If you have switched from Weight Watchers to calorie counting only, what made you switch?
KM0692
Posts: 178 Member
What made you decide to quit WW? I am *still* torn between the two. I know that I eat healthier on WW, but I also feel restricted (1/4 of my daily points on a 150 calorie granola bar??). I don't have a huge amount of weight to lose, but it would be nice to get it off one way or another. 
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Replies
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Exactly what you mentioned - the new program is super restrictive and punishes you for things you shouldn't even be punished for. I don't believe in demonizing foods and the new program sorta does that. Plus calories are something I can easily calculate and know what I can eat in a day - the way the latest points are calculated it is really not as easy to plan your day.6
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I didn't like the new points system. It was way too restrictive and I wasn't losing weight. I lost and gained the same3 pounds for months!! I switched to MFP and dropped 20 quick, only 6 more to go!10
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I think there's good things about both options. I lost weight successfully on WW and just through calorie counting using this app. I love the weekly accountability factor with WW; knowing I was going to walk into a meeting and be weighed every week really had me staying with the program. Now I just use FitPal, because A.) it's free! And B.) I've gotten better at being accountable only to myself over the years. Also, I think it's a bit simpler not to worry about points. I hope whichever you choose finds you successful and happy!5
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The fact that the Points calculations became less about actual macros and nutrition and became some super judgy calculation based on sugar and sat fat (which may be appropriate to check, but for weight loss is largely irrelevant).
It's no wonder people aren't having success with it - for weight loss it doesn't matter if, for example, something is only 2g sat fat if it's got another 30g of other fats - that will drive up the calories and the new calculation doesn't even acknowledge that.
The cost, the really crappy community interface, and the fact that the meetings were the same stuff over and over.9 -
If any of you are interested in the wedly accountability thing I've a weekly weigh in group here http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/118368-friday-weigh-ins-2017
Although it's called Friday weigh ins, the thread is open all week in case people have another preferred weigh in day and I have a progress thread in which I post stats for the month - Weight/Target Weight and Total Lost/Maintained/Gained.3 -
I lost weight on weight watchers but was always hungry and felt like I was eating a lot of empty calories (processed food). I switched to a paleo type diet about a year ago and feel better and am not starving all the time but it wasn't very conducive to WW. It is conducive to MFP for me anyway.6
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*weekly.1
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Well first of all if both work well for weight loss but one if free and the other costs that in itself seems like an easy choice. I lost my first 10 lbs on weight watchers, gained 5 of it back, and then lost the rest using mfp (33 lbs now) I love counting calories because it gives me the most freedom of any plan I've ever been on. I've come to see it as a science which really helps me all or nothing/binge eating mindset I've had about losing weight most of my life. I got a fitbit a few weeks ago and I look at my calories out and calories in and at the end of the week calculate my total deficit for the week and am able to pretty well estimate how much I am going to lose for the week. I love it. With weight watchers it was pretty much always a surprise what was on the scale. Weight watchers is good for teaching portion control and it's a good start in some ways, maybe an easier transition but in the end you lose weight because you're eating less calories and if you can just count calories for free I would rather do that5
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Literally the only thing I miss about weight watchers is the acknowledgment. It's really nice having someone congratulate you for losing .002 lbs haha and it was nice getting the stickers and having them clap for you. But not worth it just for that.3
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I thought it was too restrictive as well, and I felt like I was deprived, which leads me to over eating! I am trying to get over "guilty" eating, and learn how to eat in moderation. I felt that WW was feeding into my already unhealthy relationship with food.
I also, having done calorie counting first, then trying WW with a friend, I did not understand the point system. I did not buy in. My daily banana was 0 points, but close to 100 calories. 2 bananas would still be 0 points - 200 calories. But, my granola bar, that is 190 calories was like 6 pts! So technically, I could eat bananas all day and have 0 pts, but still gain weight because I was eating too many calories!9 -
I gained half a stone using WW. I found the programme far too restrictive and again, like others, would overeat. I was very successful with Slimming World but having moved I don't rate the consultant in my area. So I have returned to MFP3
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I did WW 6 years ago and switched to MFP a year later, I just find MFP easier (and cheaper), the main thing that helped me with WW was keeping a food diary and I do that here (I also always felt alot hungrier on WW). Basically do what works best for you. I prefers MFP's flexibility and the community is great. 3
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Mostly money. But also because of the mfp app being so awesome. I would not like the new points system either2
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I used to do Weight Watchers when they had the Core Plan, once they got rid of that I said I'm off - I hated Pro Points and decided to calorie count and have done so ever since ... I lost 67lb on the Core Plan, but gained all of it back, then started calorie counting and lost 164lb in 2 years (2012 to 2014) and have been maintaining that loss ever since.
I like to pick up at packet of something and see the label say it's 160Kcal per portion and know that I'm taking 160kcal off today's allowance, whereas with WW you need a degree in mathematical science to understand their formula, or to pay for one of their Points Calculators - I would prefer to know exactly where my nutrition is going, not have to rely on someone else's formula to work it out for me.
