I’ll be honest, I didn’t have high expectations for this when I started.  I wanted to like the idea, but I’m just not a “healthy” eater.  However, I’ve learned a few things since that first day:

1. I’m hungry a lot, but I can live with that. 
2. 96% lean ground beef makes a very tasty burger, especially with a lightly toasted whole wheat bun.
3. Weight Watchers (Smart Ones) has some super yummy dessert choices.
4. My insulin sensitivity increases with each lost pound – basal changes coming again soon.
5. I feel better.
6. It’s a completely livable system.  I haven’t cheated once, but I also haven’t felt the need to.  If I know I’m going to be eating badly or a lot of food, I just save up the points.

Overall, this system has opened my eyes to how much food I used to be eating.  I love that I can still eat anything; it’s the moderation factor that I just didn’t grasp before.  After eating, I almost never feel full, but I always feel satisfied.  By BG control has been so much better, too.  Although I’ve been battling some pretty serious and annoying lows, lowering my A1c even further in preparation for pregnancy is totally worth it.  With tighter control, lows are inevitable (are you listening, Mom?).  It’s just part of being a type 1.

So, I’m going to continue on WW journey until I’ve achieved what I view to be a healthy weight for me.  I’ll never be a skinny girl; I’ve got hips and boobs and they’re not going anywhere.  But, I can and will get to a place where I feel best.  Then, (hopefully), I’ll get pregnant and fat and happy!

Anyone who’s read this blog knows that I struggle with my weight.  It’s a daily battle between what I love to eat and what I need to eat.  I love cheeseburgers and pizza and french fries and, well, you get the point.  I love junk food.  Junk food loves to make me fat.  My diabetes hates junk food. I’m often rewarded for indulging with a super-high BG that causes me to rage bolus, only to end up three hours later with a low that makes my teeth rattle.  It’s not a good relationship.

So, this week I began a new relationship.  I joined Weight Watchers Online.  It was a big step for me because I remember going to Weight Watchers as a teen and hating it – not the food plans or the strict requirements. No, I hated the meetings.  I hated having to get on a scale every week (while not in the privacy of my own bathroom) and having my weight entered on some little card.  If I didn’t lose enough, I felt like a failure.  It just plain sucked.

Now, as an adult, my issue isn’t the weigh-ins.  It’s the “cheerleader” feel of the meetings that I loathe.  Maybe it’s  just my inner cynical bitch, but I just can’t participate in these types of functions without rolling my eyes.  Yep, inner cynical bitch claims full responsibility. 

This time, I opted for the online version, which I can do myself, in the privacy of my own home.  Since I’m a techie, I LOVE the cool, interactive website that allows me to look up points values, keep a food journal (which comes in handy for meetings with the CDE), and see where I stand with my available points for both the day and the week.  Throw in the mobile app for my iPhone, and I’m so set.  I actually use this app (not something I can say for at least 75% of the apps I’ve downloaded).

Here’s what I’ve learned in the three short days since I started Weight Watchers:

1. I eat A LOT of calories!  Call it denial or avoidance, but I’ve been eating a lot of food.  It’s no wonder that my weight has steadily crept up to its current overall awfulness.
2. My guessing game with bolusing has been pathetic, at best.  It’s not surprising that I kept screwing up my BG – I’ve been bolusing for the portions I *should* be eating, not what I *was* eating.
3. I need to exercise.  If I exercise, I get more points.  More points equals more food.
4. The little Weight Watchers snack bars are fricking awesome.  At one point each, they’re the perfect mid-afternoon snack.
5. Green beans (one of the only veggies that I actually like cooked) have a total points value of ZERO. 
6. I don’t drink nearly enough water.  (Side question: Does Crystal Light count as water? Anyone know?)
7. This system is doable.  Sure I miss my cheeseburgers and pizza and french fries, but there are options.  Last night, I made the best little six point pizza ever (contact me for the recipe)!

For those of you wondering, I have received absolutely no compensation from Weight Watchers to write this blog.  Aside from the credit card I used to pay for my membership, I doubt they even know my name.  However, if anyone from Weight Watchers would like to sponsor this blog, feel free to contact me

I’m still not eating cooked vegetables, though.