weightwatchers opinions please

WalkingAlong

Oh good idea! I read Volumetrics but as a library book, ions ago. I'll need to check it out again myself. I've always wanted to try Core again but you're right-- it's not the same on your own 100%. That was the only diet where I weighed myself multiple times a day because the weight was coming off so fast, it was actually motivating to watch it.

ponycyndi

I've never done WW, but I worked with a group of ladies that did. They spent their entire day talking endlessly about points, and more times than not, it was how many oreos, chocolates, brownies, desserts, etc, they could eat before they would decide they would have to skip dinner entirely. The most insufferable group I've ever had to spend time around. None of them kept any weight off in the 7+ yearsi was around, but then, who can?

redversustheblue

I've never done WW, but I worked with a group of ladies that did. They spent their entire day talking endlessly about points, and more times than not, it was how many oreos, chocolates, brownies, desserts, etc, they could eat before they would decide they would have to skip dinner entirely. The most insufferable group I've ever had to spend time around. None of them kept any weight off in the 7+ yearsi was around, but then, who can?

I really don't understand this argument against Weight Watchers (or similair programs). Those ladies would probably be exactly the same if they were just counting calories. It's not the fault of the program that they want to spend all their points on junk food, it's the fault of the person.

ecanales52

I didn't like the "new" WW point system......was not loosing weight. Found MFP.....have lost 21# since April. End of story.
The proof is in the numbers!

Sreneesa

I know someone doing ww. He has lost weight but eats like ****. Burgers fries soda, just fast food. He justifies it by the pint system.

That's fine but it doesn't seem to be teaching him better eating habits and he started way before me. I began this journey like 3 months ago and lost 23 lbs so far; him like 12. I mean this guy eats mainly fast food. It's crazy to me or maybe I'm jealous.. Lol... Idk, but we all have different goals so more power to everyone.

nygr8guy

Just want to add that WW pedometer that you are referring to is called ActiveLink. It's essentially tracks your steps and exercise points. It's similar to a Fitbit only it doesn't have a display so you have to sync it in order to see your stats. It also costs $5 a month extra for the service. A Fitbit doesn't have a monthly fee. You pay for it upfront.

So....IMHO I would use a Fitbit with MFP. You'll save some money. Then again, everyone is different, and WW is great for some.

rypstorm

I lost over 30# on weightwatchers, but then I got a point where I wanted to add definition and sculpt my body, and ww just wasn't working for me anymore. A huge part of the failure of ww in this respect is that we doesn't allow you to keep track our your protein intake, so when I'm trying to build muscle, I really wasn't eating enough protein while on ww because I could track how much protein I was eating. Switching to MFP made a huge difference for me.

ponycyndi

I've never done WW, but I worked with a group of ladies that did. They spent their entire day talking endlessly about points, and more times than not, it was how many oreos, chocolates, brownies, desserts, etc, they could eat before they would decide they would have to skip dinner entirely. The most insufferable group I've ever had to spend time around. None of them kept any weight off in the 7+ yearsi was around, but then, who can?

I really don't understand this argument against Weight Watchers (or similair programs). Those ladies would probably be exactly the same if they were just counting calories. It's not the fault of the program that they want to spend all their points on junk food, it's the fault of the person.

Agreed. But a main selling point is the support group. That is not an example of good support.

Kara52217

I LOVED the old WW program... I lost 75 lbs on it

But the new program is terrible. Everyone I know ( myself included) had no success at weight loss and most gained. MFP IS SO MUCH BETTER

If you go to boards for your state in the forum you can make your own support system locally and over time possibly meet up in person :-)

Good luck.

redversustheblue

I've never done WW, but I worked with a group of ladies that did. They spent their entire day talking endlessly about points, and more times than not, it was how many oreos, chocolates, brownies, desserts, etc, they could eat before they would decide they would have to skip dinner entirely. The most insufferable group I've ever had to spend time around. None of them kept any weight off in the 7+ yearsi was around, but then, who can?

I really don't understand this argument against Weight Watchers (or similair programs). Those ladies would probably be exactly the same if they were just counting calories. It's not the fault of the program that they want to spend all their points on junk food, it's the fault of the person.

Agreed. But a main selling point is the support group. That is not an example of good support.

Yeah, but the weight watchers leaders aren't standing up there and telling those ladies to spend their points eating oreos and brownies and skipping dinner is fine. You really get what you put into it, and if those ladies are determined to eat their oreos by the bag and use their points on them, they're going to find an excuse to do it.

I do agree that this can be a problem with the program though. You have to be willing to want to learn because the meetings do teach little lessons on healthy eating. But I think some people might go to the meetings and not really learn anything because they think just being there is going to make them magically lose weight.

drenee828

I lost on the old WW point system but could not lose more than 5 pounds on the new point system. I found I was getting stressed about the point value of everything I put in my mouth.

Amethysta79

I'm doing WW Online & have lost 3 lbs so far in a week. I do find myself hungry all the time & spend my points in no time.