The money I saved on not paying out £5 a week to get weighed has been used to purchase a set of my own scales and weigh myself weekly (£12.99), I bought a set of kitchen scales and weigh everything I put in my mouth (£6.99) and eventually I saved up enough to buy my first exercise bike (£242.99); WW would have cost me somewhere in the region of £500 if I was to attend every week for the 2 years it took me to lose weight, I still use the scales & kitchen scales that I bought back in 2012, but I sold the magnetic exercise bike for £100 last week and purchased a new aerobic exercise bike, as my fitness levels kind of outgrew it.
To be honest I object to having to pay to be told what I weigh, always have and always will, but I joined WW out of desperation to lose weight back in 2009, they do have their place for people who need that kind of group support and camaraderie, but I found out I preferred to go it alone and it was the best decision I ever made.9 -
I haven't tried it and I won't be based on what I've read about it. I don't understand not logging fruit and I would be wierded out by getting weighed in public. Plus the economic side of it. I like freedom to choose what I eat.2
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I used to go to Slimming World so very similar. I stopped going cause I had abuse from other people who went, saying I was too skinny to be there, it also got pretty pricey and I way prefer just using MyFitnessPal (I've lost a lot more weight just using MyFitnessPal aswell!). I also hated the public weighing & people fake cheering and clapping
I still buy Slimming World frozen meals as some of them are super tasty! I also buy Weightwatchers cheesecakes and they are the BEST! 2 for £1.00 at Iceland 4 -
I found WW was getting expensive for me personally. Also I didn't like being restricted so much with my points - like you say almost being punished for having a 150 calorie granola bar. However I will admit I lost a stone on WW but I am doing just as well calorie counting on MyFitnessPal. The data base is so good on here I feel its just as effective if not better.2
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I haven't been on WW in several years, but for me, I felt like I didn't truly learn anything. (Ex: I have two seemingly comparable foods in front of me. One is 4 points, and one is six. OK, but WHY? WHY is one 2 points more? That tells me absolutely nothing about making it in the real world.)
I've only been on MFP for a little over a month, but already, I feel as though I've learned so much by seeing the calories and other macros displayed in front of me. It really has made all the difference for me.2 -
I've had success at both MFP and WW. Now that I'm close to maintenance (2 pounds from goal) I'm focusing solely on MFP.
First, it's free!
Second, I couldn't continue with SP long term. I had some short term success, but I agree with the people that said the new SP is definitely more restrictive. For instance, yesterday, I ate about 1500 calories here (well within my range and no junk/empty calories), went for a 6-mile run, and logged an additional 10k steps just doing normal life. That's a pretty normal day for me. On WW, I'd be at 44 SP for the day (when my goal is 30) and would run out of weeklies in about 3-4 days if I kept to that. I am looking for something sustainable long term and that means having the flexibility to have pizza or cake or a cheeseburger without having to eat solely "free" fruits/veggies for the rest of the day to compensate. Granted, sometimes I'd dual log and I would be within my ideal point range and on-track for calories, but that's when I was just starting my journey and was being very strict with my diet to get into the groove, so to speak.
Third, I don't like to think of foods as good or bad and I think the new WW plan vilifies food as "bad". Like someone said above...a granola bar or a 130-calorie greek yogurt is 6-8 points! I do try to get at least 4-5 servings of veggies a day and 1-2 fruit, but that takes planning. I hide veggies in everything (like adding cauliflower rice to my rice recipes) and I make the conscious effort to get my fruits/veggies in. I also try and make healthier choices about 80-85% of the time because I just feel better (running the day after a lot of greasy food is not pleasant).
Fourth, the MFP app/website allows for greater accuracy in logging. The WW site is very basic and crashes often. You can't add decimals and most of the measurements seem to be in cups. What if I'm having 4 almonds...that's not 1/8 cup and they don't allow for fractions of ounces and never grams. I know 4-almonds isn't a lot, but those BLTs can add up so I want to be as accurate as possible...that means weighing and not using measuring cups.
Finally, I never did the meetings, so I never got the party for losing anyway.
Bottom line...stick with what works for you. I'm down about 23.5 pounds and have 1.5-2 to goal. It's been trial/error what works best for me. I find this to be more livable, but you'll find plenty of WW lifetimers who've been on WW for 10 years and swear by it. Do whatever you can and will stick to long term. 5 -
Way back in 2013 I switched because the meetings were useless and rather than weigh in once a week and pay $13.00/wk with no knowledge of CICO (in detail anyway) I joined a weight loss challenge group here and got the same thing for free (plus more chatting and learning which I love)1
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I haven't tried it and I won't be based on what I've read about it. I don't understand not logging fruit and I would be wierded out by getting weighed in public. Plus the economic side of it. I like freedom to choose what I eat.
when I look back on all the free fruits and vegetables I ate it's no wonder I "stalled"1 -
I did have access to the online tracking system to calculate points which I think is what gently nudged me over to mfp because I geeked out over even that hahaa. I love data and seeing/tracking so it was only natural I would make the switch. I outgrew the program quickly.1
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mrsnattybulking wrote: »Way back in 2013 I switched because the meetings were useless and rather than weigh in once a week and pay $13.00/wk with no knowledge of CICO (in detail anyway) I joined a weight loss challenge group here and got the same thing for free (plus more chatting and learning which I love)
And cat pictures. Everything's better with cat pictures.
