Once More Into the WW Breach

[jamesq]

Let's get the bad news out of the way first. I weigh 259 pounds - the heaviest I've been since I joined Weight Watchers the first time. I could get all depressed about that, but I've decided that isn't going to help. I'm not particularly happy about it, but I'll cope.

Right now I'm focusing on the new Weight Watchers program which got rolled out this week. I had no idea that they were doing this, so it wasn't part of my decision to return this week. I'll take it as good timing though.

Daily and weekly points allowances have changed. They're both on the order of 7/5 larger. My gut feeling is that the point values for foods are on the same order. That is, if you can't calculate the new points total, but you know the old points total, multiplying it by 7/5 is probably a decent approximation.

So what is the new formula? They don't tell you. Instead they have a listing of about 700 foods in the new booklet with the new points values listed. They also encourage you to buy the new calculator (which is discounted this month). They are coming out with iPhone/Android/Blackberry apps soon, so that's probably the route I'll go. It also encourages me to get off my ass and buy my Android one of these days. I'm waiting until the new year though.

In the mean time, WW might not tell you what the formula is, but I can show you this formula I found online. I have no idea how accurate it is:

The biggest change is that (non-starchy) fruits and vegetables are now zero points across the board. No more two point bananas, of the weirdness of carrots being zero points raw and one point cooked. This change is probably for psychological rather then mathematical reasons. Realistically, a banana does have protein, carbohydrates, fat and fibre, so you could plug the numbers into the above formula and get a points value. However, a healthy diet includes more fruits and vegetables, and this is the easiest way to encourage people to eat them. Only a pathological over-eater is going to pound back a hundred apples in a day, and if you're that person, you've got problems that Weight Watchers is not equipped to solve. I recommend therapy. Normal people will increase their consumption of fruits and vegetables and this will displace some candy bars, which can only improve matters.

I'm not sure I buy the new formula's rational (they say it's more accurate, I cynically suspect it improves Weight Watcher's bottom line), but I'm willing to be convinced. On a personal level, that means giving it a good solid try for long enough to have decent data. Realistically, it'll take a year to lose this weight if I don't backslide. Which means I might not look like a giant slug on my next birthday. I look forward to being light enough for women to be willing to touch me. Step one, follow the program this week.

The real downside to weighing 259 (aside from the obvious) is that I know from experience that running above 250 is begging for an injury. So no running for now. There will, however, be a lot of walking. I walked to work this morning, and I plan on walking home. That's 5 (new) points, which is equivalent to a bottle of beer. If walking to and from work is equivalent to a beer, I know I made the right decision when I bought my house - the distance is perfect.

Encouragement is appreciated.

Comments

[bungle-lord.livejournal.com]

Remember, (insert appropriate words of wisdom here), and you will do fine.

[bungle-lord.livejournal.com]

pp is not defined.
I hope it isn't what it sounds like.

[jamesq]

I had the wrong graphic, so it should be clear now.

[minyata.livejournal.com]

Just a heads up about the app. I was planning on going that way as well, but I guess the app is not just a points calculator, its the whole E-tools program which still has its monthly fee. If memory serves the fee is about $40/month. You will need to have an active e-tools account to use the app. That said, the calculator is only $4.99 in BC if you can get someone to pop in and pick one up for you.

[jamesq]

On the other hand, Android is not so persnickety about their apps as Apple is, so I might be able to get a third-party app for a one-time cost.

On the gripping hand, I can easily afford E-tools.

[minyata.livejournal.com]

I have used E-tools, I find it a useful waste of money if you are attending meetings. But thats just my personal opinion.

Droid Apps

[hadriel.livejournal.com]

I found a great droid app that's free and can easily calculates the points on the new system. It's great.

Re: Droid Apps

[hadriel.livejournal.com]

It's called ultimate points or something like that. On the droid side of things if you are thinking of getting a Samsung Galaxy, read about the battery issues.

[rato-do-perigo.livejournal.com]

What sort of encouragement do you need? :-) Or want I should ask. Anyway, yay for you!

[jamesq]

My usual joking response is "oral sex".

More serious: The occasional healthy meal I don't have to prepare myself. One of the biggest problems I have is a quick-and-dirty bachelor's diet. Preparing meals is a chore I hate, so I tend to go with pre-packaged meals. That ham-strings the effort somewhat.

What I don't need is people telling me how I'm not that fat. When weight-loss becomes noticeable, they can comment on how I look better, but telling me I look good will just depress me.

[rato-do-perigo.livejournal.com]

then i will give you cyber slaps on the back and tell you you are looking better.

I on the other hand need someone to kick my ass back to the gym.

[rato-do-perigo.livejournal.com]

and oral sex would have my first response too :-)

[mallt.livejournal.com]

Are you the type of person who gets sick of the same food over & over?
K's not, I am.
If it doesn't bother you then you can batch cook & make your own "pre-packaged) meals.
If it does... then you might have to batch cook a bunch of things!
Cooking for one seems like such a waste of effort, been there! I tried to get into the habit of batch cooking & my staples were chili, pulled pork, pot roast & chicken breast. Then I portioned them out & threw them in the freezer.

[oblivions.livejournal.com]

Sounds like you have this well in hand. The changes you describe seem reasonable too.

I give two thumbs up! and encourage a shared wine instead of a beer! See you Friday.

[ishansonofbrand.livejournal.com]

I just want to let you know we're all counting on you. Good luck.

[jamesq]

You're only 11 days late with that statement.

[ishansonofbrand.livejournal.com]

I was trying to find the gif for the scene. I couldn't. It would have made the comment more apropos.

*shrug* Ah... the internet. Why have you forsaken me?

[jamesq]

[ishansonofbrand.livejournal.com]

I Thought I had seen an animated gif of it. Yes that is the scene. I almost want to watch that movie again even though I have seen it in the last month or so.

[rectangularcat]

It's not a 7/5 thing for me. I got a measly extra 4 points to my weekly allowance and for me, 1 lose a point every 8 pounds until I get to the min of 29 which is 13 pounds away. Not very happy about that, as I am over 60 lbs to goal. Now for men, the allowances are way more generous.

I found for most of my foods, the points haven't changed except the carbs. With fruits and vegs being zero, it all works out. I am still sad that air popped popcorn is no longer a 1 point snack though. I'll have to learn to go for a fruit!

It got me to start tracking again which is good.
I hate the dinky calculator already and I've only had it for 2 days. Can't wait for the blackberry app to come out.

Go, James, go!

[missymorgan1.livejournal.com]

I've never done WW, but people feel it works...I count calories, and I've noticed that the 'points' seem like just the pared down version: if something is 250 calories, WW points seem to call it 2 or 3 points...it makes the arithmetic simpler, I think. But on my own, I have to guesstimate what the caloric intake is (shepherd's pie? I decide it is 400 calories for a reasonable sized serving - would WW call it 4 points? Dunno.)

But I admire you for the effort. I wish I could get myself in gear and lose the four bicycle tires residing in the middle abdomen here...Anyway, have courage! I am sure you will do brilliantly.