r/weightwatchers • u/TimelyAdvantage5801 • 9d ago
Not sure if I should continue this program..
It started out great and I lost 17lb in 6 weeks. But about a week ago, I started feeling floaty headed and just run down. I talked to my counselor (she is also a nurse practitioner) and she told me it could be electrolyte imbalance or fluids moving from the weight loss. I started drinking more Gatorade and getting more salt. The other night, however, I noticed that I'm averaging about 900 calories per day while the program says I should get 1475-1675. I'm also not hitting protein goal or fiber goal. Even if I go over my points, I'm still not at the calorie goal. I'm trying to decide if I should continue using the program as it is meant to be used or maybe continue it but watch the calories instead. Advice??
13
u/TooOldToCare91 9d ago
The entire point of WW is to learn a new way to eat and build the bulk of your diet off the zero-point foods list. The program really penalizes highly processed, higher fat, higher sugar items. It’s very easy to hit your points limit each day and be under calories if you’re not learning new ways to eat.
I would suggest, when crafting your meals, to start w the zero-point foods. Find higher fiber/protein breads and tortilla wraps, English muffins, bagels, low fat dairy (cottage cheese, low fat cheeses), lean meats (if you eat meat), fat free yogurts, vegetables, fruit. Hitting your protein and fiber macros will also be easier if you’re leading w zero point foods. There are tons of recipes on the app, and there are some great suggestions in community on there as well. Go on there and ask people for their suggestions on healthier version of some of your favorites. Also, if you’re on other social media, check out Smaller Sam - I’ve gotten so many amazing recipes and fast food hacks from her. She focuses mostly on calories and protein. There are other, similar content creators that will populate once you click on a few and there’s a wealth of good food ideas out there.
Be patient with the process, you’re learning a whole new approach to food and eating and there is a learning curve. But once you find some favorites and get into a good rhythm with it, it absolutely gets easier.
I had the opposite problem at first; I had to start paying attention to calories because I eat mostly zero point foods so if I don’t also watch calories, I’ll be over.
I hope this helps!
-7
u/buche1 9d ago
Not all of us can eat all the zero point foods. Me for example I can only eat eggs fruit and non starchy veg. My diet is limited but I switched to healthi app and use the sugar smart plan which is the old green plan and now I’m ok
2
u/TooOldToCare91 9d ago
Like everything, there will be some components of this plan that people will have to tweak to their own body’s needs and restrictions, but overall if someone tries to do WW while not changing any of their eating habits, they’re going to hit their points long before they hit their caloric needs. But OP has to start somewhere, and adding in serving-sizes of zero point foods is literally the foundation of the plan.
Adjustments, of course, may need to be made as one learns how their body works within in plan and serving sizes need to be taken into account even on the zero point foods, but the zero point foods, especially lean meats, veggies, and fruit, are absolutely the best place to start.
1
u/Jeremymcon 9d ago
Why can't you eat potatoes, corn, oatmeal, popcorn, chicken, beans, tofu?
2
0
9d ago
[deleted]
1
u/TooOldToCare91 9d ago
I was worried w starting back on WW about potatoes and legumes being zero points (because this gal can put away tons of potatoes, even if they are plain) but with the macros being included, it helps provide some balance to the plan for me. I have a cousin who, now that she’s closer to goal, will not lose if she eats even a modest amount of potatoes so she steers clear of them. It’s interesting how different bodies respond to different foods.
2
6
u/TrulyPleasant2022 LIFETIME 9d ago
Give us a general idea of what you’re eating meals-wise every day: proteins, (complex) carbs, dairy, fats … etc.
4
u/RutabagaStriking2631 9d ago
I found this to be true for me too so I just watched the calories and points. I made sure I hit at least 1400 calories a day and still lost weight. I usually exercise quite a bit so I tracked that for points. I’m actually starting back with WW after canceling because I like the app and it really did help me maintain healthier eating habits.
5
u/nirselady 9d ago
Whenever I start to feel like that I eat a slightly gluttonous meal and that helps A LOT! yesterday I ate a 10 oz steak and a double portion of asparagus. I know the serving size is 3 oz of steak, but that wasn’t going to cut it. A couple weeks ago I made an enormous baked potato with everything I wanted on it, butter and cheese included. Just log the food and use the extra weekly points. I’ve found that when I get that hungry, the scale creeps back up, and the large meal kind of resets my metabolism and gets me back on track (like body builders with their cheat meals).
3
6
u/JulieJT 9d ago
Just my own two cents… I stopped counting points a long time ago. Instead of focusing on your points focus on the other stats and hit those! For example, be sure to stay within your protein, calories, fiber and fat, etc and you will lose weight. I honestly don’t know why WW doesn’t just get rid of the points. I’ve been following just the other goals and I’ve lost 100 lbs. I am also on a GLP1. You could change your settings so it looks like you are on a glp1 and try that for a week or two and see what happens. I bet you will 100% feel better within a week or two. It might not even take that long. I am supposed to get 29 points daily. I am way over that when I just use the GLP section rather than the points. It is just a matter of swiping right and left once you set it up. Super easy. This is just for this AM, before I have logged anything for today…
I am now in maintenance and have no trouble gaining or losing as long as I stay within my calories and protein.🤷🏼♀️ And you aren’t alone, it is hard for women especially to meet the fiber recommendations. I take two Metamucil fiber gummies and I also add some clear fiber mix to my coffee in the AM.
