Good luck dude. I have problems gaining weight in the winter months as well. Finally getting warming so hoping to shed those extra pounds before my June 1 race. Keep at it!

I'll be interested to see how it works for you. I tend to have the same problem. I was hoping to drop 10 pounds naturally through training and instead am up 1 after 3 months. Good luck

Maybe I am completely misinformed about WW, but if you start the program 23lbs 'overweight', aren't you kinda a mintority in there? And training for a half? I'm just curious, but have you mentioned, "Hey I am doing a half and I need to lose 23lbs?" Again, maybe I'm wrong, but I think that could be tense. Possibly a misconception, but it sounds like a one-glass-of-wine-a-week drinker going to AA. No? Regardless, good luck with 23lbs and your half.

My girlfriend did weight watchers a few times. It works for her when she sticks with it, but I've looked through all the materials she has and it seems like too little food for the amount of training I do (and it's not that much). You do get more points for working out, but any kind of carbs are big points (ie, a bagel is worth ~1 hour real hard workout for my weight). It really doesn't seem to take into account serious training, but is more designed for people who are far less active.

But good luck and let us know how it goes!

Thanks for the encouragement. I am excited to finally have some accoutability for the intake. I promise that I won't deprive myself becaue I know I need food to train. But, at the least I will stop eating a whole bag of jelly beans in the car or a whole bag of cheezits after a bike ride.

By January of 2007 I had been out of town for 6 months straight just eating and working and gained 45 pounds. That was a nasty time. I actually split the crotch out on a pair of my jeans. Anyway, I was able to lose that weight by myself for race time, but this year is different and I need some extra help.

I think I actually was in the minority for my first meeting. Out of 7 people there, I was the only male and, at 200 pounds, nowhere near the heaviest. But, that was just the introductory meeting. At the regular meetings I should fit in fine. I have some friends who are going to this office and the husband is in pretty much the same situation as I am.

I like the name Captain Mal, there is a certain 'Serenity' about it ;-)
Anyway,

I joined WW this past February because I slowly beefed up to 200 lbs myself.
It is all about accountabilty. I started with a training journal and watched everything I ate 5-6 years ago and then I at some point I was winging it. I finished IM Florida in 2005 and I was 167 pounds. Now that is my goal. My job has a co-op thing with WW so 50% of the program costs are picked up by my employer.
The points system actually works well for active people if you are accurate in the points you accumulate from eating and the points you earn from being active.

I have lost 27 pounds so far and I am more motivated to train and more careful about the little extras I used to not really pay attention to.

Good Luck!!

I would also recommend the magazine, Cooking Light. Really good and quick!