Weight Watchers

I've been doing Weight Watchers for the last month and a half because I needed to lose some baby weight (and pre-baby weight) that was hanging around far too long. So far, I've lost 8 pounds and one clothing size, and I've convinced a few other people to do the same. I always had sort of negative feelings about WW - it sounded so cheesy and bourgeois - that is, middle class and boring. But hey, it WORKS! I've been using their online program (no meetings), and have been very impressed. In general, I've been losing about a pound a week, which is a very healthy rate. (The first week I lost four pounds, which is not unusual at the beginning; last week I gained 2/10ths of a pound because I was taking a little vacation from the diet, which involved eating a lot of cake and German sausages).

At times, it has been a challenge. On the first afternoon I had a little temper tantrum and railed against living my life according to the dictates of a multinational corporation - how dare they tell me what I could eat? But then I went out and bought a bunch of healthy snacks (vitally important) and things got a little more rational. I had to deal with some serious hunger pangs, lightheadedness, and a general hunger-induced daze during the first two weeks, but now my body seems to have adjusted, though I still have occasional hungry days. I also have a big incentive to work out, because the more you work out, the more you can eat.

Of course, maintaining the weight loss will be a challenge. There's lots of information out there about how most people who lose weight gain it back. I know people who have gained it back, but I also know people who have lost it for good. And since my weight gain was the result of a) pregnancy b) liking dessert too much and c) a sedentary job, I think I will be able to keep it off with some minor lifestyle changes. I don't seem to have major psychological issues around food; I don't eat when I'm stressed or when I'm bored. I just like it a lot. Especially cake.