Crossing over from ww......nervous!

Csmcnevin

Hello all!

How we all doing?!

I''ve lost 50lbs mostly with ww and exercising, but have plateaued the last year so am changing things up. I am starting Insanity tomorrow (for the second time) and read that MFP is a great tool to help track food. But i'm nervous for some reason that cancelling my ww subscription even though i'm exciting - what are people's experience here on mfp? Any opinions on changing over from ww?

Thanks so much!

MicheleWE

I had great success loosing with WW, lost 85 lbs, but I never learned maintenance. My local meeting closed down before I got to that part. I regained 40 lbs and now I've been losing it with the help of MFP. When I tracked with WW there were many things that got swept under that 0 or 1 point category. Now that I am tracking calories, fat, protein, carbs, sugar, sodium I am much more aware and tend to make better food choices. I am not losing as fast this time around, but I am eating a lot more than I had been on WW-which messed up my metabolism. Now I make the effort to eat better quality food vs just eating what fits in the points. I like this better.

Epyhon

I'm new myself, but I've enjoyed the week I've been here. MFP has a number of people on here and a lot of them are very supportive and no matter what your goals are I find that to be the most helpful thing. Good luck and if you need anything, just let us know.

sk_pirate

I'm not new but I did migrate over from WW to MFP, originally for the food database. I love MFP way more than WW. It was a change to switch from points to calories, but in the real world calories are where it's at. I find MFP lets you customize way more than WW ever did. MFP also taught me about macros, which WW never did.

Feel free to add me :drinker:

alliemum3

i was doing WW online and changed to MFP. the site is great and i enjoy it so much more than WW, particularly the barcode scanner on the phone app, its fantastic!
i would never go back to WW and pay $40NZ per month when you can have so much more free with MFP.

Good luck, i'm sure you will love this site

loserlee123

I found counting calories much easier than figuring out points and the data base is great you will really like it.

wamydia

I changed over from WW when I plateaued a while back. It was still Points Plus at that time (I think they changed it up again this year?). Anyway, I was a little worried at first too, but I've found personally that MFP is a great place to pick up a new way of tracking food and exercise. I think after a while WW went wrong for me because of the way that points system is set up to weight certain types of food differently, not count fruit, etc. MFP counts everything and I feel like I have a more direct connection with what I am eating and how big of a deficit I am running because it counts calories instead of points. I've found that if I stick close to what I have set up on MFP, I am able to lose weight more easily that I have in a very long time, including the several months before I plateaued on WW. Just be honest with your tracking and you'll be fine!

Csmcnevin

Awh thanks guys! Everyone seems so nice already *takes off coat and puts up feet

I have a great meeting/leader here in the US, but am returning to europe and i dunno - the more i have learnt about health and fitness, the more i'm drawn to clean eating, and learning about macro nutrients. I'm looking at is as an opportunity to educate myself more about nutrition / calories (in the past i was definitely one to abuse the 'free fruit' on ww).... and lose that last 15lbs!

Skieblueshllgdwn

I love MFP, used to do WW before, like MFP better, I know how many calories I'm actually eating, on a lot of different foods, this way, I can track for life, and it's free. WW, tired of tracking pts, I never knew how many calories = pts, I can't live my life like that. So set your calorie goal, and add your exercises. Just remember, do not eat back the calories that you burned during exercise, stick to your daily calorie goal. :flowerforyou:

vaporhockey83

I've been using this for less than a month and it's already done wonders for me. Started at 209 (for a 5'7" guy) and I'm already down to 198. When I first started, I wasn't exercising as much as I should (that's changed), but dieting alone helped shed pounds and see where I was wasting calories. I'll take a free weight loss app/site anyday. Welcome, by the way, and best of luck with your weight loss endeavors!! :drinker:

Wendall8

I lost 60+ with WW 7 years ago. I started MFP about 4 months ago and find it fun and something different, and, lost 5 more stubborn pounds. I know that it is important to journal ( that was #1 for me in my weight loss journey). Since I am a lifetime member at WW, I only go once a month, to weigh in. I don't like gaining weight, especially with someone watching me on the scale. It makes me accountable. If you are going to make the switch, I would continue to weigh in with someone. Good luck with whatever you decide!

aaronagostini

I switched over from weight watchers. Since I wasn't attending meetings, it just made sense to go with a free option. Plus, I think MFP is a great online community. Come for the logging, and stay for the great support group from around the world!

andersonh2007

Welcome!
I am a Lifetime WW member who is not currently at goal after having a baby three years ago. Going to the meetings were not fitting my new busy, stressful working mom life and the web tools were expensive, so I am thrilled to have found MFP to help me get back to pre baby weight. All of the features on this website and the support from the MFP community is great...at no cost to us! I am getting addicted to tracking and supporting others and I think you will too. Having done WW, my prediction is you will get into a good routine for you really quickly. Good luck! Let us know if you need anything.:)

melb_alex

MFP is the best tool in my opinion and 'If it fit's your macro' will soon become a normal way of thinking for you.

