A little aggravated with WW.

[AngryOldDem]

As you know, I am a Lifetime member (as of 1986) who returned to the program after putting on way too much weight. I reached my goal about three weeks ago, and am now on what I consider to be maintenance. WW, however, apparently sees it differently.

My values were bumped up six points (per the usual WW guidelines) because I very well can't stay where I was points wise and expect to maintain a steady weight. As it was explained to me last week, and from what I have read in the materials, I can "play with" that new number if I find that I am either still losing, or worse, gaining on the new values. Fair enough -- you need to strike a balance, and that is done over the course of several weeks (six, or so I thought) because it will be basically trial and error.

I went to a new meeting tonight (couldn't make my usual morning meeting today) and weighed in. I was up about a pound and a half and the receptionist made a comment that I had "just made it" as a Lifetime member (meaning I was within the two-pound limit to avoid having to pay the meeting fee). I explained that, even though I am a Lifetime member, this was only my second week on maintenance after making goal, and did she mean that if I had gone over two pounds, I would have had to pay? She said yes, because I am a Lifetime member. I don't get that six-week window to stabilize.

I have a huge problem with this (and maybe it's just me). Yes, I may be a "Lifetime" member, but I am new enough at **this** round of weight loss to need time to adjust. I think I should have that same grace period as anyone else. Let me "play with" the numbers for a few weeks until I find that balance, and then when I show that I **can** maintain at that number, then enforce the rules. Don't make me pay straight out of the gate until I **do** find that new magic number that works for me. Why should I be penalized in week two for a points value that may not be right for me?

I think anyone going through weight loss needs to have some weeks on maintenance. It's like shifting gears. Am I the only one who has a problem with this, or am I just not looking at it in the right way? I'm seeing this as starting over. If I were a pro at it, I wouldn't have needed to come back in the first place.

Any input appreciated, and thanks for letting me vent.

(EDIT: Dumb spelling error, even after reading it in Preview.)