Struggling with Weight - Weight Watchers & Vegetarianism?

Updated on February 06, 2012
A.C. asks from Atlanta, GA
6 answers

Has anyone out there had a lot of success with Weight Watchers? Is it worth the money? Has anyone done Weight Watchers as a vegetarian? How does it work?

Basically, I have been carrying around an extra 25 pounds for the last three years, ever since the birth of my first child. I am not considered obese yet, but I am certainly not feeling good about myself. In my family, we walk almost daily, we are vegetarian (I am pescatarian), and I think I prepare pretty healthy meals: lots of veg, not a lot of butter or fat. My husband has lost nearly 20 pounds since this summer now that I am cooking more. I had also lost 10 pounds, and had only 15 to go to my ideal weight. My husband and I had been talking about having a third baby, but I think I need to lose this weight first.

However, in November (right before the holidays), I hit a snag when I was diagnosed with a caffeine sensitivity, which basically means I am allergic to caffeine. I am going to have some more tests run in April, but as of right now, all things caffeine, from coffee to tea to chocolate, are on the no-no list. This has been extremely difficult, because my kids are 3 and 16 months, not sleeping through the night regularly, and I had been using caffeine to help get me going in the mornings and keep me going with them all day. I haven't been able to find anything else to give me that energy, so I've been turning to sugar. I am trying to resisit it, but when I feel completely worn out in the afternoons, I absolutely turn to something sugary. We eat organically in our family, and so artificial sweeteners are not an option.

I began going to the gym more regularly a couple of weeks ago as part of my New Year's Resolution, and was shocked to step on the scale and see that I had gained all 10 pounds back. I tried giving up sugar, but I just couldn't do it - I felt tired all the time without it.

This is one reason Weight Watchers appeals to me - I know a certain amount of sugar is allowed (I've seen the WW cakes and ice creams and such at the stores, although I don't know if they are made with artificial sweeteners). However, my family does not currently have a lot of extra money and WW does cost some, so I'd like to hear from others who have been through it, to see if it's worth it, before I sign up.

Thank you!

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So What Happened?

Thanks everyone! I have decided to go for it. I don't really know how to "diet" because, until I had my son three years ago, I had never had to before. It sounds like WW will teach me the skills I need to learn how to lose weight. Thanks to everyone for your advice!

More Answers

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M.J.

answers from Sacramento on

I did the Weight Watchers online only program and did great! I had 20 lbs. that wouldn't budge and lost it through WW. The program is sensible and does teach you great habits overall. I think you'd do especially well as a vegetarian because fruits & vegetables are highly encouraged under the newest program (zero points).

I understand the frustration at not being able to have caffeine. I can't for medical reasons, too, and it's rough some days. Drinking lots of water can help, especially cold water. I find it gives me a little jolt that gets me going. Exercise is also critical.

I'm also a sugar addict and learned to scale back there, too. WW will give you some good ideas for substitutes for the things you crave and also will allow you to indulge in your favorites. Nothing is off limits.

Good luck!

2 moms found this helpful
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J.L.

answers from Chicago on

Weight watchers is fantastic! Down 23lbs. It is also vegetarian friendly!! Many choices without the meat! They are also becoming for sensitive to Gluten free options as well. Bottom line is WW has been great, they teach you about portion control and tracking what you put in your mouth. That's why many of us have weight to lose because portions are too big! LOL. Best of luck!

2 moms found this helpful
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K.S.

answers from Denver on

I'm not going to be a lot of help, but wanted to give you a 'you go girl'. I am also vegetarian, so find that lots of diet plans aren't well-matched with this. Not that they don't support it, just don't explain the substitutions to be made (like how lentils have a ton of protein, but where would they fit in?). I do know that once I gave up most dairy, I dropped a lot of weight. I'm not vegan, but fairly close. Almond milk for cereal, etc. No cheese except cream cheese. Finding one thing like that to cut out could help.

I'm also with you on the sugar. I try to cut down, but I just can't make the leap to eliminate it. Maybe someday, but not now- especially with a family who would make it impossible. But again, that doesn't mean I can't try to cut down when possible.

I hope you get some good advice. I know lots who have done WW with success, and I'm sure they'll have ideas how to make the vegetarian thing fit. I'm checking back to see! Good luck to you!

1 mom found this helpful
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H.M.

answers from Dallas on

I did weight watches for a few months and lost about 22 lbs. I am not a vegitarian. I found that for me it was hard cause I obsessed over EVERYTHING I put in my mouth. But the ice creams and cakes are really good and yes they do have artificial sweetners in them. Unfortunalty men don't have to try as hard which is really annoying! But the nice thing about weight watchers is you can try it out and if you don't like it you don't have to keep doing it. What I did was went and got the information and figured out how it worked and did not go to the meetings as I didn't have the money for that but was worth getting the info.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.L.

answers from Green Bay on

WW works for so many people so I would imagine it would work for vegetarians also. Why don't you stop by a WW office and talk to them about it, they would know best how the plan would adapt to your lifestyle. If you really want to join but are struggling with the money end of it you could just join for a month and then quit. That way you would have all the WW information and could just do it on your own at home as long as you don't need the meetings to keep yourself accountable.

1 mom found this helpful

A.G.

answers from Houston on

That is always something that stops me from trying diet plans, vegetarianism. As far as getting going in the morning , try a little light yoga, it always gives me energy.

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