Weight Watchers Refugee - How best to transition??

TW081570

The new WW tech and SmartPoints roll-out was an utter fiasco. I was on WW online since March of 2013, lost 75 pounds (slow and steady did it for me - and the freedom of Points Plus). I sang it's praises to anyone that asked about my success..... Then it all came crashing down before Thanksgiving. (Thanksgiving for a nutrition app roll-out. Really? Are you kidding me?) While the previous tech suite was somewhat workable - it was no great shakes either - but this one I predict will rival the "New Coke" fiasco of the 1980's as a brand killer. And I've been paying $20 a month for that crap.

So I've been impressed with the usability of MFP before - but now I'm a refugee looking for help. I was double logging for comparison for a few days - but decided this morning (when I got too frustrated with WW search) to focus on MFP. But How best to transition?

I'm trying my MFP profile on a 1.5 pound-a-week setting - and that seems to come close the my 47 (or so) daily points from WW.

MFP gives credit for activity like WW (used to), so that's easy on a daily basis. But MFP is a daily count and WW also had 49 weekly points to use anytime. This weekend I "rationalized" that 49 points is about the equivalent of 10 beers (5 points X 10) and my splurges were generally alcohol based on the weekends anyway - so I tolerated extra calories of about 1400 (Yeah - I know - that's carb heavy - and my "extras" weren't actually all alcohol).

Has anyone tackled this transition before? What do you recommend given MFP is not weekly focused?

Rachel0778

Welcome! How did the double logging play out? Were you under or over your calorie goals?

I think you'll find that calories give you a lot more flexibility with your eating plan so that you won't need weekly "points" because your indulgences can already fit into your day (especially if you factor in exercise calories). And if you go over one day and under another, it's not a big deal in the scheme of things. Just try to average your goal.

I hope you enjoy the app (and the extra $20 in your pocket every month!)

doesthisappmakemelookfat

You will find that MFP gives you back a lot more calories than WW did. If you're used to the WW calculations, you will only want to eat back about 1/2 or less of what MFP gives you. Watch for that. Other than that, I would say just be careful that you don't slip into eating refined stuff (which points would slightly punish you for doing). I calorie is a calorie on MFP, so it's up to you to distribute them healthfully. (is that a word?). As for specific calories, I think my leader said that points plus worked out to about 1500 calories a day including fruit. I use that as a guide.

doesthisappmakemelookfat

Sorry. I was thinking of exercise in the first line when I discussed MFP giving you back calories.

countrylove12

I was on weight watchers too...I actually still am signed up but have been using MFP. I wanted to see how Smart points worked but I feel as though the new ideas are the same ones that are here on MFP. The whole being able to eat fruit and not having anymore GHG for me is crazy. I could eat so much fruit in one day. What I am trying to do for my "weekly points" is watch my calories. If I'm under by 100-200 Mon-Fri then on Saturday/Sunday I have an extra 500-1000 calories to eat.

minniemouse723

I cancelled my Weight Watchers subscription yesterday. My husband and I had each lost a significant amount of weight since August (he lost 35 lbs, I lost 26), but the new SmartPoints goals were so unobtainable. Even Weight Watchers' own products went up in points (their frozen meals, treats, etc.), and other foods were not decreased by enough points to compensate. We were each losing 1-2 pounds per week on the Points Plus program, and now eating the same foods on the SmartPoints program, we were achieving similar results but constantly being told that we went over our allotted points and needed to eat less. It was incredibly frustrating. So now we're trying out MFP, and so far, so good. We like it a lot. MFP gives us each a similar allotment to the daily Points Plus program (when we select the 2 lbs/wk goal), so we will probably stick with it. Still trying to figure out how to manage weekly points/calories, but overall, I think this is a much better solution for us.

TW081570

Thanks all. Trying 1.5 pound setting for now and already been on a 2 month plateau with WW anyway (ah winter - seems my body does that - and Holidays don't help). Will probably be more in earnest after New Years ( and determined to be more mindful with or without technology this Holiday). I guess trial and error - might take a while to figure out the weekly v. daily + splurges. Wishing you all the best this New Year!

Healthydiner65

You have the right idea but don't make it complicated. You are making the right choice! There are so many supportive members here that will encourage you with positive reinforcement daily!. Log every BLT(bite, lick and taste) that goes in your mouth and walk. The weight will come off. Even better if you can do a little more exercise. Variety and volume as far as food goes helps and keeping your protein level up! Good Luck!

