I joined with my sister. It's $14 a week, and when I joined two and a half weeks ago there was no reg. fee. (I think that's usually $35.) I don't know if the special is still going or not, but I'm happy to share any info you need on the point system. I love that there's no restrictions on foods you can eat. I love bread, cereal and pasta. The Atkins diet would just about kill me. Good luck with it, I know a lot of people who just love Atkins.

You can even do WW online for a fraction of the meeting prices.
Just go to www.weightwatchers.com
and check it out.
All the materials are available online.

AAlso www.Dottisweightlosszone.com is a good informative site and has all the info yet a more personal point of view.

The meetings are really great, though, and they quote the statistic that you are 8 times more likely to succeed if you attend meetings.
And they have an incredible success ratae for people KEEPING it off, which is in many ways harder than taking if off because it goes on forever and never stops.

But it is nutritionally the most sound and the meetings are generally very entertaining as well as supportive.

I was a WW leader for a time years ago and it kept me on my toes.

I did WW because I wanted to go from 116 to 105, which had always been a normal weight for me. I tried the meetings, but many of the larger ladies made some pretty snide comments about my size. So, I chose to do it online. I was very easily able to track my foods and points, and the weight came off in about 7 weeks.
This time, I want to go from 113 to about 105 (I have a really form fitting wedding dress and I want to make sure it fits). I will say that Atkins takes it off quicker, but I would probably sell my kidney at this point for some sourdough bread!
Other than the bread thing, I feel less deprived on Atkins than on WW, but I do realize that WW is a healthier choice.

Good luck on Atkins Ms.T!! I would feel so deprived on that one. I like being able to eat whatever I want with WW. This weekend will be my big test though. I'm about to leave to visit my grandmother in Philly. We're going out to dinner tonight and taking my kids to see the liberty bell and other sites tomorrow. I know I can't leave town without a cheesesteak!!

swimprincess, copa 2 right across the street from Jim's has an excellent chicken cheesesteak, and they will go light on the cheese for you if you are watching your points. they also have an excellent turkey burger and killer margaritas. Not too far from the Liberty bell complex and society hill. have a fun weekend!

Use your flex points and when your meal comes ask for a doggie bag, put 1/2 in there to take home after the meal is over.
Even if other people ask for boxes later, the thing is that there is no way you will break into your doggie bag once the meal is started.
:):)

Gosh, I wish I would ever see such low numbers.
Even when I was a bellydancer I weighed about 125.

I know NOW that I had a good shape then but, of course, all I did was feel fat all the time, even in size 7 jeans.

Now I just want to get to 157 (147 personal goal)
That is high but since I can't exercise currently that is what my MD told me yesterday.
I already am a Lifetime member so when I am at my goal (now,, since the new wt. assigned) I won't have to pay my $9 a meeting anymore.

Saving it for sparklies!!!

Pook,

You brought back memories of Dotties Weight Loss Zone! I am a WW lifetime member and attended the first conference in Oregon. Dottie's page really helped me lose over 80 pounds! And I am maintaining my loss for three years now! You can see my pic on the following link (she misspelled my name), I am Cherokee37.

http://www.dottisweightlosszone.com/conference2/yearbook.html

Oh, excuse my funny name "Cherokee37" - Shoediva was already taken on her board! I picked Cherokee37 because my Grandfather died that year and I found out he was a member of Cherokee nation, which made me a member too. 37 was my age then, how hokey is that. I went to the conference, had a blast, I was about five pounds from goal weight then.

I had never met any of these people face to face before, so it was quite the experience. I went on to make goal and starting attending meetings once a month for weigh ins, moved and eventually lost touch with the board.

It is a great board, a crutch for me in fact. I wouldn't have lost the weight without the support.

Great to "see" you Shoediva, and congratulations on your weight loss success!

Thanks for the tips, OHMom and Pookarina! I think I did okay this weekend. We went to a family style place for dinner last night, so it was easy to take a small portion for myself and stop at that. This afternoon we did the sights and had lunch at the Borse. My kids and I shared 2 cheesesteaks between the 3 of us, we skipped the fries and all drank water. I still have flex points left, I can't believe it!! Now my nemisis is the garage full of boyscout popcorn. I'm the popcorn cooridinator for our pack and have a ton of it in my garage right now. The chocolate caramel crunch is calling my name!! It's on the expensive side though, so I think I'm safe.

Shoedive, congrats on your weight loss!!