I attended my first Weight Watchers meeting tonight. I almost just weighed in and skipped out on the meeting to go play poker, but I am glad I decided to stay.
The meeting wasn’t anything special because of the content. Weight Watchers is revamping the program and will soon have a new plan, so the meeting seemed like a filler meeting. It was just a “lets get through this” kind of thing. That seems like the attitude most people have toward the holidays: get through it and everything will be better after January 1.
The meeting tonight was a bunch of tips and sharing from the leader and attendees. I heard a lot of good tips and learned quite a few things I didn’t know.
Little Nuggets of Wisdom From My First Weight Watchers Meeting
- The average amount of weight gain from Thanksgiving to New Year is only ONE pound. Most of us guessed the number was five. I am sure I have heard that the average gain was 5 pounds. But the article quoted at our meeting said it was only one pound and this was problematic since most people never lose that one pound.
- Cinnamon is an appetite suppressant. I might want to look into this, but one guy talked for a while about foods that naturally suppress appetite. The mention of cinnamon on sweet potatoes sounded absolutely delicious.
- An easy way to control portions at parties is to think of the foods on your plate as islands, not continents. Islands are much smaller and they never touch each other. So foods on your plate should resemble islands by being small tasting portions of all the foods that don’t touch on your plate. This way you can try everything but still control your portions.
- Another good tip for parties, buffets, etc. is to stay at the end of the line. If you are at the back the worst food temptations might already be gone by the time you get through the line. Also, since you are one of the last to start eating you will not be as tempted to go get seconds of something.
I heard a few more tips and tricks but these are the ones that really stuck with me. I am so glad I went to the meeting and heard what everyone had to share.
One of the women in the meeting was celebrating hitting the 100 pound weight loss mark. She has lost 101 pounds in the last 2 years. It was fascinating to listen to her share part of her story and her tips. She contributed great tips to the meeting. Weight Watchers has been critical to her success in losing weight. I felt inspired just being in the same room with her and can’t wait to go to my next meeting and meet more people
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{ 15 comments }
Flad you enjoyed the meeting. There’s something about being part of a group.
TB–Milwaukee’s last blog post..Christmas Meme
Thanks for sharing the tips!
Cinnamon is becoming the IT spice :)
I love hearing about people who’ve lost 100 lbs or more. It always inspires me to keep going.
Have a great Holiday week!
Katschi’s last blog post..6 Week Challengers
“I almost just weighed in and skipped out on the meeting to go play poker”… That almost made me spit out my diet coke I laughed so hard! Silly Mary!
I love tip number 3! Thanks for sharing!
Just_Kelly’s last blog post..Manic Monday
@TB
The group dynamic is great. I am really excited because it is something I need and have been missing. I do most of my exercise alone and my family doesn’t eat like I do, so its nice to be around people doing the same things that I am.
@Katschi
Me too. I love hearing about anyone who has been successful in becoming healthier, but when someone has lost over 100 pounds it is something different. That is such an amazing feat! Very inspiring.
@Just_Kelly
:) Poker is a fun game you know! I am glad I went to play AFTER my meeting.
Sounds like a great meeting. Thanks for the tips. I need to put cinnamon on EVERYTHING. I totally went over the average holiday gain, but back on track! Have a Great Holiday!
DaDivaStreet’s last blog post..Finally, Pix and Post!
Sounds like you had a great meeting and learned some great tips. Thanks for sharing!!!
Those seem like some good simple tips. GOod luck doing WW.
Congrats on attending your first WW meeting. Those are great tips, love the cinnamon one and being last in line. I’m will definitely try both.
Glad you stuck through the meeting (even though it was sort of a filler…bummer)! Those are some great tips. I like the “island” concept
Erica’s last blog post..Another workout for my oven..and me ;)
@DaDivaStreet
Maybe cinnamon shouldn’t go on everything. Haha. Back on track sounds like a good place to be.
@KK @BigGirl @slenderella @Erica
Thanks! Glad you liked the tips!
Thanks so much for commenting on my blog! Good to find yours and stay with the WW!
Miche
I really like that tip about the buffet!
The meetings really are about the people. I have 2 I like. One has a fun, rowdy group of members and a thoughtful leader. The other is quiet, but has a leader with the gift of the gab!
Well done Mary- having the confidence to go to the first meeting (i think) is always the hardest (especially so close to Christmas!). That being said it sounds like you’ve picked up some great tips and managed to put everything into perspective as well- no need for shock tactics in my opinion! Best of luck for 2009!!!
@Mike
Thanks! I agree with no need for shock tactics or anything drastic.
Congrads!! I like weight watchers because its not a diet, its a way to eat healthy, I like how weight watchers teaches you how to eat…..Keep on goin…dont give up!!!!!