weight watchers vs. counting calories

vaughn3490

Hello,

I am currently on weight watchers and it is getting expensive. Plus I am too busy to make all of my meetings. I want to give my fitness pal a try. Has anyone been on weight watchers, but has had better success with calorie counting?

StaciMarie1974

I never did WW - was too cheap. But why not use them side by side for the time your subscription has left? Then decide...

lemurcat12

WW is really just a simplified form of counting calories. I never did it, as I prefer using the actual calories and have no interest in paying or meetings, but it seems as though counting calories would work for you as an alternative, and MFP makes it super easy once you get the tricks to picking good entries down. (Isn't there a less expensive online version of WW too?)

LisaBrown23

im on it too, as well as fitbit

clh72569

I have done WW. WW is basically a calorie counter also, just using points. I like the idea of actually knowing the calories of foods. When the WW subscription expired, I switched to MFP. Plus WW was not encouraging for me. I have lost 50 lbs on MFP.

lgregory6540

I did WW years ago - minimal success. Lost about 10lb over 6 months kind of thing. For some reason I felt so restricted trying to stick to their recipes only so I didn't have to calculate, i would panic when I went out to eat, and I would go crazy on fruits "good foods" without understanding how they all add up. MFP is so much more realistic and has opened my eyes up to calorie content, portions and the logging just keeps me very aware of what I'm doing and eating. I started in January on MFP and am 38lb down.

songbird13291

The way Weight Watchers works, foods are given a point value based on nutritional content, so that two food items with the same amount of calories might have different point values, the more nutritionally dense food having a lower point value. The idea is to push you towards better food choices. It's more structured than counting calories. I found Points Plus easy, it encourages a balanced diet. I thought Smart Points was too restrictive, it's very low sugar and low carb.

I did Weight Watchers from March 2015 until December, when they switched from Points Plus to Smart Points. Then I came here and did calorie counting. Right now I'm doing Points Plus, tracking points on the iTrackBites app and also tracking calories on My Fitness Plan. I get 26 points a day, which is roughly 1200 calories.

You might want to download the iTrackBites app, or Ultimate Food Value Diary. Both apps will let you track Points Plus or Smart Points. You can double track for awhile, see which plan you like best.

Ready2Rock206

I don't like the new WW program. I am much more successful on MFP.

minniestar55

Did WW using ProPoints, reached goal weight & under about 4 years ago, maintained but weight started creeping up. Got tired of paying so tried MFP in tandem for a couple of months, did great. Ended WW subscription, it's MFP got me. Superb tool, easy to use.

Luna3828

I did WW since 1992 and cancelled my membership this year. Just like you, I rarely went to meeting, the app is nothing compared to MFP that has an enormous food library compared to WW and each has a formula that either works for you or not. The most I lost in WW at one time was 20 pounds over "20" plus years and in 1.5 months in MFP I lost 14 pounds with No meeting which I rarely attended in WW and weighed in off and on as I do now in MFP. I went to meetings and got nothing because I was in sheer boredom. MFP holds me accountable. I need to lose weight because of health issues. Friends make it work.

kshama2001

I did WW in the 90s. Our meeting took place on my work campus, so that was convenient. I found knowing I was going to be weighed in public helpful. IMO, that's really the only thing WW has going for it over MFP, and if you can't make the meetings, that's out. You can get support here and MFP is free. I prefer getting actual calories and macros over points. I think WW served a purpose (making calorie counting easier) that is no longer necessary now that there are sites like MFP.

lemurcat12

kshama2001 wrote: »

I did WW in the 90s. Our meeting took place on my work campus, so that was convenient. I found knowing I was going to be weighed in public helpful. IMO, that's really the only thing WW has going for it over MFP, and if you can't make the meetings, that's out. You can get support here and MFP is free. I prefer getting actual calories and macros over points. I think WW served a purpose (making calorie counting easier) that is no longer necessary now that there are sites like MFP.

