Comparing MFP and WW

bwheeler78 · January 2013

Hi all. I've been an "expert" calorie counter for years but really only keeping track part time (like in spurts). Ever since I quit smoking three years ago, I haven't been able to get back down and stay at my ideal weight. I wondered why simply counting wasn't working. So I joined Weight Watchers this new year and have been religiously tracking my calories as well. I'm writing all about the two programs in my blog: http://chompmouth.blogspot.com/
I have lost 6.5 pounds since January 1! I can't believe what a difference that small amount has made so far. I'm wearing pants I haven't worn in two + years. I'd like to lose another ten. We'll see how it goes!.

Amberh82 · January 2013

I am doing WW too. It just seems to work better for me than just counting calories. Congrats on your weight loss.

AMS44067 · January 2013

I joined WW many years ago, and I really liked it.
I kept the weight off for many years, gained 10 back last year after major dental work, when I was basically not able to eat any real food for several months, so I turned to soups, yogurt and ice cream. What a mistake. Still thinking what I should have done instead.

I joined MFP on January 2nd. I now count calories, but since I still have all my WW papers and the points Plus calculator I keep track of points as well.

I think I like WW, because you can basically eat more than if you just count calories, although I try to eat lots of veggies and only lean meat.

I am still debating every day if I should join WW online or even go to the meetings again, but it is winter and I live in Ohio, and with this lake effect snow you never know if you can get out on a day when you are supposed to have your meeting. So I keep putting it off for now.

But WW definitely has its benefits.

BarackMeLikeAHurricane · January 2013

WW is good for people that have a fair amount to lose. MFP is better for those who are trying to lose those last few "vanity pounds" and get a bit leaner but it's also good for heavier people. The whole "free fruits and vegetables" thing would just cause me to gain weight.

driftlessmama · January 2013

I was on and off WW online for years. Frankly, I just got tired of paying for it. This is the same thing. Track your food and stay within a limit. If you have a lot to lose, just give yourself the freedom to not be so concerned about weighing the fruits and veggies.

Queen_JessieA · January 2013

I had done WWers for years...thru several different program changes. While I always lost with them, it never stayed off because, for seriously, who is going to calculate points on everything for the rest of their lives. Cals are quick. I am good with MFP...plus it is free

MouseTmom · January 2013

I did WW for about 6 months (had to stop when the hubby lost his job). It did work but I got so sick of the sales pitches to buy WW stuff. Yeah, the snack bars are good but they were a little pricey. Did not really need the SPECIAL WW measuring spoons and measuring cups! The worst was when they kept pushing me to get the WW food scale for about $40. MFP works for me!!!

MissTattoo · January 2013

I loved WW and I think it worked for me because I'm competitive and I was more excited that the lady who recorded my weight was happy about my loss than I was. And I got stickers and charms! lol I know, childish, but being at the meetings with real women who were struggling too was just awesome. I will always remember the woman who lost over 100 pounds crying on the floor when they announced it. And we all surrounded her with our tears and hugs.

I don't think I will ever get that from MFP

marqcutie80 · January 2013

I did WW online about a year and a half ago and lost 15lbs over a few months. Then my schedule got crazy, working full time, doing an internship 20 hours a week and attending 2 night classes to finish my Master's Degree. I didn't work out and my meals were hard to plan out so tracking became tedious. I gained all the weight back and then some.

Now that I finished school, I decided it's time to lose all the weight I wanted to. I started by exercising again and after that became a routine for me, I added in mindful/healthy eating. I've lost just under 10lbs since Christmas and decided to join MFP this month just to be able to track my intake without having to pay for WW or convert food into points (because that was getting annoying).

I also tended to feel guilty on WW if I went over my points goal for the day, but I like that on MFP it just simply tells you "if every day were like today..." I'm really happy with MFP so far and will never go back to WW again, but that's my personal preference. Best of luck to you on both!

bwheeler78 · January 2013

I hear what everyone is saying about how it's a drag that WW costs and that it gets tiresome calculating points but I think that's the point of it. It becomes a whole lot easier when you're NOT eating things that require point calculation. If you don't eat "food" from boxes, you get to enjoy so much MORE delicious food. I think that's why it works so well. I definitely think that's the reason it's been working so well for me the past four weeks. It took a week or so, but I finally saw that the program is trying to guide you to eating whole, real, fresh foods.

AMS44067 · January 2013

I believe for those who want the personal contact with other people, exchanging stories etc., WW is good, it is not only the weekly weigh in, it is like a self help group.
I personally am better and more focused if nobody gets in my way (in any way). I tried diets with my husband around, had to cook for him different food than for me, and then he always tried to convince me to eat something that I wasn't supposed to eat.
I am now living alone, and I can follow my plan without any distractions.

