MyFitnessPal vs WeightWatchers?

saynotofat

You are soooo right!

saynotofat

You are sooo right!

kbc525

For some reason I wasn't doing well with the new points system on WW and it was making me so upset because I was trying and doing so well with it... I switched to Jenny Craig which is even MORE $$$ but I used MFP to help count and calculate.. so far 3 weeks off Jenny and I'm doing so much better - and MFP is FREE...

misscristie

I left WW when they started the "Free" foods BS. Didn't lose anything eating my weight in fruit every day.

Girl06

I confess to doing both.. i have the book and calculater and measuring cups so ive been doing it at home. along with myfitnesspal. i jot down my meals for the day that im going to eat in the morning and check for points. than i jot it down on mfp. just to make sure weight watchers n mfp aare on the same pace LOL. So far ive lost 7.. i know my ticker says 5. but thats because i had to start a new account, long story. lol

LovingLisa2012

I have had success with both. BUT....1. Its free. 2. I don't have to lug around a "points calculator" 3. The support is much better here than anywhere!!!! Save the money and put it in retirement so you can take your beach body on Vacation.

this ^^

i have done ww many times , each time it does work .. but i can't stand the new version

the cost is crazy, this site is free and basicly the same thing

ww - you figure calories, fat, fiber (old plan) and new plan i think it added carbs??? ( can't remember)
MFP - track your calories (you can have it display the rest if you like)


ww- $10 a week
mfp - free

you can lose on both .. im sticking to MFP

Weaz66

I did WW several times over the course of several years. I always had to go out of my way to find a meeting so I could weigh in. This bugged me. Plus my available time was hard to match up with there's. The one and only time I was successful was when I was able to go on their website and read other peoples post....just like here on MFP. Thats what motivated and kept me going. I feel like I know people on this site personally (even though I never met them in person). Like someone else mentioned...at WW meetings I didn't get that same bonding, I could go month after month and not know someones name. On MFP I feel relaxed. I can document as I have time...not when they want me to be there. And at $4 per gallon for gas, I don't have to drive 20 miles out of my way to weigh in, I'm sorry but I am an adult....I document the weight on the scale I don't need someone else doing it for me, And its free. I've learned more from this sight in a few weeks of reading posts then I ever did with WW. But I agree with others...you have to do what works with you.

leannems

I left WW when they started the "Free" foods BS. Didn't lose anything eating my weight in fruit every day.

This is one of the big differences between MFP and WW, and this may be the first time it was discussed in the thread.

You log everything in MFP. There are certain things that don't cost points in WW. Anyone with more input on this difference? I think it's one of the main ones (other than meetings and points conversion) that OP should consider.

I haven't done WW, but I have a weight loss buddy who uses it while I use this. The idea of "free food" had me coming over here. I don't want to have any food which is "free" - I need to think about everything I put in my body.

Flab2fitfi

I thought about WW before I started on here but as I have a very restricted medical diet I knew that WW would not be able to fit in with that. I decided to join here as it fits in with my diet and is also so easy to follow. The fact that it is free also is an incentive and dont have to find time to go to meetings.

mazza2marilyn

: i lost weight by myself 22lb then came to a standstill, i then joined mfp and lost another 21lb. but then i enjoyed Christmas and couldn't get my head back into gear, so then i joined w,w on line for a change and i hated it. This site is so much better to get around, the people are so much better for support. in all i have put on 16lb!!!:sad: !. i am now back on mfp and have lost 2lb this week..
My friends from mfp have been with me all the way supporting me:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:

MandieBellie

I have used both. WW helped my husband and I lose almost 50lbs together. Because of the cost I chose to use MFP. I use the WW priciples with MFP. How long have you used WW? are you close to being a lifetime member, where you would no longer have to pay the membership fee?

dalgal26

I did WWs 30 years ago, and it worked. My sister is doing it online now, and it works for her.

But,

I can't afford WWs at this time, and to be honest, this site is the best thing I have ever tried. I started here the last week of July '11 and have not looked back.

I still use some of the same weight loss ideas that I learned from WWs. I think that you have to find what works for you. And not everything works for everyone.

I work with a group of girls that do a variety of things to lose the pounds..... some sprinkle on the majic powder, Sensa, some take Plexi Slim, some have had surgery and some take pills. I have seen each of these women have success. I am so proud of all of them.

I think you have to do what works for you.

Good luck to you in your choice. You will do great!

