We went to the movies last night and I packed myself some carrot stick and hummus and a big bottle of water, instead of splurging on a bucket of popcorn and diet soda. You know what, I didn't even miss it. But I will admit to buying a package of peanut M&Ms, but I only had them after the carrots, and I only had 10. :-) I'm still hovering around 27 lbs of weight loss. Still working on the last few pounds. I fell off the exercise bandwagon last week, but I going to get back on it this week.

Hi! I am so glad I found this site! I decided I needed to start running again to get me off of a weight plateau IÂve been on for 6 months. You guys are great inspiration. I run on an outdoor track. Right now IÂm doing 30/30 (run 30 seconds/walk 30 seconds) and hope to increase the running soon. I work out with a weight trainer twice a week, so I have the strength, IÂm just waiting for the stamina to kick in! lol My 2 cents on the treadmill vs. outdoor running. IÂve watched people running on the treadmill and it seems to me they donÂt get as much movement with the rest of their body. ItÂs mostly legs and arms moving, probably due to the self-propelling of the treadmill. Watching people run outdoors, they use their whole upper body to run. Their upper body twists as their arms pump to help the legs propel themselves forward. So, my unscientific theory is you use more muscle running outdoors, therefore burn more calories and get a better cardio workout. But, as a few of you have said, itÂs far more convenient to run on a treadmill and as long as youÂre running....thatÂs all that counts! Right?!? Duke  thanks for the advise on the shoes! IÂve been having problems with my shins and didnÂt even consider it could be from my shoes (they are a bit old and worn). IÂm off to go buy another pair. Keep up the good work everyone! Samantha

By my calculator, it looks like you regain a day of life for every week you are a non-smoker. I've gone a whole week, not smoked 300 cigs, and saved 45.00. Can't believe it!! Weed, you can do this but I have to admit - as many times as I thought about it - there was this one epiphany (happened to be at 12:15 AM!) that just said, "I'm done." And I knew I was. The supplemental Nicotine is very helpful and as my brother said, "I'd rather wear a patch the rest of my life then smoke cigarettes again!" Pawprint didn't need his long. I need fewer lozenges per day. It's just a matter of tapering down rather then cold turkey. Hang in there! Pawprint, Just HOW does one gain weight after quitting smoking when you hardly ever sit down anymore? I've gotten more done in this past week then in a normal month - LOL. DH says that everytime he calls home I'm like, "Blah, blah, blah, blah" on the phone talking a mile a minute! Certainly do have 10X the energy I had before!!!! - and it makes me feel ten years younger (and THAT I needed!!!). TNLady

First of all, no matter what program you are on, you are supposed to eat mindfully, and not gorge yourself no matter what you are eating. You want to learn to stop when you are full, (actually, just before that). So that is why making something "zero" points should not mean you gorge on it. I think the WW changes are to acknowledge the latest science and obesity research. I think many many moons ago WW programs and most diets were based on the view that all calories were created pretty much equally. Then they decided that a) that was not good for your health and b) that led people to choose foods that may not have been filling, and so they gave into hunger. When I last was on WW, 15 yrs or so ago, the points system essentially keyed off calories, but the points system rewarded you for eating fiber and dissuaded you from eating fat. That is why points don't equal calories. I would guess that they have found that, if you make tracking the key to success, you will find very few people (even w online apps) who want to track everything they eat every single meal of every single day for the rest of their lives. If you take all of the foods that people tend not to overindulge in and that are reasonably nutritious without being calorically dense, and make them all zero, then essentially you are saying you only need to track treats, or indulgences. That is probably a lot more doable. I believe research shows that almost all diets "work." The issue is which approach one can live w indefinitely. Nearly everyone makes the mistake of playing Scarlett on this one, and figuring, after they lose, then they will worry about what to do for the rest of their lives. But the latter is the most important part. About 15 yrs ago I used WW and did very well. I did it 99% on line. I tried meetings, but some leaders, frankly, are bad at what they do. Or silly or juvenile or not really that knowledgeable. The participants can be even worse. Sorry for the misanthropic bent, but that was my experience. Some people need or like meetings for the accountability of weighing in. If that is useful to you, and or the camaraderie (assuming you are more patient/generous that I am), then WW is a sound choice. I like Myfitnesspal. I like to track from time to time and I don't feel I need a lot of guidance. It is easy to use and i have it on my phone.