New To The Board (And Weight Watchers)

[Deleted User]

Hi guys!

I'm new to this specific board. I lost about 40 pounds through counting calories on SparkPeople and training for marathons. I'm 5'7", and I'm around 155 now. My goal, which is doctor-approved, is around 145. So, I don't have far to go!

However, I've been stalled for the last 6 months. I haven't been perfect, but I could get away with that before. It seems that I can't now. While I have maintained almost perfectly (My all-time low was a few weeks before my last marathon six months ago, so I was pretty lean, and I was 151.8.), and if I see the scale go up a few pounds, I can get them off in a few weeks, I just can't seem to break through into the 140s. 

So, I joined Weight Watchers. I used it in the past, but to be honest, I didn't love that I was only was allowed about 900 calories a day. Since they have a new system, I thought I'd give it a try before shelling out the big bucks for a nutritionist. 

I'm finding it hard to stay under my target (which works out to be around 1200 calories, so anyone eating under that, in my opinion, isn't eating enough). I burn anywhere from 1000--2500 calories a day through working out (yes, 2,500 calories for a long run during peak marathon training), and I've read that not everyone uses their Activity points. WITHOUT using them, I'd be starving!

Any tips? My first official weigh-in is Wednesday. I'm really hoping to make my "goal" before wedding dress shopping in June, but that might be a stretch.

mbody

If you've really stalled in weight loss, that could be your body telling you that it's at a healthy weight it likes. You can always try switching up your workouts to give your body a little kick in the butt. Try something new- new cardio, new weight lifting, ect.

[Deleted User]

Well, I'm having problems with my knee. So I'm thinking after this spring (and hopefully a few half marathons unless it really starts bothering me), I'm done running for a while. I might try spinbiking...I'm not happy with that. But. I think it will give my knee a break so that I can come back and attempt distance running again next spring or fall.

I guess I'm just nervous. I mean, marathon running got the weight off. What happens when I can't run anymore...you know?

J&K10910

Well, when you can't run anymore, you'll adjust.  Like you said, long runs burn a ton of calories.  So you were likely eating a ton of calories.  You'll eat less.  You'll find other ways to work out.  Weight loss is 80% or so what you eat anyway.  And actually, you may find that you'll be able to lose the weight better when you're not training.  I've had several running friends drop weight more easily between heavy training times because they're not stressing their bodies as much.  Just make sure to adjust your calories accordingly. 

I would also suggest that perhaps 1200 is even too low still.  I had an issue with WW not allowing me enough daily calories, and I dropped 5 lbs in 2 weeks when I attempted to go into maintenance and upped my points by 7 points a day.  So if you continue to not lose, WW may not be for you.

[Deleted User]

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_new-to-the-board-and-weight-watchers?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:238Discussion:b19ddabd-9ccf-4d52-bfd2-f1aa3eb8ba9dPost:6982054b-3bbe-4a8e-b1f7-37cb7674555d">Re: New To The Board (And Weight Watchers)</a>:
[QUOTE]Well, when you can't run anymore, you'll adjust.  Like you said, long runs burn a ton of calories.  So you were likely eating a ton of calories.  You'll eat less.  You'll find other ways to work out.  Weight loss is 80% or so what you eat anyway.  And actually, you may find that you'll be able to lose the weight better when you're not training.  I've had several running friends drop weight more easily between heavy training times because they're not stressing their bodies as much.  Just make sure to adjust your calories accordingly.  I would also suggest that perhaps 1200 is even too low still.  I had an issue with WW not allowing me enough daily calories, and I dropped 5 lbs in 2 weeks when I attempted to go into maintenance and upped my points by 7 points a day.  So if you continue to not lose, WW may not be for you.
Posted by J&K10910[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>I've had issues in the past with WW not giving me enough calories, too. This is why I was nervous to try it...but three months is around $56...and one hour with a nutritionist is $200. So, I figured I'd give this a try for three months and see what happens.</div><div>
</div><div>The thing that makes me nervous is WW seems to be all "eat your activity points if you want or not at all!!!" and if I didn't...I'd be eating 1200 calories...but burning, on a long run day, maybe 1500 calories right now (only half training now--not full). So, I'd have a deficit of around 1800 calories a day. That just doesn't seem right or healthy. On long run days, I've been eating activity points, so we'll see if that works...

</div>

jezpez717

are you eating all of your free fruits and veggies? And making sure to use those power point? I find when I eat things like the 1 point string cheese or some nuts it really kills the hunger, at least to get me to the next meal.

I did weight watchers from like June to October then dropped it and just started up a month ago, I thought I was going to DIE of starvation when I saw they dropped the points from 29 to 26.. But I just try and be really smart about the points I eat and make sure they are things that will fill me up, not be empty points