weight watchers v calorie counting
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I agree with sandydiane, just cancelled my WW online membership, MFP is so much better. I am on a low sodium diet. I could not believe how much sodium I was eating!!! I am having better luck with MFP and as everyone said it's free.0
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I joined WW shortly before finding MFP. I started out using MFP as a secondary tracking to WW, but now don't use WW online at all. I have to go cancel it, in fact. While I'm sure WW works, I personally don't see the benefit in learning a derivative Points system when I can simply learn how to allocate and gauge calories themselves. The numbers may be larger, but it isn't any harder to deal with than single/double digit points, in my opinion.
I think WW has a tested formula for success and one that must have been immensely useful in the days before the internet. Now that we can summon calorie counts of virtually anything - and MFP's database blows WW's out of the water - the monopoly on the database is disappearing. I think WW is only beneficial to people who are very well versed in the system and don't need/want to relearn a system of calorie-counting and people who need the in-person support.0 -
I lost 90 lbs on WW Points Plus. Nobody got fat eating too much fruit or veggies and that includes myself.
My husband just started it last week, and has already lost four lbs. Not only that, but his chronic heart burn has gone away as well.
Also, it is NOT just about counting points - you have to get all of your good health guidelines in, including a minimum amount of veggies, fruits, dairy, protein, and healthy oils.
I have found that most who struggle to lose weight on it, aren't really following it as it's designed.0 -
I also TRIED to switch to counting calories through MFP while getting the good health guidelines in, simply because it's free.
I found that for myself, counting points is much easier. It wasn't worth the risk of derailing myself so I decided to stick with WW.0 -
After I had my daughter, I joined WW with a friend. I did the core program and lost 50 lbs. I didn't get down to my goal but I got to a comfortable weight and stayed there for years. Several years went by and stress, moving and all kinds of stuff made the weight creep back up (gained 20 lbs).
Last year I decided enough was enough and just started tracking my calories on my own (on a free phone app not related to this website). I lost that 20 lbs by myself then joined MFP with some friends. I have lost 10 lbs since joining MFP Jan 15th. I'm somewhere around 15-30 lbs away from my goal (I'm having a hard time deciding because I had my BF percentage tested and my LBM was a bit higher than I thought it would be so what I originally set my goal as would put me at 10% BF instead of the 18% I'm shooting for). I like it here, I liked weight watchers too but this is free and my friends are here
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I like the group dynamics and support you get at WW, but the plan itself is needlessly complicated. Instead of just counting something easily and freely available -- calories -- you're supposed to count this mysterious, proprietary unit that only they can provide the values for. They claim it's to teach you to choose higher fiber, more filling foods, but anyone who counts calories for long enough starts doing that anyway.0
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Yes, most fruits and veggies are "free" but they also tell you to eat them in moderation and only until you are full. In other words, don't gorge on 10 bananas just because they are "free".
You do not have to buy the weight watchers products or smart ones. Just because it has their name doesn't mean you have to eat it when you are trying to follow weight watchers. yes, they might email you about them or if you go to a meeting they may advertise, but it has their name on it so why wouldn't they?
People will game any system and then complain that it doesn't work. On the old old points plan, some were putting all bran in their ice cream to bring down the points, thus the four gram cap on fiber. It's all about common sense and following the spirit of the program.
And count me as one who never bought a single product from them. If you're going to eat light processed junk food, there are much better options out there than ww.0 -
After following the points system for a long time, you learn to know how many points something is -so there is no reason to look it up in a database. You just record the points and move on.
With MFP and counting calories, you also constantly have to be aware of all of your other macros, and you have to look up every single food you eat to find out the values. It is impossible to memorize something like that.
That is a huge reason why I find counting points easier than counting calories - it takes the work out of counting the other macros - it is just ONE thing you need to calculate and remember.
I think WW is such a useful tool in helping you to make healthy food choices, because if you have 2 points left for the day, you know exactly what you can eat. If you have 200 calories left, you could choose to eat something that is very high in saturated fat for example, just because it is 200 calories - with WW, you won't end up doing that, because the points value will be higher based on the grams of fat, etc.0 -
I did weight watchers until august of 2012
I put pen to paper and figured out why I got so food obsessed.
I dropped from 197-177 within 12 weeks, and suddenly I was havign issues with food binges and constant hunger, I felt out of control.
I took my ww days worth of logged foods and put that into MFP....shocked to see 1358 cals.
