weight watchers

shortie563
shortie563 Posts: 11
in Health and Weight Loss
I'm planning on starting weight watchers next week, has anyone ever had any success on this or is it a waste of money?

Replies

  • sassy_sadie
    sassy_sadie Posts: 36 Member
    I did it in 2008 and was quite successful, losing 50 lb. Then I got complacent. Learn from my mistake. Don't get complacent.

    I find counting calories a lot easier than points (easier to understand), which is why I'm now on MFP. PLus, it's free. WW is expensive.
  • coburngirl
    coburngirl Posts: 69 Member
    I did it a few years ago and lost weight and have kept it off. Due to health issues the weight is slowly coming back on and I just joined up again last week for the online program. I really like the plan and it works for me. Its all about portion control and moving your body more than anything else. I still eat pizza and ice cream but when I see my points going away quickly it makes me want to only have 1 slice of pizza and then something else. I paid $54 for 3 months. Feel free to add me on MFP as I'm still recording everything on here also. Good luck and I hope you find what you are looking for !!:smile:
  • ericalyn73
    ericalyn73 Posts: 79
    WW is just another way to track your intake and it costs money. Personally, I prefer MFP. It's free and simple to use.
  • concordancia
    concordancia Posts: 5,320 Member
    WW meetings;
    - a complicated system for limiting your calories and encouraging healthy choices
    - an official weigh, usually on a scale similar to your bathroom scale
    - meetings themselves vary according to the leader. Some are Nutrition Nazis, others lead an hour long brainstorm of how to fit more junk food into your points, most are somewhere in between and include a weekly debriefing (you could also get this for free at Overeaters Anonymous)
    - an impetus to keep it up because you are paying for it

    WW online:
    - a complicated system for limiting your calories and encouraging healthy choices
    - articles regarding nutrition and fitness
    - discussion forums
    - an impetus to keep it up because you are paying for it.

    MFP:
    - a simple system for limiting your calories, and tracking your nutrition goals
    - discussion forums
    - money in your wallet to by new cross trainers every three months or pay the gym membership
  • tekwriter
    tekwriter Posts: 923 Member
    I lost 44 pounds on WW and put some on last year. I will never waste money on WW after finding MFP. The support here is superior to that at WW and a whole lot cheaper.
  • PurpleTina
    PurpleTina Posts: 390 Member
    I have previously done WW with good results, but because it's not 'counting calories', I didn't really get to understand a healthier new way of eating for post-WW; once I had stopped going, and without the 'points to track' I sort of lost my way. MFP helps me to see far more clearly how my food choices sit, in terms of protein, carbs, fat etc. and IMHO is far more sustainable long term. That said, a lot of the recipes that we use in our house for cooking are WW recipes, which tend to be 'real' food, but cooked in a healthy way and with sensible portion sizes. Get a couple of magazines for ideas, and stick with MFP for a bit and see how you do perhaps?
  • lasmit4477
    lasmit4477 Posts: 308 Member
    One benefit for individuals are the weekly meetings and weigh-ins provided by WW. It is a support system that you pay for. However it is a way for people to stay accountable and seek support. Do what works for you and what you think you will be able to stick to, whether it is counting points or calories.

    Good luck!
  • coburngirl
    coburngirl Posts: 69 Member
    WW meetings;
    - a complicated system for limiting your calories and encouraging healthy choices
    - an official weigh, usually on a scale similar to your bathroom scale
    - meetings themselves vary according to the leader. Some are Nutrition Nazis, others lead an hour long brainstorm of how to fit more junk food into your points, most are somewhere in between and include a weekly debriefing (you could also get this for free at Overeaters Anonymous)
    - an impetus to keep it up because you are paying for it

    WW online:
    - a complicated system for limiting your calories and encouraging healthy choices
    - articles regarding nutrition and fitness
    - discussion forums
    - an impetus to keep it up because you are paying for it.

