I'll probably have the same thing for breakfast and lunch on Tuesday with the exception of the shrimp - I'll replace that with that rotiesserie chicken that caused so much conversation, lol!

Dinner this evening will be steak and corn on the cob.  Tuesday probably pork chop and corn on the cob!

And I want to get my walks started again and some other type of exercise!

Some Weight Watchers Drama

By now I'm sure you've heard that Weight Watchers is filing bankruptcy.  I wouldn't panic just yet; bankruptcy doesn't always mean the business is closing down; it sometimes is a tool used to start reconstructing the business.  Depending, of course, what the creditors want.

There have been several businesses that have filed for bankruptcy protection lately; Joanne's Fabric being the most recent.  They've liquidated and closed their doors.  Big Lots was another that liquidated and closed their doors, HOWEVER, I've read recently that they plan on opening back up some stores.  Any of this could happen to Weight Watchers; but it will take time before any of this occurs.  So no need to panic yet.  

And remember, the Healthi app is still out there!

On The Right Track

 So Shapa today has me in the Teal - which is great!

Still not feeling the greatest, I get tired quickly without really doing anything active.  Just sitting at my desk at work exhausts me.

I'm looking forward to Kickstart starting again, but there's a few weeks for that yet. If you're interested you can sign-up or get more information here:  KICKSTART, it's FREE to join.  If you want, you may purchase their journal for it: Kickstart Journal, but you do not need to...any journal or a plain notebook will do; you may find that you do not need any type of journal or notebook.

I hate to keep talking about Kickstart; but I do find it to be a useful tool.  It gives me some structure; which I'm missing from no longer having any meetings; it just keeps me on track.

I think I'm going to start to do some movie reviews on the blog.  I see a lot of movies, at least one a week, so I have lots of opinions!!

Calories Finally!!

 This afternoon the calories finally appeared in my Weight Watchers app.  No update, it was just all of a sudden there!  So it is coming out; if you don't have it yet keep looking on the app down where the macros are listed (protein, carbs, etc) when you see the plus ( + ) sign, click it and you can add calories.  That area will let you add or delete what you want.  I kept calories and protein and deleted the others (they aren't deleted forever, you can always add them back).

So we'll see how it goes.  I'm resetting my start day to Fridays again.  I just always like having those weeklies for the weekend!

I am still using my Shapa scale and it has me maintaining in the green!

Quick Update

 I've been off track for about 2 weeks; have gained back my lost weight and the Shapa is still in the gray - I even had 2 days in dark gray which is the worst you can ever have!

Turning around and moving forward....

Using baby steps; instead of diving in all at once and failing again...I'm taking it a little at a time but making healthier choices along with it.  It's the only way for me to keep moving forwarded.

Let's Talk Restaurant Points

 I see a lot of people ask about how to calculate points for restaurants not in the WW database.

This is one of those things where people tend to make things more difficult then they are.

There are several ways to do this:

The most obvious (and most suggested) is to use the camera option on the WW app.  In case you didn't know, you can take a photo of your meal and the app will translate it to points. Now, let's be honest, this isn't perfect and if I were you, I'd double check what it lists to make sure it is what is on your plate!  I, for one, wouldn't trust this; however, it may be okay if you don't eat out too often.

The next would be to find similar options in other restaurants.  I use this method quite often. Say I have spaghetti at a local Italian restaurant; I'll use Olive Garden's point values for their spaghetti.

Another good option (especially if you can't find something similar) is to break down the meal by ingredients.  I often get a certain burrito at a local Mexican restaurant, but it's name does not show up in the database.  So I start putting it in ingredient by ingredient.

None of these are perfect, but it isn't necessary for it to be perfect - just honest.  Remember, restaurants are not using fat free or reduced fat items nor sugar free items.  So you have to take those points!

Continuing On.....

 I'm sure I'll have a weight gain when I get on the scale in the morning; my birthday threw me off course; but I'm ready to get back on track.

I'll start tracking with the WW app tomorrow rather than the Healthi app; it's the only change that I'm making to my commitments.  Not a big one but one none-the-less.  It's too hard to try to track on both apps.

I'm trying to come up with some dinner ideas other than the regular ones.  I'm thinking eggs or cereal for breakfast this week; sandwiches for lunch. Dinner is where I'm having issues.  I do like to have leftovers for lunch though.

Back To Weight Watchers

 So I rejoined Weight Watchers this morning.  My meeting membership expired last month and WW kept offering me the "special" of $12/month (no meetings).  Which was rather odd since they were offering $11/month (no meetings) online.  Today, online, they have $10/month (no meetings) for 10 months plus a code to get the first month free - so I signed up on that one.

