Meetings or online only--how's it working out for you?

minimyzeme

Are you a meeting member for your weight loss journey (WW or some other WL group)? If so, what added benefit do you get from attending? If not, do you feel you're missing anything by not having the face-to-face interaction of a meeting setting? If you are somewhere in-between (i.e. switched from meetings to online only), how's that working out for you?

minimyzeme

When I was in losing mode with WW, I rarely missed a meeting: usually only because of bad weather. After being in maintenance mode for awhile, I often skipped every other meeting. I prioritized getting stuff done for work or around the house or photography instead, especially in decent weather. I usually attended a couple meetings a month.

The past few months as I've been working between different locations, I haven't been going to meetings even twice a month. I could have a few excuses but the primary reason is I haven't prioritized it. I have gone a few times to the new location, but not often.

Meetings are a mixed bag for me. I do "enjoy" them and I often get something out of them, whether it's from the meeting material presented or from the experiences others share. As I've traveled for work or vacation, I usually try to find a weekly meeting, just to push myself a little and be comfortable with strangers who hold weight management objectives in common.

I think I've proved to myself that I really don't "need" meetings--at least at this point. The themes and discussions, while they might vary somewhat at any given time, generally have the same take-home messages. Between GOAD and WW Connect, I feel like my online support is strong enough to help me stay on the path of my choosing. However, at this time, I forsee myself sticking with a couple meetings/month, just to provide that continuity and help keep me grounded on this journey. The relatively short investment in time and energy to attend a meeting seems a very worthwhile tradeoff for insight gained while there.

88olds

After 11+ years, I’ve quit meetings. Mostly because we moved to Key West and I just didn’t get into the meeting here. I went to a few. I kept up my WIs for a year, but then Hurricane Irma hit. Last meeting I went to was Sept., 2017 in Murfreesboro, TN. Had a great time there btw.

But anyway, I’m out of the WW system. I haven’t done a WW WI since that meeting in TN.

Even after I made Lifetime I kept going to meeting unless I was out of town or had a conflict. Nearly every week. The people there thought I was nuts. But I did notice this, another person, a woman, older than I am, she made Lifetime, she kept coming. She had maybe 5 years in.

Another reason I kept going was a guy thing. If I showed up, and another guy was there starting, he wouldn’t be the only guy at the meeting.

As far a content, I didn’t much care for it. Especially when Tools For Living seemed to go by the boards. Mostly the meetings were about what not to do, listening to what was going on with the other folks.

But this- the meeting saved me. It worked initially and then it kept me in line. One day I went not sure if I would be under my 2 lb above goal cushion. I’d been at goal about 8 years at that point. I thought about not going. But it was the end of the month. I had to do a WI or break my streak. If I just disappeared, folks would understand. The leader had spent years pointing at me as an example of how to work the program.

I went and hit the scale. 186lbs. GW 184. I started tracking that day. Had to learn Points Plus to do it. A pain.

So the meeting saved me then. But now haven’t been to a meeting in 11 months and think I’ve lost 6 lbs. this year. At this point, I finally think the only way I gain much back is if I lose my mind. Possible, but I won’t know it.

savignr

I’ve always been on line only. Maybe not fair to say since I never attended a meeting, but the “rah, rah” style of motivation would not work for me. At my best, weight loss was a job. If I did my job properly, I got rewarded in the form of less pounds. If not, I gained weight. That was it for me; pure and simple.

podkey

I still do meetings when at home (over 10 yr at goal) . If I moved probably not. I don't want to be "that guy" in a new meeting. I do GOAD but not connect. Added value is social reinforcement for me not new ideas.

88olds

@podkey I had a ball at that meeting in TN. But it was a one time deal.

Next month I’m going to Chicago and plan to go by my old meeting. Wondering how WW will react to me not doing a WI for a year. No way am I giving them money.

Jerdtrmndone

I use to do meetings and like @miminize I never missed meetings. When Smart pts. came about I struggled and still do and tried to talk about it but getting interrupted and people talking on their cell phone pushed me away. I tried it on line with no results for months so I just cancelled it and do MFP with still eating healthy.

Al_Howard

I still do meetings. Primarily for the regulars, who've become friends. I still feel that without the meetings I'd jump back up over 300, way too easily. I was on-line for awhile, but it really wasn't working for me.

misterhub

I have not done meetings in years. In fact, the last time I lost 70+ pounds, I did it all online.

But, I am a bit disillusioned with WW. So, I just focus on my experience and track on MFP. Thus, I probably won't be returning to meetings.

linmueller

Are you a meeting member for your weight loss journey (WW or some other WL group)? I was for 5 years, but had hit a wall and the change in meeting leaders was the final straw. Tried the new one for almost a year (I think). The people used to keep me there, but they changed a lot with the new leader (some came, some left).

If so, what added benefit do you get from attending? Loved meetings for a long time. Great support system and cheering squad.

If not, do you feel you're missing anything by not having the face-to-face interaction of a meeting setting? I'm not really missing it at all. Kinda surprised! I expected to.

myallforjcbill

I returned to weekly WW meetings about 2 mos ago. I was only attending the longer monthly Lifetime meeting prior to that. My goal was to find more consistency but after 8 weeks I have stalled again, though on-plan. I have the same meeting leader that I have had most of this journey. I find the meeting content not too meaningful, but the weekly check-in and seeing some of the people who have been coming for years helps me. However, I am not convinced yet that it will lead to long-term results vs online only with the monthly meeting. I committed to doing this for 6 months so after that I will decide which way to go.

beachwoman2006

I did meetings the whole time I was in losing mode. For several years after reaching goal I attended meetings at least 2-3 times a month. But as the program changed, I found that I didn't really get much from the meetings. I haven't been to a meeting since January 2016.