Weight Watchers
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April 2010
My 19-year-old daughter is finally ready and willing to take charge of
a weight and fitness issue that has plagued her since middle school.
She has decided to make the most of the long summer-break at home and
she wants to join Weight Watchers as soon as she comes home from
college next month. I have never seen her so ready to be in charge and
to make a change on her own and I want to support her as much as
possible; I know from past personal experience that WW works really
well, but I also remember that all leaders and all groups are not
equally motivating. I'd love to hear about specific recommendations
from Parents of Teens, especially if anyone knows of a group where my
daughter won't be the only ''old'' teenager or young adult present. We
live in Berkeley but she can drive to other locations around the East Bay.
Hopeful
Weight Watchers in El Cerrito Plaza on Saturday mornings has sessions
where I have seen other teens with and without a parent. The leader,
Kathy, is ''cool'', funny, down to earth, and a good match for teens who
might be more self-conscious than older members. Highly recommended.
a WW member
I love Cathy's WW group at the El Cerrito Plaza. The Sat 8:30am meeting is quite full & there
is a lot of member participation. I've seen a few young adults but most of the folks who
attend are much older than your daughter. Cathy has a great sense of humor, is very humble
& real & keeps things lively. Kudos to your daughter & all the best on her journey to a
healthy
weight.
WW regular
Jan 2009
Is there a really good Weight Watchers meeting nearby with an
exceptional leader or team of leaders? Looking ideally for Berk,
Albany, El Cerrito location.
Many Thanks
A few years ago, a woman named Beverly would lead great WW meetings at
the El Cerrito Plaza location. I believe her meeting time was around
5:30 on Thursdays. Check her out. She had a big following becaus she
was so good.
Andi
I highly recommend Tina at the Pinole Weight Watchers. You can check
the WW website for the meetings she leads. I know she leads 2 meetings
on Saturday mornings. Tina motivates me and I like how she involves
everyone in the meetings.
WW member
I would highly recommend going to one of Elena's meetings at the El
Cerrito Weight Watchers. She leads two meetings on Friday morning (9:00
and 10:30), but the early one tends to be very crowded, so I usually go
to the 10:30, which is a more manageable size.
I've had a few leaders over the past year--and if you've been to a few
yourself, you know that the quality of the leaders is all over the
map--but as far as I'm concerned Elena is really the best, and most
members I've talked to agree. She is sharp, focused, gives very helpful
and useful practical advice on meal preparation, fitness, and hunger
management, not to mention she is charming and an excellent speaker--and
yes, very inspirational, but not in an ''Oprahish'' sort of way. I look
forward to her meetings every Friday, and I've lost more weight with her
as leader than with any others I've attended. Good luck!
anon
I like Cathy's Sat meeting at the El Cerrito Plaza. I go at 8:30 & it's
usually well attended. I think there is an earlier & later meeting on
Sat, too. Come check it out!
Weight Watcher also
Nov 2005
I am getting back into Weight Watchers after my second child and
some unhealthy habits ;). Does anyone attend meetings at the
Grand Ave location and really like their leader/meeting? I find
that a good leader can make all the difference.
Thanks
I've been attending meetings at the Weight Watchers on Grand and without reservation recommend Susan, who leads the Sunday morning meetings. I believe she also leads the Monday evening meetings, although not quite sure. She's fantastic. Very intelligent, very charismatic, and she's really committed to each client. If I miss a few meetings, I'll get a call from her. I think she's just great (and I've lost 15 pounds!). Good luck and try out a Sunday morning meeting.-susan
susan
Hi
I can't vouch for any of the leaders at the Grand Ave. meetings but I can say that Leslie at the Alameda site on Sundays is really great. Very energetic and gets the crowd involved. I try to make the meetings but have been sick for the past two weeks and in that time, felt like quitting. But when I went this past Sunday, I knew I could go on because of how Leslie was so enthusiastic about everything. I can't really express how and why but she keeps me going toward my goal. (I, too, have joined after my second baby) Meetings are at 9 am and on Webster Street. I would love to have buddy too since I'm doing this with none of my mom friends.
loretta
I appreciate your concern about the group leader. The experience
and motivation are very much influenced for me by the quality of
the leader. I have been attending the Saturday 10:00 or 11:30AM
meetings (arrive 30 minutes earlier for weigh-in), when Ann is
the group leader. In my opinion, she has a very strong, positive,
humorous approach and creates an atmosphere condusive to
self-acceptance and learning. Also, she tries to create a
community among the members, which is important to me. According
to the schedule, she leads Friday at 8:30AM, too. anon
Susan (sorry, don't know her last name) is the best leader at WW,
in my opinion. She leads Monday evenings and several other times
as well. Many of the leaders there are good, but Susan is the
best. I haven't lost all the weight I hoped for yet, but WW
Oakland has been very helpful and supportive in my journey so far
(and I have dropped almost 20 lbs!)