WW is a VLCD (very low calore diet) and ultimately this will help you to lose weight with or without exercise.....the issue is the points they give you are a very BROAD estimate. at 177lbs I was down to the 26 points per day and 49 weeklies. This simply want not enough, even without exercise I burn on average 2800-3000 cals per day just in my regular job so no wonder 1358 cals was like starving me, I would eat my weeklies the day i got them and then try to fill up on fruits and veg but i NEEDED PROTEIN!
I started reading up on "eat more to weigh less" and the issues associated with very low calorie diets. For me, eating more works, I feel satisfied after my meals and snacks and no longer binge eat. I am losing weight but much slower this way, but it feels more sustainable than WW ever did.
food/exercise are very personal and individual for each person and no one right way is going to work for everyone.
put your pen to paper and figure out what you need, your goals and you answer of what will work for you will be in plain sight.
Cheers!
H
You are misinformed. WW is not a VLCD diet. They also encourage you to eat back exercise calories, AND I believe the program is designed for 2 lbs per week weight loss. If you felt that the points/calories weren't enough for you, you could easily eat a few more points and lose less weight per week.
I don't know your stats obviously, but my TDEG is 1411 based on the Roadmap spreadsheet, which is pretty much exactly how many points I get.0 -
Or, you could go to a meeting and meet other people in person who also attend your meeting, and use them as your support system, rather than the MFP community of strangers.I've done WW several times and ended up cancelling every time because I couldn't afford to pay $15.00 per week. I've been doing MFP for over 6 months now and found it to be very effective. I've met lots of people (online) and found them very supportive. Even better, you can search for friends within your perimeters (age, gender, location, goal, etc). I don't think you can do that with WW. I log my food all throughout the day, not at the end of the day. I mostly use the mobile app but I like to login from a desktop too and read or post in the message boards for additional support. I would not hesitate to cancel your WW membership. Best of luck
Just sayin0 -
think i am more confussed then when i frist asked the question! Not sure what to do now!0
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I am a firm believer in WW. Like myfitnesspal, you can eat healthy or not and still follow it but you quickly learn the benefits of healthy eating. It helps you develop routines that you can use in your everyday life. I’ve lost almost 30lbs so far with WW (since October) and I will stick with it until I reach my goal. Of course MFP is free and WW costs money but once you reach your goal weight and become a lifetime member WW is free too! To me the support I get online, in person and at meetings from WW makes the monthly fee worth it. It also pushes me that much harder to become a lifetime member and not have to pay anymore. MFP is great for information but it’s hard to measure the accuracy and everyone seems to have a different formula for counting how many calories you should eat.0
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I did weight watchers for as short time and didn't like it at all..just because I was starving all the time and quit pretty quick.
I like mfp for a few reasons:
1. free
2. when you count calories you learn more than blindly counting points
3.i've learned i can eat more by setting my loss to a pound a week and eat back my exercise calories..it is like not dieting at all.0 -
Hi I am a current weightwatchers member, joined last september. Im finding that my daily points are too little for my calorie intake. I wont quit though as I use it as extra motivation x 0
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I have done weight watchers and think it is a great program, I have lost weight on it. But I like MFP better, not only is it free but I have to keep my carb intake in check and weight watchers doesn't give the option to see the nutritional breakdown at the end of the day. I also found that I am better at tracking on MFP then point counting with WW.0
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I've done WW and Slimming World. Personally I think MFP is better as it teaches you about real values of food i.e. calories. You can't live on points or syns for life, it's not teaching you anything.
Everyone is different, but I think calorie counting is the best (and oldest) method!0 -
I did ww in 2009 and lost 50 lbs from january to November. I loved WW and still do. I think weight watchers really taught me about good choices and using my daily allowance of poiints wisely. My fitness pal is nice because it is free but I am not losing the weight as easily as I did at WW. Maybe the weekly meetings and the accountability on the scale in front of an acctual person is what I needed and here on MFP there is no "big brother" standing over my shoulder.
I have been strongly considering going back to WW in the last few months. I have gained around 10 lbs since htting my goal weight in 2009 and would like to get back to the leaner self I know I can be.
My advice is go to a WW meeting and get involved with the other people there. The motivation and encouragement is amazing0 -
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Hi i done weight watchers last year, i loved it and it got me about a stone and a half off, the last half a stone and a bit came off slowly doing a variety of different things like more excersising no carbs etc etc
I think weight watchers is a great starter, it will only take you to a certain point though, i find that on the last 14 pounds i really have to watch every calorie so hence why i joined here and started calorie counting! Weightwatchers lets you have all the fruit and veg you want, for 0 points but there will come a time you will have to start watching these too.
