Weight Watchers
amanda9981
Posts: 7 Member
My friend wants me to join weight watchers with her...
I like the idea of having an accountability partner but I don’t understand how people can lose weight eating anything in any amount because it’s on the “free points list”
Does anyone do WW? Any success stories?
I like the idea of having an accountability partner but I don’t understand how people can lose weight eating anything in any amount because it’s on the “free points list”
Does anyone do WW? Any success stories?
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Replies
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WW is unnecessary and not guaranteed to work. You only lose weight if you are in a deficit and eating unlimited amounts of hundreds of "free" foods will not necessarily keep you in a deficit. I've read lots of stories on here of people not losing on WW because they are overeating.
Why not just do MFP and still be a support person for your friend (just not going to the meetings and following WW)?19 -
I did for about two years (online only), and had good results, but recently left and came back here. You can get good results, and the freestyle is pushing you to "cleaner eating" - I don't think it's a good idea for people to think of it as "free though" implying you can eat as much as you want. I have seen lots of people posting they're not having results and then wondering why. I'm in several WW groups on FB, and lots of people are having results as well. For me, I realized I could find the results I wanted here.
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Save your money and spend it on something you really want or need.13
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I had great success on the Smart Point plan, the previous version. I did not have luck on the Freestyle plan, the most current one. I gave it a good 3 weeks and learned it wasn't for me. It's a great maintenance plan, not a good weight loss plan... for me.10
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WW is really a waste of time. Weight loss is a simple science that anyone can do. Doesn't matter what you call a program. If we strip all the fancy labels, color codes, etc it's all the same. You want to lose weight you have to burn more calories than you put in. If you don't know how many calories you are actually putting in then you will never know how to adjust it. Basically that is all WW or any other program does. They give you a point system but behind the magic they are just counting your calories.15
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WW is really a waste of time. Weight loss is a simple science that anyone can do. Doesn't matter what you call a program. If we strip all the fancy labels, color codes, etc it's all the same. You want to lose weight you have to burn more calories than you put in. If you don't know how many calories you are actually putting in then you will never know how to adjust it. Basically that is all WW or any other program does. They give you a point system but behind the magic they are just counting your calories.
Agree, to a point. WW will tell you that eating a 100 calorie banana is 0 points while eating a bag of 120 calorie Baked Ruffles is worth 4 points. The calories aren't the same. While a calorie is a calorie, yes, the type of food you're ingesting makes all the difference. WW helps you learn what food will fuel your body the correct way and how to avoid the food with empty calories with no other nutritional value.35 -
I lost 50 lbs with WW, with the 'pro points' system which did not allow as many 'free' foods as the new programme. I couldn't get on with the new system so swapped to calorie counting instead. Either approach probably works, though with WW now there is the greater difficulty that you simply can't eat all the foods on the free list in any quantity you want, so you have to do some sort of calorie counting in addition. Personally I find it easier just to count the calories full stop, but I wouldn't underestimate the support that a lot of people get from the WW meetings or their online offer. Good luck whatever you choose.4
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Alimacbean wrote: »WW is really a waste of time. Weight loss is a simple science that anyone can do. Doesn't matter what you call a program. If we strip all the fancy labels, color codes, etc it's all the same. You want to lose weight you have to burn more calories than you put in. If you don't know how many calories you are actually putting in then you will never know how to adjust it. Basically that is all WW or any other program does. They give you a point system but behind the magic they are just counting your calories.
Agree, to a point. WW will tell you that eating a 100 calorie banana is 0 points while eating a bag of 120 calorie Baked Ruffles is worth 4 points. The calories aren't the same. While a calorie is a calorie, yes, the type of food you're ingesting makes all the difference. WW helps you learn what food will fuel your body the correct way and how to avoid the food with empty calories with no other nutritional value.
True but I would hope someone starting WW knows they can't eat a bag of Ruffles and get the same results when eating a banana.6 -
Alimacbean wrote: »WW is really a waste of time. Weight loss is a simple science that anyone can do. Doesn't matter what you call a program. If we strip all the fancy labels, color codes, etc it's all the same. You want to lose weight you have to burn more calories than you put in. If you don't know how many calories you are actually putting in then you will never know how to adjust it. Basically that is all WW or any other program does. They give you a point system but behind the magic they are just counting your calories.
Agree, to a point. WW will tell you that eating a 100 calorie banana is 0 points while eating a bag of 120 calorie Baked Ruffles is worth 4 points. The calories aren't the same. While a calorie is a calorie, yes, the type of food you're ingesting makes all the difference. WW helps you learn what food will fuel your body the correct way and how to avoid the food with empty calories with no other nutritional value.