Bchlvr64

There is another similar thread going I've been watching - I was thinking we need our own support group lol. I am considering dumping WW too for all the reasons mentioned here.

MyBoyG

I'm a lifetime WW member, who just cancelled today! So, it's my first day with MFP and really like it and what I see so far. I only have 15# to reach my goal, but the new program change threw me all out of whack. Rather than points, I like seeing not only the calories, but where those calories fall nutritionally. Does everyone use the free app or the premium?

ParisPrincesse

I am, so glad I found this thread. I am currently doing the Smart Points & it's just not working for me at all. I have done WW for 12 yrs & I loved it. I was so excited for the new program, but instead of losing I actually gained a pd. Ugh I have about 15 pds to go. I think I might have officially out grown WW!

MyBoyG

Cali01 wrote: »

I am, so glad I found this thread. I am currently doing the Smart Points & it's just not working for me at all. I have done WW for 12 yrs & I loved it. I was so excited for the new program, but instead of losing I actually gained a pd. Ugh I have about 15 pds to go. I think I might have officially out grown WW!

You are definitely not alone! I went through all the materials, and it seemed like the delicious food is mostly vegetable based. I have nothing against vegetarians, and I'm happily eating veggies and fruits, but I love bread and meat. I work on balance and portions. What I really love about MFP is seeing where I'm failing (too many carbs, too much sugar). I don't even add sugar to anything, but amazing all the foods it's in. Key for me I'll be eating even less processed foods. Hang in there - this is a great app and it appears a lot of supportive peeps.

FitPhillygirl

I'm a Lifetime member who is 16 pounds under my WW set goal. The leaders there hate it because as long as I weigh in once a month they never make any money from me, lol. That said, I use my Fitbit to maintain and the great community here at MFP for support. After counting calories only with my Fitbit and using my free WW online tools, found that their new program has me at least 300 calories under what I should have for my activity level. I think if anyone is able to lose weight here on MFP, they should continue on. Since it is free. As for me, I'll continue to weigh in at WW monthly since my membership there will always be free as a Lifetime member.

ParisPrincesse

katheryntaylor wrote: »

Cali01 wrote: »

I am, so glad I found this thread. I am currently doing the Smart Points & it's just not working for me at all. I have done WW for 12 yrs & I loved it. I was so excited for the new program, but instead of losing I actually gained a pd. Ugh I have about 15 pds to go. I think I might have officially out grown WW!

You are definitely not alone! I went through all the materials, and it seemed like the delicious food is mostly vegetable based. I have nothing against vegetarians, and I'm happily eating veggies and fruits, but I love bread and meat. I work on balance and portions. What I really love about MFP is seeing where I'm failing (too many carbs, too much sugar). I don't even add sugar to anything, but amazing all the foods it's in. Key for me I'll be eating even less processed foods. Hang in there - this is a great app and it appears a lot of supportive peeps.

Thank You, so much. Since the WW app was messing up, so bad they gave me a free month, so I think I'm going to try MFP for a month & see how I do. I hate leaving WW, because I have been doing it so long, but sometimes you just have to let go.

carlmeg

Ugh, fellow WW refugee...the new program just completely derailed the WW-mindset of freedom/etc and it is now way too restrictive (in my opinion). I have used MFP in the past just for comparison (always get more food on MFP :P) but am now considering switching over here full-time. Appreciate all of the input and tips!

MyBoyG

Cali01 wrote: »

katheryntaylor wrote: »

Cali01 wrote: »

I am, so glad I found this thread. I am currently doing the Smart Points & it's just not working for me at all. I have done WW for 12 yrs & I loved it. I was so excited for the new program, but instead of losing I actually gained a pd. Ugh I have about 15 pds to go. I think I might have officially out grown WW!

You are definitely not alone! I went through all the materials, and it seemed like the delicious food is mostly vegetable based. I have nothing against vegetarians, and I'm happily eating veggies and fruits, but I love bread and meat. I work on balance and portions. What I really love about MFP is seeing where I'm failing (too many carbs, too much sugar). I don't even add sugar to anything, but amazing all the foods it's in. Key for me I'll be eating even less processed foods. Hang in there - this is a great app and it appears a lot of supportive peeps.

