Weekly Meeting Topic: The New "Momentum" Plan!

I'm back from my eagerly anticipated Weight Watchers meeting, where they unveiled the new "Momentum" plan. Those of you that were worried it might be radically different can relax- it's not. It's exactly how they described it in the teaser email a few days ago: The best of both (flex and core) plans.

How Momentum is the same:

• The quiz for your daily points target has not changed (but take it again just to make sure you are using the right daily target).
  
• The good health guidelines are still in full effect.
• Activity is still highly encouraged.

In general, the points system and the basic principles have not changed.

How Momentum is different:

• All beverages (except alcohol) count towards your daily water total (previously, only water counted).
  
• There is no longer an option of the Flex plan or the Core plan- there is only one plan, called Momentum.
  
• Foods that used to be considered "Core" are now called "filling foods".
• Whether tracking in eTools or on paper, you keep track of which "filling foods" you are consuming.
• The new paper tracker also has a little chart at the bottom of each page so you can keep track of your hunger levels throughout the day.
  
• Activity points do NOT have to be used the same day you earn them. They get banked with your weekly 35 (If you track using eTools, you will notice that it will deduct from your weekly 35 before it touches any APs you've earned)

Of course, there were new materials to celebrate the event:

1. An entirely new booklet called your "Pocket Guide" (shown middle row, left) which replaces your weekly weigh in booklet, but also contains an A-Z food list and some other helpful information. It also has a handy inside pocket that holds your weekly tracker, and a little cut out that your monthly pass fits neatly into (mine is inserted in the photo).
   
2. The weekly tracker (shown middle, right) is only slightly different. Most notably, there is a column for you to check off which of your food choices were "filling foods" and at the bottom is the chart where you can track what hours hunger strikes and your general comfort zone throughout the day.
3. Book 1: Food Plan Basics- (shown in the bottom row) This is your new materials booklet and it goes over the new Momentum plan.
4. Note- that adorable "New York, the Wonder City" book shown in the photo is just my own personal pocket sized notebook that I take my blog notes in. You will not get that in Weight Watchers. But you can buy it at Fred Flare!

It seems that with Momentum, they are stressing eating smarter (core foods) while still tracking (flex), so it really is a combination of the best aspects of both plans. It's nothing radically different, but I do think it will be helpful. From my own personal experience, I can tell you that when I'm doing well on plan, this was how I did it- tracking (flex) and eating mostly healthy, natural foods (core).

So as you can see, there is nothing here to fear. As a long time member, it's exciting to have any little change- it keeps things fresh and gets you re-invigorated. And as for them unveiling it now, I think it was a smart move to do it before the holidays- that way they can hold the attention of the hardcore members that are sticking it out through this tough time (as you might guess, attendance tends to drop around the holidays and peaks just after the new year).

Now for my own updates...

• Last week I journaled all 7 days - everything I ate and drank!
• I used all of my 35 weekly points, but didn't dip into any of my activity points.
• I started wearing my pedometer again and tracking my daily miles.
• I avoided temptation from the coffee shop at work.
• I stayed on plan over the weekend (which is a very big challenge for me) including going out 2 nights and drinking.
• I kept up with my workouts, increasing the intensity on the cardio machines and really pushing myself to the limit in pilates.

So with 7 days of those great behaviors, by today, I could see and feel a significant difference in my body. My clothes are already fitting better and I'm noticably less bloated looking.

Then tonight... I was already feeling great when I arrived at my meeting. My leader weighed me in and asked me how my week was. I told her "Great!" and gave her a run down of all the things I did last week that I was proud of (the list above). She asked how I thought the scale reacted. I told her-

"Well, it probably went down, but honestly I don't care. That number does not control my happiness. I had a great week, did what I needed to do and I am proud of myself."

After she commended me for my positive attitude, she told me I lost 6 pounds. And that was ok too. But honestly, if I had only lost half a pound, it would not have mattered. All that mattered was that I had done the right things - that I was on track. Because I know that when I follow the plan and make the best choices, everything will be fine.

Goals for this week: Read the new materials and information on the website for the Momentum plan. Continue to plan and track so I can have another great week I'm proud of!

And on that note- have a great week. If you're a Weight Watchers member, enjoy the new program!