To go back to Weight Watchers or not???
Raylea00
Posts: 37
I am trying to decide to go back to Weight Watchers....for my 8th time. I did real well 6 years ago losing 40 pounds on the old points system, but fell off the wagon and gained my weight back. I have been back several times since and got discouraged fast. I could never really get my head wrapped around the new points plus system, but in saying that, I am not sure was my heart really in it either. I am thinking about joining again and give it all I got, but I was wondering if anyone on here has had success with it. I do better when someone holds me accountable. Any advice? Should I not waste the money?
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I did Weight Watchers and lost 131lbs. Due to personal problems in my life i gained it all back.It's a good program but in order for it to work you must stick with it like any other program.Go for it and good luck to you0
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I just dropped WW and returned here two weeks ago. I had only lost 2.8 lbs in three months. I'm not blaming WW though. I just find points to be abstract whereas calories are an absolute and I found myself working the system to get the most calories for the fewest points. So far MFP is working, 2 lbs the first week and anticipating a loss when I WI Saturday.0
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i recently quit ww's, i lost 7 lbs in around 2 months but then it just stopped and i couldnt loose, i did mfp last year and lost 22lbs and kept it all off so decided to join here again to loose the last 20lbs. i find counting calories much easier personally as you can just read off the packet or scan it in if you have the phone app where as with ww's i was struggling to point things up. xx0
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I would think calorie counting would be more sustainable long term than WW because it's easier to read the back of the label and get the whole picture of what you are actually eating rather than pay for a system that just throws a point value on it. I didn't do WW because I couldn't afford the monthly payment and I was afraid that once I stopped doing it and didn't have the point calculator I'd be lost and gain weight because I didn't know much about what I'm eating. Kind of like doing diet shake programs- you drink your 2 shakes a day and eat a regular meal and you lose weight, but once you try to do it on your own and eat regular meals you gain weight.0
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Not really a fan of the current point system. It is easy to just count calories or if you are low carbing it, carbohydrates. Can you find enough support here? or with friends?0
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I have had more success through MFP than I have with other programs. I enjoyed WW, but I find this way of doing things to be easier to understand. With WW, I wasn't really learning the importance of what made up those points. In the long run, though, whatever program you choose needs to be something you can turn into a lifestyle. Otherwise, you aren't as likely to follow through.0
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If you had success with it before and you like the variety of food options via the point system, I say go ahead. It worked for me early on but as I have lost weight I need something more regimented when I hit plateaus0
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I've done weight watchers, and had success with it.
I've been more successful at MFP though, and it's free. Not logging calories for fruits and veggies just doesn't work for me.0 -
MFP is just a tool for tracking. That's something you can hold on to for life. I hear a lot of people that stop doing the WW method gain the weight back. I think MFP helps make you more conscious of what you eat and how much and helps you have a bigger variety of what you like.0
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I hope this doesn't come across as rude, because that's not my intent!
If you've tried it 7 times and it hasn't worked, what are the odds it will work the 8th time? I think maybe you need a different program.0 -
I understand the whole 'needing someone to keep an eye on you thing'. I felt like that when I joined ww. I found it a great system, but use every pp available to you. Don't use under what points they give you and use all the extra ones for exercise and everything. Otherwise you will be hungry and you'll be way undereating.
I lost all my weight there and used mfp then to maintain. Had a little holiday there so now i've 6lb to lose again lol.
Good luck and friend me if you like
Laura x0 -
Watching what you eat should have NOTHING to do with arbitrary "points." Weight Watchers teaches you some really good habits, and at first it's fun to play the "points" game, but in the long run, don't you want to be in control of watching what you eat? I tried Weight Watchers once, and it worked pretty well, but I think making a life long change involves being responsible for what you eat, having a real network of friends who support you.... not paying for a service every month. You're just throwing your money out the window. Use that extra money to buy yourself something extravagant and healthy to add to your pantry- dragon fruit, hazelnuts, quinoa, an expensive grass fed organic yogurt! Or take that money and try a zumba or yoga class. Take that extra money, and invest it in your body, rather than lining the pocket's of Weight Watchers CEO. How much money are they paying Jessica Simpson to lose her baby weight, and where does that money come from??? It comes from Weight Watchers members! Use your money for your SELF. If you want the support group, check Meetup.com and see if they have a healthful eating group in your area. Best of luck to you! I know you can do it!!!! xoxoxo- Kristy0
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Oh my gosh, Ray, I feel we might be twins. I have gone to WW many times and lost a sizable amount of pounds; until last fall. The leader was great, but too cheery for me ( I'm really not a stick in the mud; sometines I jst need someone to sit down with me for more than 5 minutes and answer questions fo me). Yes, I fell off the WW boat again, Lost 10 pounds (I need to lose at least 100, but am trying not to look at the big picture yet). Just like you said, that point system was just not computing; afte all, I'm 61 and you cann't teach an old dogs new tricks, right? Well, I'm not that bad, but I do hate change. I talked to my cousin in Texas who turned me onto this site so this is my first try at it, but I like what I've seen so far. You certainlly have to do what works for you, dear. Janie55garner0
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I'm finding it true that MFP (the winners here) teach a new lifestyle. I've also discovered losing fat for good is about building my body into a well, fueled machine that will no longer find it necessary to store fat.