WW fan
I have done weight watchers on Grand for over 2 years, and am now lifetime. My favorite group leader is Sharon (not sure of her last name). She runs the Wednesday 9 AM meeting along with I think one or two others. I found she provided great support. The other leaders on Grand that I have attended are also good, but Sharon is extra-speciial
Down 68 pounds
May 2005
Can anyone recommend a Weight Watchers (or Overeaters Anon, or
other...) meeting in Berkeley or N. Oakland? Best would be
between N. Berkeley (Solano Ave) & Rockridge, including the UC
campus. I checked the WW website for locations, but they don't
list all the locations--I know there's one in Albany, but they
don't have that one listed. How can I find more meeting places &
schedules (weekdays)? Kid-friendly would be good too, or at
least not kid-hostile; I'll have my infant and preschooler with
me. Thanks for any recommendations.
Need Motivation & Support!
You will probably get a lot of this, but they moved the Albany classes
(they rented the hall there) to the El Cerrito Plaza. There are tons of
classes there now. I really like the WW, they have classes all the time,
and they are pretty supportive. Look at ww.com, find a meeting, and
type in El Cerrito. I am not sure where else they have classes, they have
been trying to get all classes in one area for a while. There are noon
time classes at the UC, though.
good luck
For the mom looking for a Weight Watchers meeting -- the WW website is
correct and there are two main meeting places in the East Bay. One is in the
Grand Lake area, the other is at El Cerrito Plaza. Check the website again for
days and times. The Albany meeting no longer exists. I've been going to the El
Cerrito meeting for a few months and like it a lot. However, it is just not easy
to bring kids. A few moms bring infants. I brought my two year old a few
weeks ago and although there are toys and books there, it was impossible to
sit through the meeting with her. But, hey, that's my kid -- your may be
different. You can also do WW online -- a few of my friends with little time
have been doing that successfully. But I do think the group experience is what
makes WW work. Good luck! another Weight Watcher
anon
There is a child-friendly Overeater's Anonymous meeting on
Fridays at 1:30 p.m. at the Northbrae Community Church on the
Alameda, just past Solano. Details on all East Bay OA meetings
are at http://www.oaeastbay.org/Meetings.html I lost a bunch
of weight with Weight Watcher's, gained it all back, then found
OA and began to solve the true problems behind why I ate.
Added bonus: OA meetings are free!
Anonymous
I believe there is a WW meeting Fridays at noon in El Cerrito
Plaza, right across from Gymboree, upsstairs from the GNC
store. I say ''I believe'' because it was recommended to me, but
I haven't made it there yet :-)
Meg
I have been a Weight Watchers member for about 3 years and have
gone to meetings in North Berkeley and in Oakland. It was a
while ago, but Saturday meetings in N. Berkeley were always full
of kids and no one seemed to have a problem. Meetings used to
be in the Community Center on Solano Ave but have moved to El
Cerrito Center in El Cerrito plaza {maybe this is the Albany
meeting you are referring to?}. I have not attended Saturday
meetings at the new center, but you can always ask one of the
leaders which meetings are best for bringing children. {most of
the leaders love children and are super nice, so I don't think
that you will have any problems} I did attend Tuesday lunch time
meetings at the center when my son was an infant and no one
minded. When he started to fuss I just walked him around in the
back. I currently go to meetings on Grand Ave. on the weekend
and this place does not seem as kid friendly.
As for meeting locations, I think that the website is pretty
accurate. If you are looking for other meetings, it might be
easiest to stop by one of the locations listed on the site and
ask for a schdule.
Good luck with your weight loss - Weight Watchers has been a
great program for me and I hope that you find a meeting that
works for you!