That's how I think about it. I also dislike the idea that they decide what you should eat based on the points allotted and try to push you toward certain choices. To me, that's not respecting you or treating you like an adult. I want to eat a nutrient dense diet with lots of vegetables, and so I do, and it offends me that they think I wouldn't or couldn't make a good choice based on the actual calories and knowledge about diet and would have to be tricked into it by the point values assigned. I know not everyone reacts this way, but to me that would feel really demeaning and offensive, like I said, not being treated with respect as someone who has the capacity to make a good decision just based on the information at hand.

kshama2001

lemurcat12 wrote: »

kshama2001 wrote: »

I did WW in the 90s. Our meeting took place on my work campus, so that was convenient. I found knowing I was going to be weighed in public helpful. IMO, that's really the only thing WW has going for it over MFP, and if you can't make the meetings, that's out. You can get support here and MFP is free. I prefer getting actual calories and macros over points. I think WW served a purpose (making calorie counting easier) that is no longer necessary now that there are sites like MFP.

That's how I think about it. I also dislike the idea that they decide what you should eat based on the points allotted and try to push you toward certain choices. To me, that's not respecting you or treating you like an adult. I want to eat a nutrient dense diet with lots of vegetables, and so I do, and it offends me that they think I wouldn't or couldn't make a good choice based on the actual calories and knowledge about diet and would have to be tricked into it by the point values assigned. I know not everyone reacts this way, but to me that would feel really demeaning and offensive, like I said, not being treated with respect as someone who has the capacity to make a good decision just based on the information at hand.

Yes, this was exactly my experience in the 90s but I didn't mention it in the hopes that it had since changed. Probably not

lynne822

I was on weight watchers and felt miserable once they changed the system and my foods I ate went up in points. I was hungry all the time and was miserable. I do not eat a lot of fruits but do eat vegetables. I stopped using weight watchers when i followed everything stayed in my points and even exercised and did not use those points and I starting gaining weight! Since I switched I do not pay the fee anymore and I am losing weight. My suggestion is to copy the recipes and then quit. It was what I did. Although I had to manually enter them in since they are not up-loadable as other sites.

charis2979

I used WW about 13 years ago and was successful. At that time it was using the points system, which was based off of fiber, calories and fat I believe. Honestly, I think that MFP is basically the same thing. I've been actively using it for about almost 4 weeks and have successfully lost 10 lbs with MFP and exercise. So I think it's basically the same either way, except MFP is free (unless you purchase the premium).

kschramm7

I'm a Weight Watcher. Started December 2014, made goal October 2015, and have been lifetime/maintenance ever since, so I have a current perspective as it relates to Points Plus & the Smart Points plans.

I lost bunches of weight on Points Plus...80 lbs total. LOVED the plan. It worked for me. I've been totally stalled on SmartPoints, and wanted to lose a few more pounds, so after 7 months of losing and gaining the same 4 pounds, I switched to MFP 10 days ago. I'm down 2 lbs. I feel less restricted. I can have a 150 calorie Skinny Cow Chocolate Ice Cream Cone...and it's JUST 150 caloires, not 8 smart points (nearly 1/3 of my daily points). I can have a 170 calorie protein bar on my way to the gym and not give up 7 Smart Points.

I can EAT BACK some of my exercise calories! WW had my "FitPoint" goal set at 120/week. That's 10,000 steps a day + 40 minutes of rigorous cardio every stinking day! That's a LOT of exercise without being able to eat any of those burned calories back!

Anyway, I'm LOVING MFP. Since I'm lifetime, I'm still planning to go to WW meetings and weigh in once a month, but for now, I'm really liking counting calories instead of points.

MFP has most of the same tools WW's website has too...recipe builder, food log, exercise tracker, lots of helpful articles, etc.

newheavensearth

I've lost weight (total 70 lbs) on both WW and MFP. I'm double tracking on because MFP maintenance points on WW are too high. Also the new plan pushes too much animal protein and I just don't eat like that. I learned a lot of good food habits on WW, so the plan is worth something. But tomorrow I am going to a picnic and I can't survive that on 48 measly pts. But I can do it on 1200 plus an extra 600 or so exercise calories! Yay, MFP!

rachelr1116

I did WW 5 years ago and lost 25 lbs. I just got tired of having to know the points for everything so I eventually just cancelled my membership. I've done better at sticking to MFP because it's a lot easier to find the calories for things than it was to find everything you need to calculate the points for it. I did like having the accountability of going to weigh in weekly and I did learn some things from the meetings but to me, it just wasn't worth the price of the membership.

BoosDimples

WW is what had me lose the bulk of my weight in the beginning. I still think it's a good program for those who need a simplified weight loss regime. However, I've learned bundles more here on MFP then I ever did on WW. Plus, this is free. Whichever works best for you, (in a healthy way),is the right choice.Good luck.

