calorie counting or Weight watchers.

kufahlaatc123

What is everyone thoughts about Weight Watchers? I need a change to get remotivated? I have fallen back into old habits and have gained almost 20#s back. I'm still down 20 but afraid of the path I'm going back down. I have been calorie counting for 2 years and have done very well with it except the last 6-9 months. I've lost weight 40# doing weight watchers in the past but gained it back after learning how to cheat the program. Some feed back or thoughts on programs, What's worked and what hasn't, and how do I get back to where I need to be mentally would GREATLY be appreciated.

ndj1979

Honestly, if you are gaining weight it means that you are eating too much, so if you don't address why you are overeating it is not going to matter whether you do weight watchers or calorie counting; as they both boil down to you needing to be in a calorie deficit.

I would suggest that starting next week you start logging everything you are eating into MFP and break out your food scale and start using that as well. This will show you how much you are consuming and hopefully make you realize what you can cut back on to get back into a calorie deficit.

jjpptt2

Ultimately, it doesn't matter. Both have the potential to work, but not if you're going to cheat and cut corners. You either do what you need to do to stay on program, or you don't.

It's not the program that's failing...

NorthCascades

Weight loss = calorie deficit.

If you're not willing to stick to the "don't go over your calories" rule, will you be willing to stick to whatever rules Weight Watchers shows up?

Would you rather do it for free, or pay for it?

estherdragonbat

I've done earlier incarnations of Weight Watchers. The last time was about 5 years ago. I found that the program worked for me then, but based on what I've seen others post in these forums it probably wouldn't now. (When I was on the program, the points were more closely tied to calorie values. Now, it seems like they are attaching higher point values to foods they consider unhealthy, even if the calories are the same as foods they consider healthy.)

More to the point, I'm unemployed and don't want to pay for the program. MFP is free and working for me. And I'm rarely hungry and the weight is coming off.

wenrob

From my experience, losing 69 lbs, keeping it off for almost five years, gaining 20 and not caring for two years I can tell you neither will work if you don't have your head in the game. You have to WANT to do it. The only person who can get you there mentally is you. WW will work. Counting calories will work. But only if you work it.

newheavensearth

Both plans work. I've lost most of my 71 lbs on WW . I switched to MFP initially for financial reasons ( I'm a free Lifetime member at goal now), but now I find the current Points system meaningless. With calories I can better see how my food choices and exercise impacts my weight.

But in your case, if you don't address the issues that are causing you to regain your weight, neither plan will be successful. Decide what will work best for you and your needs, and go from there.

spiffychick85

I used to use the free online WW calculators and follow the plan freely...I had lost 40lbs after baby #1, then after babies #2 &3 I've counted calories and have similar success. WW was good for me as it was less of a trigger for me to under eat (I never wanted to come under my points) calorie counting can be a trigger (former ED) so I'm much more inclined to come under my calories (it's mental).

Either way I've had success with both lifestyles/program types, they both worked as quickly for the weight to come off. Whatever you will stick to is what I recommend

seantnash

I had *huge* success with Weight Watchers and would sing their praises to all and sundry. Then SmartPoints came out and foods higher in sugar became far too penalised.

I continued with WW for a while but I found I started feeling guilty about food and that's how eating disorders begin. Also, when a pint of lager is lower in SmartPoints than a pint of skimmed milk, you do have to start questioning the logic.

I've been calorie counting for a couple of months now and am really enjoying it. I have no guilt about food which actually makes me much more determined to stick to my calorie allowance. So, by default, I am making those healthier food choices. But the good part is I know I can easily fit in a Krispy Kreme (for example) if I want one. Just knowing I can have it bizarrely means I don't have it - but I make that choice rather than having it forced on me.

The one good thing about WW is you are "answerable" to somebody each week so you're properly held to account. But I'm sure you could arrange for a friend to weigh you or, like I'm in the process of arranging, your GP.

bigmuneymfp

You can do it!

SuccessJMG

I, too, have done WW and been very successful. But it was too difficult to get to the meetings with full time work and other obligations. Then I tried on-line and felt I was just paying money for use of the phone app.

Weight Watchers new point system does force you into making healthier choices. But it is definitely not intuitive and I feel like it gets you in the mindset to try to "cheat the system".

Let's face it, if you have a weight issue, you most likely have some degree of obsession about food. I find I think less about food with MFP than WW because it is more transparent - Calories consumed & calories burned. No food calculator needed.

Good luck -you got this!

ejsilvi

Just come up with a plan and stick with it both work - it all takes time

choppie70

I tried WW for a month because a friend wanted me to join with her. I thought that paying would help keep me accountable. I was accountable. I did not go over my points (dailies and weeklies) once. I always had extra weeklies and did not touch my activity points. I lost 7 lbs the first two weeks. Then I gained 4 of them back and stayed there. 3 lbs in one month is an ok loss, I will take it, but I was miserable. Plus, I don't trust the point system. For example, I can eat 2 bananas and it could be about 180 calories. That is 0pts. for the bananas. I can eat one of my breakfast bars (180 calories) and it is 8pts! I just cannot wrap my head around how that works! I could actually gain weight if all I ate all day was bananas , but still have used 0 points!

al_schwing

Im a current lifetime member with wws that was trying to get back to my lifetime goal. I had huge success with their past programs . but since their switch to the smart points plan, ive struggled non stop. I had been on it for 6 months and hardly lost anything with activity and following my points. So I decided to switch and try MFP for awhile and so far it seems to be working for me. I am 5'5" and not anywhere near my goal so I should of been losing on the new ww plan. But for some people the new plan was working great for them, just not for me. My body was not responding to that program.
Good luck with what ever you decide!