    MFP:
    - a simple system for limiting your calories, and tracking your nutrition goals
    - discussion forums
    - money in your wallet to by new cross trainers every three months or pay the gym membership
    I went to a couple WW meetings a few years ago and wanted to bang my head into a wall after 1 lady asked if she got less calories out of an apple if she cut it into fours and another lady wanted to know if she would lose weight if she kept her cereal in a ziplock bag. Drove me NUTS. I log in on both WW and MFP. Only lost 4 lbs in 6 months on MFP and 2 in a week on WW. For me and my body the too low calories on MFP dont work, but the ease of use, message boards and everything else MFP has to offer I agree is far better than anything else I have found
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    WW meetings;
    - a complicated system for limiting your calories and encouraging healthy choices
    - an official weigh, usually on a scale similar to your bathroom scale
    - meetings themselves vary according to the leader. Some are Nutrition Nazis, others lead an hour long brainstorm of how to fit more junk food into your points, most are somewhere in between and include a weekly debriefing (you could also get this for free at Overeaters Anonymous)
    - an impetus to keep it up because you are paying for it

    WW online:
    - a complicated system for limiting your calories and encouraging healthy choices
    - articles regarding nutrition and fitness
    - discussion forums
    - an impetus to keep it up because you are paying for it.

    MFP:
    - a simple system for limiting your calories, and tracking your nutrition goals
    - discussion forums
    - money in your wallet to by new cross trainers every three months or pay the gym membership

    ^This. Educate yourself. It is the best thing to do. And you have access to that information for free..through MFP, the community and the internet in general.
  • purple_tux1
    purple_tux1 Posts: 250 Member
    For me it was a waste of time and money. I was starving all the time and the points system was way too much work. I prefer MFP+low carb. I *hated* the weekly weigh-in. I didn't like that it was mandatory. I never seemed to be losing fast enough for those ladies. 1 week I actually gained weight. The lady didn't say anything, but she probably thought I was stuffing my face with chips all week, even though I'd been trying really hard. I also hated listening to the leader speak. I had expected it to be more of a support group were we learn from other people, but she just stood there and talked. She had a horrible voice like fingernails on a chalk board. I was awful glad to be out of there.

    However, you're not me. Many people have had success with WW. I would say try it and see if it works for you. :smile:
  • jen81uk
    jen81uk Posts: 177 Member
    I preferred slimming world when I tried it yrs ago, lost a few stones in 3 months. Couldn't get my head round the points thing at WW and didn't like the idea of eating what you want within the points. I think slimming world teaches you better diet choices.
  • millabird
    millabird Posts: 5 Member
    I have been attending Weight Watchers meetings since last fall. I have found it very helpful, HOWEVER, I don't use the WW point system. Instead, I use MFP and track meaningful numbers, just like everyone else here. What I find is that the WW weigh-in and the meeting keep me on track and motivated. The weigh-in is the accountability factor-- I know that someone is watching and monitoring my progress (or lack thereof). The meeting works for me because of the tribe mentality (we are all fighting the same battle). I attend a meeting at work, so I have co-worker participation and support all day at work.

    But let me repeat: I don't use the WW point system. I don't want all these meaningful numbers (like calories, carbs, protein, sodium) hidden from me, and I don't need things dumbed down. I don't need Big Brother adding penalty points to "bad" foods and alcohol. So, I do like Weight Watchers, but not the point system. You can joint Weight Watchers and still use MFP!

    I think it is worth the money, but I get a $150 weight loss program reimbursement annually through my health insurance. Many insurers have this type of reimbursement, so you should check it out.

    I have lost a significant amount of weight since I started last fall, so the combination of WW and MFP is working for me.
  • s50s
    s50s Posts: 138 Member
    Did them both, but this is cheaper, and you always can get help here just ask.
  • HeiWol87
    HeiWol87 Posts: 15
    HI,
    I did WW for about 6 months, I lost about 10lb in that time. I was doing MFP for about the same amount of time prior and lost 24lb. i stopped losing so I thought I'd give WW a try to mix things up a bit. It was £22 a month, but i did find the meetings really helpful to meet like minded people and actually having someone weigh me every week helped to keep me motivated and accountable.