I have no issues with Healthi at all.  I just really wish they'd update to the newer plans; even though I realize they can't.  It's just a me thing....you do you!

I will be continuing with Kickstart though.  I like Kickstart and it's been helpful keeping me alert on my commitments.  With Kickstart you may choose any weight loss plan you want.

A Helpful Tip and Then.....

 If you need some help navigating the WW app.  Dish With Dee has a nice tutorial up on YouTube:  Dish With Dee WW App Tutorial.  Knowing how to navigate is helpful.

Now the "then".

As you are aware I'm part of Jean Luc & Nick's KICKSTART support group (and just to mention again...it's FREE and begins January 13th...still time to sign up); anyway Jean Luc & Nick had just recently rejoined Weight Watchers.

In case you are unaware, Jean Luc & Nick use to be WW Ambassadors - they even appeared in a WW Commercial.  They were known as the WW Gays and were an inspiration to many people.  Then something happened.... they moved on passed WW and never really gave their story.

But, as I said they recently rejoined willing to let bygones be bygones and move forward.  Apparently, though... WW hasn't moved on.

You can follow their FB Page:  Jean Luc & Nick FB to get the whole story.  I'm not going into it here, as it is their story to tell.

My WW membership expires on the 25th.  I was just going to let it expire then rejoin under a new promotion for the app only. I've been very excited about this new plan.  But the fact of handing WW more money when they do members rather dirty....doesn't fit well with me.

I think I'll spend a week or 2 navigating the Healthi App again.  It doesn't have the new plan though; so I'm thinking of doing their Better Balance plan (the old Freestyle/Blue plan) and just quick add the additional zeros that WW has on their plan.  So in other words; Better Balance doesn't have oatmeal, potatoes, lean meats on their plan.  So when I eat those I'll just quick add them as zero.  How points are calculated is different, but I can't imagine it will be that big of a deal.  I'll just go to the WW site and print off that zero list!!

If that doesn't work for me; I'll relook at WW.

Some Helpful Tips

If you're mad that WW didn't provide calories as part of the macros; there is a way to get the total calories for the day at this site:  Macros to Calories Calculator   Basically you times your total protein by 4; your total carbs by 4 and your total fat by 9.  Add the totals together and you have your calories for the day!

If you're unfamiliar with the app; check out YouTube, there are many influencers showing how to use the app, how to find things on the app, etc...  Just make sure you're searching for the 2025 app.

I see a lot of members asking for a printable zero point list.  Go to the Weight Watchers website and log in. Choose the Program Guide, then choose to download as a PDF and print out pages 18 & 19 - it's a more extensive list.  Or print out the whole guide - some helpful hints in there.

Please remember that WW is not a low carb program.  I see way too many people asking why certain items (potatoes for example) are zero points due to carbs (I actually saw one ask why they are zero due to carbs and we were always told to avoid them!!???).  A plain potato (depending on size) was only 3-5 pts to begin with, and I don't know about you but I usually only eat one; it's not something I overeat.  French fries? Yeah, but I know they aren't healthy and that a baked potato is a healthier choice!  And for the record - WW has never said to avoid potatoes -NEVER EVER.  You certainly can do low carb along with WW; but why would you do both?  If you have too many numbers to track - you'll lose your momento fast!

Why should you be paying for WW and others shouldn't?  This is a question you should ask yourself.  I see way too many asking the point value of things, is such-such a zero food, how can I figure out my points...... and actual paying members give the info away for free!! And then try to justify it by saying "Well maybe that person can't afford it."  Maybe not; but are you saying those people should be allowed to have anything from a store for free because they can't afford it?  Cause it pretty much is the same thing.  Giving the information away for free is a huge injustice to WW members.  Direct these people to the free version of the Healthi app and the FB pages to help with it - yes, I realize they don't have the current plan; but all those other plans still work.  Direct them to free calorie counting apps-they work. But don't give the information out for free.  

And let's face it.....the WW app isn't that expensive - there are always promotions going on that make it $10-$11 a month for a certain time period.  That price is for the app only and doesn't include in-person or virtual meetings.  The meetings one seems to be running for about $22 a month right now - which is half of the normal price. The people asking for the info for free are not the people who can't afford it - it is just people wanting the information for free - give up a Dunkin or Starbucks once or twice a month and you'll have the money for the app; 4 coffees in a month? Hey....you got the meeting plan!!  You can join WW here:  JOIN WW HERE

Don't forget KICKSTART starts January 13th and it's FREE - sign up today! 

New Year, New Me

 So a new year is beginning and I'm hoping for the best!

