Sammy: I have never been to a WW meeting. But coming from a family, where most are morbid obese I have heard about some of their experiences. I also understand that WW have more programs and ways to loose weight than they did earlier. Over the years it has been a constant struggle for me to keep my weight down. (6 month of mindless eating and I have gained 50 pounds!!!). Over the years I have studied treatment of obesity, both because of my personal interest in keeping my weight down, but also because of my former profession (I was a medical doctor ... had to stop because of brain damage that caused complex partial seizures). It is not loosing the weight that is hard!!! Any change in ones diet and exercise habits that causes one to be in energy deficit will make a person loose weight. Many sort of diets will make people loose weight. Some are more healthy than others. But all research shows that more than 98 percent who looses weight on any kind of diet will gain it all back + more. So yes people can loose weight ... but keeping the weight off is the problem. If Weight Watchers can help you to loose the weight and make the lifestyle changes needed to be constant vigilant about eating and exercise habits I certainly support people going there. Many do however only go to WW meetings to loose weight. Maintaining the weight loss is really important and for most it is a life long challenge. Many mention the social support going to meetings provide. It does help during the weight loss phase, but remember that most will need to keep up the lifestyle changes the rest of their lives. Getting more knowledge about nutrition, physiology and exercise will help. But even those who know it a lot about these subjects will become overweight anyway. Knowledge do not necessarily lead to action ..... People over eat for many reasons. Psychological, sociological and cultural factors also play their part. It is highly individual what will help different people to loose weight and keep the weight of. A good place to look for online support is this forum: http://weight-loss.fitness.com/ I also recommend learning to use this site: http://www.thedailyplate.com The sad truth about many of our efforts to loose weight is that the body actually try to counteract these efforts. Many who want to loose weight eat way too little and loose too much lean body mass and actually ends up slowing their metabolism down. Many loose weight but they actually only become smaller softer versions of what they look like now. I am not saying that people necessarily should strive to reach their ideal weight. I hate that term ... ones ideal weight is highly individual. Some can carry more weight than others and the "Ideal weight" as 25 yo is different than 50 yo. The most common mistakes in loosing weight are: - People eat to little ( the body will counteract that by slowing the metabolism down) but the worst part is that people do get enough nutrients (macro and micro nutrients). It is important to get enough protein. - People are not exercising enough and in the right way ( Aerobic exercise and weight exercise). I think I better end my rant here. There are many ways to loose weight that is for sure. Keeping the weight off and actually live healthy and build a better body is the real challenge. I sure wish all of you well in your pursuit of your goals to loose weight and get in better shape. And gardening is great exercise!!

hey donna, I'm in south Texas, very hot weather already this is tthe first year I get Orioles so I'm very excited about it. I saw the female do it again, so I will be looking for a shady spot this afternoon to move my HB feeder and I will be putting orange slices for her.I have so much action going on in my back yard today, one of my feeders is right by a window so I've been abel to see the hummingbirds pretty close, and they are curious, they look straight at me. I saw one with a red chest and one with a purple chest. green on the back, I saw two duller lookng ones , I don't have time to search for them on the internet but first thing tomorrow morning.

Sounds like you are an Online ETools member. Weight range 150-174# has a target point of 22 points per day with 35 extra points (Flex Points)a week to use through the week if you need them. I find I use some of my Flex Points each week--especially handy when eating out. Good luck on your weight loss journey!! Susy

I find the program very healthy. I eat a lot of protein, veggies, and fruit. No junk food at all. I agree that they sell a lot of over priced packaged stuff, but I've never once bought a WW product. Of course they want to make money with those convenient foods, but the leader of my meeting doesn't push them and honestly I think maybe only a couple people in the meetings I've gone to buy them. I get 30 smart points per day and I spend them wisely on healthy food that fills me up. There any many days I struggle to eat the full 30 points. If you are hungry, veggies, fruit, or lean protein are the key. The advice to fill up on these things is the same across many diet theories these days. I think a lot of people used to junk food, sweets, fatty foods, or high carb foods who stick with WW quickly find that these things use up points too quickly and they are hungry. By contrast healthy foods are very low in points so you can eat a whole lot of them for the daily 30 points, and thus are never hungry. At least that has been my experience.