Last week, I started Weight Watchers. It was on a whim, my mom called and told me she had gone to a meeting and I joined the next day. I know Weight Watchers works and I love the idea that you don’t really have to give up any major food group. I can cook Weight Watchers friendly meals that the whole family can enjoy.
I also wanted to be careful when it came to restricting my diet because Judson is nursing exclusively. This diet covers everything I need from fresh fruits and vegetables to whole grains and lean proteins.
So let’s talk weight, like actual numbers.
When I found out I was pregnant with Judson I was weighed 142 pounds. That’s where I stay pretty consistently. I normally wear a 4 or 6 at that weight, and I’m pretty content around 140. I had been going by the doctors scale during my weekly updates, but I decided to weigh myself before we left for the hospital. I was a little shocked to see 188 on the scale. That’s a little more than I thought I had gained, but the scale doesn’t lie. Right?
I came home from the hospital and weighed (because I don’t always do the smartest things) and I was down to 177. By the end of that week I was down to 170. On Thursday, I started Weight Watchers and my exact weight was 170.8. That’s where we’ll start.
Starting weight: 170.8
Week One Weight: 165.0
Total: -5.8
I’m going to share a few recipes this weekend (if I can get it together), but I wanted to go ahead and show you what a typical day of Weight Watchers looks like for me.
Breakfast 6 points: Light English muffin (3 points), 1 scrambled egg (2 points), Low-sodium deli sliced turkey (1 point). Coffee with almond milk (1 point)
Snack (0 points): Apple- (I don’t like to use my points on snacks so I try to grab a piece of fresh fruit)
Lunch (9 points): Sandwich Thin (3 points), Turkey Burger 4 oz (4 points) with fat free cheese (1 point) and Light mayo (1 point) and Grapes
Afternoon snack 0 points: Banana
Dinner 11 points: Weight Watchers Orange Chicken (6 points) with 1 cup brown rice (5 points) and Roasted Broccoli (o points)
Daily Total: 26 points
Each day has gotten a little easier as I’ve learned what things have more points. I’m also incorporating more fruits and vegetables in my diet because they are free and filling.
It’s extremely motivating to see the number on the scale go down. I’m looking forward
I loved reading this and seeing what you’ve been eating on WW! I started WW last week too and I’m just looking for ideas wherever I can. I you can basically eat “anything” on the plan, but I ‘m always so disappointed in myself when I total up a recipe that I thought would be lower in points only to find it has left me with next to nothing for the rest of the day. Thanks for sharing!
So I don’t know how to say this without it sounding bad, but I think you’re not eating enough. I could be totally wrong – you could be full on this and I don’t know it, but I know I wouldn’t be, ESPECIALLY when I was nursing. You know when you’re nursing exclusively you get 14 extra points, right? And if you’re supplementing at all, you still get 7. If you have etools it should have asked you if you were nursing that in the quiz when you were figuring out your daily points. When I was nursing I really needed the extra points – I would’ve been super hungry without them, and if you’re anything like me, you’re the same. Just keep it in mind – when nursing you need the extra food, and it’s great to use for healthy snacks and things, like a handful of nuts or some avocado on a sandwich.
That said, it’s a great start, but just as a warning, you probably won’t see loss numbers that high every week – typical is .5-2 pounds.
Again, so not trying to tell you what to do but I thought I’d chip in my experience! (If you want to talk WW, feel free to pick my brain – I’ve been on it off and on for years and worked for them briefly after college!)
I have to agree. I’ve been bf for the past 9 months- don’t shy away from calories now! Obviously, it’s fantastic that you’re paying attention to what you’re eating and making healthy choices, but I was ravenous… until my daughter started solids! Even now, I have to remind myself to keep eating more (a little less, but still extra) every day. It’s key to keeping up your milk production. Your OB should be able to give you a range for your calorie intake.
(And like Jess said above, this is not meant to sound bad or mean, but there is a balance- especially if you want to continue bf)
Hi Jennifer! I love reading your blog. Thank you for sharing! I am on WW also and I nurse my baby (and supplement with solids). Your daily points plus needs to be more (14 more if exclusively nursing…I think and 7 more of supplementing). Look at your WW materials for the exact number. I don’t want you to damage your milk supply.
I like these posts too. While I am not currently on WW, I find it so interesting to see meal options!
You are doing great so far! That’s amazing! I am already almost at 25 pounds at 26 weeks. I have a feeling I’ll need to start something like WW right away. It seems like it would be the best solution for nursing.
I’m so appreciative of your honesty with all of this. I have done WW on & off throughout my 20s and I always lose when I do it – which makes me wonder why I let myself stop when I know its good for me! But its nice to read someone being so open & candid about post-pregancy weight loss and not going to extremes! Cheers to you!
I think you are doing great, you could actually probably add a little more in there. I’m sure you know this already, but I am a lifetime WW member. Although, currently, I’m 10 pounds over my goal weight, and I’m struggling with it because I am hungry all the time. I am actually going to the doctor next week to get bloodwork done to make sure my thyroid is acting normally.
That being said, I think you are doing WW smartly, as you aren’t wasting snack points on junk, etc. but definitely consider a few treats here & there (like a dove chocolate, or something of the sort) it helps keep you on track and less likely to have a blowup day- and also, use those flexpoints (or whatever they are called now… I think weekly allowance?)
Any questions you have, be sure to ask, I’m a WW veteran!!! (i think you look great as you are, though, just saying…)
and, just to point out how everyone is different- ok, so at my lowest weight, I was 145. I wore a size 10 or 12, and I’m 5’8. Goes to show you how everyone carries their weight differently!
Looks like you’ve got a great plan in place but I agree with some of the other comments that I don’t think you are eating enough. I’ve done weight watchers many times in my life and have been in the 25-27 point range but never nursing a baby. This site says you should basically add 10 points if you’re a nursing
Mommy. http://www.laaloosh.com/how-to-calculate-daily-weight-watchers-points-plus-allowance/
Just want to make sure you don’t wither away my friend. Enjoy those extra points while you can. 🙂
I thought I should mention it sounds to me like you aren’t eating enough which could Ffect your supply. Breastfeeding Mummas get an extra amount of points (I can’t remember off the top of my head
Whoops, excuse my typos above! I just realised everyone has said similar. Enjoy some extra snacks, yahoo! 🙂
Congrats on the weight loss the first week! I just got back on WW last week. I had done it before I got pregnant and lost 40 pounds. I gained it back {plus more} when I got pregnant, and then struggled with milk supply while nursing so I was afraid to diet. I just weaned my boy {13 months} and am excited to get back on the diet. I can’t wait to see your different meals so I can get some ideas.
I love your blog!!! Long time reader…your kids are just precious and you are lovely!!! I nursed also. I wondered also as I read your post if that was enough for a nursing momma. You are so beautiful and don’t need to worry about the weight now. Take care of yourself! Congratulations on that beautiful boy!!!! -A loyal reader, Jen