New to WWW (Katy, Texas area) ...I'm Bummed

Okay, I'm in week 2, and I'm feeling a bit bummed. I've attended 2
meetings, which I am told is key to being successful, and I just can't
relate. I feel that they both have been a waste of my time.

The first meeting, the "instructor" talked for 30 minutes about getting old
(yes, I'm getting old) and what we can do to help improve our memory. I
guess I fail to see how this is supposed to inspire me to lose weight. The
second 30 minutes of hte meeting was for those of us who had just signed up.
The "instructor" flew through the Getting Started book (while she kept
looking at the clock) and said, "call if you have questions."

My second meeting was last night. When I checked in, the "checker-in-er"
never made eye contact with me. She took my coupons, registered my weight,
and handed me a booklet for "week 2" participants. I went early, and was SO
disapointed that I did. The "instructor" for that night (different from the
first meeting) arrived early, too, and for 30 minutes she stood in the front
of the room and talked about herself....how her legs are SOOOO long and that
the top part of her torso is SOOOO short.....how she teaches kick-boxing and
aerobics ALLLL day long.....augh! There was never any interaction with
anyone in the room....we all just sat there and forced a smile (at least I
did). She had her stage for the night! It really did turn me off! When she
started her "talk", she talked about skin cancer and getting screened early.
Not a mention about Weight Watchers or anything. I left, not learning
anything more about Weight Watchers than I had than when I arrived.

Okay, so can someone out there tell me, WHAT EXACTLY ARE THOSE MEETINGS FOR?
Am I wasting my time by going and sitting there being told things that I
already know (or have magazine subscriptions that help me out). Do they
ever talk about Weight Watchers and the program?

I can lose weight, but I do best when I am held accountable to someone else.
That's why I joined WW. I thought that by going to weekly meetings, I would
have to "share" my weight loss/gain with others....that i would get support
from others.....that i might get some good, healthy recipes and eating tips.
After these two nights, I feel like I am wasting my time and money!

Any suggestions?

Sheri

In article ,
"DOUG BONSAL" wrote:


I can lose weight, but I do best when I am held accountable to someone else.
That's why I joined WW. I thought that by going to weekly meetings, I would
have to "share" my weight loss/gain with others....that i would get support
from others.....that i might get some good, healthy recipes and eating tips.
After these two nights, I feel like I am wasting my time and money!

Any suggestions?

Sheri

I think the best suggestion is to change meetings. Is there a meeting
in another town close by that you could go to? You can just turn up at
another meeting and try it out if you like. I am currently not going to
meetings for similar reasons. In 6 meetings there were three different
leaders, all of whom basically said they were just "filling in" and
waffled on with a bunch of garbage. The woman who had previously led
that group was fantastic and did all the supportive, helpful stuff you
are looking for. Unfortunately she got sick and had to leave. It isn't
really feasible for me to go to a different meeting, but I will go back
to my 'local' in a month or two and see who is running it. I really
like meetings, but only if the leader is good.

eggs.

I feel so bad for you!! Sounds like a bad case of bad leaders!! Mine
are always so helpful. Maybe look up the weight watchers number for your
local area, and voice your opinion to the district or whatever.
K

"DOUG BONSAL" wrote in message
...
Okay, I'm in week 2, and I'm feeling a bit bummed. I've attended 2
meetings, which I am told is key to being successful, and I just can't
relate. I feel that they both have been a waste of my time.

The first meeting, the "instructor" talked for 30 minutes about getting
old
(yes, I'm getting old) and what we can do to help improve our memory. I
guess I fail to see how this is supposed to inspire me to lose weight.
The
second 30 minutes of hte meeting was for those of us who had just signed
up.
The "instructor" flew through the Getting Started book (while she kept
looking at the clock) and said, "call if you have questions."