To be fair I HATE fruit & vegetables & the only way I can eat them is by juicing them. So I am having a juice dinner (sometimes made up of 10 fruits!) & thought this was healthy but from what other people have been saying fruit shouldn't be free?

Now I'm scared I'm going to gain a whole load of weight when I thought I was being good!

megsmom2

Weight Watchers works great for some people. Depends on your personal style, I suppose. I did it years ago when you had to go to the meetings once a week. Yes, it worked. And after about a month I wanted to strangle the class leader.

WalkingAlong

I'm doing WW Online & have lost 3 lbs so far in a week. I do find myself hungry all the time & spend my points in no time.

To be fair I HATE fruit & vegetables & the only way I can eat them is by juicing them. So I am having a juice dinner (sometimes made up of 10 fruits!) & thought this was healthy but from what other people have been saying fruit shouldn't be free?

Now I'm scared I'm going to gain a whole load of weight when I thought I was being good!

I haven't done the plan in years but I don't think fruit JUICE was free, so you might want to check that.

Darrelkun

I tried Weight Watchers for 2 years. I got down 20 pounds and then hit a wall. Eventually gave up because it was a waste of time and money.

They came out with a new program and I feel concerned with counting so many foods "free and fulfilling"... I guess supposedly a can of refried beans doesn't have to be counted? Um, don't know if anyone has seen the nutritional facts on a can of refried beans but...

WalkingAlong

Ok, I KNOW refried beans aren't free on points. :laugh:

They do have some alternative-to-counting programs that have you eat primarily from lists of healthy, filling foods. It wouldn't surprise me if the fat-free canned refried beans were on that list.

People can and do learn to stop eating at normal portions of healthy foods.

bumblebreezy91

I tried it a few times. Nothing I can't do here for free. Points system, not counting certain foods (fruits and veggies)? Calories are easier than "points" and count every bite, even fruits and veggies!

Amethysta79

Well the individual fruit is free, & I'm just juicing it raw so I don't think it adds points?

However, just weighed myself after 2 weeks on it & gained weight. I've been in tears because I haven't cheated & have gone to the gym every night for an hour. I weigh more than when I started

glassyo

Are they no longer doing 5 zero point foods add up to something like 1 point?

Because, yes, those 10 zero point fruits could add like 800-1000 non-zero calories to your day.

MakePeasNotWar

Well the individual fruit is free, & I'm just juicing it raw so I don't think it adds points?

However, just weighed myself after 2 weeks on it & gained weight. I've been in tears because I haven't cheated & have gone to the gym every night for an hour. I weigh more than when I started

Yes juicing fruit adds points. Also fruit in recipes counts. Fruits are free in order to encourage people to eat more whole fruits and veggies. The fibre in the whole fruit makes it much more filling than juice. Also, most leaders will tell you right off the bat that eating more than three fruits a day without counting points will sabotage your losses. If I eat more than three fruits, I use the points calculator to see how many points it would be based on nutritional values, and add those points to my journal.

For the people talking about WW members spending all their points on junk food, those members are doing it wrong. There are requirements for produce, dairy, and healthy fats, and it's pretty hard to meet them without having at least 2 real food meals daily.
Also the junk is very high in points and eventually you just get too hungry and start looking for lower point options to fill you up.

Exercise is very much encouraged; the recommendation is to get 4 activity points daily, which is equivalent to about an hour if walking or a 30 minute run.

It is not for everyone, but it is a sound program. My mom has been on and off for most of my life. When she does regain, it is usually a few years later and it's because she has gone back to eating too many wings and too much beer (her words).

I am currently using the points app because I find it helps to guide me to healthier choices. I eat a lot more fruit and veggies than before and less processed food.

The app is much more reliable than it used to be, but sadly the database still sucks.

WalkingAlong

Fruits are free in order to encourage people to eat more whole fruits and veggies. The fibre in the whole fruit makes it much more filling than juice.

RIght. You said you get 10 fruits in one juice. Try sitting down and eating those 10 fruits. You can't. Eat three servings of whole fruit a day is a good guideline.

wnlbutterfly

If you need a meeting setting you might see if there is TOPS group close to you. Much cheaper. And I have done WW, and see family use it. Big secret they don't tell you is their success rate overall isn't any better than going it on your own. It is like anything else...it is a tool...if you use it, then it will work for you...if you don't use it like it is intended and start fudging on it...then it wont.

ElizabethFuller

My mom has been on and off for most of my life.

This is what stopped me going to a slimming club. It was very sociable, being weighed and then taliking about whether it was a loss or not with the rest of the group made me feel very accountable and I really wanted to stick to my diet - but more than half of the people had been at target at least once and had then re-gained all, if not more, of the weight they had lost. After a few months I had lost weight but I wasn't convinced it was a long-term solution and stopped going to meetings.
I'm finding MFP far more sustainable, I've never found a system of healthy eating/weight loss that I have felt I could stick with for life before, I've been tracking my calories for over six months and don't feel deprived and there are so many inspirational folk who have lost huge amounts of weight and have then successfully maintaintained. Love it!