Well that is my feelings on it anyway!!
Though i like weight watchers a few things annoy me about it. Things like diet coke is 0 points. And ya calories are low or whatever but its still a fizzy drink its still bad for you.
They dont defrinciate between white breads and pastas to wholemeals ones. i think a point in the difference might make people make a better choice.
It should focus more on getting people to make better choices for the long run and not short term!
Good luck with your choice, do what works for you, and stay the course 0 -
trust me, try this if you can: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/822197-how-to-track-weight-watchers-points-on-mfpthink i am more confussed then when i frist asked the question! Not sure what to do now!
Then decide if you want to quit WW.0 -
I have done Weight Watchers.
The basics of WW is no different to MFP, you just count points rather than calories. If you can do WW, you can do MFP.
MFP is free. WW is not.
WW encourage you to buy processed, expensive, chemical riddled food in portion sizes big enough for a small child. MFP teaches you how to eat healthily without the need for microwave meals.
MFP teaches you about macros, healthy amounts of protein, fats, carbs, and sodium levels. WW simply concentrates on points.
Switch to MFP. You won't regret it.
^^ this....exactly
When I was on WW I found that it would give the same amount of points for less healthy options as it did for the more healthy choice. I wanted to eat cleaner and save money so I dropped WW and came back to MFP.0 -
I'm not that familiar with the new points system, but the old points were based on calories, fat and fiber.I have done Weight Watchers.
The basics of WW is no different to MFP, you just count points rather than calories. If you can do WW, you can do MFP.
MFP is free. WW is not.
WW encourage you to buy processed, expensive, chemical riddled food in portion sizes big enough for a small child. MFP teaches you how to eat healthily without the need for microwave meals.
MFP teaches you about macros, healthy amounts of protein, fats, carbs, and sodium levels. WW simply concentrates on points.
Switch to MFP. You won't regret it.
^^ this....exactly
When I was on WW I found that it would give the same amount of points for less healthy options as it did for the more healthy choice. I wanted to eat cleaner and save money so I dropped WW and came back to MFP.
So if something is higher in fat, it is higher in points.
higher in fiber lowers the points.
So pretty much, the unhealthy things should be MORE points. I don't know what you consider unhealthy, but just because something might be the same points value doesn't mean you have to eat it - you need to use common sense to.
A Big Mac might be the same amount of points as something healthier, but it doesn't mean I'm going to eat the Big Mac. This reasoning makes aboslutely no sense.0 -
I have done Weight Watchers.
The basics of WW is no different to MFP, you just count points rather than calories. If you can do WW, you can do MFP.
MFP is free. WW is not.
WW encourage you to buy processed, expensive, chemical riddled food in portion sizes big enough for a small child. MFP teaches you how to eat healthily without the need for microwave meals.
MFP teaches you about macros, healthy amounts of protein, fats, carbs, and sodium levels. WW simply concentrates on points.
Switch to MFP. You won't regret it.
^^ this....exactly
When I was on WW I found that it would give the same amount of points for less healthy options as it did for the more healthy choice. I wanted to eat cleaner and save money so I dropped WW and came back to MFP.
MFP dos not teach you anything except how much protein, carbs, fat act you should have. You could get those through processed foods, processed carbs, deli meats, potato chips,. I have seen people dairies on MFP and amazed what people eat. A Jimmy Dean breakfast sandwich, light processed bread, margarine, candy but here are in thier guidelines and 1200 calories . You have to take the extra step to know how to eat . Just like when people say they are starving on WW points. Well if you eat potato chips, frozen meals and a lot of processed food yes it will eat up your points but if you concentrate on whole grains, clean protein and fat, fruits and veggies you will get be able to eat a lot. I learned a lot about eat healthy on WW and also do my own research.
And yes some points are the same for white rice and brown rice but on MFP 1 c white rice is 205 calories and Brown rice is 216 so you are using more calories for wholesome foods so I don't know how you can say you can eat healthier on MFP then on WW.
And the poster who said on WW zero coke is 0 points well yes it is and 0 calories on MFP so you have to want to stop drinking it. No one is going to hold your hand.
You have to take responsibilities upon yourselves to work both of the programs right. They both are great but both will fail if you don't know how to eat right.0 -
I couldn't agree more with everything you said!I have done Weight Watchers.
The basics of WW is no different to MFP, you just count points rather than calories. If you can do WW, you can do MFP.
MFP is free. WW is not.
