Does MFP work as well as Weight Watchers?
benotnobodi
Posts: 14 Member
Im thinking about joining soon and id love some opinions. Thanks!
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Replies
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I know little about WW but in favour of MFP it is totally free and if you can be honest with yourself then it should be every bit as good.0
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IMO weight watchers is similar to calorie counting, but without the Math. Both work on calorie deficit. I prefer MFP as there are no gimmicks, no points, no free food, just good old fashioned calories in vs calories out.0
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When I did WW my daily calories worked out to be about 1100. Oh and it was expensive.
No thanks.0 -
Both teach you to count. Both establish a deficit.
I've seen far more people do WW, lose weight, quit, eat regular food again, gain wait... go back to WW.
While on MFP, I see people fitting real food into their daily lives without the need for meetings, continue to lose, and manage it.
WW, in my opinion, sets you up for failure. Why not just use this?0 -
I found MFP better.
It's free and thisI've seen far more people do WW, lose weight, quit, eat regular food again, gain wait... go back to WW.
While on MFP, I see people fitting real food into their daily lives without the need for meetings, continue to lose, and manage it.
WW, in my opinion, sets you up for failure.0 -
MFP is the only place I have ever lost weight, because I wasn't restricted to how I should eat.0
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I did WW, and my experience was not positive, though I know many people love it. I think it depends on what you're looking for. The weekly meetings and weigh-ins do make you accountable, but if you're going to be accountable to yourself, I think MFP is just as effective. The group I joined was a lot of "long-timers" who were there for the social aspect, and not as much for weight loss encouragement. I find I get plenty of encouragement from my MFP friends. That said, I did get a few hints on low-cal foods @ WW, but I think you could do the same on your own, just browsing the supermarket and checking labels.0
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They're virtually the same thing. The difference is how you count your calories -- points or straightforward. So, yes. it works as well as WW. But I have an easier time doing WW for some reason. It's all in my mind, I know, but it's easier for me.Im thinking about joining soon and id love some opinions. Thanks!
I bought a Points calculator (the old program, not the new one) and I track here instead of paying WW.0 -
I haven't done WW myself, so am basing this on what others have told me. From what I have seen, if you know absolutely NOTHING about counting calories, watching macro intake, etc. etc., WW is a decent place to start if you're willing to spend the money, etc. The meetings hold you accountable because you are paying for it.
With that said, I don't find it's sustainable. My mom has been on it for a couple years and it definitely helped her lose the weight she gained when she quit smoking, but I can see her struggling to stay committed to it.
MFP is free, and you have to be committed on your own to stick with it because no one is going to hold you accountable except for you (or if you have an awesome group of friends, they may to a certain extent). Using MFP has been a huge help to me.
Both have their benefits/drawbacks, but if you're looking for long term sustainability, I'd vote for MFP :flowerforyou:0 -
I've seen far more people do WW, lose weight, quit, eat regular food again, gain wait... go back to WW.
You're supposed to eat regular food on WW. What do you think people were eating that wasn't regular food?0 -
No idea, but it's cheaper.0
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Im thinking about joining soon and id love some opinions. Thanks!
I do both, although I've only been on MFP for a couple of weeks but itt's given me a bit of a push as I'd come to a bit of a stop in my weight loss. It's helping me keep me on track better as I'm logging on a few times a day whereas WW is only once a week. I've found that the PPs roughly co-incide with my 1200 daily calories so I've stopped counting the points. I'm carrying on with the weight watchers though as it does help getting weighed "in public" every week
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It works better than WW if you set everything up correctly and utilize the proper tools (mainly a food scale IMO).0
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People on MFP can count higher a higher number.
Because you know 2,000 calories is harder to count than 88 pts or w/e the random marketing equivalent is... The only reason why WW exists because it's an easier idea to sell and copyright.0 -
I was always a WW girl - until I wasn't!!
Now MFP and wouldn't go back. All the time I did WW I yo-yo'd, losing and gaining the same 3 stone. i would go 'on plan', lose the weight and then as soon as I went 'off plan' I'd put it all back on again.
This has been the only time I have lost weight (although slower), but have no urge whatsover to go 'off plan' as I never restrict myself. Far healthier for me0 -
MFP is by far the better option. I have done WW several times and never kept the weight off. By using MFP I have changed my lifestyle, learned what foods have more calories and it doesn't seem as rigid. I wouldn't even bother with WW.0
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Anything will work if you are committed to it.
MFP is working very well for me. I love it and recommend it to anyone that asks. The price is right, but I would pay for it...........it works that well for me.0 -
I've seen far more people do WW, lose weight, quit, eat regular food again, gain wait... go back to WW.
You're supposed to eat regular food on WW. What do you think people were eating that wasn't regular food?
'Diet' food and WW products - food that was convenient. I make 'All' my meals from scratch now, I don't rely on WW products and I don't eat 'junk' just to make up my points as I was told to. If I was 3 points under on my day I would always have a curly wurly or a 'diet' chocolate bar, full of artificial sweetners - 'free' soda was encourages as a drink.0 -
That's a choice and people on MFP make the same choice. I have done WW for years. I've maybe tried a WW meal once or twice, but I never made a habit of it. I ate real, regular food, the same things I eat on MFP.I've seen far more people do WW, lose weight, quit, eat regular food again, gain wait... go back to WW.
You're supposed to eat regular food on WW. What do you think people were eating that wasn't regular food?
