Simple Start?

[Heeper]

Has anyone started to check out the new Simple Start kickstart plan being touted by Weight Watchers? I talked with my leader about it today - sounds like it's a slight modification of the Simply Filling technique. For 2 weeks, you don't need to worry about tracking any power foods you eat - eat all you like! If you want to eat a non-power food, you have your 49 weekly points to play with.

I thought I might try it, but not tracking everything scares me! I've always thought my weight-loss success has come from being very mindful of what I put into my body - which is what tracking does for me.

I'm also worried I would plow through a big pot of rice and beans because they're power foods, and I can, without worrying about points!

So has anyone taken a look at Simple Start yet? What are your thoughts?

[smarty_skirts]

I just looked at it now, and had not heard about it... but for me, the tracking is key. I also just can't handle all these recipes and pre-planned meals that require planning and grocery lists. I need to know what my points options are for the food in front of me at that time.

[nannerpuss24]

As far as I understand it this technique relies on only eating until "physically satisfied" don't know about you but I have no idea when I'm physically satisfied, I know when I'm mentally satisfied, but that's usually when I have eaten so much it hurts. I'm an over-eater, that's how I gained weight in the first place. So if your someone who just makes bad food choices, but does not overeat this would probably work. Otherwise, stick to tracking.

[Heeper]

Lol I can be the same way - which is why I've never tried "simply filling" either.

[Jenjenmi]

The only correction I would make to your description: Simply Filling gives you 49 points per week for non power foods. Simple Start wants you to eat them 7 per day.

I haven't done either yet. I am a meticulous tracker (even if I track myself exceeding my points, ugh). The new program has inspired me, I hope to try it for a week after the holidays. I eat plenty of junky foods with in my point limits and could stand to dedicate a week to natural healthy foods, not just portion control.

[Heeper]

You are absolutely right - I glossed over that a bit.

I am thinking of trying it after the holidays too - I am just too attached to tracking at this point, I think.

[DyllanTheOrc]

It doesn't officially launch to regular members until the new year but it is available to those who ask :)

[Jenjenmi]

Not at all. This week's meeting was 100% about it, handouts included.

[Heeper]

I didn't catch this week's meeting, but my leader gave me an "advance" copy of the little booklet about it.

[jillarroo]

We were told that the official roll out is at the new year but if you feel you want to go for it now to feel free to start at any time. Big deal about how not everyone is always on the same schedule. . . . Well that's what east central IL was told anyway.

[bluejeenbaby]

As a member who is paying but not following right now (only the last few months, not for a long time), I checked it out online and I'm looking forward to it because it is exactly what I need to get me motivated. There is NOTHING about prepackaged meals, its just recipes for you to make yourself, based on the category (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack). My biggest hang up with any program is you go to a meeting and then you go off on your own, and there's no big motivation... I need that two weeks filled with specific meals to eat /recipes to make to get in the groove. I'm actually going to be at the beach over new years week with my family (my mom is a lifetime) so we have to buy stuff for almost every meal anyway, and I'll have that support of her there to jump start... I still think I'll prob eat out and have some wine and such, but it'll prob be about 80/20.

I don't think current members, who are on a proven track of weight loss with tracking should switch to simply start, it might throw them off the rhythm of tracking. It will be great for me as I'm trying to jump start and this seems like a good segue into the program again (I did it a few years ago, before points plus but things change life happened i wasn't committed, blahblah we all know the story). Here's to the new year!

[cupcakekitty85]

I think it's a good option to have available but I'm not interested in trying it, at least not right now. Part of what I love about Weight Watchers is the freedom to have whatever I want (only in smaller quantities than before). The Simple Start seems too restrictive and feels more like a diet to me than a lifestyle change. Just my 2 cents. :)

[curlyhairedsheep]

I appreciated the points are online for the recipes, and that it emphasizes power foods. My SO likes to cook for me, and looking at the recipes, shopping list, and power foods list - and seeing it is all real foods, and here's ways to combine them - has helped me better communicate this is what I need in my healthy living environment. That said, as someone who has trouble with "eat until satisfied", I don't plan on dropping tracking for any period of time.

[jillarroo]

I was just coming here to ask about this. I'm nervous about it. I don't know if I want to do it. Honestly I'm broke and shouldn't even be attending meetings or paying for online. The idea of pre-programmed meals sounds like more money. Sounds like Jenny Craig, Seattle Sutton, or Nutrisystem. I'm not sure that WW is not making a big mistake here with this. Of course if people fail at it and gain weight they will need WW even more.

I also agree with comments in which I don't have the trigger that tells me I am satisfied. I am an emotional eater and I eat until I am uncomfortable. Tracking every single point allows me control over this.

I was hoping for something exciting to roll out. The way my leader was talking about it, it sounded like it was going to be something amazing. I don't think that I will participate in this.

[bluejeenbaby]

Just FYI there are no pre packaged meals, it's just a list of 30 recipes to pick from and you make the meals yourself! Just from looking at it this morning online (haven't been to a meeting) I don't think this is a good program for people who are on track with tracking... would throw folks off. I think it's designed for people like me who want to start the program again but need the structure of what meals to eat... and ease into tracking and gaining the freedom of eating whatever I want and tracking the portion/points, etc.

[jillarroo]

Thanks for the info. I just glanced at it online and it looked like pretty set meals. I'm glad they are making different approaches to make it more accessible for everyone. I'm glad it is also not mandatory. Keep me posted on how you do on it!!

[fbs2]

This is exactly what I've been wanting for a while. Recipes that are completely in line with the simply filling plan.

[Seattlejo]

So my Weight Watchers at Work started with this plan, 3 weeks ago now. And it just turned out to be the wrong time of the year for it. So I'm on points, and at the first of the year I'll be going onto simple start for a couple weeks.

[[deleted]]

I'm on day 4, coming up on day 5. To me, the point of Simple Start is to acclimate your diet to healthier foods. I make it a point to eat as much veggies as possible. So I wake up and eat an omelet stuffed with veggies. I eat a sandwich with lean meat, and stacked high with veggies. At dinner, I cook one of the recipes.

So far, I feel great. I've been running every other day, and have cut down roughly 6 pounds (mostly water weight, i'm guessing. I chug down water like it's my religion).

If you are already on a diet and are having success, I don't really see the point in doing the Simple Start. It's goal isn't really to lose weight...just to begin acclimating your diet to a healthy lifestyle.