Thank You, so much. Since the WW app was messing up, so bad they gave me a free month, so I think I'm going to try MFP for a month & see how I do. I hate leaving WW, because I have been doing it so long, but sometimes you just have to let go.

My first experience with WW was in 98 and I lost 40 pounds. After gaining it all back and joining twice again after, I never had the same success. I kept yo-yo'ing the same last 14#. Since I love the online tracker, I was going broke as I maintained the same weight. Something just wasn't working...perhaps lack of motivation; feeling locked in to the same meeting time each week (late evening). Having this Community board, you can get motivation 24/7 for free.

WW started with making the transition to the new plan by focusing on non scale victory and making time for yourself .....I loved that addition to the mindset of what it takes to maintain a healthier lifestyle. When they came along and switched the points program, I lost interest in the first two weeks. It only benefits them, not the member, unfortunately. After all, we're all struggling with weight because we love food. Take away the foods we love completely and you have a bunch of unhappy members! Being able to eat foods that I love on occasion and in smaller portions makes me happy. I have one life to live, and I'll be darned to go through it completely miserable! I love MFP, I'm learning a lot about the food choices I make, some of which I thought were good, turn out to be not so good.

MyBoyG

Eileen_S wrote: »

I'm a Lifetime member who is 16 pounds under my WW set goal. The leaders there hate it because as long as I weigh in once a month they never make any money from me, lol. That said, I use my Fitbit to maintain and the great community here at MFP for support. After counting calories only with my Fitbit and using my free WW online tools, found that their new program has me at least 300 calories under what I should have for my activity level. I think if anyone is able to lose weight here on MFP, they should continue on. Since it is free. As for me, I'll continue to weigh in at WW monthly since my membership there will always be free as a Lifetime member.

My understanding is you have to maintain your weight 2# over or under your goal to maintain free status with WW. What state are you in, and is the the WW rule not being enforced where you are?

I'm a Lifetime member, but since I'm stuck at the last 14# it would be quite awhile for me to go for free

https://weightwatchers.com/help/index.aspx?pageid=1028501

MondayJune22nd2015

katheryntaylor wrote: »

Eileen_S wrote: »

I'm a Lifetime member who is 16 pounds under my WW set goal. The leaders there hate it because as long as I weigh in once a month they never make any money from me, lol. That said, I use my Fitbit to maintain and the great community here at MFP for support. After counting calories only with my Fitbit and using my free WW online tools, found that their new program has me at least 300 calories under what I should have for my activity level. I think if anyone is able to lose weight here on MFP, they should continue on. Since it is free. As for me, I'll continue to weigh in at WW monthly since my membership there will always be free as a Lifetime member.

My understanding is you have to maintain your weight 2# over or under your goal to maintain free status with WW. What state are you in, and is the the WW rule not being enforced where you are?

I'm a Lifetime member, but since I'm stuck at the last 14# it would be quite awhile for me to go for free

https://weightwatchers.com/help/index.aspx?pageid=1028501

That's possibly why, there're so many lifetime members because their using MFP, to lose the weight & then get their meetings free; at WW.

PinkPixiexox

My Mum has recently transition from WW to MFP and has been VERY successful.
Simple answer - enter your stats into the MFP app and eat to the number given (remember, you can eat back your exercise calories). It doesn't have to be hard or complicated and WW's new SmartPoint's is a whole lot more complex than it needs to be. My mum wishes she did the transition sooner. Wishing you the very best of luck!

bethanie0825

I left Weight Watchers over a year ago. I only lost about 10lbs. I love MFP and think it's easier that WW. I haven't lost anymore weight here but that's a combo of a crazy thyroid and lack of self control I think once you break out of the points way of seeing things and start seeing it terms of calories and macros, you'll love it too.

jenjen1707

I'm glad I've found this thread ... I'm new to MFP as of yesterday and have been a member of WW for years. Having said that my weight has been up and down throughout those years. I started again recently and lost weight, but that weight stalled when I started on the new Smartpoints plan and I found it too restrictive. As an example, I've had a smoothie as a breakfast for years and loved the fact that fruit was "free" but they've even changed this now and fruit added to a smoothie has to be pointed so my smoothie went from 4 points up to 12 just because I've whizzed up a small banana and a handful of berries and spinach. Ridiculous.