WW encourage you to buy processed, expensive, chemical riddled food in portion sizes big enough for a small child. MFP teaches you how to eat healthily without the need for microwave meals.
MFP teaches you about macros, healthy amounts of protein, fats, carbs, and sodium levels. WW simply concentrates on points.
Switch to MFP. You won't regret it.
^^ this....exactly
When I was on WW I found that it would give the same amount of points for less healthy options as it did for the more healthy choice. I wanted to eat cleaner and save money so I dropped WW and came back to MFP.
MFP dos not teach you anything except how much protein, carbs, fat act you should have. You could get those through processed foods, processed carbs, deli meats, potato chips,. I have seen people dairies on MFP and amazed what people eat. A Jimmy Dean breakfast sandwich, light processed bread, margarine, candy but here are in thier guidelines and 1200 calories . You have to take the extra step to know how to eat . Just like when people say they are starving on WW points. Well if you eat potato chips, frozen meals and a lot of processed food yes it will eat up your points but if you concentrate on whole grains, clean protein and fat, fruits and veggies you will get be able to eat a lot. I learned a lot about eat healthy on WW and also do my own research.
And yes some points are the same for white rice and brown rice but on MFP 1 c white rice is 205 calories and Brown rice is 216 so you are using more calories for wholesome foods so I don't know how you can say you can eat healthier on MFP then on WW.
And the poster who said on WW zero coke is 0 points well yes it is and 0 calories on MFP so you have to want to stop drinking it. No one is going to hold your hand.
You have to take responsibilities upon yourselves to work both of the programs right. They both are great but both will fail if you don't know how to eat right.0 -
Can I ask, how did you reconcile your 26 points with your daily calorie limit on MFP? I'm allowed 20 WW points, but I'm afraid to go by MFP in case I eat too many cals.0
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The arguments based upon people losing so much weight using WW aren't really arguments. People who have never used WW lose weight too. People who use nothing more than a notebook and a calculator and the nutritional facts labels on their foods can lose weight as well (with the occasional look up on sites such as caloriecount.com). I know, that's how I dropped my first 40 in my first few months of dieting before finding MFP. It really comes down to whether or not you want to pay for someone else to tell you how to do it and how much math and research you're willing to do. And honestly, the more you actively learn about what you eat and what you put into your body the more likely you are to retain that information and keep those newly formed habits.0
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Two diffrent names for the same thing. The points system that WW does is just one way of counting calories. I think the idea of turning nuturition into an easy to follow point system is great for people who may be confused or overwhelmed by changing the way they eat. It would be better if they then taught you how to apply that point system to actual calories and nutrition once you felt you had grasped it. But doing that would be like saying "now you don't need us to maintain your goal." I feel the ultimate goal of healthy eating is to be able to maintain it throughout ones entire life. I personally find counting calories is just as easy as counting points and I feel more aware of my actual nutrition using MFP where as with WW all I did was worry about points. But if WW gets someone started and is something they can understand and maintain then that's what matters.0
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I have to ask, you are following the old points, or the new points plus? Because 20 points sounds VERY low for either plan, especially old points. If that is old points, that would work out to like 900 calories a day. So I'm not sure where you got that points number.Can I ask, how did you reconcile your 26 points with your daily calorie limit on MFP? I'm allowed 20 WW points, but I'm afraid to go by MFP in case I eat too many cals.
I am using the plug-in for Firefox, so I can see my WW points in my MFP diary - so I can see how many calories my points work out to be(the points will vary based on the othe rmacros though).
I am following old points, and I eat about 24 per day, average - which is usually somewhere around 1300 calories.0 -
I've done WW a few times. I haven't seen a points limit of 20 for a long time. I think now the lowest they give is 26. However, when I first did WW 10 years ago they had a points range. Mine was 18-23. Then they got rid of the range and made it a set goal but added the weekly points. I think the lowest then was 20. When they started points plus is when people got more points per day, but they also changed the way points were calculated.0
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Yeah, that's why I think she must be doing old points, but even so, 20 is really low, that's why they had the ranges.I've done WW a few times. I haven't seen a points limit of 20 for a long time. I think now the lowest they give is 26. However, when I first did WW 10 years ago they had a points range. Mine was 18-23. Then they got rid of the range and made it a set goal but added the weekly points. I think the lowest then was 20. When they started points plus is when people got more points per day, but they also changed the way points were calculated.
I am still following old points, and I know that on days I eat 22 points, it is usually around 1200 calories, sometimes less.0
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