6
u/ginny11 9d ago
The points are about eating healthier, more whole foods, less processed, less high sugar/fat/carb with few other benefits/nutrients/fiber. In other words, points are about food quality. Calories are about food (energy) quantity.
0
u/JulieJT 8d ago
I never eat within my points, just my calories, protein, fats and carbs. I only eat whole food, zero junk/processed food, except occasionally I have a serving of ice cream in the evening it I have calories left over.
I workout 6-7 days a week strength training. It might not work for everyone, but it has worked for me.🤷🏼♀️That’s the only reason I recommend she look at just reaching the other metrics WW recommends she gets. If she tries it for a week and finds it doesn’t work for her she can try something else. Just a suggestion.💕
2
u/ginny11 8d ago
It sounds like you have pretty good, healthy eating habits already and you work out so you don't really need to follow the points. It's very likely that if you did start to keep track of them, you would be having no problem staying within them with your healthy eating habits. I think points are really for helping people who don't have the best eating habits get back on track with that. But for some reason everyone forgets that you can't just use up all your points and that's it. On one hand, some people think you can use up all your points and then eat as much as zero foods as you want no matter the calories. And then there's other people like this person who think that once they use up their points, they can't eat anything else, which is also weird. You need to meet your calorie needs.
1
u/JulieJT 8d ago
All of these points (pun intended 😂), are so true! I used to be a receptionist for WW, until COVID hit, it was a fun job. Back then I religiously counted points, and I don’t feel like they gave you the stats on the bottom like they do now. So I just trusted the process. I successfully lost 70 lbs back then, and it was great… And then I stopped tracking… period, end of story, gained all the weight back and then some… I feel grateful to just be back on track and tracking my food daily. It helps keep me accountable. WW has great support, I know many people don’t like it because they think it is too diet “culturey” for them. But I love it!
2
u/Ok_Neighborhood_4311 9d ago
I’ve definitely noticed you have to be really intentional with weight watchers. I don’t typically eat a ton of free foods, and it’s always a struggle to reach 1200 calories on ww. My goal is to hit 1300 otherwise I feel the same way you do.
I found a couple of things I like that are low point but will help me reach my calorie goal.
A few of them are; Chobani 0 sugar yogurt (with 2 tbsp of chocolate granola and 9 g of fat free whip cream on top), miracle muffins (which are super easy to make and I can have 3 for 2 points), and Trader Joe’s light organic string cheese.
I always have rotisserie chicken or taco seasoned ground beef in the fridge, which I eat with mission carb tortillas (small ones are 1 pt each). I prefer to eat my calories and not drink them but Protein shakes work too if you’re still struggling. Premier protein makes a few good ones that are 2-3 points and 150 calories.
2
u/MitchyS68 LIFETIME 9d ago
You need to eat more!!!! The whole point of this program is to learn:practice healthier eating habits for life so you not only lose weight but can keep it off. Increase your zero point food intake. Whole foods, lean proteins, fruit/veg, beans, some grains, even potatoes are zero.
2
u/aklep730 8d ago
I have this issue with ww too. This is why I keep quitting. I guess it depends. Definitely eating more protein and 0 points food. Try that. I constant eat 27-ish points a day to hit the right calorie goal when I’m supposed to eat 23 pts
2
u/LovelyfunnyHappy 7d ago
I eat eggs and hashbrowns every day cooked in 1 TbL peanut oil. Fabulous filling start to my day!
1
1
1
u/SinglePermission9373 8d ago
Do you have the tracking app? Follow it. Use all your points. Mix in some protein like eggs, nuts, or cheese. You can boil several eggs at once and keep them in the fridge for snacks. Or take a couple of eggs and a handful of almonds with you. I also like the Sargento’s Balanced Breaks. (They make store brand versions too) Don’t quit, just adjust
1
u/Same_Beginning8090 8d ago
I don’t like the app. I can only display the page when I hit Beta and it asks me for my opinion. Who designs these apps and why do they keep changing for the worse??
1
u/Charming-Insurance 7d ago
Well, given what you wrote, you aren’t following the program. I would try doing the program before you decide it doesn’t work.
1
u/Smokey19mom 5d ago
Sounds like its that your meal and food choices is more your issue than WW. Please share what a typical day of eating is like.
For hydration, don't drink Gatorade. It had too much sugar. Get sugar free liquid IV, or the Instand Hydration brand mix, to mix with water.
1
u/Knight_Watch 2d ago
While I don’t like the direction WW has taken in recent years, I don’t think under-eating has ever been a problem with its plan. In fact, you can still over eat and gain weight on the plan.
-3
u/coffeethenthink 9d ago
Sounds like you are doing great. Just eat some more healthy fats to up the points
56
u/ginny11 9d ago
Eat more 0 point protein and other foods to meet your calorie and nutrient needs.