montrealsue

I'm a former WW member but dropped out a year ago when i was moving around a lot. WW online always seemed too expensive and hard to use. MFP is a new experiment for me. Since I do most of my own cooking from scratch, finding the right food in the list of brand names can be a challenge--that's where the old WW worked better--but so far it seems like a better fit than the new WW. It all comes down to tracking for me, so it won't matter much whether i'm tracking points or calories, i'll still have to face the difficult choices. Good luck to you!

jandw122912

I'm right here with you! I've been doing WW since summer 2012. I stopped in March 2014 when I got married (and pregnant a few months later). After my son was born I decided I needed to lose the baby weight (in addition to the weight I still needed to lose from before I got married). I signed up for WW online in June 2015 and I've been doing it on and off since.When my app updated to the new system I cried! Literally.The system I had been using for 3 years was gone and I had to relearn everything! Ugh.
So I decided I would give MFP a try instead and see how calorie counting works for me (and save $20 a month).WW has been a way of life for me for quite some time so I'm trying to keep things as similar as possible! This is my plan for now... I'm not tracking calories for fruits and vegetables that I didn't track on WW. The only high calorie fruit we didn't have to track on WW was bananas and I'm not a huge banana fan anyway... Maybe once or twice a week.I will continue to track the fruits and veggies we've always had to track (corn, avocado, beans, etc). And I will give myself and extra 1000 calories a week for wiggle room (to replace the weekly points we use to get).
When I compare the calories I got on the "updated" WW plan its about the same as the calories I get on MFP including the 1000 extra calories I'm allowing a week (considering 1 point is roughly 40 calories). I got over 1000 more calories on old WW system in comparison to MFP so that's why I based it on the new WW system. I'v only been using MFP for 3 days so im not sure how my plan will work yet but i will adjust it as needed.

jandw122912

jandw122912 wrote: »

I'm right here with you! I've been doing WW since summer 2012. I stopped in March 2014 when I got married (and pregnant a few months later). After my son was born I decided I needed to lose the baby weight (in addition to the weight I still needed to lose from before I got married). I signed up for WW online in June 2015 and I've been doing it on and off since.When my app updated to the new system I cried! Literally.The system I had been using for 3 years was gone and I had to relearn everything! Ugh.
So I decided I would give MFP a try instead and see how calorie counting works for me (and save $20 a month).WW has been a way of life for me for quite some time so I'm trying to keep things as similar as possible! This is my plan for now... I'm not tracking calories for fruits and vegetables that I didn't track on WW. The only high calorie fruit we didn't have to track on WW was bananas and I'm not a huge banana fan anyway... Maybe once or twice a week.I will continue to track the fruits and veggies we've always had to track (corn, avocado, beans, etc). And I will give myself and extra 1000 calories a week for wiggle room (to replace the weekly points we use to get).
When I compare the calories I got on the "updated" WW plan its about the same as the calories I get on MFP including the 1000 extra calories I'm allowing a week (considering 1 point is roughly 40 calories). I got over 1000 more calories on old WW system in comparison to MFP so that's why I based it on the new WW system. I'v only been using MFP for 3 days so im not sure how my plan will work yet but i will adjust it as needed.

And im not tracking exercise yet. I want to focus on eating better first. I will start tracking exercise as soon as I get the hang of tracking just food.

bsbprincess

YES!

I lost a bit of weight before on the points (about 20), but through the app called iTrackBites, so it was a one time purchase of a few bucks. I've always struggled a bit with the transition. I had gotten sick of points and had plateaued so I tried MFP and didn't lose much, but I was told I probably wasn't eating enough calories. I worked in a restaurant and walked a lot and also did tough hour workouts like 5 days a week. I increased my calorie intake from 1400 to 1600 and dropped a bit that week. But then I fell off the health wagon. I admit I didn't give MFP enough time before but I also found that I slipped into too many carbs when I was on MFP, and I cross-referenced for a bit too. Logging with MFP and Bites app at the same time. I usually went over on points when I was hitting target calories. However, I also plateaued pretty easily with WW... I also never seemed to make the right healthy choices when it comes to calories. Like I would eat cereal instead of fruit.

I reallllllly want to do this with MFP, but I'm worried it's not strict enough to guide me. Everyone is different... can I possibly do this just by calorie counting? I've never known if I should change my % of protein, fat and carbs. I feel lost in that department. WW limited your carb and fat intake by making them higher in points. help?? lol

Oh and I'm always really scared to eat back exercise calories on MFP.... Should I?