My second meeting was last night. When I checked in, the "checker-in-er"
never made eye contact with me. She took my coupons, registered my
weight,
and handed me a booklet for "week 2" participants. I went early, and was
SO
disapointed that I did. The "instructor" for that night (different from
the
first meeting) arrived early, too, and for 30 minutes she stood in the
front
of the room and talked about herself....how her legs are SOOOO long and
that
the top part of her torso is SOOOO short.....how she teaches kick-boxing
and
aerobics ALLLL day long.....augh! There was never any interaction with
anyone in the room....we all just sat there and forced a smile (at least I
did). She had her stage for the night! It really did turn me off! When
she
started her "talk", she talked about skin cancer and getting screened
early.
Not a mention about Weight Watchers or anything. I left, not learning
anything more about Weight Watchers than I had than when I arrived.

Okay, so can someone out there tell me, WHAT EXACTLY ARE THOSE MEETINGS
FOR?
Am I wasting my time by going and sitting there being told things that I
already know (or have magazine subscriptions that help me out). Do they
ever talk about Weight Watchers and the program?

I can lose weight, but I do best when I am held accountable to someone
else.
That's why I joined WW. I thought that by going to weekly meetings, I
would
have to "share" my weight loss/gain with others....that i would get
support
from others.....that i might get some good, healthy recipes and eating
tips.
After these two nights, I feel like I am wasting my time and money!

Any suggestions?

Sheri

On Thu, 03 Mar 2005 21:33:31 GMT, "DOUG BONSAL"
wrote:

Look for another meeting if you can. What you're describing is not a
typical WW meeting - not where I live anyway. The leader can make all
the difference in how you feel about the program.

Lynne
Highest Weight - 308
WW Start Weight this time around Dec 29/04 - 222.4
Weight this week - 214.0
Goal - 150 (Subject to change)
"Change doesn't happen while you're sitting around."


Okay, I'm in week 2, and I'm feeling a bit bummed. I've attended 2
meetings, which I am told is key to being successful, and I just can't
relate. I feel that they both have been a waste of my time.

The first meeting, the "instructor" talked for 30 minutes about getting old
(yes, I'm getting old) and what we can do to help improve our memory. I
guess I fail to see how this is supposed to inspire me to lose weight. The
second 30 minutes of hte meeting was for those of us who had just signed up.
The "instructor" flew through the Getting Started book (while she kept
looking at the clock) and said, "call if you have questions."

My second meeting was last night. When I checked in, the "checker-in-er"
never made eye contact with me. She took my coupons, registered my weight,
and handed me a booklet for "week 2" participants. I went early, and was SO
disapointed that I did. The "instructor" for that night (different from the
first meeting) arrived early, too, and for 30 minutes she stood in the front
of the room and talked about herself....how her legs are SOOOO long and that
the top part of her torso is SOOOO short.....how she teaches kick-boxing and
aerobics ALLLL day long.....augh! There was never any interaction with
anyone in the room....we all just sat there and forced a smile (at least I
did). She had her stage for the night! It really did turn me off! When she
started her "talk", she talked about skin cancer and getting screened early.
Not a mention about Weight Watchers or anything. I left, not learning
anything more about Weight Watchers than I had than when I arrived.

Okay, so can someone out there tell me, WHAT EXACTLY ARE THOSE MEETINGS FOR?
Am I wasting my time by going and sitting there being told things that I
already know (or have magazine subscriptions that help me out). Do they
ever talk about Weight Watchers and the program?

I can lose weight, but I do best when I am held accountable to someone else.
That's why I joined WW. I thought that by going to weekly meetings, I would
have to "share" my weight loss/gain with others....that i would get support
from others.....that i might get some good, healthy recipes and eating tips.
After these two nights, I feel like I am wasting my time and money!

Any suggestions?

