water is a magic part of my weight loss. I find when I slack on my water (anything less than a gallon a day) my body tends to bloat and hold onto anything I put in it.

I've also become more sensitive to sodium or maybe more aware of it. I can count on being up a pound after eating out or eating prepared foods.

I've been down on water, and ate out a bit too much last week and my fingers feel like fat sausages, so I know the scale is also going to be up.

You might want to try changing up your gym routine too. I try to do upper body weights at least twice a week to keep my body moving in different routines.

I just ate a 1/2 a bag of Tostito's with Lime chips...that might be a problem. :yikes:

Maddy...I think I'm screwed on the salt intake for today. :D

I guess I didn't realize exactly where I was at currently. A little bit ago I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror as I got out of the shower and I was taken aback. I know things haven't been going well for the past couple of weeks for me but oh boy. I got on the scale and found that I'm now 10 lbs. lighter than where I was at the start of the year. I'm going in the wrong direction in a big way. :(

I don't want to sound like a pitty whore or something but I need some help. Please, can someone send me some words of encouragement? I'm at the stage right now where it could take me about a year to make up for what these last couple of weeks have dealt me and frankly I'm pretty down about it.

I think we need to find IowaMan a hot little personal trainer. :D

(((((IowaMan)))))

Today I was back at the university pool with the girls but I didn't have as much time as usual so I only did maybe 24 laps - thursday I'll be less of a slack-ass.

March 13 : 0.6 km

I am joining WW with work. We start Monday. I was wondering if anybody has used or seen the point bracelets. I want to make some and need to see some examples.

Oops, I've been forgetting to log my swimming here!

March 16 : .75 km

March 22 : .5 km

Lack of time means that I have been swimming less lately.

Pssssst.....you spelled WI wrong. :p

I'm up to 30 pushups and I've added crunches to my 'routine'.

Mr. Lil and Most Honorable Son #1 are doing push ups too.

I am trying to recreate the bracelets but don't know the typical amount of points a person usually consumes. Any help?

I don't know, Lil, but the bracelets I am seeing have 30 points on them, if that's any help.

Lil, it used to be very easy to figure out, but now its some formula that WW won't publish as far as I can tell that factors gender, weight, and amount of normal activity in your workday.

I don't know what you weigh, but I'm relatively certain you will be below 30 pts per day.

I'm not familar with the bracelets but I can guess how they work - for me personally it wouldn't be a good tool. Without using a journaling tool you are likely to guess on pt values and guess wrong.

I find journaling to be the best way, it allows you to reflect back over a particularly good or bad week and determine what you did wrong or right and adjust appropriately.

WW also operates on a 8 healthy guideline system and you are likely to be more successful when you spend your points making sure you meet those guidelines. The guidelines are:

1. Eat at least five servings of vegetables and fruits each day.
2. Choose whole-grain foods, such as brown rice and oats, whenever possible.
3. Include two servings of milk products – low fat (1%) or fat-free – each day.
4. Have some healthy oil (olive oil, canola, sunflower, safflower or flaxseed) each day.
5. Ensure that you are getting enough protein by choosing at least a serving or two of meat, poultry, fish, eggs, or dried beans each day. Many dairy products are also good sources of protein.
6. Limit added sugar and alcohol.
7. Drink at least 6 8-ounce glasses of water a day.
8. Take a multiple vitamin-mineral supplement each day.

Oh, I meant to add more thoughts on the journaling. My guess is you want to use the bracelet to help you during the day? I know your situation is very different than mine but I would think planning will be your best mechanism. If you are taking your lunch with you, you should plan the points for that food when you pack it in advance. And if you are eating at school, my guess is you know the lunch menu in advance and can again plan in advance.

It might be helpful to understand why you'd like to use a bracelet. I hate to sounding like I'm poo-pooing your idea.