MandyMcAwesome

I lost a lot on weight watchers and I liked going to the meetings, but it was kinda like church. You go once a week, feel inspired, and by the end of the week your debating how many snicker bars you can eat in one sitting. I feel like I get more consistent and down to earth support here than there. With that being said, I felt like having a specific weigh in and paying for it kept me more accountable. Then again, I feel like MFP will stay with me longer than WW.

Jules2589

I have been on both, and although I have been on MFP only a couple of months, here is what I have found:
1. MFP works because both my husband and I are doing it together, (he wouldn't have ever gone to a WW meeting, and counting "points" seemed silly to him, counting calories is very visible and user friendly if you are at the grocery store for example.
2. MFP is FREE, I wasted a lot of money on WWonline. I did enjoy the meetings, but never really "connected" with anyone, and on MFP you can opt to discuss what YOU need to hear, for answers, inspiration, suggestions, recipes etc. Sometimes the WW conversations turned to an avenue that didn't really apply to your life.
3.I think the accountability factor (having to weigh in at WW meetings) could force you to make wiser choices sometimes.
4.Our close friends are doing MFP with us and we are a great support for each other. Again I think MFP is something that is much easier for men to get on board with thus making it easier for couples to do it together.
5. The results of adding in exercise are very tangible.. you can immediately see what how many more calories you have to work with after working out.
6. MFP is free. Oh yeah, I already said that.

I do take some of my WW lessons and apply them here, "If you bite it , write it" and little tips like dipping your fork into the salad dressing then into your undressed salad..

kjerstenkipp

I have been using both for almost 2 months. WW makes it a little easier if you are just getting started with weight loss. Also, there are a lot of prepackaged foods available with points values on the labels. That is helpful, especially when buying snacks (no one can live on carrot sticks and celery forever....a girl needs an occasional 2 point ice cream sandwich). That being said, MFP is great AND free. I think it is personal preference till you start tracking macros...then MFP is the way to go. WW doesn't really do that.

gettingfit1961

Wow! If I read this correctly, you just posted and you've received a LOT of replies! That right there is testimony to the MFP community. First off, my hat is off to you for being so considerate of your wife and wanting to find a plan that works for both of you. What a guy! Friends of mine (husband and wife) have been on Jenny Craig for about 9 months. He has lost 60 pounds and met his goal. While she has had success, it hasn't been as fast or dramatic. There are several reasons for this. He is Army and works out at least 5 days/week. She has had health issues that prevent her from exercising. Regardless, supporting each other is very important -- even if you find yourselves on different plans. I don't think one size fits all.

My husband and I both had success with WW online. You get a handle on portion control, making smarter food choices and increasing your activity -- AND MOST IMPORTANTLY TRACKING ALL THIS. We continued our online subscriptions for a year or so. At some point, we felt like we knew what we needed to do. It was a matter of sticking to it. That's when we ultimately dropped WW (it does get pricey). We had both used SparkPeople for a while. I later found MFP, but he still uses SP. When he retires this summer and moves back home (he's mobilized Army Reserve), I hope to get him on MFP. I find the interface much easier to use.

If your wife needs a little kick-start, you might want to suggest to her the Digest Diet's new plan. It's a 21 day plan designed to help your body release fat. I am in no way affiliated with the program! My husband read about the diet in Reader's Digest and we ordered the book (beware, it can take 6 weeks to get). You can go to their Facebook site to read about others' experience with it. It's fairly regimented, but it's very healthy. If your wife has plateaued, it might be a good psychological boost. I've lost about 3 pounds in less than a week. Most of it is fluids, I'm sure because the diet restricts your salt intake... but it makes a strong case for including healthy fats.

I also started using the FitBit. www.fitbit.com. There is probably a community of FitBit users here on MFP. Again, I am not affiliated with the FitBit people. But I LOVE this little device. It will cost you $100 up front, but the online tools are free -- no monthly subscription -- AND it integrates beautifully with MFP!