KBoddu · January 2013

Well, I was gaining weight on Weight Watchers. I literally gained 6 pounds from 12/30-1/2 of this year on the new points plus plan. They had me set at 49 daily points which after I calculated ended up being about 500+ calories higher than MFP allowed me daily. No wonder I was gaining weight! SO I started back on MFP 1/3 and as of today I am down 11.4 pounds for this month. I know WW works for a lot of people, but it wasn't cutting it for me. Glad I got started back on MFP though!

gottalose55 · January 2013

I lost 50 pounds on WW years ago on Flex Points and kept it off. I rejoined nurmerous times after having a child and was unsuccessful. I think the changes that were made recently put the program too much in the company's interest, and slowed weight loss down in the process. I think when the new CEO came along, the program was ruined.
I DO like that MFP has so much nutritional data on so many foods including restaurants. Also, the recipe builder. You always had to pay for this on WW.

Queen_JessieA · January 2013

I did WW for about 6 months (had to stop when the hubby lost his job). It did work but I got so sick of the sales pitches to buy WW stuff. Yeah, the snack bars are good but they were a little pricey. Did not really need the SPECIAL WW measuring spoons and measuring cups! The worst was when they kept pushing me to get the WW food scale for about $40. MFP works for me!!!

I have the long handled WW measuring cups that they used to have a few years ago. I LOVE them!! I dunno if those are the ones you are talking about, but it is just perfect for getting a cup of soup or a half cup of rice

ldbuster0 · January 2013

bump

jjmnet · January 2013

@ MissTattoo......How did you make that cool "ticker" of yourself?

Amazon_Who · January 2013

I was on and off WW online for years. Frankly, I just got tired of paying for it. This is the same thing. Track your food and stay within a limit. If you have a lot to lose, just give yourself the freedom to not be so concerned about weighing the fruits and veggies.

If you need RL support TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) is a non-profit group that is a lot cheaper.

RoadsterGirlie · January 2013

For those of you who say WW is only for people who have a lot to lose, it got me to a BMI of 18.4.

Granted, I was a very thin child and teenager, and my mom made sure I ate healthy growing up. It wasn't til i moved out of the house and ate fast food every day that I put on weight.

WW is absolutely perfect for me in so many ways. I never feel deprived, and enjoy my food so much more. I also love the weekly points, which you don't get with MFP.

AMS44067 · January 2013

Well, I was gaining weight on Weight Watchers. I literally gained 6 pounds from 12/30-1/2 of this year on the new points plus plan. They had me set at 49 daily points which after I calculated ended up being about 500+ calories higher than MFP allowed me daily. No wonder I was gaining weight! SO I started back on MFP 1/3 and as of today I am down 11.4 pounds for this month. I know WW works for a lot of people, but it wasn't cutting it for me. Glad I got started back on MFP though!

That is weird that they set up your points so high.
I have the Points Plus calculator, which estimates your points for you, and comes up with 29 for me, and I compare with MFP, and with my daily calories I usually also stay within my Points.
Are you sure they didn't make a mistake? It is possible, right?

bwheeler78 · January 2013

I only get 26 points and some days it doesn't feel like nearly enough. But those are mostly days that I have long runs. I really hate going over on my daily points so I don't do it very often. I really don't understand why WW gives so many free weekly points - 49 points is almost two extra days of food for me. Many days end where MFP is telling me that I'm not eating enough because of my calorie deficit from running but WW is saying, woah, let's slow down here! The opposite is true, as well. I think the two end up meeting in the middle. And I don't mind paying for WW; I think their website has a lot of great features that you don't get anywhere else.
But I like these forums better

leftyguitarplr · January 2013

I think the real question is does MFP or WW work for you? After trying both, my preference is MFP, and so far lost 11 lbs (something about counting all calories versus translating food to points makes more sense to me). But hey, if WW or WW and MFP works for you, more power to you

jesykalei · January 2013

I'm currently doing both WW and MFP and I think it is making me more successful than just counting calories. I do find that sometimes the two don't sync up where WW is saying I'm eating too much and MFP says not enough, but I am still losing. So far I like doing both and go to WW meetings +online. I have about 40 or so lbs to lose so doing both really keeps me accountable.

jesykalei · January 2013

Oh and I do like my WW group leader since she actually discourages buying WW food and encourages whole, fresh foods. I never feel pressured to buy anything at my meetings.

AMS44067 · January 2013

Oh and I do like my WW group leader since she actually discourages buying WW food and encourages whole, fresh foods. I never feel pressured to buy anything at my meetings.

You have a good WW leader!
I have never figured out why some of them work for WW, I guess some of them used WW at some point for themselves and ended up working there. But I had one, that did nothing but lecturing us in a way that really turned me off.
There was another one that I really liked, but she worked on a day when I couldn't go. I checked my location, she is still there, unfortuantely still on daus when I wouldn't be able to go.
But all together at my location they never pressured us to buy their products, and that is a good thing.
I buy these coffee cakes at WalMart, unfortunately nobody in my area has the chocolate muffins.

Comparing MFP and WW

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