Myfitness Vs Weight Watchers

ultimuttginge

Hi Gang!

I'm new to the forums, but i have a question. Does My Fitness Pal work the same way as Weight Watchers Points? In as much as as long as you don't go over your calorie allocation each day, you can pretty much eat what you want? Obviously if you went to McDonalds and had a meal that would be your entire calorie allowance gone (and then some!).

CaraCrypticPanda

I think it pretty much does work in the same way, but MFP also has the tracking of certain things like Fat, Sugar, Carbs etc. So I guess as long as you track the ones you worry about most and try and keep them level (as well as the calories) you can pretty much eat anything but as I have tried keeping under the allowed calories, I have noticed that I very rarely go over the daily intake of fat and stuff, apart from sugar... fruit is my enemy!

shonar68

The best thing about myfitnesspal is that its free , I have done weight watchers online and then discovered this. In my opinion it is just as good as weight watchers, you have a huge date base of food values and a great community of support should you wish to use it. So if you stick with Myfitnesspal you will not only lose weight but save money at the same time, that £10 or so a month you would save could pay for a couple of fitness classes

pluckabee

Hmm...

This is actually pretty controversial and you might get a lot of responses that fall on either side.

In theory, yes, if you dont go over your calorie allotment, you will lose weight, and MFP doesn't take into consideration the quality of calories.

But individuals may vary and this also doesn't take into account your health, and lots of people get better results with eating less processed and more nutritionally rich foods. A lot of people also try to increase protein in place of carbs. But that said, lots of people get results from plain calorie restriction and eat whatever they want (just not how much they might want).

If you're wondering what is going to work for you, start by just cutting calories and portions then decide for yourself if that's working or if you want to also change what you eat. I'd just suggest that any changes you make, you do slowly.

I'm personally of the opinion that it makes sense to eat healthier and more nutritious foods most of the time, and leave more processed foods for rare occasions or when life gets in the way and you dont have a lot of choice in food availability.

KarenJanine

MFP is Free

WW causes you to part with cash to be told your weight and how much to eat.

With MFP you can eat what you want within your calorie goal.

WW pushes their own products on you to try to make you part with more cash.

WW allows fruit / veggies to be free food which can be very misleading. If I eat 20 bananas in a day those calories should definitely be counted.

MFP has a great database of foods. Logging is easy, no complicated points to calculate.

So MFP all the way!


oh by BTW, a standard McDonalds meal (in the Uk at least) is around 1000 cals. If that is more than your entire calorie goal for one day then your calorie goal is too low.

ultimuttginge

Hi! Thanks for all your replies!

I do try and go for the healthy nutritious food 98% of the time, but I guess my reason for asking is simply because at times i just CRAVE certain foods especially at certain times of the month. So the days that I I'm salivating and looking like a woman possessed lusting after that bar of chocolate, or that plate of chips, would that be ok as long as I make sure i dont go over my allowance?

pluckabee

Hi! Thanks for all your replies!

I do try and go for the healthy nutritious food 98% of the time, but I guess my reason for asking is simply because at times i just CRAVE certain foods especially at certain times of the month. So the days that I I'm salivating and looking like a woman possessed lusting after that bar of chocolate, or that plate of chips, would that be ok as long as I make sure i dont go over my allowance?

Yes

ultimuttginge

Thanks

Claire_x90

Personally I think weight watchers is the BEST healthy eating plan out there.

My reasoning behind this is that myself and others I know have developed eating disorders and obsessions with calories.

On weight watchers you do have a calorie limit except you just don't know it and you have more variety with food. something 60calories might be 1 point and something 80 calories might be 1 point... the whole program I believe is mentally healthier and more free than here and I would recommend that to anyone wanting to diet.

I also prefer weight watchers because you make the choice yourself at the supermarket whereas things like jenny craig dictate what you eat so once it's over it can be difficult to maintain.

Alexandra289

When I did weight watchers I lost quite a lot of weight, but then they switched the way it worked (in the UK anyway) and I hated it. I wasn't eating enough and I was able to almost abuse my points with eating their own brand bars and ready meals and stuff. Now I realise that although a lot of that stuff may be low calorie, it's just putting crap into your body. Of course, you can do the same thing with MFP. But I've started using MFP because I've changed my whole diet to be healthy and as natural as possible. This just helps me keep track of it - I think that's important to me, keeping track of what I'm eating rather than relying on this to tell me what to eat.