    However, the points system can be difficult to follow if you dont have a PP calculator or the app to hand. I would find something in the supermarket or at a restaurant , think it only had x amount of cals but then I would work out the PP when i had the calculator and realise it would have nearly my whole allowance!! there is no way of guessing how many PP are in foods which can make it hard to make the right choices. I often would avoid foods I would have thought were good for me such as chicken, fish, beans and lentils due to the high PP value instead opting for a WW processed pizza etc as the points were lower.

    The other issue i found was that fruit and veg are zero PP so can eat as much as you like. Some days I would be eating 1600 cals, be stuffed and have PP left but others I would hardly have 1000 and still be starving hungry.

    There are pros and cons to both systems, but personally i find MFP is cheaper and simpler to understand and i personally have had better and faster results through MFP

    Hope i was of some help!
  • T1mH
    T1mH Posts: 568 Member
    For me and my body the too low calories on MFP dont work, but the ease of use, message boards and everything else MFP has to offer I agree is far better than anything else I have found
    You realize you can change your daily goal to anything you want, right? You don't have to accept the calculattions that MFP makes for you. You can change it to whatever you want.
  • coburngirl
    coburngirl Posts: 69 Member
    For me and my body the too low calories on MFP dont work, but the ease of use, message boards and everything else MFP has to offer I agree is far better than anything else I have found
    You realize you can change your daily goal to anything you want, right? You don't have to accept the calculattions that MFP makes for you. You can change it to whatever you want.
    Yup I do, and congrats on your weight loss. 35 lbs is awesome! Like we've all said before everyone has to find what works for them. Im recovering from cancer, surgery and treatment and drs. told me to not even worry about trying to lose weight for a while because I'm without a thyroid and my body needs are ever changing, however I refuse to give up and stop trying so I'm ok with checking out different things that keep me motivated and successful, even if it requires math which I totally suck at :bigsmile:
  • savingsunday
    savingsunday Posts: 148 Member
    I definitely had success with WW. I liked the accountability and the weekly meeting. However, it does get expensive. I tried it online to save money and didn't have nearly as much success as when I attended meetings. We had a good leader though. She often stressed making better choices but there are leaders out there who just talk about how to still eat bad for few points. Honestly, I like MFP much better. I still have the support system through the message boards and friends. I think it teaches you better food choices than weight watchers does. And you do have to watch the fruits and veggies 0 points thing. I personally had no issue but a friend of mine found she had to track hers or else she would end up gaining.

    You have to find what works for you. I always thought WW was easy to track as far as the points but calories are just as easy to track and much more beneficial in the long run.

    Good luck in your weight loss journey!
  • sissy56
    sissy56 Posts: 108 Member
    I had success with Weight Watchers and even worked for them for a short time. But, it's easy to make unhealthy choices and still stay within point limits. I ate a toaster pastry every morning for breakfast on Weight Watchers. Now I have oatmeal and fruit.
  • c_faulkenburg
    c_faulkenburg Posts: 158 Member
    I lost 35 pounds a few years ago on weight watchers. I think that the program is great, and I learned a lot about managing my healthy choices. However, times have changed and I can't afford weight watchers at this time. So I'm taking what I learned, and a few other things too, and I'm applying it to my weight loss here by using MFP. I've lost 10 pounds so far. Lots of things work for weight loss. It's important to find what works for you. I highly doubt that I would have been so successful now if I had not done weight watchers then. But maybe.
  • RoadsterGirlie
    RoadsterGirlie Posts: 1,195 Member
    I lost all 90 lbs with WW Points Plus Online. I like counting points. I tried to switch to MFP because it's free but found I like counting points better. I didn't want to risk derailing myself, so I didn't switch.