WW believer
WW used to meet at the Albany Community Center but it's back at
the El Cerrito Plaza, upstairs. Take the elevator or stairs,
and follow the signs. It has meetings nearly every morning of
the week and Saturday mornings, I believe.
peg
Jan 2005
Hi, my last child is about to turn one and I am ready to lose
those extra pounds for good. I was thinking about Weight
Watchers, but according to their website, the only meetings are
in El Cerrito or Oakland. I was hoping there might be a WW
meeting on the Berkeley campus somewhere. I work at Cal and
would love a lunch time meeting. Does anyone know of such a
weight watchers meeting for Cal employees or anywhere at least
close to campus? If not, does anyone know if it is possible to
start a WW meeting on campus?
There is a Weight Watchers group at Berkeley Lab.
Lab Employee
Yes! We currently have one Weight Watchers group meeting on
the campus and several others who, at one point, could not get
enough people together to meet the minimum but would like to
try again.
The current meeting is:
Dwinelle Hall
9 Dwinelle Hall, #2535
Wednesdays, 12:30-1:30
leader: Linda Ellinwood
contact Melissa Alvarez
cost: $143.40 for 12 week series (or 3 checks for $47.80
deposited roughly 1 month apart)
this week (1/26) is week 9 of the series and you are welcome to
join - we even encourage you to come and sit through the first
meeting if you are not sure you want to join. You would pay
for the remaining 4 weeks, then renew with the rest of the
group for the next 12-week series.
If you would like to try to start another group, feel free to
contact me!
Melissa
Jan. 2003
I am looking for feedback on local Weight Watchers programs.
Specifically Oakland or Berkeley. I don't have much to lose
(10-15lbs) and know I eat too much of the wrong things and I
know what I should do: eat less and exercise more. I feel I
know a lot about nutrition and how to lose weight but just
can't seem to find the willpower to accomplish it. That said,
would Weight Watchers help me? Do you have anything to say
about the meetings and/or program in general? All input is
appreciated.
I participated in a Weight Watchers at work program at UC Berkeley
and found it helpful, though I, like you, ''know'' exactly how to
lose weight. The key for me was the input from other members of
the group, in particular those who had already lost all or most of
the weight they wanted and were on maintenance. The presence of
these people and hearing their experiences was a huge source of
encouragement and information for me. There were in facts things
I could still learn, and I personally needed inspiration. In fact
I still think about the people from the WW group when I need
encouragement. As it turned out, I lost fifteen pounds while in
the group, but then I dropped out because of cost (I think Weight
Watchers is rather expensive) and vacation time, which torpedoed
my plan. BUT later I started a weight loss plan on my own in
which I combined things I had learned at Weight Watchers with a
firm (nay, fanatical) commitment to exercise. I lost thirty
pounds and have kept it off for a half-year so far. But it is
more important that I am in my best physical shape since puberty.
I just cut my calories back to around 1700 or so (with a big
emphasis on cutting fat) and joined the Y, where I work out on
cardio machines and/or lift weights every day (except for the days
I run outside). It took me about seven months to lose thirty
pounds, but it has stayed off. I have come to believe that
exercise is the key, for me at least. It is hard to overcome the
sense that you are somehow stealing time from the family by making
the commitment to daily exercise, but I believe that our good
health is in the best interests of our families. So I go ahead
and ''steal'' that time.
If you are put off (as I was) by the cost and/or corporate image
of WW, you could perhaps achieve the same goals by attending a
TOPS (Take off Pounds Sensibly) meeting, or signing up with the
body conditioning plan at the Y that deals specifically with
weight control (the Albany Y has one). I believe TOPS has a
website with locations and meeting times.
Good luck! You can do it!
formerly unhappy with my frame
Hi - I just started weightwatchers myself and i have about 15lbs
to lose. I do not attend any meetings - I had a friend who is a
member just buy me the 'points books' and i track what i eat.
It is a lot of recordkeeping - keeping track of everything that
goes in your mouth, assigning points then adding the total
points for the day. My point range is 18-23 a day. You can eat
whatever you want, you just need to make sure your points don't
go over your daily recommended total.
That said, I really like the program. What I've found is I lean
towards foods with less points and 'save' my points for items i
crave - like chocolate. I've also found that the point system
really focuses on a balanced diet - sugar, dairy and carb food
products obviously have more points. Vegetables and fruit have
less points, so you eat more of those. I've modified my eating
patterns and have cut out peanut butter & ice cream (*sigh*),
i've cut down on carbs (breads and pastas) and generally eat
healthier.