FitPhillygirl

katheryntaylor wrote: »

Eileen_S wrote: »

I'm a Lifetime member who is 16 pounds under my WW set goal. The leaders there hate it because as long as I weigh in once a month they never make any money from me, lol. That said, I use my Fitbit to maintain and the great community here at MFP for support. After counting calories only with my Fitbit and using my free WW online tools, found that their new program has me at least 300 calories under what I should have for my activity level. I think if anyone is able to lose weight here on MFP, they should continue on. Since it is free. As for me, I'll continue to weigh in at WW monthly since my membership there will always be free as a Lifetime member.

My understanding is you have to maintain your weight 2# over or under your goal to maintain free status with WW. What state are you in, and is the the WW rule not being enforced where you are?

I'm a Lifetime member, but since I'm stuck at the last 14# it would be quite awhile for me to go for free

https://weightwatchers.com/help/index.aspx?pageid=1028501

PA, and as far as I was told, they do enforce not being more than 2 pounds above goal, but you don't have to be exactly 2 pounds below. However, when I did drop 15 pounds below my goal I did have to get a note from my doctor that said I could continue to go there. He wrote that it was ok since I still have a normal BMI. If I drop 5 more pounds I won't be able to go to WW, though. Therefore I have upped the points from the 36 that they set for maintenance to at least 39 to 40 per day. Fitbit says I should eat more, though, due to my high activity level, so I might be upping the points more after January weigh in.

FitPhillygirl

PinkPixiexox wrote: »

My Mum has recently transition from WW to MFP and has been VERY successful.
Simple answer - enter your stats into the MFP app and eat to the number given (remember, you can eat back your exercise calories). It doesn't have to be hard or complicated and WW's new SmartPoint's is a whole lot more complex than it needs to be. My mum wishes she did the transition sooner. Wishing you the very best of luck!

I don't really see what is that complex about WW new smart points program and don't find that it is all that different than the old PP. The only thing that has changed is that foods that are high in protein have lower points to them. And foods that are higher in sugar and saturated fat are now higher in points. Fruits and Veggies are still no points. People can still eat back their "FitPoints" if they choose to, but WW does state that it is better to use the weekly points first. Last week I used all my weekly points and a few FitPoints since the 36 that they set me at simply aren't enough to maintain on.

chrisnawoo

I was thinking of going back doing ww online since I was successfully lost 56 lbs and kept it for 3 years until got pregnant 2 years ago and now I am overweight again.I am thankful I found this app and it's free...it's easy for me to use it cause it's kind similar to ww online tools except the weekly allowance but I love this app easy to log and find foods, it's counting my steps through my cell phone, and many people seem to care and encourage others

AnxiousWitch

I'm also contemplating leaving. I get 30 "Smart" points. And 42 weeklies... I ate 40 points today, and it came out to 1257 calories. I can't sustain that. I had a 160 calorie protein shake for 2 points just to add the calories. That's B.S. I liked the previous system, it was much more flexible. I lost 65 pounds on it, and rejoined after my second baby, and I've lost 28 pounds... but Smart Points isn't smart for me.

FitPhillygirl

HenrysMom78 wrote: »

I'm also contemplating leaving. I get 30 "Smart" points. And 42 weeklies... I ate 40 points today, and it came out to 1257 calories. I can't sustain that. I had a 160 calorie protein shake for 2 points just to add the calories. That's B.S. I liked the previous system, it was much more flexible. I lost 65 pounds on it, and rejoined after my second baby, and I've lost 28 pounds... but Smart Points isn't smart for me.

I found the same thing to be true. For maintenance I was given 36 points with 28 weekly points. One day I ate 38 points which was only 1530 calories. That is about 450 calories under what I should be eating. I think people will definetly lose weight on WW smart points program because they'll be taking in a LOT less calories than they actually should, including those of us who don't have to lose weight. I like that WW finally lowered the points for protein, but can't understand why they made so many other foods that are not that high in calories so much higher in points. There is a small ice cream that is labeled as 28 points. Lol, really WW!!

AnxiousWitch

I totally get that they're pushing healthier choices. Higher protein, fruits and vegetables, less sugar. But there isn't the flexibility that a lot of people need. Including me. It worked for me before, I've started allowing my activity points, otherwise I don't get enough calories. I might double track for awhile and pick one.