I did WW back in 2005 when it was 1-2-3 Success or something. You could save exercise points (I spent them all on beer) and fruit and veg were all 0 points. I lost about 14lbs, but learned nothing. With MFP I've lost 25lbs and learned tons of stuff. That's a win-win in my book.8 -
One isn't better than the other. Just different...
Lost 120 lbs. with WW. Kept it off with WW. I use Myfitnesspal for finding percentages of macros and stuff like that and sometimes calorie counting when I need a refresher that way. Both are easy. One is free. But I've been FREE for the last 11 years as WW rewards you with free meetings and app as long as your first weigh in of the month is within 2 lbs. of your goal. Fruit and vegetables aren't free. They are Zero Smartpoints which encourages me (within reason) to choose healthier over processed but...I can choose either and there's not any vilifying going on for my choices.
I can choose to "eat" my Fitpoints and I do when I'm super active so I'm not limited to just the dailies. The "budget" is generous in my opinion especially as I don't freak out over 25 calories of broccoli putting me over my calorie limit...ha! BUT I love Myfitnesspal is free (unless you up the anty and go premium) and love the graphs and percentages I get...which helps me have a bigger picture.
I love the meetings. LOVE the leader has "been there and done that" and lost weight as well doing this and understands. Love how they focus on MINDSET as that's a huge thing in all of this. Love that I can celebrate my victories in the meeting room or not. It's my choice...like here on Myfitnesspal without the meeting room.
Love that I can be social there. But love that I can be social HERE but without face to face interaction. Of course, I generally sit on the back row and don't always interact at a WW meeting either when I need the space. (Introvert problems)
So one isn't so much better than the other. Just different. You just gotta go with the "different" that appeals to you more! Weight Watchers AND Myfitnesspal are in the business of helping folks lose weight...they just do the tracking differently. Weight Watchers has "Smartpoints" and "Simply Filling" (another aspect of their program I generally do) and Myfitnesspal offers calorie counting (simple) and I can watch macros.
I do both. Not obsessing...but I'm part of a National Weight Loss study for life and sometimes need data. They study those who've lost a significant amount of weight and see what ticks for them and use that to better the field of weight loss for everyone. So data is good.2 -
Let me add...the IMPORTANT thing is to stick with something. As you're on here...stick with this and use this tool the way it's meant to be used and you won't go wrong.
I just bet you're gonna do great! Success to you on your journey!2 -
I found WW helpful while I learned how to choose healthier food options. I logged on both MFP and WW for a couple of months and found MFP easier to use, quicker food searches, and free.
I prefer to acknowledge the calories in fruits and veggies and track them on MFP rather than lose a meals worth of points on one square of chocolate on WW.1 -
I think a lot of the success w/ WW depends on the leader too. My friend joined WW again and hates it because she does not like the leader - leader is dull, not dynamic, not engaging, and only reads stuff from a page.
I still like MFP better - seems easier to me to track calories than worry about points for food. KISS - keep it simple, stupid! 3 -
I successfully lost weight on Weight Watchers until they switched to Smart Points. Found the new plan to be way too restrictive. I was very upset and frustrated, and my leader was no help at all. Since then I've been using this site and an app called iTrackBites, which allows you to choose which version of Weight Watchers you want to use and then allows you to track your points based on your choice.
I sometimes miss the weekly meetings, but then I remember that they changed the format of the meetings at the same time they switched over to Smart Points...
No, sorry, they've lost me as a customer.1 -
Gah, those meetings were the worst. I would sit there and listen to (mostly) women lose their minds over how wonderful some blueberry-peanut butter-chocolate chip-marshmallow-caramel WW-brand energy bar monstrosity was, immediately followed by complaints about how they missed guacamole so much and they couldn't eat it anymore because..."Do you know how many many points are in an avocado?" -- which led to them suggesting making guac out of peas or some such *kitten*. I once said, "Why not just eat the avocado? It's a natural food with lots of good fats." People looked at me like I'd slaughtered their first-borns.12
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I am currently with WW (starting over again!) and I have tracked what I have eaten today (including dinner) and I don't know if its because I have a lot to lose but my WW says I have 28SP left (out of 60) but MFP says I only have 259 cals, this seems a bit in reverse to what previous posters have commented! ie WW says I could techinally eat 7 Caramel Digestives (25SP) and still be withn my allowance, but thats 563cals!
Im beginning to wonder if this is why my progress on WW was so slow on my last attempt......3
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