Sheri

I will add to this. There are supposed to be topics that are WW related, the
leaders get a suggested script thing. Mine are always on WW topics. You need
to report these people. And if you can, attend a different meeting. I am in
a rather medium sized town in South Texas and we have three different ones
here.
I really needed my meetings while losing, and still go once a month or more
while I am maintaining.
--
LESANNE
365/162.5/164
"nickiname" wrote in message
...
I feel so bad for you!! Sounds like a bad case of bad leaders!! Mine
are always so helpful. Maybe look up the weight watchers number for your
local area, and voice your opinion to the district or whatever.
K

"DOUG BONSAL" wrote in message
...
Okay, I'm in week 2, and I'm feeling a bit bummed. I've attended 2
meetings, which I am told is key to being successful, and I just can't
relate. I feel that they both have been a waste of my time.

The first meeting, the "instructor" talked for 30 minutes about getting
old
(yes, I'm getting old) and what we can do to help improve our memory. I
guess I fail to see how this is supposed to inspire me to lose weight.
The
second 30 minutes of hte meeting was for those of us who had just signed
up.
The "instructor" flew through the Getting Started book (while she kept
looking at the clock) and said, "call if you have questions."

My second meeting was last night. When I checked in, the "checker-in-er"
never made eye contact with me. She took my coupons, registered my
weight,
and handed me a booklet for "week 2" participants. I went early, and was
SO
disapointed that I did. The "instructor" for that night (different from
the
first meeting) arrived early, too, and for 30 minutes she stood in the
front
of the room and talked about herself....how her legs are SOOOO long and
that
the top part of her torso is SOOOO short.....how she teaches kick-boxing
and
aerobics ALLLL day long.....augh! There was never any interaction with
anyone in the room....we all just sat there and forced a smile (at least
I
did). She had her stage for the night! It really did turn me off! When
she
started her "talk", she talked about skin cancer and getting screened
early.
Not a mention about Weight Watchers or anything. I left, not learning
anything more about Weight Watchers than I had than when I arrived.

Okay, so can someone out there tell me, WHAT EXACTLY ARE THOSE MEETINGS
FOR?
Am I wasting my time by going and sitting there being told things that I
already know (or have magazine subscriptions that help me out). Do they
ever talk about Weight Watchers and the program?

I can lose weight, but I do best when I am held accountable to someone
else.
That's why I joined WW. I thought that by going to weekly meetings, I
would
have to "share" my weight loss/gain with others....that i would get
support
from others.....that i might get some good, healthy recipes and eating
tips.
After these two nights, I feel like I am wasting my time and money!

Any suggestions?

Sheri

I can understand your frustration. I think both of your leaders were in the
wrong meeting. My leader does share her experience with losing weight as she
lost 95 pounds decades ago. She also talks about strategies for eating out
and lots of other assigned topics. Yes, they get assigned topics that they
are supposed to discuss. Clearly yours does not. Find another meeting
location. I would also check to see if your location is part of WW
international or one of the rare franchises out there. You should complain
to the district manager and WW headquarters. They are taking your money and
not even discussing WW topics as they are supposed to.

"DOUG BONSAL" wrote in message
...
Okay, I'm in week 2, and I'm feeling a bit bummed. I've attended 2
meetings, which I am told is key to being successful, and I just can't
relate. I feel that they both have been a waste of my time.

The first meeting, the "instructor" talked for 30 minutes about getting
old
(yes, I'm getting old) and what we can do to help improve our memory. I
guess I fail to see how this is supposed to inspire me to lose weight.
The
second 30 minutes of hte meeting was for those of us who had just signed
up.
The "instructor" flew through the Getting Started book (while she kept
looking at the clock) and said, "call if you have questions."

My second meeting was last night. When I checked in, the "checker-in-er"
never made eye contact with me. She took my coupons, registered my
weight,
and handed me a booklet for "week 2" participants. I went early, and was
SO
disapointed that I did. The "instructor" for that night (different from
the
first meeting) arrived early, too, and for 30 minutes she stood in the
front
of the room and talked about herself....how her legs are SOOOO long and
that
the top part of her torso is SOOOO short.....how she teaches kick-boxing
and
aerobics ALLLL day long.....augh! There was never any interaction with
anyone in the room....we all just sat there and forced a smile (at least I
did). She had her stage for the night! It really did turn me off! When
she
started her "talk", she talked about skin cancer and getting screened
early.
Not a mention about Weight Watchers or anything. I left, not learning
anything more about Weight Watchers than I had than when I arrived.