I also wouldn't want to use MFP forever, but I'm glad I've discovered it and know that if I start to go off track a bit or just need a bit of a boost to help me stay healthy, it's here to return to for free whenever I want

smantha32

I've done both. MFP has a better food database. I was continuously having to add things into the WW food database.

yamsteroo

I looked at WW Online back in February and I was tempted purely on the basis if I was paying for something I was more likely to use it (I know, I know lol). However, I was a bit put off by their heavy-handed promotion of their products and although I know a company has to make money, it was quite pricey for what was basically access to a forum and a fairly generic diet plan.

I'd registered with MFP last year but done nothing with it so before I gave WW my card details, I had a proper look here and realised it had all I needed to help me get fit. Lets be honest, if you can count Pro Points, you can count calories just as easy.

Each to their own but for me, MFP is great and I like the way it's not JUST about losing weight - there's a lot of fit people on here giving out good advice to newbies like me

vstraughan

Wholly support this post. I'll add that MFP is also good for giving you an overview of your vitamin and mineral intake against RDAs. Definitely explained a few things for me and now I can act on it.

shonar68

Each to their own but for me, MFP is great and I like the way it's not JUST about losing weight - there's a lot of fit people on here giving out good advice to newbies like me

Totally agree:bigsmile: There are tons of fit people on this, looking to stay fit and healthy and primarily use myfitnesspal to keep track of there goals etc rather than to just lose weight, so MPF is used by a much wider range of people, meaning there is a broader range of advice and support available.

mumofzoe

I have just left WW online. Althought I did loose weight I had trouble with their apps.
I have found mfp has much more info. I was filling up on fruit with WW up to 8 pieces a day all 0 points, on mfp I was way over my sugar with just 3 pieces of fruit.
So far I would say mfp wins and it's free

ultimuttginge

I tried WW about two years ago and just couldn't get on with it. I seemed to be eating a ridiculous amount of food! lol. And I hardly lost a thing!

Plus this MFP has one of the best (if not THE) best food database out there! It's extraordinary how many random and little known brands have been added!

I'm going to stick with MFP although I'm worried about my weigh in (whenever i pluck up the courage). I dont FEEL like i've lost anything. That being said it's a week before my monthly visit...which is always depressing weight wise...plus with mood swings aswell i think i'm setting myself up for a fall. PMSL.

mlogantra76

To each their own. I have done WW(never went to meetings but counted points) and lost 120 lbs 10 years ago. I should add that exercise(from walking to running 10 miles and biking 100 miles) was a big part of my weight loss. I managed to maintain that weight loss for 8 years and then regained 30 or so lbs of it. On January 2nd of this year, I joined mfp and really really love it. I like that its free and that I can track protein, carbs, fat, etc.... I will say that having lost on WW gave me the confidence that I could relose it again. People work the WW program differently just like they work calorie counting differently. On WW, I ate a lot more carbs, processed food, diet food, etc.... On mfp, I am eating a lot more whole hoods and healthy foods. On WW, I wouldn't touch a serving of nuts(almonds, cashews, pistachios) because it seemed like it was too many points. On mfp, I eat them daily. I think I ate less on WW. Now on mfp, I eat more and eat more protein and fat and don't feel hungry like I did often on WW. I also really restricted myself on WW and wouldn't even eat a serving of my own Birthday cake! On mfp, I'm incorporating "treats" into my weekly plan.