Enough blathering for one morning. Best of luck to you and your wife!

bemott

I've done both, find MFP way easier, more honest and real.

jlynwhet

I was a WW member off and on for years and lost and regained. I finally got my head straight and lost 50 lbs the last time I re-joined. It took me about six months and I felt good. Unfortunately, I gained most of it back following the death of my husband the following year. I contemplated WW again this year when I was ready to get back on track, and then a co-worker led me to MFP. I tried it instead and I'm so very glad I did! It has all that WW can offer me and its free which is a big plus in my book. I like the tracking which definitely spurs me to stay on course. I also get encouragement and gain momentum from my "friends."

tubbytracey

I am on both right now and it is a bit time consuming, but I am using iTrackBites app and it was only 1.99 compared to the $15 a month the WW app is. I have three more weeks on weight watchers and then my membership expires so we will see how I do after I stop going to the meetings. Since starting WW (7 weeks) I have lost 9.6 pounds. MyFitnessPal has a great support system!

tdavis092206

I have been on WW forever and I never seemed to lose any weight. I started MFP on 2/26/12 and I am down 15.4 lbs already. Not sure which is better but I seem more motivated on MFP. I have gotten several of my friends to join too.. Love it!!!

MissTattoo

The only thing I like about Weight Watchers is the meetings and weighing in with someone weekly. I seemed to work harder knowing someone else was weighing me and I didn't make excuses to not weigh in that week. I'm trying to have the same attitude without it. I think I need to start coming up with intensives for myself.
I did like the charms and stickers you got at WW and even though I have close online friends with MFP, it's different when you see it in person.

I remember crying with a woman who lost 200 pounds on weight watchers. I will remember that meeting for the rest of my life. I read success stories here and I'm like oh that's great, but I don't get anything out of it. (unless they have been long time MFP friends)

ChefTamiCinNC

Good point made in earlier post about adding food before you eat. At least until you have been on MFP a good while. I constantly add and take away before I eat until I get the calorie combo that I need. I lost weight on WW and it was easy. Just not a big fan of the once a week meetings and the fees. I might need support at 2am and I know I can log on and read success stories and look at pictures for inspiration. I like MFP much better and I think you will find it is a little easier to eat what you want.

hpynh2o

LIKE.

Success doesn't come from some tool or program. It comes from within.

beckyinma

What I have observed with ww is those people who have stopped doing the program end up gaining some if not all of the weight back.. I'm not sure if it is because they lose the support when they stop paying for it or it's because everything is done in terms of points instead of learning what is in the food you are eating that could be impacting your weight. MFP is free and if you use it regularly it is a great way to track yourself and find some great support.

THIS THIS THIS!!!!

Bethag80

I wanted to join WW and then my husband told me about this site, I am glad I found it saved myself some $$. Also I have been learning so much about food, its a tool that I continue to use.

shvrngrl

I was so hungry on WW. I feel best when I have a bit of protien and good fats at every meal, which ate up all my points. I wasn't recovering well and I was exhausted.

formersec

I left WW when they started the "Free" foods BS. Didn't lose anything eating my weight in fruit every day.

Zero points does not mean zero calories. It seems this has not been adequately explained to WW members.

The fruit was designated 0 points merely to get people to eat fruit. WW does say that you are supposed to eat fruit "to satisfaction," not to gorge on it. And you are not just to eat 0 points foods to the exclusion of foods with points. Ideally, you should be eating from every food group, and WW does have guidelines for doing so.

If you follow the program correctly, it does work and it is safe and healthy.

rml_16

I left WW when they started the "Free" foods BS. Didn't lose anything eating my weight in fruit every day.

Zero points does not mean zero calories. It seems this has not been adequately explained to WW members.

The fruit was designated 0 points merely to get people to eat fruit. WW does say that you are supposed to eat fruit "to satisfaction," not to gorge on it. And you are not just to eat 0 points foods to the exclusion of foods with points. Ideally, you should be eating from every food group, and WW does have guidelines for doing so.

If you follow the program correctly, it does work and it is safe and healthy.

I did the Flex and Momentum plans and had great success, but I did take issue with the 0-point fruit. The veggies I was OK with because it takes a LOT to add up in calories and they're supposed to be considered in the formula.

But think about it with fruit. WW builds 250 free food calories into the plan. One banana can be 100 calories. So just two bananas a day takes up nearly all your "free" calories. An orange or apple are about 60 apiece. I make a smoothie each night that's 5 points worth of calories/fat/fiber, but on PointsPlus is only 2 points. That's about 200 calories worth of fruit in there. It adds up quick, even if you're only eating it to "satisfaction."

I really think WW missed the boat with that.

michellecorvin

I have done both. We I am honest, I do well on both. This is free though so it wins. ;D

britcurl

I did WW and lost 30lbs no problem! I was using WW and MFP together and saw that my daily calories were pretty close to my points allowed. I have just now today started using MFP alone. I like it better because I can keep up with everything in one place. Both are great products and I still will testify to WW any day of the week. (Plus, MFP is Free )