Weight Watchers

acaff07

I just started Weight Watchers (By that I mean I found a lot of freebie stuff on the web and calculated my points, so I'm basing my diet on that and using MFP) Anyone else count points whether in the past or now? I've heard nothing but good things about it but it's hard trying to reach your point goal! I wanted to eat 7 points for breakfast and had soooo much difficulty. I think I'll have to plan my days ahead!

watcheronthewall

Are you doing pro points? I think WW only do a points allowance for extras now and otherwise do a similar thing to slimming world (which I'm doing), based upon free foods which you don't count. It's SUPER EASY to follow. It might be worth getting hold of the proper pro points books somehow and doing it that way.

acaff07

Yes I found the pro points! It is very easy, and it is wonderful to slim down. Before pregnancy I was running, working my way up to a 5k. Right now I'm trying to lose 20 lbs at least before I start training again (Hoping to do so by at least January or February when Florida is colder). I don't want to be too top heavy and cause shin splints. This seems like a good and easy diet. And I love fruits and veggies which are zero points!! I drink a shake every morning of fruit and kale and it's 0. I already drank that and oatmeal. 5 points and I am feeling energized.

mommasox

I just recently started WW again. I did it before and with out exercising I lost 20lbs! Just by eating right. Now I am working out and I am hoping to see a bigger loss.

My doc actually told me how great WW was, so I decided to give it a try again.

acaff07

My aunt was on it and lost a tremendous amount. And now my Aunt's neighbor is on it and looking great! For not having the energy for crazy workouts at the moment, and lets face it a little lack of motivation at the moment, this is wonderful.

razorbecky

I'm doing both, I lost 30lbs on WW before so I know it works. The only reason it didn't stay off is becuase I went back to crappy eating. I say go for it!

gloflo18

I joined WW about week and half ago. I have done it before with the old program and the points but not points plus. I have to say I was a little disappointed in their materials. I found the searching for foods difficult and I guess I have to say I'm addicted to MFP, because I have been doing that for a month and like it so much better than WW. I like the seeing the results at the end of the day and there are so many reports you can pull. Not that WW etools doesn't give you that, but again, I think I'm spoiled with MFP

Good luck, I still believe it's all about what works best for YOU and that we are doing it!

mearlie

I'm here FROM weight watchers. MFP's food diary is better. It calculates ALL calories, and you can buy the fitbit and you don't have to pay a monthly charge like active link.

I believe that ww points plus program is a bad idea, I prefer to track all foods I eat. Plus it's free here and ww was over 40 a month.

IMO if you are using MFP, there's no need for WW. MFP has it all right here, and you don't have to try and do two things at once. Personally I think MFP is more like WW USED to be, before they switched to points plus.

cwoods80

I have been doing the WW Plan since February 2011. It definitely works. I have gotten down to -36 lbs...but I had a rough patch and now am at -30 lbs. I am about 18 lbs from goal. Hoping to make it by 2013!

Good Luck !

VickieMW

Hi I have a few questions for you all. I have never done WW. It looks like the same eating plan as the usda pyrimid. So what that is is this:
3 Protein a day,
3 Milk, Yogurt or Cheese,
5 Vegies (or really unlimited low carb),
4 Fruit
9 High Carbs: Bread, cereal, Rice, Pasta, Oatmeal, Popcorn, Potato, Sweet Potato (1 slice of bread or 1/2 cup of any other)
1 Beer or Wine per day
Fats: low / none
Sugar: low / none

Is that what you "normally" do on the Old WW or the new Points plus??

I've tried every diet but this one. It always comes back to BREAD! So I am going to try this. Please help me. My daughter is getting married Nov 3rd and I really need to lose some pounds. I need to find something that works for me. I'd like to lose 8 pounds this month. I exercize at least 30 minutes (strenously) 5/6 days a week. :happy:

BernadetteChurch

I'm confused. Why be on MFP and WW at the same time?

joy4life48

When I first moved I joined Weight Watchers with my Aunt and lost 40 lbs. I felt great but of course I lost focus and gained it all back. I am just about to start up again with a friend. It works, I love it and it's really easy to follow as well. You just have to train yourself to have the discipline needed to keep it up. I have lost focus so many times I can't count but now that I have someone to go with I think it will be easier. And just so you know, going to the meetings makes a huge difference, because then you are getting great advice and wonderful encouragement as well.

joy4life48

Hi I have a few questions for you all. I have never done WW. It looks like the same eating plan as the usda pyrimid. So what that is is this:
3 Protein a day,
3 Milk, Yogurt or Cheese,
5 Vegies (or really unlimited low carb),
4 Fruit
9 High Carbs: Bread, cereal, Rice, Pasta, Oatmeal, Popcorn, Potato, Sweet Potato (1 slice of bread or 1/2 cup of any other)
1 Beer or Wine per day
Fats: low / none
Sugar: low / none

Is that what you "normally" do on the Old WW or the new Points plus??

