I think AAMW is really good, Firstly after four weeks of no solid food except the bars I need something to break the monotony. Tasting food is amazing, my first AAM was quorn, mushroom & a green salad with fat free italian dressing. I wouldn't have thanked you for this meal prior to CD but it tasted like heaven & I ate really slowly & savoured every mouthful.I think AAM helps reinforce restraint around food as it shows you that a small amount can be as satisfying as a big heap. Also it's about trying to have a healthier attitude towards food, you can't live on cd bars & shakes forever, sooner or later you will have to eat.
I started my CD journeys because I was out of control with my eating, SS gives me security as I know I can only have CD products so therefore I find it easier to be in control, I don't have to think or worry about what am I going to eat because I know, its a bar or a shake.
AAMW is about starting the process of relaxing that strict control so I have to think about what I am going to eat, portion control etc & I think it's an important stage. I get to practice these "skills" in AAMW & they will come in handy when I go up the plans & on to maintaining .