Its really about choices. I have my high points days and I just
cut back the next day. Exercising also gives you 'point
credits' so if you go on a 1 hour hike, you can have a few more
food points that day.
As you can see it is all based on points and recordkeeping. It
has worked for me but may not be for everyone. I don't have a
scale, but I have dropped one size, so it seems to be working.
Good Luck!
Julie
Second hand feedback is that it is very helpful. The meetings
are supportive, and going in weekly or bi-weekly is very
motivating. They also have a program so that you can pay per
meeting, but you have to go to one a month. I know four people
who have seriously done it, and all lost significant weight,
seemingly without pain.
kean
I have used the WW groups in Albany and have found them to be
extremely helpful. They have lots of different meeting times at
the community center. You may want to check out a couple to
find a group leader that you like. Like you, I went there with
only about 15 pounds to lose and have lost 13 already. It's a
nutritionally sound, livable program that I highly recommend.
anon.
I think Weight Watchers is terrific. I lost about 40-50 lb.
through WW, most of which I kept off until I got pregnant 5
months ago. The great thing about WW is that there's no
gimmick. It's a healthy and balanced program, which
reacquainted me with realistic portions, and it's a way of
eating that you can continue forever. You're not cutting out
one category of food altogether, or taking medication, or any
other fad that's unsustainable in the long run. The meetings
are kind of hokey, but I enjoyed them, and found that if I did
not go to the meetings and pay for them, I did not lose weight.
I also got lots of food ideas from the meetings. Some people
have success with the ''Weight Watchers at Home'' program, which
you can do online. That wouldn't work for me, but maybe you
have the discipline for it. Overall, I think WW is fabulous and
I plan to return as soon as this baby is born! :)
WW Fan
I highly recommend Weight Watchers, especially the groups that meet at the
Albany community center -- there are several on different days. And you can
get some information and read bulletin boards on their (kinda corporate :-(
web site. I have been a member since last summer and have successfully
taken off my pregnancy weight, yay! (now on to the rest! :-) Flexibility is
the key to why this program works so don't expect to get an instant
complete education on extremely healthy eating or any particular
enforcement to eat a certain way -- you can still lose weight eating junk
as long as you watch amounts. But if you give it time, you will pick up great
tips about diet and exercise that will certainly enhance your health.
Unless you can do deprivation diets, you tend to learn that healthy food
(unprocessed, whole grain, veggies, etc) fills you up and satisfies you
better anyway, and will come to be your first choice in the future. The
support from the meetings is fabulous and going to them is statistically an
indicator of success as well. Good luck!
Losing slowly and safely
I am a lifetime member of WeightWatchers, having lost 18 pounds
to achieve the category of ''Lifetime''. I stopped going to
meetings about 2 years ago, and just rejoined the other day. I
think that the WeightWatcher plan is an excellent one:
everything you need to track your food intake is in one book
that is easy to carry with you. The meetings can be very
helpful as other members offer ideas, recipes, support and the
leader of the meeting fine tunes your knowledge of the basic
program. I have also attended OA meetings (Overeaters
Anonymous) and find that they have often helped me with the more
emotional side of eating issues. You can find them in the white
pages of the phone book, or call Alcoholics Anonymous and get
their number. Good luck to you!
A Friend
I love Weight Watchers. The program is flexible, realistic,
and it works. It is also reasonably priced, so you could
always try it for a few weeks to see what you think. Locally,
I have attended meetings at the Albany Community Center. They
were pretty large and impersonal, but both of the leaders I
experienced there were good. I've opted to do Weight Watchers
Online and it is working well for me. I don't get the support
of being in a room of people who share my experience, but I
actually find it easier to stick to the program because I check
in daily on my computer. When I was going to meetings
sometimes I would ''forget'' about WW as soon as I left the
meeting. Good luck!