    I couldn't stand going to meetings though, and listening to people whine and complain. Meetings are not for me.
  • cappri
    cappri Posts: 1,089 Member
    WW and MFP are basically the same thing, calories(points) in vs calories burnt during the day. Just like everything else they only work if you hold yourself accountable. I've been doing WW for almost a year, and have found the online community very supportive. I've only recently begun attending meetings and I find them mostly annoying. I use MFP as my back up tracking system, one because I wanted to track my sodium, and two I wanted to see how much I was eating calorie wise. Plus I like tracking so doubling up on it is sort of fun for me.
  • MJH2
    MJH2 Posts: 55 Member
    I had success several years ago, loosing 70lbs with them using their old Core Plan. The new Points Plus is supposed to be the old Core but I tried that using the online version and it did not seem to work for me. The most important thing for me was that I was not alone and I had others to encourage me. It seems MFP does the same thing and is much cheaper. Good Luck!
  • RoadsterGirlie
    RoadsterGirlie Posts: 1,195 Member
    Not sure I understand what several people have stated regarding how easy it is to make bad choices and stay within your points. I don't find this to be true at all.

    There's much more to the plan than just staying within your daily point limit.

    If you are getting in ALL OF the Good Health Guidelines (5 to 6 fruits and veggies a day, 2 dairy, 2 lean protein, healthy oil, 8 glasses of water a day and a multivitamin), that doesn't leave room for anything but a very small dessert if you stay within your daily points, if you are set to lose weight on 26/29 points a day.

    26 points a day plus the free fruit and veggies is about 1200 calories a day, give or take. Doesn't leave much room for error.
  • coburngirl
    coburngirl Posts: 69 Member
    Not sure I understand what several people have stated regarding how easy it is to make bad choices and stay within your points. I don't find this to be true at all.

    There's much more to the plan than just staying within your daily point limit.

    If you are getting in ALL OF the Good Health Guidelines (5 to 6 fruits and veggies a day, 2 dairy, 2 lean protein, healthy oil, 8 glasses of water a day and a multivitamin), that doesn't leave room for anything but a very small dessert if you stay within your daily points, if you are set to lose weight on 26/29 points a day.

    26 points a day plus the free fruit and veggies is about 1200 calories a day, give or take. Doesn't leave much room for error.
    Exactly. I could have a doughnut for a meal but would be very hungry before the next meal came along :) I've been wanting to look over the power foods a little bit more. I like that you dont really have to track on that plan.
  • carmelasergi
    carmelasergi Posts: 163 Member
    I have been attending Weight Watchers meetings since last fall. I have found it very helpful, HOWEVER, I don't use the WW point system. Instead, I use MFP and track meaningful numbers, just like everyone else here. What I find is that the WW weigh-in and the meeting keep me on track and motivated. The weigh-in is the accountability factor-- I know that someone is watching and monitoring my progress (or lack thereof). The meeting works for me because of the tribe mentality (we are all fighting the same battle). I attend a meeting at work, so I have co-worker participation and support all day at work.

    But let me repeat: I don't use the WW point system. I don't want all these meaningful numbers (like calories, carbs, protein, sodium) hidden from me, and I don't need things dumbed down. I don't need Big Brother adding penalty points to "bad" foods and alcohol. So, I do like Weight Watchers, but not the point system. You can joint Weight Watchers and still use MFP!

    I think it is worth the money, but I get a $150 weight loss program reimbursement annually through my health insurance. Many insurers have this type of reimbursement, so you should check it out.

    I have lost a significant amount of weight since I started last fall, so the combination of WW and MFP is working for me.


    Thanks for your input about MFP & WW. My sister joined WW and although I didn't join, I started logging down what I ate and stayed within my daily allowed points of 28, but I also wanted to be more aware of how many calories I was eating and to also monitor through MFP how many carbs, proteins, sodium & sugar I was consuming. I agree with you, save the money and use MFP to log your food & exercise. Good luck on your weight loss journey! :)

Categories