True but I would hope someone starting WW knows they can't eat a bag of Ruffles and get the same results when eating a banana.
That, of course, is an extreme example, but I think WW helps people learn what foods are good and why. Even though MFP counts macros for me, I find myself leaning back to points to help me make better decisions.12 -
I have been WW dropout more times than I can count. I did have success with it when was in high school, but my mom did it for me-I only had to eat what she prepared or allowed me to have. I don't know much about the new program-but I think it is interesting that every year their program changes. Why change it, if it is working? Anyway, for me counting calories and using this site has been a Godsend! I am down 15# since January and actually enjoy it. I have done much better using MFP than I ever did on WW. I have a very good friend who lost #100 a few years ago on WW, but she gained quite a bit of it back and is doing it again for the second time. I guess you have to figure out works for you. I also like that MFP is free (unless you do premium) I hated paying the WW fee every week. Good Luck to you on whichever way you decide to go to get to your goal!6
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I had a friend do WW and cross-check their methods with me. Apparently WW believes that if you don't eat up to your personal point limit, you won't lose weight. When I looked at her point limit, it appeared to be maintenance for her but I guess that entirely depends on her food choices since there's not a direct relation between the calories in something and the corresponding WW point value.
It was a valuable resource in the 90s. Now? Not so much. The conversion of food values to points is just needlessly complicated when all the information is written out for us on MFP/cronometer/whatever CICO tracker you use. The community aspect is nice, but you can get that at any gym or fitness-oriented class.4 -
I lost over 50 pounds on the previous WW plans, the new plan does not work for me. I have been double tracking and because I do not eat lots of the 0 point foods that aren't fruit/veggies like corn, beans, eggs I have been undereating and still out of points. For example, today I have pretracked for the whole day, I am 6 points over on WW but still need to eat 490 calories to meet my minimum calories on MFP. I do like the meetings, but I am Lifetime so meeting are free for me. I would not want to pay +$45 a month for them though.5
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I have a coworker who is on weight watchers she hasn't been losing weight, and more or less doesn't realize the "zero calories" aren't really zero calories. She has eggs, lots of chicken, and eats it constantly. I think if you want to use weight watchers, but also use MyFitnessPal to actually track your calories that would be better but it seems kinda counterproductive.
I don't use weight watchers and almost lost 50 pounds.5 -
Thanks everyone.
I lost 50lbs a few years ago, just from tracking on mfp and exercising.
I will definitely continue “calorie count” (because I know it works) but I think I’ll also try the meetings with my friend just to have that support as well.
I’m just so baffled by the zero points foods... lol3 -
I was having moderate success on WW until Freestyle. Due to dietary restrictions/allergies I couldn't eat some of the new "free" foods such as shellfish, Greek yogurt and beans. I am having success again tracking with MFP. That said, while I think WW overly complicates eating, the plan does a good job of helping you work special occasions and treats into your eating plan. I like that aspect. I still attend meetings for the weekly weigh-in, but don't count points anymore.2
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WW primary interest is the bottom line$$.
Not sure if success is what they want.7 -
amanda9981 wrote: »My friend wants me to join weight watchers with her...
I like the idea of having an accountability partner but I don’t understand how people can lose weight eating anything in any amount because it’s on the “free points list”
Does anyone do WW? Any success stories?
I think WW can work just fine....the "free" thing I guess could be misleading, but then again, I also think people need to use some common sense.9 -
Lost 70 lbs on the older WW plans and kept it off. Tried Freestyle and I get bored to death eating the same repetitive foods because they're zero points. It just sets me up to binge. Plus my calories were too low to support any strenuous activity.
I will agree that it does encourage you to really think first about the health value of your foods. 120 cal of fruit salad vs. 120 cal chips? I'm more likely to choose the fruit now.
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I had a friend that did it in the 80’s. In high school. Seemed odd to me then. But at least it had a point back then. Now, with the internet and so much information available, meh. Seems like a waste of money. Unless you like the in person community....assuming they still have that. That would be the only plus I see for someone that likes that.2
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I used weight watchers years ago with great success. The new freestyle I wouldn't do. Since Jean Nidetch is gone and a new CEO Mindy Grossman is in they are completely rebranding WW. Lifetime will be phased out along with meetings. They say "healthy is the new skinny". Check out the article. https://www.fastcompany.com/40500280/how-weight-watchers-transformed-itself-into-a-lifestyle-brand
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I used weight watchers years ago with great success. The new freestyle I wouldn't do. Since Jean Nidetch is gone and a new CEO Mindy Grossman is in they are completely rebranding WW. Lifetime will be phased out along with meetings. They say "healthy is the new skinny". Check out the article. https://www.fastcompany.com/40500280/how-weight-watchers-transformed-itself-into-a-lifestyle-brand
I have a lot of problems with weight watchers lately but "healthy is the new skinny" is actually a good thing.7 -
I am on Freestyle and I hate it I have only being losing 1/4 lb a week I lost more with mfp before joining ww, I am returning back to counting calories. I was either undereating or overeating. The plan promotes healthy eating but the classes are still pushing their box food full of chemicals and promoting fat free sugar free foods. Every class I attended there was the leader promoting this fake food.6
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cwolfman13 wrote: »amanda9981 wrote: »My friend wants me to join weight watchers with her...