Good luck

Alex

SwitzEngine

I agree, MFP is perfect for tracking the daily intake and you can see if you are on track to reach your goals. The friends in MFP are all willing to help you and give you advice.

Csmcnevin

Where is the 'like' button on this website?! I wanna like all your posts - thanks so much for responded!

wylnora

I was with WW too, for over a year. I lost close to 30 pounds, but then I plateud for a few months. I found this website by accident, and I am so happy that I did. I canceled my account with WW about a month or so ago, and while I was nervous at first, I like MFP much better. Plus, it's free! I wish I found this website before WW.

Good luck with everything!

doodlebug200

I am a lifetime member of WW as well. I've maintained for almost 6 years. Since then, I have become a long distance runner but still had a WW mentality. Still tracked points, all that. That way of thinking and eating does not really work for fueling 20 mile long runs! I have started using MFP to track calories and have a better idea how much more to eat, especially when my mileage is high. I was nervous at first too, but its working well. I'm feeling better, eating more appropriate amounts of food and slowly getting to a leaner racing weight. Be honest with your tracking and what your goals are and it will work out just fine.

healthygreek

I love MFP, used to do WW before, like MFP better, I know how many calories I'm actually eating, on a lot of different foods, this way, I can track for life, and it's free. WW, tired of tracking pts, I never knew how many calories = pts, I can't live my life like that. So set your calorie goal, and add your exercises. Just remember, do not eat back the calories that you burned during exercise, stick to your daily calorie goal. :flowerforyou:

I must add that MFP is set up to eat back your exercise calories if you use the daily calorie goal they give you. That calorie goal is already at a deficit so do you need to eat back most of your exercise calories or you'll be too hungry and might overeat or binge or just feel plain tired and hangry.
I've been eating back my exercise calories and losing steadily.

jkal1979

I started WW in January and came on here in May to start tracking my macros. The one thing that really surprised me was how much my calorie intake varied on 27 points. I had a few days where I would hit my point goal but I was barely over 1,000 calories. I also had days where I was at 1,600 with the same amount of points. I'm not sure if it was a database error or what but it really made me question WW. I eventually stopped tracking points and focused on calories after seeing how much easier this site was compared to WW and cancelled my membership about a month ago. It was a little bit of an adjustment but easy to get used to. The free part is pretty awesome too because now that money that I was paying WW is going towards a fitness class.

04sprj0

I've converted from SW to MFP as I stayed the same. I've lost 52 pounds in total using both tools. I love MFP because it's shown me that even though I was on a diet before, I was still overeating on healthy foods. I feel much better and have even got really into exercise because that can be logged too. Good luck!

cgirly007

I did WW a few years ago, lost weight but have gained it all back. I like MFP because it counts fruit (there is no way a banana could be 0 points!) and to me the support is better. Also, I feel as if this site encourages exercise where as the meetings I used to go to did not. I think you will love it here. Im 2 weeks in and I do :-)

trackmyday1973

I joined WW a million times (and when I say a million.... I am not exaggerating). I find that WW is not suitable for lifetime. I cannot see myself walking around with a calculator figuring out points and tracking 4 things for everything I buy. I love MFP. Yes, it's free. However, it's something I can do for the rest of my life. Losing weight and keeping it off is something that must be worked (tracked) for the rest of my life. This is why I chose MFP. Counting calories is the easiest way to lose weight. I can go to the grocery store and look at the calories and determine if it is worth it.

IMHO I think WW is flawed. I use to like the old WW points system. I lost a lot of weight. Points plus, I feel, can use some tweeking. By counting calories I feel I am being more accountable to myself in what I am consuming throughout the day.

I didn't learn much from the meetings. Everything that was talked about was no news to me. I understand people enjoy going to the meetings for the accountability. However, I feel....you have to be accountable yourself for the remaining 6 days and 23 hours. A one hour WW meeting won't do much. I didn't like their preaching to eat healthy foods....while advertising in the meetings how the bars and chips and candy is on sale at the back.

