weight watchers v calorie counting

Hi.

I did weight watchers online about 8 years ago, and though it worked for me, I find it does basically the same thing as myfitnesspal (sets your points/calorie goals, log your diet and excercise, weigh in, weight loss tracker, message boards, etc). Except they charge you for the service. So on that basis, I would go over to MFP. The other benefit is that you are using calories rather than points, which is easier to work with when you are out and about.

I haven't done WW but I did Slimming World and lost 3.5stone. But I started to feel accountable to THEM for losing weight and not to me. I now feel like I've taken control of my weight and my eating habits and I've stopped feeling guilty if I want to sometimes have a treat (and don't even mind logging it!).

I'd say ditch the WW and stay with MFP, get lots of great friends to support you and save the money you'd have spent on WW in a pot to spend when you get to your goal (or part way) on new clothes or other lovely (non food) treat!

Good luck!

I did WW a couple of years ago and I loved it. I lost over 20 pounds, got my goal weight and maintained as long as I had my online membership. It really taught me how to eat and I use those skills now on MFP. The reason I'm not on it now is simply because its not free like this is. I think I'm pretty much resigned to the fact that I will always need structure and accountability to maintain my weight.

This exactly. And I've had three children since I became a lifetime weight watchers member. Feel free to add me, I believe my food diary is open.

I have done Weight Watchers.

The basics of WW is no different to MFP, you just count points rather than calories. If you can do WW, you can do MFP.

MFP is free. WW is not.

WW encourage you to buy processed, expensive, chemical riddled food in portion sizes big enough for a small child. MFP teaches you how to eat healthily without the need for microwave meals.

MFP teaches you about macros, healthy amounts of protein, fats, carbs, and sodium levels. WW simply concentrates on points.

Switch to MFP. You won't regret it.

I disagree with this. I didn't feel encouraged to buy anything processed, and if you dig a little deeper you can see that if you ate healthier ie more protein and fiber, the points system accounted for it and you would be able to eat more volume. MFP could just be a calorie counter too if you don't dig a bit deeper and look at your macros, etc. I think WW does a better job of encouraging you to eat healthier. I know they've changed the point system bit, so I'm not sure how it works now. I'm very glad I used WW first, because now I'm more conscious of things like protein, carbs, nutrients, etc. and I'm not just counting calories.

I have done Weight Watchers.

The basics of WW is no different to MFP, you just count points rather than calories. If you can do WW, you can do MFP.

MFP is free. WW is not.

WW encourage you to buy processed, expensive, chemical riddled food in portion sizes big enough for a small child. MFP teaches you how to eat healthily without the need for microwave meals.

MFP teaches you about macros, healthy amounts of protein, fats, carbs, and sodium levels. WW simply concentrates on points.

Switch to MFP. You won't regret it.

I disagree with this. I didn't feel encouraged to buy anything processed, and if you dig a little deeper you can see that if you ate healthier ie more protein and fiber, the points system accounted for it and you would be able to eat more volume. MFP could just be a calorie counter too if you don't dig a bit deeper and look at your macros, etc. I think WW does a better job of encouraging you to eat healthier. I know they've changed the point system bit, so I'm not sure how it works now. I'm very glad I used WW first, because now I'm more conscious of things like protein, carbs, nutrients, etc. and I'm not just counting calories.

Obviously there are exceptions to the rule, but I do think they encourage you. Whether or not you succumb to it is down to the person.

There was in fact a programme on about WW the other day, and out of everyone they interviewed they ALL said given the choice they would choose the WW product over a normal product, because it was convenient. This doesn't mean everyone would do this, just the majority. However when they looked at the ingredients of most of WW meals they were full of absolute rubbish.

As for the macros, that's the trouble, most people don't dig any deeper. I've been to a few WW meetings and in not one of them did they tell you about the importance of eating fats and protein to keep you full. In fact in one I was even told not to eat back my points gained from exercise and it would 'help me lose more quickly.'

I don't agree with any 'diet', that is however just my opinion.

I personally have not done weight watcher. I've done many diets though and taken diet pills. What has been the easiest for me so far is counting calories. I'm more aware of what I 'm eating when I'm tracking my meals. It hasn't been too difficult to stick to a 1200 calorie diet. I really didn't thinking counting calories would work as well as it has for me. I also exercise 6 days a week nothing extreme just walking and jogging and zumba. I suggest do whatever WORKS FOR YOU!!!!....Every body type is different what works for me might not for you, but I honestly feel if you just track your calories exercise and eat healthier you will be amazed at the results. And remember losing weight can be a slow process dont give up!

I have done WW online and only lost a couple pounds.. this program for me is so much better..no worry about converting points or anything..

I have done Weight Watchers.

The basics of WW is no different to MFP, you just count points rather than calories. If you can do WW, you can do MFP.

MFP is free. WW is not.

WW encourage you to buy processed, expensive, chemical riddled food in portion sizes big enough for a small child. MFP teaches you how to eat healthily without the need for microwave meals.

MFP teaches you about macros, healthy amounts of protein, fats, carbs, and sodium levels. WW simply concentrates on points.

Switch to MFP. You won't regret it.

I completely, 100 % disagree with this.

The Weight Watchers program does not encourage you whatsoever to buy their products. I did WW 10 years ago and I am doing it again for the last year and they have never once encourage me or even said one word to me about buying any of their products.
They are a business, so yes, they have their own products for sale - but they don't encourage you to buy them - that is 100% up to the customer. I have never purchased their frozen meals or anything else unless I WANTED to (and that has been VERY rarely).

Yes, they do charge to be a member - BUT I don't see anything wrong with that -because there are many people who do better with a weight loss program/routine, when they can physically go to a meeting, get weighed in by someone else, and have in person support.

While MFP offers "support" from the community on the message board - it is strictly online - and although free - may not be the right tool for everyone.

I have been extremely successful with weight watchers and if you understand how to work the program, it 100% works.
I lost 70 lbs the first time, and this time I've already lost another 38 lbs in 11 months. IT WORKS.

That being said, I joined MFP last year as a place to log all of my food. Since I had become a WW lifetime member years ago and knew the program VERY well, I decided to do it on my own this time - so I am following the points system but I don't attend the meetings or pay anything to them.

Also, there is a very useful tool that can be used in conjuction with the MFP food diary, so you can actually see your points in the diary - this eliminates the need for paying for a WW e-tools membership.

See this post for instructions on using the WW points tool: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/822197-how-to-track-weight-watchers-points-on-mfp

With all that being said, if you've learned the WW system well enough and now how to count your points, but you don't want to pay for it anymore - and you don't feel the need to have them weigh you, then I suggest counting your points and logging them on MFP using the above tool.

Weight Watchers does teach you how to eat properly if you understand how it works and how to follow it.
It is not about eating their foods, or buying their products or only allowing you to eat certain foods, like other programs like Nutrisystem or the Atkins diet. It teaches you how to eat properly - for the rest of your life. It is not just a "diet".

I've done WW several times and ended up cancelling every time because I couldn't afford to pay $15.00 per week. I've been doing MFP for over 6 months now and found it to be very effective. I've met lots of people (online) and found them very supportive. Even better, you can search for friends within your perimeters (age, gender, location, goal, etc). I don't think you can do that with WW. I log my food all throughout the day, not at the end of the day. I mostly use the mobile app but I like to login from a desktop too and read or post in the message boards for additional support. I would not hesitate to cancel your WW membership. Best of luck