Okay, so can someone out there tell me, WHAT EXACTLY ARE THOSE MEETINGS
FOR?
Am I wasting my time by going and sitting there being told things that I
already know (or have magazine subscriptions that help me out). Do they
ever talk about Weight Watchers and the program?

I can lose weight, but I do best when I am held accountable to someone
else.
That's why I joined WW. I thought that by going to weekly meetings, I
would
have to "share" my weight loss/gain with others....that i would get
support
from others.....that i might get some good, healthy recipes and eating
tips.
After these two nights, I feel like I am wasting my time and money!

Any suggestions?

Sheri

"DOUG BONSAL" wrote in message
...
Okay, I'm in week 2, and I'm feeling a bit bummed. I've attended 2
meetings, which I am told is key to being successful, and I just can't
relate. I feel that they both have been a waste of my time.

Sounds like you have uninspiring leaders. Like any other organisation, WW
has good, bad & indifferent leaders of its sessions. Luckily, the one I
attend has a good leader. Find out where there are other meetings in your
area, who the leaders are and switch. Also provide feedback (politely) to WW
head office about your bad experience.

Best of luck, helen s

Hi Katy and welcome to the group. Sounds like you;ve hit a bad meeting.
I've been to some of them too - just keep looking around for a better one if
possible. If not, stick around here and we'll answer any questions you've
got. Here's our welcome notice to get you started.

Welcome to this great newsgroup where you'll receive lots of support,
advice, and encouragement. Once a week on Sundays, I post a list of links
that newcomers to asdww might find useful. You may want to look for that
later in the week, or do a backwards search for last Sunday's post.

In the meantime, here's our FAQ:
http://www.didian.com/asdww/
our welcome notice:
http://www.geocities.com/welcomenotice/index.html

Frequently seen acronyms on this NG:
NSV = Non-Scale Victory
WOE = Way of Eating
WOL = Way of Life (Living)
OP = on Points or On Program
DH = Dear or Darling Husband
DS/DD/DGD/etc = Dear or Darling Son, Daughter, Granddaughter, etc
WI = Weigh-in

Amberle3's Challenges:

Totally Groovy exercise challenge:
http://www.angelfire.com/me4/travelgirl/tg.htm

Choose to Lose weight loss challenge:
http://www.angelfire.com/me4/travelgirl/ctl.htm

Weight Loss Challenge Summary:
http://www.angelfire.com/me4/travelgirl/summary.htm


Other acronyms:
http://www.wwlissa.com/dwlz100+/100+acronyms.htm

Here's a short synopsis of the USA Flexpoints program by Joyce -

How many points you can eat is only based on your current weight, as you
lose weight those points allowed will decrease (logic is that your body will
need less to operate). At 183 pounds and based on the new US flexpoints
system, you will have a set point target of 24. In addition to this you are
allowed 35 flexpoints to be used throughout the week ... as well as any
activity points you earn on a particular day. When your weight drops to
175, your target drops to 22 points ... weight reaches 150, target once
again drop to 20 points. 3 servings of dairy of recommended per day, 5
servings of fruit and veggies, minimum of 6 glasses of water.

To calculate food and activity points, I love this computer desktop
calculator ...
http://www.zythra.com/downloads/points.exe

The basic plan is easy. Eat at least your minimum daily number of points.
Points do not carry over from day to day. You are allotted 35 weekly
flexpoints to be used at your discretion ... can divide them up and use
daily (would be an additional 5 points per day) or save them and use them
for a special occassion during the week. Activity points are earned based
when exercising, but can ONLY be used on the day they are earned.


Joyce
WW starting weight: 228.8 - 2/5/02
current weight: 133.3
Lifetime: 4/4/03

And here's an explanation of Core/No-count by Laura -

It is a great plan. You DO however need to make sure that you are eating at
your normal Flex plan target number of points. This can be difficult for
some and you WILL stop losing.

