MFP vs Weight Watchers

rmkrd

I'm considering cancelling my WW membership. I hate the new program. Anyone switch to MFP from WW. If so, what are your thoughts?

mattyc772014

Yes, cancel WW. MFP app is so much better. They are basically the same thing because you count calories, but I find MFP easier to use. Besides, the community here is very knowledgeable and are fun. The cost factor, if you choose to pay for MFP, is less expensive.

sllm1

I don't understand the need to convert everything to a different unit of measure (points) for WW. Why do extra work and make it all mysterious?

missyfitz1

@slim1 That's an excellent point. I lost 60 pounds on WW (PointsPlus) and maintained it for years. I really loved the program, and I went to meetings as well. I rejoined late last year to lose some weight I've recently put back on, and I also hated the new program and decided to switch to MFP. I'm really seeing that keeping it simple (counting calories) is the way to go. I know everything I need to know about macronutrients, what I want to eat and what I want to avoid, how to make sure I stay fuller longer with the calories I have, etc. - I have all the information I need to make the right food choices to meet my goals. I like the app better as well and there is no turning back for me.

matt88uk

Weight watchers slimming world all these bull crap diets are basically calorie counting with a fancy name so they can sell a product etc just get mfp stick to weighing and counting calories accturately and the fat will fall off

candidcamster

I am not anti-WW in the least, recently I joined and quit because I binged my way through, gained 10 lbs. and found the new program too restrictive for me. With calorie counting it is what it is, it is more honest and to the point, and it's free.

missyfitz1

One thing about WW is that so much of the value is in the meetings. For me it was almost like going to a 12-step meeting - I had weekly accountability, and it was a great reminder of what I was trying to accomplish. It was also nice seeing the same people every week a lot of the time, and celebrating milestones with them. I've had success with the online program alone as well, but for now I prefer the simplicity of counting calories, and I prefer the MFP system and app. And price.

Afura

If you like WW for the social aspect, that's a really good aspect of it. The food and the eating aspect, especially since they revamped, appears to be really odd, and doesn't help with learning how to eat in a sustainable manner, which is what I've learned on MFP.

gerfbrady

WW meetings and weigh ins are great for keeping you accoutable. Same scales, same time, same place. I go to WW meetings and use MFP to track food. As someone already said WW are over complicating food tracking but using the weekly weigh in as a fresh start or to draw a line under a poor week is worth the fee to me.

bigblueeyes1

I did WW about 3 years ago so not sure how much has changed since then. I will say that when I did the program, almost all fruits and vegetables were "free". Which in turn allowed you to eat more compared to MFP since MFP counts the calories in your fruits and veggies. However, for basically the same concept, save yourself some money and just use MFP would be my advice to you.

getitamb

I started on weight watchers and I lost weight. But I didn't really learn how to eat. I also didn't like always having to convert points. I love myfitnesspal. I've transformed my body pretty much for free. And the people are great.

Jussilu

Weight Watchers, I find depends on the leader. I've been to meetings with great leaders and other meetings that I dreaded to go because of the leader. MFP is my choice; 24/7 availability, that's what I like.

nuttyfamily

I used WW to lose the initial 50 pounds (2003-2004). When they changed how to calculate points where you could roughly guess 50 cals equal one point, I switched to MFP.

I love MFP. If I have needed accountability, I have gone back to meetings but hid the fact I was calorie counting.

madseasons

I have used WW since 1997....it was way different back then and no "points" just fat and fiber (calories). Fast forward to now, I just cancelled my online membership because I calculated my calories at the same time as my points and I wasn't getting enough calories to sustain me. SO I am no longer going to be on WW and MFP will be what I stick with from now on. I lost 57 pounds since having my baby last year on my own by just watching my food and portions.

I have lost 11 this year with WW and MFP, so I am just going to continue MFP to get the rest of the weight off .

amb3rj0y

I am currently doing the WW old points system, which takes into account calories,fat, and fiber. I was an official member in 2008, when they had this particular system. Since I did not want to join their new plan now, I just found a bunch a resources online for the older one. I tried counting calories, and just did not like it. I guess everyone just has their personal preference

size102b

Me
Used to love weightwatchers when is was points
Now it's too strict life's too short to be that strict

I did the new plan lost 6lbs in 8 weeks came back to here and lost 11.5lbs in 7 weeks

I don't feel restricted on calorie counting tbh that's all weightloss is CICO
PLUS this is FREE

rmkrd

Thanks everyone for your help! I think I'm going to keep my membership for a while, until I get back to my lifetime goal, because I do like the accountability of the meetings. Once I get back to lifetime, it will be free.

laurie62ann

gerfbrady wrote: »

WW meetings and weigh ins are great for keeping you accoutable. Same scales, same time, same place. I go to WW meetings and use MFP to track food. As someone already said WW are over complicating food tracking but using the weekly weigh in as a fresh start or to draw a line under a poor week is worth the fee to me.

A good way to hold yourself accountable is set up a little weight loss group of friends. Each week everyone gets on the scales and takes a picture of their weight and texts it to everyone in the group. Works great!! and Cost Nothing!!!

_wjeter38

Might I recommend iTrackbites, which is a smart phone app. It has Momentum, ProPoints & Smart Points. I believe it's less than $5. There is also a community. I personally didn't like the Smart Points program. At least if you download that app you can decide for yourself if you like the program enough without spending so much money.

zkjmum

I recently rejoined Weight Watchers, because MFP alone wasn't working for me. I need the extra support of the Weight Watchers community....and I'm sorry, but I haven't come across a single troll like the many that pop up here. Everyone is super supportive through the Connect section on the WW's app. I love the new points system, how it steers me away from sugar and towards higher protein, moderate carbs, and lots of fresh produce. The Pro Points system we had here in Australia before the new international Smart Points system began, was, in my opinion, dreadful. I tried it twice and just couldn't adjust to eating on it. I've immediately taken to Smart Points and am sticking with it.