20 pounds lighter
I recently decided to try weight watchers because I too know the
right way to eat but often choose not to follow it, and I sure
would like it if my lovely old clothes fit better. So far I
have found it to provide just the right sort of structure and
incentive for me. For one thing, according to WW, I don't need
to lose weight, so this is my choice alone. For another, they
stress that you shouldn't deprive yourself. What seems to work
best for me is to be conscientious about writing down what I
eat, at least for a while, and I've decided it's worth paying
the money and putting up with the somewhat hokey messages to
learn this lesson. One important factor: if it weren't so
convenient (it's very near my office) I probably wouldn't have
tried it.
anonymous
I tried Weight Watchers twice, once after the birth of my first
child (lost 15 lbs.) and once after the birth of my second
child (wasn't motivated at all, and quit after one week). You
say motivation is an issue for you, and I found out the 2nd time
that I wasn't motivated enough to go to the meetings, let alone
stay on the plan the 6 days between meetings.
I recently clicked on a link for eDiets, on a whim. I joined
the week before Christmas, and have lost 10 pounds. Like WW,
it's a combined plan of sensible diet, drinking lots of water,
and moderate exercise. But what sets it apart is the
support--24/7, all on-line, with over 100 different ''chat room''
type support groups to join or just read, for constant support.
There are also easily accessible professionals-- doctors,
psychiatrists, nutritionists, etc. who are available 24/7 to all
members.
I highly recommend it. Oh, and then there're the meal plans,
exercise plans, menus, recipes, shopping lists...
It's about the same price as Weight Watchers too. Good luck with
whatever decision you make!
Heidi
Wow, I could have written your letter word for word (except I
got to Albany WW.) In an effort to finally get rid of my ''baby
weight'' and needing some motivation I went. I find it
extremely helpful. Not so much, as you point out, for learning
how to eat right, but for getting yourself back onto that
path. It really forced me to get back into shape too by
working out more which I had been feeling too tired for. I
find the meetings are helpful and keep my eye on the ball and
with WW help, I have only 2.5 lbs to go after just 7 weeks. I
think knowing I will be weighed at the end of the week and my
progress recorded has been a great motivator for me to eat
right. . . just till after I get weighed. Then I usually have
one ''bad'' day and begin eating well again. Their program is
also not restrictive so for chocoholics like me, I save points
and still have my snacks which I need. I recommend this
program highly even for the knowledgeable. BTW my parents have
come and want to join now and 2 women from my mom's group have
started going after they have seen my happiness and good
results .
Knowledgeable and WW fan
I've had huge success with Weight Watchers in losing my ''baby
weight''. I lost 15 lbs. on my own, and then reached a plateau,
but with Weight Watchers I've lost another 19 lbs. in about 3
months--a realistic 1-2 lbs. a week. The program is sensible and
encourages eating lots of fiber, fruit, and vegetables. I find
that ''points'' are easier to keep track of than calories, and
there is a psychological bonus to the fact that some foods
(mostly vegetables) have a zero point rating. A lot may depend
on your meeting ''leader''--I really like Beverly, who leads some
meetings in Pinole and some in Albany (at the community center).
She is a good public speaker, is motivational, and is very
helpful in emphasizing constructive behaviors and helping you
rethink negative behaviors/attitudes. I find the $9-10 a week
cost to be reasonable, although I don't tend to purchase the W.W.
products. There is just something about attending a meeting
every week and weighing in, that is very motivational. Good luck
to you.
anon
July 2002
I'm interested in trying Weight Watchers while nursing (I know
that many people automatically lose weight while nursing, but
alas, I do not). I've heard WW has a program for nursing moms --
has anyone used it? Was it successful? Easy to follow? Is
there a group in Berkeley, Albany or El Cerrito?
Thanks!
CJ
I tried WW when I was nursing because it was so succesful for my
mother. I thought it was great. The average person gets 22-27
points, however, nursing mothers get 32-37 points and should eat
more if they feel they need to. I felt that I was eating all the
time with the 32-37 points. It worked for me while I did it (I
had to return to work and didn't have time for everything). I
took off about 15 pounds (in addition to what came off on it's
own, but I'm like you, it doesn't just ''melt away'') and am
thinking about going back for the last 10-15!