I've tried every diet but this one. It always comes back to BREAD! So I am going to try this. Please help me. My daughter is getting married Nov 3rd and I really need to lose some pounds. I need to find something that works for me. I'd like to lose 8 pounds this month. I exercize at least 30 minutes (strenously) 5/6 days a week. :happy:

Everything can be calculated to a certain point value. With the new system you count, carbs, protein, fiber and fat. With the old system it was calories, fiber, and fat. Either way you do it is good. I lost 40 on the old system. Also on the new system, ALL fruits and veggies are free (no points), so you can have as much as you like. I really recommend trying it, even if you just do it online and at home.

joy4life48

I'm confused. Why be on MFP and WW at the same time?

I am doing both mainly to have that support and cheerleaders on your side. No matter what way you do it it's always better to have someone on your side cheering you on.

DebbieLyn63

The only time I had great results with WW was back in 1988 when they had the exchange system. It was a very good balanced plan-
5-6 protein
2-3 starch/bread
2-3 fat
2 diary
2 fruit

I lost 42 pounds in less than 4 months and kept it off for years. It taught how to distribute the calories and choose healthy foods. Then when they brought in the points system, it was basically eat whatever you wanted as long as you stayed within your points. So use all your points on donuts and it was all good? Yes, they encouraged you to choose healthy options, but lets face it, if we could choose healthy options on our own, we wouldn't have weight problems. You tell an overweight person that they can have cake every day and still lose weight, welll... eh.
When WW started cutting protein and fat and allowed unlimited carbs, they lost me. Was never able to be successful on it again.

Unless you learn exactly how many calories, and protein/fat/fiber etc are in the foods you eat, it is hard to understand what you are putting in your body and how it affects it. You don't always know how many points some foods have. Just my opinion on my experience with them.
They were also way too nice at times. "Oh you ate half a cake? Well at least you didn't eat the WHOLE cake! Here's a star!"

OK maybe that last sentence was exaggerated a little bit!

DebbieLyn63

And at least 4 servings of 'free' veggies per day.

mearlie

I'm confused. Why be on MFP and WW at the same time?

Me too!

mearlie

Hi I have a few questions for you all. I have never done WW. It looks like the same eating plan as the usda pyrimid. So what that is is this:
3 Protein a day,
3 Milk, Yogurt or Cheese,
5 Vegies (or really unlimited low carb),
4 Fruit
9 High Carbs: Bread, cereal, Rice, Pasta, Oatmeal, Popcorn, Potato, Sweet Potato (1 slice of bread or 1/2 cup of any other)
1 Beer or Wine per day
Fats: low / none
Sugar: low / none

Is that what you "normally" do on the Old WW or the new Points plus??

I've tried every diet but this one. It always comes back to BREAD! So I am going to try this. Please help me. My daughter is getting married Nov 3rd and I really need to lose some pounds. I need to find something that works for me. I'd like to lose 8 pounds this month. I exercize at least 30 minutes (strenously) 5/6 days a week. :happy:

On weight watchers plan you eat whatever you want as long as it's within your points.

beanerific518

I did WW to kickstart my weight loss goals and I was very successful. It was great for someone like me at the time: completely uneducated about proper nutrition. WW makes things as simple as possible by using their macro-nutrient ratio to calculate points for each food. Their ratio is a bit high in the carbs, so if you are looking at doing any weight training (which i highly recommend), WW may not be the way to go. I use MFP and set my macros to 40% carbs, 30% protein and 30% fat. WW is closer to the MFP macro defaults. I like the fact that WW encourages you to eat lots of nutrient rich foods like fruits and veggies.

By all means, try it out. Continue to educate yourself and see what works for you. I started in January 2011, have lost nearly 100 pounds, and I keep learning new things every day. Good luck!!

DebbieLyn63

I just figured out why the points system started years ago. That was when all the WW prepackaged food products came out. Makes sense now, you could only buy WW products because they had the points listed on the box. Should have seen the marketing aspect of it.

VickieMW

Wow, thanks for all the great help! I love being able to track you food here on MFP. I am hoping to also learn approximately how many calories I will need to eat to be full and not hungry but still have enough food each day that I can lose weight.

I don't like depriving myself and that is where I fail at every other diet!