Kenda2427

I have done WW on and off over the years, the last couple of times I made no progress. I have been on MFP for a few years and I like it. Plus is can pair up nicely with a FitBit or other activity tracker. And its free unless you go to the no ad premium version.

napilibay

I've done WW and love MFP so much more. There's so about their formula that doesn't work right. Some days I'd eat plenty of calories on MFP and WW would show I needed to eat more. Counting calories is much easier and MFP has every single food in the database whereas WW doesn't.

jodianneh

Hi. I signed up for WW about 2 months ago and have had minimal success...only 7 pounds lost. About a week ago I started tracking my food and exercise on both WW and MFP. It turns out I've only been consuming about 1000-1100 calories per day on WW. Considering I exercise 4 days per week and always get in my 10,000 steps per day, I believe this is too low. I think WW has its merits and can help those who are sedentary lose weight, but for an active person I think that WW doesn't give you enough calories, which is why I believe I haven't been very successful. I'm hoping for better luck here on MFP.

Christine_72

MFP seems so much easier to use compared to the confusing points system of WW.

VintageFeline

I actually asked some friends who have used WW (and Slimming World here in the UK) as to what the stance was for exercise and the response confirmed my concerns.

I think if you are sedentary and totally new to weight management they can both have their merits but if you are active they both seem to end up having you undereat if used exactly as designed. That's not on in my opinion and too big a flaw for me to get round.

And long term, counting calories is so much easier. Trying to work out points (or syns for SW) would just make life too hard when MFP does most of that work for you, even when guesstimating.

GingerLark

I did WW in 2000 and lost 40+ pounds. Kept it off for 10 years and am within 7 pounds of goal weight still. I looked into the new method they have now and carbs are basically the devil now. I still think in terms of points on some foods, but like knowing the calorie and gram count of foods. MFP is a better life long method in my opinion.

jodietownsend03

MFP & fitbit iv lost 4 stone 1 pound since feb 4th this year! Stick at it walk loads n itll work!

andream1976

Yes, you can be successful. I like the MFP food data base much better than WW. I mean, WW works for many people and it is a wonderful program, but I agree, it gets expensive after a while. You can very easily count and track calories here and have success with support from other members, but I do think WW is a great support system and "cheerleader" for those who may struggle with finding weight loss buddies. I remember going to meetings and they were super excited and cheered for you no matter how big or small your weight loss was that week. And they do give small awards and pins for reaching your goals. That's a big deal to those who don't have support anywhere else. That motivation keeps them on track. But as someone with a job, kids, a house, etc, getting to meetings was difficult for me, too MFP has really helped me. Just about every food I could ever eat is listed here and in plain old calorie format. No points, colors, containers, etc. And that can be really great when you are on the go. I remember not all restaurants had WW points listed or even available and I would have to calculate them myself, always worrying if I was calculating correctly. No guessing here...calories are calories. Just watch your serving sizes and make sure they are lining up with what you find in the data base here. I bought a very inexpensive food scale from Wal Mart that helps a lot. You've got this!

andream1976

Oh, and the recipe builder here is awesome! You can import a recipe from anywhere on the internet with a link or put in one of your own (using the brands of foods you are actually cooking with) and have it calculate the calories based on serving size. No guessing or wondering if it's accurate. Just check the "matched ingredients" to make sure they are really what you entered. Once I had a recipe of my own calculate out really weird (low) and I double checked the ingredients...turned out it had matched my chicken amount wrong. So, just double check before you track it, but overall, I love the recipe builder.

MaxineMarieM

I started Weight Watchers in Jan of this year and lost 40 lbs but like some have said it it's expensive and I found I wasn't going to meetings either. I just started MFP 2 weeks ago and I have lost 2 lbs. I prefer doing it this way because it is easier to find calories and keep track of them then to find points of foods when on vacation or away from home.

MzKrystle

If you need to be held accountable I can see where WW might be better. Personally, MFP works great for me and it's free. Unless you upgrade which I have no interest in doing.

Suuzanne37

Weight Watchers is a great program. I was on it for four years; lost 40 lbs and learnt a lot.

Myfitnesspal is a good App and Its working for me.

Both are good options; $Cost being another important factor. Both require some time, patience and dedication.