Jennifer
I don't know about Weight Watchers for nursing moms - I have
never tried Weight Watchers. I do however know about
Overeaters Anonymous for nursing moms (and pregnant moms, and
post-nursing moms, and people who aren't moms!). In 1991 I was
20 years old, over 200 lbs. and misserable. I found Overeaters
Anonymous and with dedication, work, and the continuing support
of Overeaters Anonymous I have been a normal weight since the
end 1992. During that time I graduated from college, started
my first real job, got engaged, got married, bought a house,
got pregnant, had a wonderful baby, had post-partum depression
and got over it, weaned my baby and am now planning to start
trying to get pregnant again next month. During my pregnancy I
gained a healthy 35 pounds and had lost it all by the time my
baby was about 6 months old. She is now 2 1/2 and I am still
the same weight. I could not have done all these things
without the support I find in Overeaters Anonymous. What I get
there is support for dealing with being a compulsive eater
(overeater, undereater or bulimic) and for dealing with the
physical, emotional and spiritual illness that it is. What I
do not find are dues or fees (Overeaters Anonymous is fully
self-supporting, declining outside contributions), scales or
diets (we pick our own food plans with the help of a sponsor
and/or a medical professional), or ''experts'' telling me what to
do (the only requirement for OA membership is a desire to stop
eating compulsively - we share our experience, strength and
hope as fellow compulsive eaters). There are many meetings in
the east bay every day. To find a meeting to near you or to
get more information see the website.
-OA member
I used WW for nursing moms. It was easy to follow and worked
(you pretty much just get 10 more points to eat than non nursing
moms). I lost close to 30 pounds in 6 months. I went Satruday
mornings at the Albany Community Center on Marin. There is one
at 8.30 ish and one at 10am ish.
Good Luck
Julie
Yes, Weight Watchers does have a plan for nursing mothers. It is
similar to their regular weight loss plan, but you are allowed to
eat somewhat more than you would if you weren't nursing. How much
more depends on whether and how much solid food or formula your
baby is also getting. The plan is easy to follow and very
flexible. I'm a big WW fan and highly recommend the program. I
know that meetings are held at the Albany Community Center and at
locations in Oakland. I don't think there are meetings in
Berkeley, and I don't know about El Cerrito. Call their 800
number to get meeting locations and times. The only thing I am
disappointed about is that they don't have mother/child meetings.
Where I used to live they had specific meetings for mothers with
young children.
Liz
Weight Watchers does have a program for nursing moms. It is the
same program for everyone, except you get more daily points. It
is a very healthy program. I recommend it - especially while
nursing!
adina
I went to WW at the Albany Community Center after my son was
born and lost 35 pounds. It was great! They have a different
point scale for nursing moms. The point scale determines how
much food you are supposed to eat based on your weight. I
thought is was a very effective weight control program to do
while nursing b/c essentially they are just telling you how to
eat properly (including drinking water, getting enough calcium,
eating lots of fruits and veggies) and to exercise. The concept
is basic: eat less, move more. However, the reality is much
more difficult. Good luck!
Allison
I am currently nursing and doing weight Watchers. Yes, it
works. At least it is working for me. I have lost 35 pounds so
far. It is easy to follow. It is basically the same as if you were
not nursing, but you get more points and should eat more
fruits/vegetables and drink LOTS of water. I don't know if
there are meetings in Berkeley or Albany but I am sure there
are. You can find locations on their web page.
Good Luck Joelle
Hey, don't feel alone...I didn't lose weight naturally either,
while nursing, though I really stuck it out hoping for 4 months
that I would...Then I went to Weight Watchers. I've been on the
system for nursing moms now for 6 months and have lost 41 pounds.
I'm lighter now than before I became pregnant, and I feel great.
You've probably heard about the ''points'' system with WW, which is
easier to count than calories (MUCH easier). And it's the same
for nursing mom's, except that you get a whopping 10 points
more/day to compensate for the calories you need for milk
production. Believe me, 10 points is a lot of extra food on this
system, and that's really a key point that helped me be
successful. As it was, the first couple of weeks seemed to call
for draconian cutback in butter and bread and cheese...
My husband, who to an untrained eye didn't look overweight at
all, took the opportunity to lose the 20 pounds he gained since
our courtship, and had a much lower ''point'' count to play with
each day. There was some bitterness, I must say.