You ladies are awesome! Thanks Agian! :flowerforyou:

BernadetteChurch

I was successful with WW a few years ago, but that was at a time I was also exercising a hell of a lot. Since then I've had a major life change and put back everything I lost and more. And then I discovered MFP, which I think is fabulous.

At the end of the day the whole WW points thing is based on calories, same as MFP. But for me the difference is in the free foods. Yes, it's all fruit and veg, but if you eat 30 bananas in a day that's still quite a few calories you're putting away just because you can. The thing about MFP is that it makes you really think about everything you eat if you want to stay within your daily goal and not feel hungry. For me it encourages wiser food choices than WW. Plus it's free and you have a worldwide community at your fingertips.

mearlie

I was successful with WW a few years ago, but that was at a time I was also exercising a hell of a lot. Since then I've had a major life change and put back everything I lost and more. And then I discovered MFP, which I think is fabulous.

At the end of the day the whole WW points thing is based on calories, same as MFP. But for me the difference is in the free foods. Yes, it's all fruit and veg, but if you eat 30 bananas in a day that's still quite a few calories you're putting away just because you can. The thing about MFP is that it makes you really think about everything you eat if you want to stay within your daily goal and not feel hungry. For me it encourages wiser food choices than WW. Plus it's free and you have a worldwide community at your fingertips.

YEP!

1derfuldia

I started Weight Watchers almost 3 weeks ago and I am really happy with it. I've lost almost 6 pounds and had been at a plateau until then, so it got things moving for me. I like the points system, it's something different, maybe that's what I needed. I'm eating differently because of it. I only have 26 points to work with and that's hard, so I have to be creative and also have a lot of the free veggies and fruits. I'm eating way more of them than I was before when I had to count them as calories and they weren't "free". So it's working well for me.

shipwreck79

I found when counting calories and points that ww goes way over 1200 calories a day. You lose more by just watching your calorie count I found.

apatheticLog

i started ww. im using weight watchers to retrain my brain on nutrition and mfp for everything else! so much more support here and food logging at mfp. but i do have to say its been so long since ive eaten a healthy meal, i dont know what im doing. so loving ww for that.

LINIA

Many misleading statements are posted above. WW DOES highly encourage eating fresh, non processed foods, but members will discuss with one another what they eat to stay within their points.
The WW group leaders prefer that whole and nutrient rich foods are chosen but realistically, ppl do not always have time/make time for that . WW also encourages daily exercise, just as MFP does.
The two programs are very similar, both stress choosing healthy, non-processed foods. Many people may do better on WW because the accountability factor is very high when someone else is weighing, recording and noticing how much progress you are making. .....of course the price is also a factor.

thoseblueeyes

Hi,

I am doing both right now, I first started with WW and lost 96.8 with them and just joined MFP due slow to zero weight loss with WW. I wanted to track my calories not points to see what was going on. I love WW but I also love MFP. I cont. to do WW since I have to go weight in and I feel it keeps me accountable for what I do with my diet plus I love the leader I have. She is very helpful and so upbeat.

You have to be careful on what some people are saying zero points with ww they still have calories.Just because grapes are zero points you can't eat 2 lbs of grapes. You can eat all the zero points you want and still weight is what I am trying to say. Just get your
5 veggies and fruits a day then don't have anymore. I think you will love WW and MFP they work the same pretty much except of course WW does points. I wish you success and let me know how it goes for you.

Julicat6

I lost the first 40 lbs on WW. I have only good things to say. I only did it under the new plan...Did you guys know Dr. Oz helped design it? Having the Free fruits and veggies were part of what made it possible for me to transition from a highly processed diet to a much more natural one. Our leader did tell us not to eat tons of the free stuff, that it did add up, and to be more cautious with fruit as it is more calorie dense. I will say that I went to meetings. About every 3rd meeting was about getting exercise. I can't speak for WW before 2011 and the new system, but it DOES work. I never felt like I had to buy the packaged food, lots of non-WW foods list WW points plus and the calculator is simple to use. If you are thinking about online only, you may as well just do MFP. The only reason I'm not still doing it is $$, I discovered Zumba and decided that after a year and a half, I had the diet figured out and wanted to put the $$ toward fitness goals instead. I don't see a huge difference in how I ate with WW and how I'm eating with MFP, and I'm losing again at a rate that is actually a bit fast, but I expect it will stabilize soon as I get used to the changes.

wdot

For those doing WeightWatchers, there's a free iPhone app out there called HealthyOut where you can find restaurant dishes by WeightWatcher points. Just a tip for those who still want to eat out while doing WW.

addiebelle1

Just started back on WW last week. Love MFP but reached a plateau and want to change up a bit. Love the positive post and glad to know others are doing both.