Does weightwatchers really help?

I did it twice (after my first two children were born). I lost six lbs the first time and four the second time. I did everthing I was supposed to, tracked what I ate, etc. I went to meetings the first time. I was really disappointed that it did not work for me. I also couldn't stand the meetings. I was a lot younger than the people in my meetings and found I couldn't relate to them (or them me).

I know lots of people where it worked, but it is too expensive for me to try a third time to only lose six lbs. MFP seems very similar to WW so I will see if this will work for me instead.

Good luck!

I have done WW a few times over the years. I had considered joining again, but have decided against it. In the past I would still eat fast food because it was within my points range. I decided to make total lifestyle changes and focus on healthy cooking. I feel that MFP will help me achieve those goals better.

WW ready meals are great for their clearly labelled packaging, so you know how many calories you're eating and how the meal is balanced. They also tend to have a good calorie range of meals including some that are far lower than any other ready-meal range I've found, though the portions are small so I'll cook one along with a load of veg to fill it out (if I'm having a lazy day and want something that I don't have to think about). However, the support that you get at WW meetings is IMO no better than what's available on MFP forums, and you can also add supportive MFP friends for support on your home feed. (I really like the people that I've become friends with since starting MFP.)

WW works, so does MFP, both encourage you to change your eating habits long-term, though I think that MFP has a greater focus on exercise logging etc. If you like weigh-in meetings enough to pay for them, then WW might be for you, however I'd only consider it if I'd exhausted everything that MFP offers (for free) and found it lacking,

I do both. I started with MFP but after 4 months only lost 6 pounds but had regained that same 6 over and over during those 4 months. Joined WW and lost 6 pounds the first month plus a few more. I'm now down 60 lbs doing both WW and MFP. I like the support here better than on WW. You see more success stories here which I find very motivating. I track on WW plus MFP. I plan on staying with both till I hit my goal weight then just do MFP to maintain.

I do the very same thing. I joined WW in March. I had not been tracking WW for the past 6 months or so, just MFP. Through a lot of family stress at the same time, I've been losing/re-gaining the same 2-3 lbs since August. However, after talking to WW councilor & my trainer on Monday, I'm tracking both this week, concentrating more on WW. Hoping this will break that cycle & I move forward.

I forgot to add that the reason I choose not to sign up again this time is because a lot of the foods that I'm eating are mostly zero or very low point foods since I'm going more veggie. It just didn't seem like it would work well for me.

Yes, WW is awesomell! Hopefully you've found that out by now If you are not willing to make a lifestyle change, NO PROGRAM will work if you are not willing to do the WORK. Plain and simple. I like WW because it helps you you understand portion control and educates you on the foods that are healthiest and the foods that you want to eat only occasionally. I LOVE how it rewards you when you do activity also! When people say it doesn't work because they gained the weight back or because or other reasons , that is because they were not ready to make a change toward healthy living. Losing weight, for me, and keeping the weight off, is one of the hardest things I continue to do but the benefits outweigh (no pun intended) the other. Good luck with whatever you decide!