Having said that, I still use MFP for the success story part of the community, and the extra tools like the weight loss graphs.

BrandiMin1991

laurie62ann wrote: »

gerfbrady wrote: »

WW meetings and weigh ins are great for keeping you accoutable. Same scales, same time, same place. I go to WW meetings and use MFP to track food. As someone already said WW are over complicating food tracking but using the weekly weigh in as a fresh start or to draw a line under a poor week is worth the fee to me.

A good way to hold yourself accountable is set up a little weight loss group of friends. Each week everyone gets on the scales and takes a picture of their weight and texts it to everyone in the group. Works great!! and Cost Nothing!!!

That's a great idea!

Fittingitforever

I've had success with WW in the past but once I discovered MFP, I knew I'd never need it again. MFP is just so much more user friendly, free!, the community boards are great, awesome tracking tools, and I've never had difficulty calculating my cals or planning my day. I'm an MFPer for the long haul!

baharal

I lost 40 lbs with WW 25 years ago, did not learn how to eat. WW and other programs I've tried want you to purchase their products. In one program I ended up gaining weight because I ate so many protein bars. I like MFP because I can see the nutritional value of what I am eating and make adjustments. The community is available any time and there are so many different topics to choose from for discussion and support. Plus it's free and you log on when it's convenient for you. You're not trying to schedule a meeting into your already busy schedule.

Shells918

missyfitz1 wrote: »

One thing about WW is that so much of the value is in the meetings. For me it was almost like going to a 12-step meeting - I had weekly accountability, and it was a great reminder of what I was trying to accomplish. It was also nice seeing the same people every week a lot of the time, and celebrating milestones with them. I've had success with the online program alone as well, but for now I prefer the simplicity of counting calories, and I prefer the MFP system and app. And price.

I lost 80 pounds on WW am a lifetime member and a trained leader. I didn't maintain for multiple reasons but having a great leader and groups can make it so much better or if not, worse. I tried to go back a year or two ago, but it was so different and the leader was just ok and everyone in the meeting was either much older or a SAHM so I just never fit in. I'm much happier here on MFP now, but it did work for me 15 years ago.
We all have specific needs that have to be filled. What works for me might not work for others and vice versa.

cowleyl

I have lost weight with WW and mfp. The points system did my head in. WW has some great recipes, which I still use, but mfp gives me all I need community wise and saves me money.

jenjen1707

I'm using both at the moment. I must say though that I was shocked to discover that 30SPs per day only equated to barely 1100 calories on a few occasions. Obviously this does depend on what you eat but I would not call my diet unhealthy at all. Also sometimes when I've gone over my dailies, weeklies, etc, it is good to come on here, log the food then realise that you're beating yourself up for nothing as when converted to calories, I am still well within target on here .. Am seriously thinking of leaving WW online but it's like a comfort blanket for me and I'm almost frightened to let go as have had some success this year using both and have been a member for years .. I agree with what someone else said above though, that the Connect community is fabulous and extremely supportive.

Ravenspurn

I tried WW many moons ago in Australia during the 90's, whilst I did lose weight, I ended so so frustrated with the recipes, and the points system was difficult to follow,and I did not feel healthy.
Counting calories is one thing, but is pointless unless you know the other parts of the equation.
MFP is so much better, as it allows you to not only calculate what you are putting in, but adjust to your needs.

Need additional Fat, more Potassium, extra cholesterol? easy to adjust.

Heartlight441

Weight Watchers was great for me about 10 years or so ago. I lost about 50 lbs but then of course it creeped back on. I just found too much focus on food. What is good, what is bad. If I lost at that week's weigh in they said "Good girl" and if I didn't, I felt 'bad'. I find with MFP it's more holistic. Yes I am staying within my caloric deficit but I'm more focused on getting in more activity and on choosing healthy and nutrient dense foods vs just low points. Maybe it's me that's changed but I just didn't find WW right. I like all the nutritional info I can glean from this system and for my macros. And I find the people here great - friendly, supportive and someone always ready with help.

FindingAmy77

Yes.. I love the weight watchers program and still follow the basic guidelines about eating healthy and adding in new foods and exericises but I don't want to pay for weight loss when it's on me in the long run anyways. Also the biggest kicker is that calories are listed everywhere and on everything unlike weight watcher points so all I have to do is think of my daily calorie allowance as my money in the bank and just keep subtracting the total until I run out each day. MFP is great for keeping track because after you get your food diary loaded up with all the foods you eat on a daily/weekly basis, its all about log on> point and click> log off each time you eat something or do something. Easy and free. Who doesn't love free?!

briannadunn

I use a free points app for ww..I lost hundreds between pregnancies doing it..I use the old points system and if in doubt I will look it up on mfp. To me it gives me freedom because after 12 yrs I can look at a foods cal, fat, fiber and just know it's points. I also know that for every point I go over how much I need to exercise to get back under. That being said, it's far less stressful for me than counting calories..I do however NOT like their new programs, they have made it way to complicated. My sister in law has lost 50lbs though and looks amazing on their new system.

DaisyHamilton

Personally I never understood why people paid for those kinds of programs when it's all free online like on sites like MFP. Just instead of using Points, you're counting the actual calories.