Hi there,

As most of you know I am getting married next summer, so first thing on the agenda is LOSING WEIGHT. So I need some tips and hints for my venture. I have joined a weight loss competition, and it's 12 weeks long. I need some advice on how to whoop some butt!!

Thanks.

I have known a few people that have used the weight watchers method. Not their food but the points method and have been really successful with it. Plus if you reach your goal you can be a lifetime member. So if you ever need help in the future it is free. Good Luck.

What IS the weight watchers method?

To my understanding there is a point system. And all foods are included in the points. Some foods equal 0 points and others ( like high fat content) have high point levels. You make your own menu based on your personal point system. They also suggest things for you too if you attend the meeting. Many veggies are 0 points or very low. SO you can stay full with the 0 point items and still meet your goals and not go hungry. Popcorn is a 0 so long as you don't put on butter. Then again butter has a rating so you could if its within your daily goal. It's a pretty balanced plan.

Forgot to add many restaurants have the point system posted with their low fat meals.

You might find this helpful.

Ref:

Weight Watchers point system. How many points a day can I have.? - Yahoo! Answers (http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080207230153AAQ06kr)

That makes no sense to me, since we are learning about calories and fat calories in our competition class.

I just need a simple plan. I don't need to go online before I put something in my mouth. I just need to know how many calories it is and how many I've consumed alread.y

This IS a simple plan. And I have seen the results even though it wasn't me. It worked and worked well.

Take a look here for another recommendation.

Weight Watchers Points | The Weight Watchers Flex and Core System | Weight Watchers Meetings and Group Support (http://www.peertrainer.com/articles/weight_watchers_points.htm)

Not really. Not all items in a store has a weight watchers point label on it. I'm learning to go by calorie content right now.

Good Luck on your journey. And don't be disappointed if you hit a plateau for a little while looking at your goal. Its my understanding that can be the most frustrating part. But stick with it and it will continue.

I know. I hate that part. Hopefully it won't happen. The lessons that we are learning are going to teach us how to avoid the plateau with muscle confusion and diet confusion.

Plain and simple, well eat right, don't starve, replace your drinks with water and do plenty of cardio along with sleeping plenty.

Weight loss isn't rocket science it's easy, all you need is dedication and self control.

Hey Muddy!

Yeah, those are the easy obvious ones! I'm on that path, I've lost 3 pounds in two weeks. Not TOO bad. If I lose 2-3 pounds a week then I'll meet my goal. Not too unreasonable, is it? I was just wondering if there were any small tips or tricks to boost energy, weight loss, toning...

I'm definitely going to try Pilates. I'm going to clear off the living room floor in a little while and turn YouTube videos on...

Hey Muddy!

Yeah, those are the easy obvious ones! I'm on that path, I've lost 3 pounds in two weeks. Not TOO bad. If I lose 2-3 pounds a week then I'll meet my goal. Not too unreasonable, is it? I was just wondering if there were any small tips or tricks to boost energy, weight loss, toning...

I'm definitely gonna try Pilates. I'm gonna clear off the living room floor in a little while and turn youtube videos on...

No it's reasonable.

Sleeping will boost energy. Go to bed at a decent hour. Sleep does affect [effect?] your mood and weight.

If your eating healthy you've got all the energy boosters you need, fruits and veggies and nuts are great for this.

You are doing a great job no need to complicate things by telling you about the latest fruit smoothy booster or super pill. Just keep doing what your doing and get plenty of sleep.

Pilates is a great way to tone, however your goal is to lose fat right now so keep up with your cardio. Do more cardio than pilates, pilates will help build long lean muscles over time.

:) Good luck!

Thanks Muddy, right now sleep isn't going to happen since I'm still on graveyard due to my hand injury, but that should be up in a week or two.

I found this great site. NutriMirror | free food journal | lifetime weight control and nutritional balance (http://www.nutrimirror.com/)

You can record what you are eating and make exercise goals and log all that in and keep up with what you are taking/burning.

Keeping a food journal helps me. If I have to log it in, I think twice about eating it.

Lots of forums and helpful info, too. Good luck CM. Did you find a dress, yet?

Thanks Muddy, right now sleep isn't gonna happen since I'm still on graveyard due to my hand injury, but that should be up in a week or two.

It's understandable... When you do come home you do sleep don't you? Are you able to pull at least 8 hours?

I know what working nights is like, hey I work 'em. I come home 3/4 and sometimes I'm still wired up and I cannot sleep. It's affected my mood towards exercise because I'm all like "bleeehh not now.. t.v. or laptop" haha!

Try to get some decent sleep if you can;)

No, it's a sleep graveyard, so I get SOME sleep while there... but I can't sleep when I get home cause I got to take the stepdaughter to school and the dog out to potty and after all that there's no way to get back to sleep.