I do not weigh myself(haven't at all) for a few years and just go by how my clothing fits. I have dropped from a tight 16W to a size 12 since I started in January. I have probably 15 lbs to go to get comfortably back into my size 10 work pants.

ckeatonrn

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moonbutt

i tried WW years ago with their points and it worked great. then recently i tried again with the new system and i gained weight. i chose to do MFP and when i did, i logged and tested recent WW points logged and it showed that i was way over in calories in comparison.i think there new system is flawed personally.
also they let you eat as much fruit and veggies you want. granted that isn't going to make you fat but it took MFP to teach me that certain fruits are higher in sugar and calories and you can eat too many.
just my humble opinion.

ckeatonrn

I've been doing WW for a little over 2 years now (MFP about 3 weeks). I go to all the meetings and have found the meetings to be excellent motivation to "not gain weight" as opposed to "losing weight." At weigh-in, I definately do not want to gain so I keep close track of what I eat (on paper) and follow the PointsPlus system faithfully. I have lost almost 50 lbs while with WW so It has been a success in that sense.

I think the program is good, though as others have said, I wish WW concentrated more on whole foods. To be fair, you can eat whatever you choose to eat. As a vegetarian I make my own choices while others make their own choices about what to eat. I do believe that WW is heading that direction in their product line in that they have foods with fewer ingredients on the list - more whole grains, fruits and nuts without all the extra sugar and chemicals. WW does not neccessarily say you have to eat meat but I feel the suggested menus and recipes are meat focused. I have learned a lot about changing my environment, portion control and how many PointsPlus (calories!) are in food.

I do not use eTools, the website is too laborious to use. There is one aspect of eTools I really really like. It shows my weight loss on a graph that shows how I have been pretty consistent. The graph also shows periods where I've gone up or had a plateau. Of course, I could have been charting this myself :-)

WW really encourages exercise! I like that.

The cost is about the same as my gym membership but fortunately my insurance covers up to $500 in "health benefits" such as WW or health clubs.

I think it is very possible to lose weight with WW, especially if you go to the meetings. I've seen that when friends/spouses attend together, they tend lose weight and gain fitness much faster than us singles. I've also seen lots of people come and go without seeing any benefit at all. It depends on what drives you and if your motivation can come from standing on a scale in front on someone else who will know if you're down or up. It certainly motivates me!

MFP is different in that the motivation is almost entirely from yourself. Yes, you can have friends but unless you know them personally and keep track of each others food, activities and weight weekly then the motivation is on you. The food tracker is way better! and I love the exercise part. I would really like to be able to enter a weekly weight and have it show up on a graph like eTools.

Both MFP and WW have forums where you can find almost any subject thought MFP discussions are a bit more open (better IMHO). I also know people at work who do online/apps that do not lose weight. They keep up with the tracking for a few weeks then quit. Again - motivation!

In conclusion (finally!) - I have benefitted from going to WW and would encourage those having a hard time meeting their goals to attend meetings for a month or two, just to see how it fits your lifestyle, and to see if you lose weight! I would encourage you to use MFP also to get a different prospective. Then, after a couple of months, you can see which will benefit you most effectively.

BTW - I'm not associated with WW other than being a steady face at the meetings and paying them every month!

RoadsterGirlie

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Big fan of WW!!!!

In all honesty, I think both plans are great, and you will get out of them what you put in. Whatever method you use, as long as you are tracking your food diligently, it should work. It comes down to preference. I don't think there is a "right" or "wrong" when it comes to choosing between these two plans.

I do fully embrace the "free" fruits and veggies and use it as much as I can. Even though an apple may have the same calories as a cookie, it's still healthier as it has more fiber which is why it is free. It did not hinder my weight loss one and had an above average weight loss of 2 to 3 lbs per week on average until I made goal.

I should note that my diet was REALLY REALLY bad prior to WW. I'm talking ice cream for dinner and supersized McDonalds for lunch kind of bad. No wonder I lost weight when I switched to a healthier lifestyle!

I have tried to make the switch to MFP because it's free, but I've been on it for two years and know the points system really well. Plus, MFP doesn't give you "weekly points" like WW does. I use WW to track my food, but I do enjoy the cameroderie on the MFP boards which is why I come here. Plus WW doesn't teach you about TDEE and BMR, which I have learned a lot from via these boards.

Hope this helps!

ngressman

Yes it's the same concept. One big difference is WW gives you extra weekly points to use at your discretion, whereas MFP doesn't. I have had a lot of success with WW. I like the accountability (I never did it online though). The only problem is the money. Right now $40 a month is too much.

9jenn9

Personally I think weight watchers is the BEST healthy eating plan out there.

