Comments on Urban Cave Girl: Yum that looks tasty!

That’s why I need all the WW extra points I can ge...

2011-06-22T11:18:55.784-07:00

That’s why I need all the WW extra points I can get…I need to drink a lot of wine for my blog :-) I admit, I’m jealous that you live close to good wineries. Not that Virginia wineries are bad, they’re actually very good and getting better every year, but they’re certainly not California...yet.

Also, thanks for the congrats on my weight loss. Clearly, you know that it’s hard work, and while I still have 20 lbs until goal, I’m proud of the changes I’ve made to lost the 40lbs that are already gone. I’ll get those last 20 lbs off within the next 6 months, but at this point, it’s more about maintaining a healthy lifestyle so that I don’t become one of those people that gains it all back than it is about the numbers on the scale. So thanks!

Looking towards the weight loss maintenance part emphasizes the thing I like about WW and that I dislike about some of the other diets that you mentioned (Atkins, Jenny Craig, etc.). WW focuses on living and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, not on “dieting.” In fact, at the beginning of my weight loss, I would get scolded for losing more than 2 lbs a week because that was considered unhealthy (it just goes to show you how awful my eating and exercise habits were!). Does everyone doing WW get that it’s not about dieting…unfortunately not. People are looking for a quick answer, which never leads to long term success and probably leads them to eat things like those WW cakes. And you’re right, that’s never the healthy option. Is it healthier than a Twinkie, though? Probably. So, maybe for that person it is a “smarter” choice rather than a “smart” one.

All that said, I appreciate your clarification of what angered you…and in general, I agree. I still don’t think that it makes WW a bad program. Maybe I just choose to ignore the aspects you have problems with because I’ve changed my whole eating style to be barcode free food as I can, so I don’t even think about those products, the same way that I don’t think about Twinkies. I wonder if they come from WW’s emphasis that you shouldn’t deprive yourself, since it is a lifestyle change not a diet. It’s true that sometimes my “fruit free” sugar rush in the afternoon just doesn’t cut it when I really want a piece of chocolate or ice cream, but those days are few and far between at this point. Maybe that’s why there aren’t more success stories…people rely on these foods to still get their ice cream dessert every night rather than recognizing that they’re really meant for a treat once in a very blue moon.

Anyway, thanks for engaging in the discussion with me…it’s given me some more to think about. Also, a heartfelt thanks for adding my blog (make sure you check out the new site, since I don't actually use blogger anymore). Clearly, I read yours, so I’m glad you find mine interesting as well!

Alleigh....first of all...let me start by saying t...

2011-06-21T15:18:39.148-07:00

Alleigh....first of all...let me start by saying this....Is your blog REALLY about wine?? OMG!!! LOVE IT!!! I seen you did a blurb on the 7 deadly ZINS! We live fairly close to that winery and have visited may times. We are fortunate to live where we do...close to all the great wineries. I don't know nearly enough about wine, but I sure do like to drink it. I'd love to learn more about food pairing and wine. That seems to be where I'm dumbfounded.

Secondly, thanks for your response to the WW post. Never be afraid to say what you feel. I respect that from everyone, especially if they disagree with me! I won't get into all the details but will say I do agree with your comment on the fruit, well said. That would be one of my many beefs too. Also, congrats BIG time on your weight loss. I'd like to say that being healthy and in shape is easy for me, but alas, it's rather difficult. I'm a former fatty ;) lol

With all that being said, I still think it's total bullshit they even MAKE crap food like their cakes etc....That was kinda the point of my post.

It's just a total contradiction to me and frankly, irresponsible. Their snack foods are total garbage IMHO. It would be like me advocating whole foods and a preservative free lifestyle and then signing on to endorse a box of Ritz crackers to make a quick buck. WTH?

And anyone will lose weight on ANY plan if they follow it 100%. I don't care if it's Southbeach, WW, Atkins, Body for Life, Jenny Craig, etc.... The problem is after the initial time runs out...did you learn the lessons you needed to learn about food to continue or do you need to pay 17 bucks a month for the rest of your life to track points? or buy pre packaged meals, or whatever the case may be.

I've actually known quite a few people do WW and gain the weight back after they stopped the program. Some of them did it the right way and ate the "good foods" and left the snacks for here and there and then others, didn't really pay attention and ate shit as long as they were within their points. In both cases they gained the weight back.

I just want people to eat their foods from a farm and a garden rather than a science lab. And I want people to be AWARE!!! To pay attention, to read labels, and make smart choices and eating a WW Chocolate Creme Snack Cake, no matter how many points you have left, is not a smart choice. They'd be better off eating the free fruit ;)

Again, thanks for your comment! I'm adding your blog cause I love the topic and your passion!
*cheers*

I debated whether or not to comment, since I’m sur...

2011-06-21T12:35:20.140-07:00

I debated whether or not to comment, since I’m sure I won't change your mind, but as someone who has lost more than 40 lbs with the help of Weight Watchers, I decided to speak up.

You've missed the point of the WW program. Do they offer their own foods…of course; they’re a business. However, the program doesn’t require or even advocate that a person eat one of those cakes or any of their other foods. It’s all up to the individual, and that’s part of what makes the program workable and contributes to the long-term, maintained weight loss success stories.

WW is a healthy way to lose weight because it focuses on the very thing that you seem to think it ignores—healthy eating. The program is not just on tracking points, although that is certainly part of it. However, being on the program is also about eating within the good healthy guidelines (GHG), which includes not only staying within the daily points, but also eating/drinking a daily minimum amount of water, milk, fruits & vegetables, and healthy oil, and exercising daily. On a 29-point, once you’ve eaten your GHGs, there might room one of those 2-pt cakes or maybe even a 4-pt glass of wine, but the likelihood of having much more than that available is very small. Plus, someone who is on program is trying to change eating habits and would probably be as disgusted as you are by a menu of 6 of those cakes, a small McD’s cheeseburger, and a BK Dutch Apple pie.

I’m all for fair criticism of the WW program, as I do think there are some flaws (for example, while I’m not fat from eating too much fruit, fruit should have daily points values. Under the previous program, fruits had points, but under the revamped program released this past November, fruits are a “free” food). However, to insinuate that WW is advocating for or even condoning eating a diet full of fast food and crème-filled cakes has never actually looked at the program or been to a WW meeting.

Clearly, you’re a person who has a passion for positive, healthy eating behaviors…and maybe that even came naturally to you. For some of us, it takes more work, and while it may become habit or even a passion that develops over time, WW is a positive (often physician recommended) way to proactively start heading down the right path towards a healthy lifestyle. Is the end all and be all? No. But, it deserves more credit then you give it in this blog post.

agreed! Great article!

2011-06-15T04:21:21.991-07:00

agreed! Great article!

I know! It's disgusting. I always picture in...

2011-06-14T20:19:05.667-07:00

I know! It's disgusting. I always picture in my mind, a table...and on that table are all the ingredients in that particular food. If it starts looking like a science lab rather than a table with real food, I turn away. And what is a Dough Conditioner? The only conditioner I use is in my hair!

OMG, that doesn't look appetizing AT ALL! And ...

2011-06-14T19:39:07.318-07:00

OMG, that doesn't look appetizing AT ALL! And that list of ingredients is shameful. They really shouldn't be able to call it food.