STILL going back and forth on Weight Watchers vs counting calories

BlessedMom70

I feel a lot more freedom counting calories *but* find that I eat healthier on Weight Watchers. I eat a lot more fruits and veggies on WW and really watch my portion sizes. Calorie counting is great though because I can fit *anything* into my day....no worrying about if I have gone over my points (which seems easy to do, at least for me). I find that when I count calories, I will save calories for the not so healthy foods rather than eat a banana or a salad.

I'm still not sure which way to go. They both have advantages (and disadvantages). I know though that I need to just choose one and stick with it. I see a lot of success stories both here and there. I'm not sure why this is such a hard decision for me (???)

kommodevaran

For me, personally, being able to fit in anything (and not calling anything "not so healthy"), has been the main reason I have been able to maintain a healthy weight (3 1/2 years and counting). Coincidentally, I also eat better than ever, nutritionally. Trying to eat like I'm "supposed" to lead me into feeling like a failure whenever I "lost control", and that was often, because only eating "what I should" is horribly boring and limiting.

jelleigh

Which way will you be able to stick to long term? The fact is that there are a million eating plans that will result in weight loss (all cico of course) but what makes the difference is how you feel on it, your nutrition, and if you can stick to it. Can you realistically stay with WW long term and feel happy and healthy? Then do it. Are you gonna feel deprived and give up?then choose something more flexible.

I'm sure on a day to day basis you need to choose a direction but what about melding programs week to week? Do WW most of the time and then if you have a week with some special occasions or w/e where you will be indulging a bit, count calories for that week instead? Not sure if thats possible but, although its nice to have the flexibility to fit in all our fav foods, it probably shouldn't be to the exclusion of nutrition if thats what you find is happening. If you are just eating LESS fruit & veg but still ate getting enough for nutrition - then I say dont sweat it!

emmamcgarity

I focus on using the WW Goid Health Guidelines as the backbone for my meal planning but I don’t count points. I only track calories on mfp and manually keep track of my servings of fruit/veggie, dairy, lean protein, etc.

allisonlane161

I do both--count calories here (I do not track points) and attend WW weekly meetings and weigh in monthly.

crosbylee

How about using parts of both and merging that into something that can work long term for you? Choose the fruits and veg and count them, and you can include things you like as well.

janejellyroll

You can choose to eat more fruits and vegetables while calorie counting too. If you prefer that way of eating, it's completely compatible with calorie counting.

New_Heavens_Earth

Counting calories keeps my portion sizes and amounts in check. Eating from the zero point food list helps me prioritize "healthier" choices. Counting calories also allows for more flexibility at special events and for treats, and my dietitian prefers I count anyway.

I attend meetings to help me with the psychological aspect of food. But honestly I hate feeling like a slave to WW scale.

There are pros and cons to both, but I found a method that combines what works for me.

Lounmoun

BlessedMom70 wrote: »

I feel a lot more freedom counting calories *but* find that I eat healthier on Weight Watchers. I eat a lot more fruits and veggies on WW and really watch my portion sizes. Calorie counting is great though because I can fit *anything* into my day....no worrying about if I have gone over my points (which seems easy to do, at least for me). I find that when I count calories, I will save calories for the not so healthy foods rather than eat a banana or a salad.

I'm still not sure which way to go. They both have advantages (and disadvantages). I know though that I need to just choose one and stick with it. I see a lot of success stories both here and there. I'm not sure why this is such a hard decision for me (???)

I have never done weight watchers but resisted calorie counting for years but found it works best for me after all.
Positives of calorie counting-
1. Free
2. Easy to do for life, calories will not change with a program change.
3. Flexible. I can eat whatever food I want.
4. The responsibility on what choices I make is mine. If I want low nutrition less filling foods it is on me. I appreciate that when I make better food choices it is also on me not a program.

I guess the questions are do you find weight watchers fits your budget, is easy to use, you lose the way you want and is it sustainable long term? If you are investigating other methods maybe it is not for you.
You could eat more fruits and vegetables while counting calories. If you don't eat a lot of vegetables you can still lose weight.

duskyjewel

I did WW back when Points Plus was the thing. It took quite the adjustment for me to switch to MFP and calorie counting. I remember being REALLY pissed off that I now had to track fruit and veggies which were free before.

BUT watching some of the board members here going through the stress of program changes from WW, and having talked with other people who did older versions of WW and had the same struggles, I've come to the conclusion that calorie counting is superior for a couple of reasons. First is that it doesn't change every two years based on marketing needs of a for profit company. The fact that MFP is free and has the database it does is amazing. And second, I don't appreciate being punished for choosing certain macros over another, and counting calories doesn't do that. I have to account for what I eat either way, but if I choose something high fat or high carb for a treat it doesn't screw up the rest of my week on MFP like it would on WW because I would likely be forced to use weekly points to cover it.

BlessedMom70

Thank you so much everyone!! This has given me a lot of food (haha) for thought!