I don't know of anyone that has lost weight fast and not gained it back. It takes work and I no longer believe any of the lies that come with all the fad diets out there. Take a look at my food diary. I eat like a horse and don't gain any weight. I have lost 12 lbs though. And you can see muscles poppin out of this 59 year old body.
Keep reading and look for the winners to follow. Many are in a group called Eat More to Weigh Less. Also check out this link: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12
Most of us arrive here on MFP thinking all I have to do is eat less and I will lose weight. Yes, you can do that, but do you want to be healthy and have permanent weight-loss or do you want to stay on that yoyo thing. I hope you go for the perm. I hope you kick butt and join the rest of us butt-kickers:)
Friend me if you like and I will encourage you and help all I can:flowerforyou: :drinker: :drinker: denise0 -
By using mfp and building a brilliant friends list on here, I have an amazing support group and a powerful weightloss programme all here... For free.0
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I am a lifetime WW member and it has worked for me in the past, but the last time I did it, I ended up gaining weight. I joined MFP and like counting calories rather than points. When they let you have unlimited fruits and vegetables, that didn't work for me. I started cutting down significantly on carbs and fruits during the week and the weight started coming off.0
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I just dropped WW and returned here two weeks ago. I had only lost 2.8 lbs in three months. I'm not blaming WW though. I just find points to be abstract whereas calories are an absolute and I found myself working the system to get the most calories for the fewest points. So far MFP is working, 2 lbs the first week and anticipating a loss when I WI Saturday.
this!
save your bucks! stay here. WW is a rip off and i speak from experience. I have learned WAY MORE about nutrition on here than I ever did at WW.0 -
I've done Weight Watchers twice. The first time was with the old Points system. I lost less than 20 pounds throughout the whole course, when I had over 100 to lose. The second time was with the new PointsPlus system, and after not losing anything in three weeks, I got really discouraged and gave up.
Both times I received the program free through work, but even not having to pay for it, still didn't make it work for me.0 -
I'm finding it true that MFP (the winners here) teach a new lifestyle. I've also discovered losing fat for good is about building my body into a well, fueled machine that will no longer find it necessary to store fat.
I don't know of anyone that has lost weight fast and not gained it back. It takes work and I no longer believe any of the lies that come with all the fad diets out there. Take a look at my food diary. I eat like a horse and don't gain any weight. I have lost 12 lbs though. And you can see muscles poppin out of this 59 year old body.
Keep reading and look for the winners to follow. Many are in a group called Eat More to Weigh Less. Also check out this link: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12
Most of us arrive here on MFP thinking all I have to do is eat less and I will lose weight. Yes, you can do that, but do you want to be healthy and have permanent weight-loss or do you want to stay on that yoyo thing. I hope you go for the perm. I hope you kick butt and join the rest of us butt-kickers:)
Friend me if you like and I will encourage you and help all I can:flowerforyou: :drinker: :drinker: denise
Really agree with this. I ldid lose about 45 lbs with weight watchers and kept it off 10 years (until I started having babies). However, I always found the weigh in humiliating, the meetings painfully boring, and the price ridiculous. I am doing better with In Place of a Road Map and MFP than I ever did with weight watchers.0 -
I can't count the number of times I went back to WW. But I consider it the healthiest program/support system available. When I finally went back the last time 7 years ago, it was with the attitude that (1) every previous attempt taught me something, (2) there was no failure, only process (a stumble is just a stumble - it's the long haul that matters) , (4) I will be satisfied with slow, steady progress, and (3) this has to be what I can live with for life. I've lost 70# over that period. This site gives me the added support and motivation I need and I get to share it with my daughters!0
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WW, MFP, Jenny Craig, or tbh any diet can work if and ONLY IF the person is willing to do it. As long as you put forth the effort all these diets are basically the same concept. Ive done WW and lost 50 lbs back in 2006. Thing is the second I stopped I gained the weight right back. Im fairly sure it was that week (my honeymoon lol). If you want it to work it will, if you dont give 100% well you get what you pay for then
http://freew67.blogspot.com/0 -
WW points are just a way to count calories. You get that here on MFP.
I do think the weigh in's @ WW provide a lot of motivation to stick with the plan. Along with support along the way. I think you get that here also.
