New Gear
So upon checking in, I got my new points target, which is 30. That number meant nothing to me. Could be a lot, could be nothing, could be about the same. The new points values consider fat, fiber, protein and carbohydrates. No calories. The Getting Started guide says that "PointsPlus values take into account the energy after you've processed a food." (page 38.) See below:
As such, some foods that you eat will go up tremendously, others will go down, and some will stay the same. The example here shows how much microwave popcorn is effected. I calculated by super-duper lean ground beef (96/4) and it actually went down. My cheese I use for tacos stayed the same. (which really means it went down, since my points went up, right?) My favorite protein drink went up by 1, but again, my daily points went up.
There's gonna be a whole lotta calculating going on in the next few weeks! I personally don't mind. It's good to re-tool, and I guess I sorta feel that after having reached a cool milestone yesterday (under 200 + 25 pounds gone), now's as good a time as any to change. Some people at the meeting were livid. "Does this mean the 1 point bars I bought on sale yesterday are now higher? That's false advertising!" "This is STUPID!" "Not counting calories? That's a mistake!" Now I'm not making any conclusions, but all of those mad seemed to be on the other side of 60. I'm just reporting observations, no conclusions. Make your own assumptions. (ahem.)
Like I mentioned above, I bought the new calculator if for nothing else, to save my sanity for this week. I mean, technically I should be doing the old program until next Saturday since, in theory, that's what the rest of them are doing. But I will tell you what, I want to be able to use my iPhone app the moment it updates. My iPhone notice said it'd be a couple of days. At the meeting they said all smart phones will be up to speed by next Monday. (side eye glance.) E-tools switch over tomorrow, which is supposed to include all of your recipes re-calculated. Guess we'll see about that. In the interim, I'm walking around with this little number that looks kinda like a birth control pill pack from the outside.
I calculated my breakfast and what I plan to eat for the remainder of the day, sans my chicken/cheese soup. I'm just gonna wing it and see how it re-calculates tomorrow via e-tools.
What is super cool is that most fruits and veggies are now 0 points. We were told by WW leader Jennifer (she seemed cool!!) that the stipulation is that we eat to be satisfied, not stuffed. (errr, ok. I could eat my weight in black grapes.) Note that this is SOME fruits and veggies, and sadly, not avocados. WAHHHH! But I didn't for one second think that those would be one of those freebies. A girl can dream though, can't she? Anyway, on the way home I picked up some bananas. To add to my beloved Clementine cuties already on my kitchen counter. ;)
Other important notes about the new program:
*We still earn activity points
*I think we all re-set to a new 5% and 10% goal.
*Those 35 flex points are increased to 49 points
*Every meeting this week will be an introductory meeting
*E-tools up and running Monday 11/29
*All smartphone apps completed by next Monday 12/6
So, that's pretty much what I found out this morning. My WW leader yesterday said that the reason they started this now during the holiday season is because WW members who come during this time of the year are generally more dedicated to the program. They will try it out, and then by the time the new year rolls around and you have to arrive 20 minutes early just to get a seat in your meeting (due to all the New Years' resolutions,) you'll be able to say how great the program works. And you won't be bombarding WW staff with 1,001 questions at the same time a bunch of newbies are. (I added that one, they didn't say that.) I mean, really though...imagine if they did this in January and a bunch of new members see established members looking worried and in disarray.
Let me know how the new program works for you, I will do the same!
4 comments:
Thanks, Lindy, for this thorough and user friendly intro. I've been excited about the change, but there is no Sunday meeting in Vermont, and, to my chagrin, my e-tools won't kick in until tomorrow. I was also inspired by the structure of your blog, with your running log and weight loss progress featured. You've given some new ideas to a kindred spirit. A Running Dad
Your stereotyping comment about members over 60 reflects bias and ageist assumptions. I am a youthful, vibrant, energetic, creative lifetime WW member, am always open to new adventures and change. I can't wait to start the new program this week.
Oh, by the way, I am 71 years young, though I must admit, new friends think I'm as "young" as 50.
"miffed"
Dear Anonymously miffed:
Sorry if you were offended by my OBSERVATIONS, but like I said in the original post: "Now I'm not making any conclusions, but all of those mad seemed to be on the other side of 60. I'm just reporting observations, no conclusions. Make your own assumptions. (ahem.)"
I didn't go on to try and explain why I think that this particular group of women at this meeting on this day may have been complaining. I didn't say that every WW member over the age of 60 is this....or that.... THAT would be stereotyping. I just simply reported that there was a cohort at my meeting that expressed extreme displeasure at the new changes, and this cohort seemed to have 1 thing in common.
Further, I didn't even say that all of the people at the meeting (that appeared to be) over the age of 60 were complaining.
Maybe I should have mentioned that they were all of one race too? Hmmm, except maybe that didn't stand out to me, since ALL of us except two people were of that race.
In reporting only what I observed (that the audible complainers all seemed to be over the age of 60) and choosing not to delve deeper into my own opinions as to why I thought that is (which may or may not have been perceived as stereotypical), I think I was careful to refrain from any stereotyping at all.
So, sorry you feel that way, but I respectfully disagree. Sounds like you're well prepared to embrace the new changes on the program, best of luck to you as you continue on your weight loss journey.
Just for the record, I became slightly obsessed with your blog post last night. I read it at least three times.
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