I just feel that no matter what plan you choose, at the end of the day, you need to be accountable to yourself.

Today is my third day back on MFP. So far I have made a lot of new friends. If I feel bored, lonely (trigger reasons to eat for me) I log onto MFP and read what the community has to say. These forums are very motivational, and filled with many wonderful people who all share similar experiences, and struggles. In the end we are trying to achieve the same goal - weight loss (healthier lives).

For anyone that wishes to add me, feel free too

Have a great day everyone

Happy Calorie Counting:)

kmruse

Welcome to MFP. I have returned after a bad year last year and am just starting to get serious about weight loss again. I am hopin to lose the 2lbs I have put bacjk on and another into the bargain. Please feel free to add me as a friend and I will encourage you as much as I can. Always happy to help others and it costs nothing but a bit of time. Well done on making that first step and welcome to the new you.... :-)

caitlinjm74

I loved WW initially and managed to lose 2st on it. Then I moved away to Germany and put everything back on plus extra (yummy food and a foot injury which stopped me from running). I also agree with the previous posters that the '0 point' foods are a bit misleading - the first time I logged a banana I was stunned to see it was over 100 calories! :P But I find MFP a better community and counting calories is definitely better than counting points. Good luck!

pinkbananashoes

Hi! I lost weight with WW about 8 years ago and managed to keep it off, then last year moved to Slimming World and lost almost a stone but it wasn't sustainable. I briefly went back to WW this year but was totally sick of having to count points and not knowing how much anything was.. it just didn't feel realistic anymore. A friend of mine lost 3st with MFP and so I decided to get serious and track properly and now I'm totally hooked! I can't believe I used to pay so much money when this is a totally free resource and everyone is so friendly and helpful. Feel free to add me if you like! The database is amazing and I have all the info I need in my pocket. It feels sustainable and the nutritional info is amazing!
Good luck on your journey! Harri x

datzme57

I, too, switched from WW to MFP. Many years ago I was successful with WW, but this new 360 diet, they had me on 58pts a day! I could not eat that much and I was yo-yoing with only an 8 pound spread. I came to realize that those 0 points actually had calories and I was probably eating way more than I should even though I stayed under points by a large margin. I am morbidly obese but am really determined to be successful this time. I've been consistent with logging in for 1 month now, and get weighed in a few weeks (have to go to doctors for stronger scale). Can't wait until I can weigh myself at home. My office is very supportive as well as my friends. For some reason counting calories finally made sense after all these years!!!! I don't need points or special meals, just a level head and a good source of information to make wise decisions and be able to track my daily intake along with salt, sugar and fat (the 3 basic food groups!). MFP is a great tool and its mobile app actually works.

UncleBilly10

Hi. I understand the nerves. I have checked out ww in the past. However, I have found that it is so easy to keep track of my progress- both in food, specific categories, and excersize. I wish you the best in your journey. I've lost just over 20 pounds, with more to go. With the phone app, too, I think you will be pleased with this site.

rml_16

Hello all!

How we all doing?!

I''ve lost 50lbs mostly with ww and exercising, but have plateaued the last year so am changing things up. I am starting Insanity tomorrow (for the second time) and read that MFP is a great tool to help track food. But i'm nervous for some reason that cancelling my ww subscription even though i'm exciting - what are people's experience here on mfp? Any opinions on changing over from ww?

Thanks so much!

MFP and WW are essentially the same thing. Except MFP is free and you cuont calories instead of points. I can't say counting calories instead of points will fix a plateau, though, if you eat the same foods.

angeeishere

I've been on ww before and find MFP far better for me. I like the fact that it's real calories for foods and not points and there's no pressures to purchase specific products. Please feel free to friend me if you'd like, I log every day and have been doing so for about a year and half. This is the best so far that I've come across, people here are wonderful.

sdpeklo

I am a lifetime member of WW as well. I've maintained for almost 6 years. Since then, I have become a long distance runner but still had a WW mentality. Still tracked points, all that. That way of thinking and eating does not really work for fueling 20 mile long runs! I have started using MFP to track calories and have a better idea how much more to eat, especially when my mileage is high. I was nervous at first too, but its working well. I'm feeling better, eating more appropriate amounts of food and slowly getting to a leaner racing weight. Be honest with your tracking and what your goals are and it will work out just fine.

^^^^^ This. .....I am not a lifetime member....I did lose 10 lbs with WW in a month....but bc I run distance as well ...WW was just too difficult and wasn't really set for endurance training or racing. This is so much better...and free....and you will find just as much if not more support on here. : ) Welcome.