My reasoning behind this is that myself and others I know have developed eating disorders and obsessions with calories.

Funny you should say this. I'm a life time ww member, but I prefer MFP because I developed an very unhealthy obsession with points! I was constantly obsessing on how many points I had left. I don't do this with calories nearly as much.

WW is good in that it teaches some good eating habits and how to make healthy choices. I don't think the program emphasizes fitness nearly enough. Exercise is soft peddled. Also, I was only allotted 21points in ww. It wasn't enough. I was hungry all the time. With mfp, I've learned that I can eat more and still lose weight. MFP is a better fit for me.

nolongerXXL

I would really like to be able to enter a weekly weight and have it show up on a graph like eTools.

I haven't found this on the online site, but on the phone app, they have a graph with your weight lost on it!

twestla70

I've done both. MFP has a better food database. I was continuously having to add things into the WW food database.

twestla70

Quoted without commenting. Lol. Couldn't agree more about the wealth of info in the MFP database. Especially for us Canadian folk. WW database was challenging at times

twestla70

6 days on MFP and I lost 2lbs, after 2 weeks on WW with 0lbs lost. I find it so much more intuitive, and love that it links to my fitbit. Not dissing WW, as I have had great success in the past, but I have to say this works for me now that I am more active than with my previous stints with WW. Good luck to anyone regardless which program you follow.

Buff2022

Weight Watchers does work for some. It worked for me years ago to lose 50 pounds I did gained it back and then some. Not WW fault -- all mine.

I have tried to go back for years on WW and I was good for a few weeks and then I would fall off again. I guess I was not ready. I did not like going to meetings anymore. I just could not connect with others in the meetings. So I spent a lot of wasted time trying to get the weight off.

41 days ago I went to see my Doctor. Pretty much had a breakdown and told her I need this weight off. Well she gave me some suggestions and one of them MFP. In those 41 days I have lost 24.4 pounds. AMAZING cause I have not been able to do that in years. I feel better, act better and look better (in my eyes)

So for me WW no longer worked, because I was tired of counting points, I was tired of not meeting people. I just could not get the click in my head there that I needed.

For some WW is a lot of work. I don't find MFP to be a lot of work. I am use to measuring food so that is natural to me. I use the app on my phone. I also find that I eat some things now that I would not on WW to many points. Nuts are a good example of that.

craigmandu

Have tried WW my wife before.

I cannot stand WW....not because I think MFP is the "end all, be all", but rather I have a very obsessive and addictive kind of personality. I'm one of those people that would and did eat alot of no points food because I didn't have to count it, and save the points for the high calorie foods I wanted. And I paid them to basically do nothing for me (and I agree, it was all me that made it happen like that, however I don't like a system that lets you "game it" so to speak)...

I do the same thing here with exercise...I'll exercise just to gain enough calories to eat something "bad", but at least I did something for it, and that activity helps me more in the end.

gracielynn1011

I used WW before and lost a few lbs. Not as successful as I have been with MFP. I did not connect with any of my meeting people because I was in my 20s and everyone there was at least twice my age, if not more. And I started noticing that even though people were at goal, they really were not fit. They were still skinny fat. I had to do a lot of research to learn about health and how the body works. I am still learning, but MFP has helped so much with that. This is a good fit for me.

mattskeeper0319

I did ww a few years back and was happy as I could see i was losing weight. However, the meetings drove me crazy (I didn't try online) . Sometimes I just wanted to scream at the people who would say things like "I didnt realize fried chicken was less calories than grilled chicken" just to get a star sticker!!Totally didnt need to listen to the bs there and couldnt get any real life struggles from the other members i could relate to! The meetings made me crazy, the price of the snacks and food they sold were ridiculous, and I felt like I had to change my life style too much. I am extremely busy , like most of us, full time student, full time job, and full time single mom to a special needs child. With only a couple of days to play on mfp I can see that this is totally doable and FUN seeing a goal and the website doing all of the work for me really helps.
Not to mention the "weigh in" process at ww was humiliating I always stressed abt it and there were too many ppl around to witness my weigh in.
I dont feel as restricted with mfp and it has already given me the power to control my BAD CHOICES!!