I like the idea of having an accountability partner but I don’t understand how people can lose weight eating anything in any amount because it’s on the “free points list”
Does anyone do WW? Any success stories?
I think WW can work just fine....the "free" thing I guess could be misleading, but then again, I also think people need to use some common sense.cwolfman13 wrote: »amanda9981 wrote: »My friend wants me to join weight watchers with her...
I like the idea of having an accountability partner but I don’t understand how people can lose weight eating anything in any amount because it’s on the “free points list”
Does anyone do WW? Any success stories?
I think WW can work just fine....the "free" thing I guess could be misleading, but then again, I also think people need to use some common sense.
It works if you limit your servings of the free foods.2 -
newheavensearth wrote: »Lost 70 lbs on the older WW plans and kept it off. Tried Freestyle and I get bored to death eating the same repetitive foods because they're zero points. It just sets me up to binge. Plus my calories were too low to support any strenuous activity.
I will agree that it does encourage you to really think first about the health value of your foods. 120 cal of fruit salad vs. 120 cal chips? I'm more likely to choose the fruit now.
This, absolutely. I loved -- LOVED -- the original points program (flex, momentum, whatever they were calling it that year). I lost over 50 pounds and kept it off, but then they changed the program, and I regained. I went to return this year and realized that Freestyle wouldn't work for me unless I also counted calories, and if I'm counting calories anyway, why do I need to pay 50 bucks a month to WW?
Also: yes, certain foods are healthier than others, but if you want 120 calories of potato chips and you have space for 120 calories of potato chips, you should eat the potato chips. Happiness counts too.24 -
I have lost 55 pounds on weight watchers since October, I enjoy splurges but am eating more nutritiously overall.4
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WW is not 50.00 a month...it's 19.00.
Any program works,you just have to set your mind to it and do it. I have many friends that are at lifetime and have been at goal for years .17 -
eastcoastlisa wrote: »WW is not 50.00 a month...it's 19.00.
Any program works,you just have to set your mind to it and do it. I have many friends that are at lifetime and have been at goal for years .
I believe the $19 is online only, $45 for meetings.
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WillingtoLose1001984 wrote: »cwolfman13 wrote: »amanda9981 wrote: »My friend wants me to join weight watchers with her...
I like the idea of having an accountability partner but I don’t understand how people can lose weight eating anything in any amount because it’s on the “free points list”
Does anyone do WW? Any success stories?
I think WW can work just fine....the "free" thing I guess could be misleading, but then again, I also think people need to use some common sense.cwolfman13 wrote: »amanda9981 wrote: »My friend wants me to join weight watchers with her...
I like the idea of having an accountability partner but I don’t understand how people can lose weight eating anything in any amount because it’s on the “free points list”
Does anyone do WW? Any success stories?
I think WW can work just fine....the "free" thing I guess could be misleading, but then again, I also think people need to use some common sense.
It works if you limit your servings of the free foods.
This. I have a co-worker who will do this frequently. She'll be out of "points" for the day by dinner, go home and make a "zero-point" dinner. And she wonders why she's not losing weight.
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I liked WW in the 90s but don't see the point now that there are free tools like MFP, which also doesn't change per every new food fad.12
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I did WW for years and lost weight ok, but the meetings weren't super helpful bc just a few people talked - and I mean all the time. On the weeks I didn't lose I felt humiliated at weigh in, even though the people weighing me in were super nice. I began to ask myself what I was paying for (and, as you know WW isn't particularly cheap).
I think in a way we all are/were looking for the program/button/pill/diet -- external to ourselves, of course -- that will make a weight problem magically go away -- and fast. I've lost 82 lbs on my own, and one thing that helped was to finally realize there isn't an external solution and that it's up to me and nobody else. I feel the same way now about paying for a gym, which I've done many times in the past. I've saved a ton of money by not paying for either.
BTW, speaking of support, MFP is great for discussions tailored to your own particular needs, such as age group, type of eating plan, workouts, etc. Also superb for tracking, obviously. If I were you I would save my money and spend it on some workout equipment you can use at home and/or some lovely, organic vegetables and fruits.7
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