Conference rocks::weight_control

    Hi, JG
    
    This is in reply to question of what is new in WW for 1990.  
    
    There is a small change in the amount of proteins you can have for
    women it is 4 to 5 proteins a day and men and youths it is 6 to 7 
    proteins a day.
    
    At week 5 instead of one Floating exchange (FL) your can have one or
    two extra of any exchange except a Fat (FA).
    
    I haven't had a chance to compare this year's Dining Out with last
    year's and I haven't got the new Celebrations, yet.  When I do I'll let
    you know.
    
    Avis
      

    Weight Watchers for 1990 is called Fast & Flexible.  They seem to have
    cut down on the exchanges.  For example, fruit, bread and fat (for women) 
    are now 2-3 instead of 3.  There are fewer protein exchanges.  I
    believe that overall you get less to eat (that's probably why they call 
    it "fast".
    
    It is worth joining for the new books.
    
    Sandi

    RE .2
    
    Bread is three from week 4 on.

    Yes, there has been a deduction in the servings.  But, correct me
    if I'm wrong, but you now have a floater.  This floater can be used
    as anything except fat or protein, I think.  I don't remember there
    ever being a floater before.  I try not to use mine.  
    
    Bev
    

Yes, there's a floating exchange from week 1.  We were told it could
be counted as anything except fat.  You also don't have to eat at
the high end of the range before counting the floating.  For example,
women are allowed 4-5 proteins.  You can eat 4, then eat another and
count it as floating.  Or you could eat 5 and eat another as floating.

    Hello JG,
    
    I too joined WW last January 1989 with the At Work Program.  I
    continued on my own and by October 1989 had lost 40 pounds.  But,
    guess who came knocking: THE HOLIDAYS!!  I put back on 20 pounds and
    decided to rejoin in 1990.  Well it took me until February to get sick
    enough of the weight and food, so that I would be motivated enough to
    go to WW again.  The Fast and Flexible Program is not so different from
    last year.  The main thing I noticed is that they cut the proteins down
    to 4 (low end) and 5 (high end).  They added a floating choice each
    day.  Hang on, I am going to grab my Week Two and give you the exchange
    allowances:
    
    Fruit = 2
    Veg   = At Least 3
    Fat   = 2 (low end) 3 (high end)
    Protein = 4 (low end) 5 (high end)
    Bread   = 2 (low end) 3 (high end)
    Milk    = 2
    Floating= 1 of your choice
    Water   = 8
    
    They suggest low end to lose maximum.  I think they got the title Fast
    & Flexible, from the Flexible being your floating choice.
    
    I made it for two weeks and got bored, it just was giving me what I got
    out of it last year.  So, I am going back to following program on my
    own, and the most important exchange for the day = 1 HOUR OF EXERCISE.
    
    I hope this helps.
    
    Lori Szafirski @IVO
    
    

    Lori
    
    I started originally doing the WW from home, but found it was too much
    protein for me because of all the exercise I was doing. 
    
    So, after reading heaps on what to and what not to eat for heavy
    exercisers (min 1 hour a day) I ended up cutting my proteins to no more
    than 3 a day, increasing my bread/cereal to 4-5 a day (it has also
    stopped me falling asleep after lunch), 4 cups vegetabls a day,
    minimum, and 4 fruits.
    
    I also don't consider myself on a weightloss program, but a fatloss
    one.  Its fat I want to lose not weight.  So I concentrate on the fat
    grams I eat, not how many calories.  It seems to work much better for
    me.
    
    Good luck all.
    
    ...dale

    Dale,
    	Your reply is a perfect lead in to something I've been wondering
    for awhile...I've been reading a lot lately about how you should
    eat more complex carbohydrates adn they are the best thing for you.
    Yet WW limits your bread exchanges which is where you'd put the
    complex carbohydrates (unless I'm missing something).  Why does WW allow
    you more protein but limit the carbohydrates?  I know there have
    been discussions here about protein vs. carbohydrates - does WW
    just believe in the protein route?  Also, if this is discussed some-
    where else please let me know - I couldn't find it anywhere.
    
    Thanks,
    Barb

    
    Thanks for all your inputs.  I'm still not sure if I'm going to join. 
    I've been reading a lot of nutrition books, and they are high on the
    carbohydrates.  I work out on my Nordic Track about 30 minutes 5 or 6
    times a week.  Seems to be the best exercise I've tried so far.  Now,
    I'm just trying to eat right, not really diet.
    
    JG

    re .8 Proteins vs. Breads
    
    I've been doing WW off and on since 1984 and believe me, they've
    changed quite a bit with respect to proteins and breads. In 1984, you
    were limited to 2-3 breads and allowed 7-8 proteins. Now, once you hit
    week 5 I think you can have 4, maybe 5 breads, (I can't quite remember,
    I'm doing their pregnancy plan now) and only 4-5 proteins. I'm counting
    the floating exchange as a bread in that calculation. Four or five
    breads is a fair amount of carbohydrates.  I'm pleased to see that
    they've dropped their fat allowance from 3 to 2. 
    
    Sue
    

    re .10
    
    I am on the plan now, from week 5 on you have to have 3 breads a
    day and 4-5 proteins.

    Sorry its taken so long, have been out of the office since Monday.
    
    I still believe that the best way to lose *fat* (not weight) is to
    increase carbs, decrease proteins and eliminate fats (as much as you
    possibly can).  Pritikin is down to 10% - mine are down to 11/12%
    depending of which day.  I also drink 4 litres of water a day...(and
    spend most of my day in the loo (^' (^'
    
    But, doing a lot of exercise and following an athletes program suits
    me, and I don't fall asleep at the desk in the afternoon.
    
    Reading other books Fit or Fat and a book by an Aussie author, they all
    preach the same thing...and all are based on Pritikin.
    
    If I actually counted my breads they would be about 6-7.  And, if like
    tonight I go to the gym and don't have time for a big dinner, I eat an
    enormous (probably about 3 serves) of pasta and sauce with mushrooms.
    
    But, this may not suit everybody.  As an ex lecturer of WW I know what
    they offer, and this time round it wasn't what I needed.  Maybe because
    this time is for life and I needed something that I didn't see as a
    diet or a means to an end.  I don't see myself on a diet, its just the
    way I intend to eat forever.  
    
    I'm sorry if this sounds pompous its not meant to.  But I have been on
    and off diets for more than 20 years, and there's not much I don't know
    about them anymore.  With the help of one of the Olympic Training
    Centres I am making it.
    
    Have an even better day.
    
    ...dale