Nursing mother or not, the WW program sets your expectations to
lose no more than about 1 1/2 pounds/week, and if you keep that
up week after week, you'll be doing REALLY well. A more realistic
expectation would be an average of 1/2 a pound/week. If you lose
more than 2 pounds/week, the attendents who weigh you in at
meetings will drill you as to whether you're being healthy, and
they will lecture you about speedy weight loss not being
permanent weight loss (since you can't sustain the eating habits
it takes to get speedy weight loss). So this, I feel, was a
protective measure that I needed to feel safe and healthy losing
weight while nursing. I've considered many times over these few
months that since my metabolism is really slow normally, this is
the best time (nursing) to be changing my eating habits and
getting into a better exercise pattern. I'm not sure I could have
gotten past the critical 1st 6 weeks without the extra points you
get as a nursing mom. Over the last 2 months I've ratcheted down
my daily intake to be at the level of non-nursing people on the
program, since now I'm nursing only briefly in the morning and at
night.
Meetings are in Albany (at the Library building) and Oakland.
None in Berkeley that I know of. You'll get great support there
(a sort of anonymous compassion for the suffering you're going
through with dieting, and also for the physical and emotional
pain that extra weight causes us), and tips. I wish you the best
of luck.
Almost Slim
I'm a nursing mom with a 5-month old and currently on my third
week of the Weight Watchers program. I LOVE it!!! Nursing
moms get to consume up to 10 more ''points'' per day than regular
folk (depending on the weight you're currently at), so it's
just plain easier to feel satisfied. What I really love most
about it is how much more conscious it makes me about food. I
had practically stopped eating fruits and veggies before I
started. Now I'm eating them a LOT, and feeling GREAT! And
fruits especially are so wonderful now in the middle of summer,
so it's a good time to start. There are probably meetings in
Berkeley, etc, but I'm attending the one at the Greek Orthodox
church in Oakland, since I have a friend who got me interested
in joining, and that's where she goes -- it's a great excuse
for us to get together once a week. Plus the gal who leads the
group there is very entertaining, and she first joined Weight
Watchers to get rid of HER postpartum weight from her first
baby. (she's now 6 months pregnant with her second) Meetings
are really fun. I'd encourage you to go for it.
5 pounds lighter Kate
I am all for weight watchers...I have found it to be successful
prior to having my first child and now I am back on the program
as a nursing mom and so far so good. I would highly recommend
it. Check the weight watchers website for locations and times.
Enjoy the extra points nursing moms get!!
nicole
Well after my second child, I thought I would join weight
watchers. I had followed the program before the pregnancy
and wanted to get back on track. What I learned however
was that they don't want nursing moms dieting and so the
program that they offered, wasn't about me minimizing my
food intact but more about thinking healthy and getting
exercise. Since I already knew what foods were healthy and
that getting exercise was important, I decided I didn't want to
spend the money every week, when I wasn't going to be
able to benefit from their program until after I had stopped
nursing. I decided to eat well, not to minimize but to
certainly watch my sweet/junk food intake and to get out and
walk until such time as I could seriously 'diet' and not
lessen the nutrition for the baby.
BZ
August 2001
I would like to join weight watchers again (or a similar program), but my
old leader was not very inspiring, and I'd like to try someone new. Can
anyone recomend an at-work lunch time ( or daytime) program on or very
close to UCB campus that meets on Tues, Weds ot Thurs? Thanks!
I do not know about Weight Watchers but I do know about a program that works for me and thousands of other compulsive overeaters. It is Overeaters Anonymous; a fellowship of individuals who through shared experience, strenght and hope, are recovering from compulsive eating. We welcome everyone who wants to stop eating compulsively. There are no dues or fees for members; we are self supporting through our own contributions, neither soliciting nor accepting outside donations. OA is not affiliated with any public or private organization, political movement, ideology or religious doctrine; we take no position on outside issues. Our primary purpose is to abstain from compulsive eating and to carry this message of recovery to those who still suffer. There are several meetings a week close to the UC Berkeley campus. Please check the local web site:
http://www.oaeastbay.org, the world web site http://www.overeatersanonymous.org for more information.
I don't have a specific recommendation for you as I go to meetings in Contra Costa, but if you go to www.weightwatchers.com, they have a function called "find a meeting" that will provide you times and places by zip code. Hope you find one you like--I have been very happy with the program!
Claire
I've been in Weight Watcher for some time and I think our group on campus is really good. We meet Thursdays at noon in B5 Hearst Field Annex. I really like the leader, Bev Francis because she is supportive and non judgmental. She historically has always said one thing each meeting that touched my personal issues and gave me the strength to keep going. We just started a new series, come check us out, hope to see you!
Janeen
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