'Diet' food and WW products - food that was convenient. I make 'All' my meals from scratch now, I don't rely on WW products and I don't eat 'junk' just to make up my points as I was told to. If I was 3 points under on my day I would always have a curly wurly or a 'diet' chocolate bar, full of artificial sweetners - 'free' soda was encourages as a drink.
If people actually properly follow WW (the Good Health Guidelines included), it's impossible to do the program eating mostly WW products and "diet" foods.
The problem is people don't pay attention to things like the GHGs, which teach a lot about proper nutrition and making better food choices.
You may have CHOSEN to eat and drink those things, but they are not essential to the program by any means. In fact, the marketing behind WW is you can eat whatever you want in moderation. Just like here.
And it's just as easy to go "off program" from calorie counting as it is to go off program doing WW.0 -
I've never tried WW, so I can't compare, but MFP is free, and I like free.
Oh, and I've found MFP to be quite effective, so I think it's worth a shot. :flowerforyou:0 -
MFP helps you decide how much you want to lose each week and gives you your calories accordingly based on your weight, height and activity.
Nothing is off limits and the more you exercise the more calories it gives you - I don't always eat these extra calories back but it has taught me to be responsible for what I eat. If I want chocolate I have it and don't feel guilty at all!
MFP is FREE, has lots of lovely people to give you advice, encouragement and who with their support help keep you on track.
Watching my calories and walking an average of 12 mile a week I have been losing steadily since May. I'm in no rush and don't have to pay anyone to weigh me each week.
Try MFP for a month and if you don't like it then join WW.
I don't consider this a DIET (nasty word) - I see this as a healthier change in food and exercise for the rest of my life.
Think that is the big difference, people go to WW get to their target and then start getting bad habits back and put some of the weight back on. You see people on the success stories on MFP that have maintained their weight once reaching target because they stick to the healthier plan that has worked for their individual needs.
Good luck whatever you decide to do x0 -
I like weight watchers a little better because points seem easier to keep up with. I also like how it doesnt go by your calories but your macros. Im not good at counting how many carbs and protein and fat. I like to just calculate the points and go from there. Plus I like how most fruits and veggies are 0 points instead of eating a huge bag of veggies and it says 250cals. 0 just sounds better to me. I like both MFP and Weight Watchers though. I love my friends on here but im more comfortable with points. WW does help lose weight and keep it off if the person continues to eat smaller servings as they were when they were on WW. Not all people gain once they get off. But if money becomes an issue I would recommend getting a WW calculator and just track it on here. Ive done that. Plus for phones there are many apps that can help you track your points as well. But none are as good as the WW app IMHO. Good luck.
Also, Im on weight watchers so if you need a buddy, Im here for ya.0 -
I think it doesn't matter which method you use. It's all about you being committed to yourself and your health. The method itself is not what works or doesn't work, it's YOU and how you apply the method that makes a difference.
It's an individual thing, too. I prefer MFP because of the wide variety of people and various techniques used. The Groups here are the best thing about MFP, in my opinion.0 -
I'm going to give MY honest opinion.
MFP works
WW doesn't
Really you can lose weight with any program, it's up to you.
I tried WW several times. I've always done well for a few months, then the raging hunger and obsession with food (from finding best chemical combinations for no points to get food in my body) has got the best of me and I eat a little here, a little there and that's the end. You can't survive on sugar free jello powder mixed in fat free cool whip as a dessert for the long term, where's the joy in that?
MFP is what you make of it. If you try to eat 1200 you may burn out after a few months. I tried 1200 for a week and did some research and learned that I could eat 1600 calories a day and lose 2 pounds a week!
We are all made different and our bodies work different. Weight loss is not one size fits all. By spending some time on the forums and reading up, I was able to see what worked for others and make my own plan and have smashing success. My before and during photos are in my profile. My before was taken May 3 2013. I still have a long way to go to reach my goals, but I'm fueling my body so I'll have the energy to get there.0 -
Im thinking about joining soon and id love some opinions. Thanks!
Really though, when it comes down to it OP, what works for YOU and YOU alone is going to come down to your own personal opinion. The only way you are going to determine if WW or MFP is better for you is if you actually go out and try WW for a while, give it a good shot and see how it works.0 -
I started on ww and switch to mfp to monitor not just calories but fat and carbs. I feel that ww is not worth the expense or the inconvenience of the meetings and not real fond of all their products that they sell at the meetings never been real keen on processed food. do like their scales measuring cups and cook books.0
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Both teach you to count. Both establish a deficit.
I've seen far more people do WW, lose weight, quit, eat regular food again, gain wait... go back to WW.
While on MFP, I see people fitting real food into their daily lives without the need for meetings, continue to lose, and manage it.
WW, in my opinion, sets you up for failure. Why not just use this?
This
I've known many people do weight watchers, but never anyone who has successfully kept it off, myself included. I'm eating waaaay more on MFP than I ever did on WW.
I also didn't like the sad faces and the "you'll do better at your next weigh in" if my weight happened to fluctuate up one week. Weight fluctuates, no matter how "good" you eat.0 -
MFP is working better for me. :bigsmile:0
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Wow, guys! Thanks so much. I can already see the community here is amazing! Im sold!!! Thanks again. 0
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I've done WW. It worked well for me, but I didn't keept at it afterwards so I put the weight back on. MFP works well for me, but if I don't keep at it after, I'll put on the weight again. As you can see, it's "6 of one, half a dozen of the other". If you are commited to keeping it up, either one will be fine.
Thing is, WW is quite expensive; MFP is free. I'd pick free any day 0
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