Feel free to friend me if you want. Our goals are different I'm looking to lose my last 15-20 lbs so I can see my old 4 pack from high school.0 -
I've struggled with this decision recently, and concluded that for me that WW just doesn't suit me. While if followed it probably works, I have problems with it:
1. The weekly points allotment encourages the very behavior of binge eating that I'm trying to change, unless I divide the points equally into seven parts and simply up my daily points. I lose weight but very slowly.
2. I frankly don't like the "fruits and vegetables are 'free'" rule with the new program--everything you put into your mouth counts.
3. The find that the old system was simple; 50 calories = 1 point (roughly) and the new system is bizarre and unnecessarily complicated (40 calories = 1 point, but you get more points overall and fruits and veggies are free, but if your food has more fat and less fiber than add a point---what?). It makes eating out a nightmare insofar as estimation in uncertain situations.
4. Too expensive for what it is (although that won't affect you)
5. I like some of the information I get at meetings, but there's one part of the meeting during which unhealthy WW-branded food (full of trans-fat, artificial sweeteners, and Frankenstein flavorings) is pushed so hard that I feel like I'm at a time-share infomercial. Yuck.
I'm therefore super-thankful for MFP. Should you feel the need to pay for a service, MyFoodDiary.com is available, too, though I personally like MFP much better for its community.
Best of luck on your decision!0 -
I am doing both MFP and WW. I do both because I see the value in both programs. With WW I learned what and how to eat (portion control) and MFP provides an amazing way to track what I eat and log my activity in a way that makes sense to me. My PPV for the day is about 1800 calories, and I set my goal here for 1800 and day after day, I'm almost always hitting the PPV goal. Doing it this way, I can finally make sense of points - even though we're not 'supposed' to worry about calories.
I would suggest going back to WW if your troubles arise around knowing what and how much to eat, you want information (articles, success stories, etc.), or IRL support and friendship with people who are also losing weight. Since you've done the program before, I would suggest doing the weekly pay option for a few weeks, because with the monthly fee comes use of e-tools which, while I love WW, just don't measure up to what we have here. On the other hand, while I love all of my very supportive and loving friends here, I really appreciate the support and friendship of the men and women in my meetings. I have made some really good friends at WW.
Also, should you return, make sure that you are attending a meeting with a leader you like and who is personable and helpful. That makes a difference in how successful you will be, too.
Best wishes to you!0 -
I did WW for years and did really good however going to meetings was always a chore. The good health guidlines are still very good to stick with and really help a lot no matter what plan you are on. I still use WW cook books and recipies. Stick to what ever plan works for you and your life the best. Good Luck!0
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I hope this doesn't come across as rude, because that's not my intent!
If you've tried it 7 times and it hasn't worked, what are the odds it will work the 8th time? I think maybe you need a different program.
Same! I'm a 3 time WW repeater. If you put the effort into MFP it WILL work, it's free and as long as you stick within your calories/protein/fat/sodium/etc, you can eat anything! With WW, I always found myself looking for the magic low point food. With MFP, I think I'm much more conscious of eating nutritiously than eating to a point total.
The bottom line is any plan requires diligence and patience.0 -
I tried WW in February of 2010 and lost 26 lbs in 10 weeks! I loved it but I got bored with counting points. I'd rather track here for free and I love it! I think the WW program is wonderful, if it's something you can see doing for the rest of your life, for weightloss and maintaining!0
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Honestly, I have done WW before...several times....and lost weight every single time...and promptly gained it back plus some when I stopped counting points. I think its more important to work on a real lifestyle change and creating new habits. I think that is one of the biggest strengths of this website. Plus, by keeping my diary public, it helps to hold me accountable..which is something that I personally need. I think it works...but for me it failed long term because in my mind it was a diet...not a life change and I didn't sustain the weight loss.0
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WW, MFP, Jenny Craig, or tbh any diet can work if and ONLY IF the person is willing to do it. As long as you put forth the effort all these diets are basically the same concept. Ive done WW and lost 50 lbs back in 2006. Thing is the second I stopped I gained the weight right back. Im fairly sure it was that week (my honeymoon lol). If you want it to work it will, if you dont give 100% well you get what you pay for then
http://freew67.blogspot.com/
^
This0 -
I just mentioned this in my (first) blog! I have been doing WW on and off for the last 14-15 years, have seen the program change and improve. I have made lifetime, lost a good bit of weight, but in the end, I've lost my zing for it, and have only lost 12 lbs since the end of Dec. Of course, I have not been faithful, have gone back and forth with the points and Simply Filling program. Right now, I find the calorie count easier, and I know how I need to eat, am saving about $20 a month (doing online this time), and am excited because it is a whole new direction for me. Whatever you choose, best of luck to you! 0
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