SarahLascelles1

I've just cancelled my subscription. Worked fine for me, it was useful to have a tracker I'd paid for as motivation, but I was ready to be self motivated on a free tracker

Tried30UserNames

I think WW used to be great. I'd still recommend meetings for support and accountability, but if you want to follow their new program, please log calories, too. It's now fat phobic so you may find yourself over Points while eating only 800 or 1000 calories. It's dangerously unhealthy now.

ladycopnh1

I'm in the same boat your in. I was on a 78pd weight loss challenge last year and I met the challenge. It was what "challenged" me to succeed. After I hit the goal....I stopped loosing. I have yet to find anything at the present time to challenge me back into the mind-set to loose. Meanwhile I've gained 10pds back.

I just can't seem to get my mojo back.

labblb86

I lost 60 pounds last year using WW Smart Points. Loved it! I am in month 6 of maintenance, but struggling to maintain (not because of the program).

MiniMexxxxx

I lost my weight with Weightwatchers. I really enjoyed the plan. I've come back to calorie counting to maintain tho.

MiniMexxxxx

Tried30UserNames wrote: »

I think WW used to be great. I'd still recommend meetings for support and accountability, but if you want to follow their new program, please log calories, too. It's now fat phobic so you may find yourself over Points while eating only 800 or 1000 calories. It's dangerously unhealthy now.

I counted calories at the same time for a bit and was on 30 points. Mine always came out around 1300/1400 calories a day.

ofelecia

I used to love WW and have had success with it, but like you, started to find myself cheating the program and gaining a bit of weight, so I decided to quit it and go back to counting calories. Logging food and exercise is pretty much the same with both programs but, in a way, counting cals forces more honesty because there's just no way to cheat numbers and macros. You look at those numbers and face the music.
I'm new to MFP (formerly a calcount.com user) and hoping tI can stay motivated . . .

Sally4Change

I am currently on WW and trying to decide on what program is right for me. I am having a hard time staying on track with WW and find myself not tracking once I've fallen off plan. I see positives in both programs and know it is I who is failing at WW.

terryt1992

Check out itrackbites on your phone app store. Its basically weight watchers and the point values are the same or similar also you get to pick which point system you want to use so the new smart points thing if it does not work for you (which alot of people say it does not) then you can use the old one. You will spend like 12.00 but its a one time charge.

Running_and_Coffee

I do both. I prefer the way WW guides me to eat foods that keep me more satisfied and energized. However, I also track calories because I can stay within my 27-30 daily points and eat anywhere from 1100-1600 calories, and can't lose weight if I eat an average of 1600 calories a day, even with exercise. I don't mind paying for it because this is the system that works for ME, and doing the online for $15 a month is still cheaper than buying bigger pants.

cheryldumais

I think you have lots of replies but thought I would join in, lol. I too was a big believer in WW in the past but hated their new points system. I have lost 76 pounds on MFP and it hasn't cost me a cent. It's up to you. If you like the comraderie of WW there is something to be said for that but if you are more introverted like me don't waste your money.

PrincessMel72

WW and MFP are essentially calorie counting, just in different ways. WW seems too restrictive to me - labeling some foods as "bad". MFP teaches you how to consume things you love and as long as you count them and stay within your calorie goals you'll lose weight. To me, that is more sustainable in the long run. You don't have to give any particular food up or think of it as bad - you just eat within your goals!

seantnash

WW points used to be basically tied in with calories. Now that's all changed there's so much possible guilt about food. For example, a U.K. Mars Bar is 12 SmartPoints. If you're on 30 SmartPoints a day then you would only be able to have 2.5 Mars Bars and that would be your lot. A Mars Bar is only 260 calories - so two and a half would be 650 calories.

I know it's unlikely you'd eat 2.5 Mars Bars but, for those of us with a history of dysfunctional food relationships, it starkly shows just how much potential it has to be psychologically, as well as physically, damaging.

Then they have the cheek to show people eating doughnuts in their TV adverts

Deena_Bean

I've done both. The initial whoosh of weight I lost (about 50 pounds) was on Weight Watchers. I lost about 20 more (at one point 30) by various methods. That 20-30 has gone back and forth since then. The initial 50 stayed off, though. I'm back at needing to lose the 20-30 again and just recently conducted my own research comparing the two. It seems to me that they are really quite similar in their basis. If you follow either, they will work. I'm really not up to learning the new points system, so my decision was to stick with Free MFP. I have been tracking here for years now, so I'm super familiar with it and I know my failures are do to my own effort - not the program. My two cents...

mfpanyko

I love Weight Watchers and have maintained a 65 pound loss for 4 years. I'm not crazy about SmartPoints but I do like that it guides me toward healthier choices. And I still attend weekly meetings. I figure that I still have a weight problem, but am in remission. Meetings really help. And as a Lifetimer at (or below) goal, everything is free. I have enough vouchers for the online program for 2 years..
That being said, it has to be something you want to do. Overeating calories or points, it's all the same mindset. You need to track the failures along with the successes, and while fruit is 0 SP, you will hear leaders repeat time and time again that it is not free - there is a limit. Eating bananas all day is not the goal.... Balanced eating with occasional indulgences is more the focus.

And a real game changer for me was Judith Beck's The Beck Diet Solution. I highly recommend this book and doing the exercises in it.

enterdanger

I thought weight watchers was just calorie counting with points instead of calorie counting with calories?

I've never done WW. The cost has always seemed prohibitive.

seantnash

It was until they launched SmartPoints last year @enterdanger - now foods with sugar in are heavily penalised. And they don't differentiate between added and free sugars - hence a pint of Skimmed milk being more SmartPoints than a pint of lager. And that's despite foods rich in protein being "rewarded"!