Kickstart begins January 13th, so you still have time to sign up and get ready.  This is FREE, so there's no reason you can't at least give it a try.  The only cost would be if you choose to purchase their workbook to go with it; but you don't have to, a plain old notebook will work!

I don't have all ten of my Kickstart items yet; I do have 9 of them.  Most of mine are weight loss related but they don't have to be.  Just little steps to help you achieve whatever goal you may have.

I'm also moving forward with the new Weight Watcher program.  I know that the zero list can be scary; but I'm old WWers - I weigh and measure.  I'm sort of starting today with it; but officially it will be when Kickstart starts, however, it never hurts to start making some changes now.

I always start a walking challenge in January and it normally is 31 miles in 31 days - one mile a day for 31 days.  I'm going to do that starting today.  It's a little windy today, so I may have to use the walking pad.  You know? What I bought last year and then got hung up into too much tragedy to do anything with?  Yep, I'll be using that!

I hope your year is starting off great!

Points, Points, Points.....

 One of the biggest things that a lot of WW members are struggling with, is that the zero list added foods but the daily points didn't reduce.

My daily points are 23 (the lowest the dailies will go; some will have more).  So I have the new list of zeros food and the 23 points.

The list is pretty much large enough that you could just eat off that; and not ever use a daily point.  WW is saying that you don't have to use all your daily points nor stay within a range of daily points as in the past.

To try to understand the lowering points, it's best to look at the zero lists when they were the colored plans: Green, Blue, Purple. 

Green had the most daily points (30 for me) with non-starchy veggies and fruits being zero.

Blue had the mid range daily points (23 for me) with a larger zero list.

Purple had the least daily points (16 for me)  with the largest zero list.

As the list got larger the dailies decreased by 7 points (at least for me).

Prior to the current plan we were on a plan that was close to the Blue plan (again 23 pts for me).  They've added more to the zero list but didn't go entirely to the Purple plan list (again 16 pts for me).  So the list is falling somewhere in-between those lists.

So they aren't going to drop you 7 points because the list isn't large enough for that; so rather than drop you what? 2-4 pts?  It's so few points that it isn't worth the drop; so they chose to keep everyone where they were (23 for me).

And, I can live with that.

I look at it like this.  I can actually now create a meal with only zero foods (without eating chicken over and over again).  So I have to figure the best way to use the daily points so that I don't say "Well I have 23 points, I can run to Dairy Queen and get a blizzard".  None of us should be doing that.

What you can do instead?

Instead of fat free cheese?  Use those points for reduced fat or better yet - the real thing!

Bread?  Maybe now you don't have to pay the high cost of the light versions (I'm talking about you 647) - give the real thing a try again.  

Spray butter on your baked potato?  How about a teaspoon or two of real butter!

Going out to eat?  Don't have to worry too much over how they are preparing the food!

I'm not saying to use up all your dailies and not watch what you're eating; but.....we all know those fat free and sugar free products just aren't healthy for you!  So think outside the box!  Think of healthy alternatives for those points (I'm not an avocado fan, but that would be a healthy choice).

Also - watch your serving sizes with the zeros!  Most of the proteins will show up in the app starting at 3 ounces,  THAT'S THE SERVING SIZE.

Rather than think of all the ways the program can't work; look for ways to make it work!

Let's Not Panic Folks!

 First, Weight Watchers was updating the apps with the new enhancements a little at a time.  You may or may not have yours yet - don't worry it's coming.  Mine popped up about 8:40 a.m. this morning.

It wasn't perfect.  The macros were there but my zero list still looked the same; although if I looked up some of the new zeros in the database they showed as zero.  My recipes were not updated and when I tried to create one using zero foods, they were only zero until I clicked on them and then they had points again!  😛

After a few hours, I finally logged out of the app, restarted my phone and logged back into the app.  TA-DA - all was working as it should.

For those worrying that having more zero foods and still the same number of daily points is going to make you fail.....  don't overthink it.  Just keep moving forward - you do not have to use all your dailies in addition to the zeros.  Eat until full, not stuffed.  Whenever a change happens, it's always a learning curve.

Purple plan lovers - yes, the plan is close but not exact but please stop mentioning the Purple Plan on the threads.  Why?  I just came from one thread where someone said "Oh, am I getting my purple plan back?" And it went from there....no one bothered to read any comments; they just assumed the color plans were all back and they were celebrating...guess what? They were wrong.  Everyone is on the same plan.

Reminder:  the diabetic plan and the one for weight loss meds still exist.

For those of you (and there's been a lot) stating no changes are happening and the rest of us don't know what we're talking about?  Umm.....guess you were wrong!