Here is the summary of the plan: http://ahwww.home.comcast.net/summary.htm
Here is the detail list of foods:
http://ahwww.home.comcast.net/wwcoreplan.htm

Basic rules:
1. Eat as much of the core foods as you need to feel "satisfied" (not full).
2. If you want to eat foods that are not on the core foods list use you 35
weekly points allowance (WPA).
Note: use these points on healthy foods and not junk.
3. Activity points are used to supplement the 35 WPA for Non-core food items
only. They must be used on the day they are earned.
Note: most people find that they will increase the amount of core foods
because they are hungrier due to exercising.
4. 2 teaspoons of heathy oil daily is required.

~Laura

Please note that if you live in onther countries (UK, Australia, NZ,
Europe), the Points plans are different. The UK and Australia/NZ calculate
points based on saturated fat and total kilojoules. Most of Europe
calculates based on total fat and total kilojoules. The desktop calculator
above can handle all of these programs.

Disclaimer: As an unmoderated Usenet newsgroup, asdww is unusual in that
most of the people who participate are respectful, considerate folks who
freely share their experience with and knowledge of WW, weight loss, and
maintenance. Yet occasionally, spammers, trolls, and flamers show up to post
advertising, false information, insults, and the like. Nearly all of the
time, people like this are just trying to yank someone's chain. Most of the
regulars on this newsgroup offer their experience as a suggestion to try if
you're stuck, but are quick to advise that each person has to find what
works for him/herself. If someone posts something that doesn't sound right
to you, ask the newsgroup, ask your WW leader, or ask your health
professional.

Much success on your weight loss journey! WW works!

--
Julie.
93.5/73.6/74 (WW)/72 (Personal) kg
205.7/161.9/162.8 (WW)/158 (Personal) lb

Here's our FAQ: http://www.didian.com/asdww/ and welcome notice:
http://www.geocities.com/welcomenotice/index.html

"DOUG BONSAL" wrote in message
...
Okay, I'm in week 2, and I'm feeling a bit bummed. I've attended 2
meetings, which I am told is key to being successful, and I just can't
relate. I feel that they both have been a waste of my time.

The first meeting, the "instructor" talked for 30 minutes about getting
old
(yes, I'm getting old) and what we can do to help improve our memory. I
guess I fail to see how this is supposed to inspire me to lose weight.
The
second 30 minutes of hte meeting was for those of us who had just signed
up.
The "instructor" flew through the Getting Started book (while she kept
looking at the clock) and said, "call if you have questions."

My second meeting was last night. When I checked in, the "checker-in-er"
never made eye contact with me. She took my coupons, registered my
weight,
and handed me a booklet for "week 2" participants. I went early, and was
SO
disapointed that I did. The "instructor" for that night (different from
the
first meeting) arrived early, too, and for 30 minutes she stood in the
front
of the room and talked about herself....how her legs are SOOOO long and
that
the top part of her torso is SOOOO short.....how she teaches kick-boxing
and
aerobics ALLLL day long.....augh! There was never any interaction with
anyone in the room....we all just sat there and forced a smile (at least I
did). She had her stage for the night! It really did turn me off! When
she
started her "talk", she talked about skin cancer and getting screened
early.
Not a mention about Weight Watchers or anything. I left, not learning
anything more about Weight Watchers than I had than when I arrived.

Okay, so can someone out there tell me, WHAT EXACTLY ARE THOSE MEETINGS
FOR?
Am I wasting my time by going and sitting there being told things that I
already know (or have magazine subscriptions that help me out). Do they
ever talk about Weight Watchers and the program?

I can lose weight, but I do best when I am held accountable to someone
else.
That's why I joined WW. I thought that by going to weekly meetings, I
would
have to "share" my weight loss/gain with others....that i would get
support
from others.....that i might get some good, healthy recipes and eating
tips.
After these two nights, I feel like I am wasting my time and money!

Any suggestions?

Sheri