Joining WW today...what's your best advice?

Just a spin-off on Traci's thread...I am joining Weight Watchers at work today. I've done WW lots of times, somewhat successfully, but I think my mind is finally ready to lose this weight. DH is not going to do it with me, and he's a chocoholic, and major junk food snacker. My issue is that I cannot eat celery, or carrots, and many other yummy foods, like honeydew melon, kiwi, hazelnuts, walnuts, raw almonds, cantaloup, due to Oral Allergy Syndrome. So what tips do you have for success on WW?

Find a friend to do it with you! Seriously the best I've ever done on WW was when I had a group of friends that were doing it alongside me. We could motivate each other, share ideas and tips for avoiding snacking or snacking smart, and give each other pats on the back and high fives when we weighed in. Support is key for me!

Also, make sure people know what you're doing. They're less likely to suggest things to throw you off track if they know you're serious about reaching your goals. And you're a lot more likely to own your goals if people know you're working toward them. It's harder to quit when people will know about it, kwim?

Good luck!!! You can do it!

I have no advice, but do want to wish you luck!

Also, I've never heard of Oral Allergy Syndrome... I had to look that up and realized that I think my whole family suffers from this, but we just didn't know why we had problems with certain foods like carrots (for my hubby), tomatoes (for my mom), and apples for me... thanks for mentioning this!

Good Luck! I am starting this weekend so I am going to be watching this thread!

I suggest to not deprive yourself of eating out (if you guys like to do that) just make sure you look ahead of time at the nutrition and pick something off the menu that will fit in your points

Also, planning out your points for the whole day really helps too.

JOURNAL!!!! Make sure you log your points daily!!!! I stopped doing that and gained 10 lbs.

I used to have my meals planned out...we would plan dinner out weekly and then I would go in and log those points ahead of time. That way I knew what I could eat throughout the day. Each morning I would sit at the computer and log my breakfast and lunch meals that I was going to have so I knew ahead of time what I could snack on too!!! Journalling is a HUGE must!!! I am signing up for etools (I'm a lifetime member) just so I can log my points conveniently...I have the WW journaling notebook but never used it.

Drink LOTS of water too!!

I have given lots of ideas out to various people...what I ate, etc....so I will see if I still have it in my email somewhere. If I have it I will PM you!!!

Lots of water. Your body will sometimes mistake thirst for hunger.
Journal everything you eat! BLTs (Bites, Licks, and Tastes) are what can sabotage you.
Don't beat yourself up over a slip or setback. No one is perfect, log the food in and move on!
Keep heathly foods in the house. I still buy chips for DH but I keep fruit and veggies too for me!
If you find a healthy food you like, stock up. I know it's hard with allergies but keep trying new foods and you'll find some delicious treats.
Don't deprive yourself. If you want a cookie, eat a smal cookie and move on.
Eat all your daily points and even your weeklies. They are there for a reason.

Thanks for all the tips! Lots of great ones!!! I am excited about starting this. I have seen so many great success stories!

Wow, great tips! Love the BLT tip...that's my weakness! I'm really excited about doing it this time!

I would add that if you go online to WW, there is a message board, but honestly I avoid it because it has become really snarky and mean since I was last on WW. People do not hesitate to cut someone down for what they perceive as ignorance and stupidity. I would avoid unless you like rudeness.

Drink your water!

That is my HUGEst downfall.

I stocked up on 2pt. fudgscicles and 100 calorie chocolate bars. I need my chocolate.

Plan your meals. Another downfall of mine.

Treat yourself to little things with each loss, even when it's a small one. But don't beat yourself up if you gain, that's normal too.

I counted my points and stuck to the plan during the week, Monday - Friday. I used my flex points on Wednesdays for a small PB blizzard from DQ. Saturday I ate what I wanted, as much of it as I wanted. Sunday too, but once your hard core on the plan, you don't feel like eating crap anymore and you sure can't eat as much as you used to.

I wish I had the motivation right now. I'm paying for WW online (have been since January '09) but haven't been using it.