What do you guys think about Weight Watchers?

I think it's a good program but u can basically do all the same things on here for free.

It was a waste of money for me. Anything I could do with weight watchers I do here for free.

I've done WW in the past, and have longer more continued success logging on MFP. The thing I think that makes WW the hardest is converting everything to points, when its so much easier to count calories. However, the meetings were fantastic for gaining knowledge on nutrition, the encouragement received, and the motivation of weighing in every week in front of someone else is beneficial. For $7 a month, it would be worth it for the meetings/classes alone, if you are into that kind of thing.

I think that anything that isn't sustainable for a lifetime is probably not worth the expense or effort for most people. Your time would be better spent learning how to eat in the real world vs. learning to eat by some sort of arbitrary "system".

At first it was fun, but by 3 months in I was sick and tired of calculating points. It's not exactly like counting calories. Here, 100 calories of greek yogurt = 100 calories of cheesecake, but they'd work out quite different in WW points. I liked that aspect because I do not believe that all calories are created equal.

I combine the best parts of WW and MFP---I don't count "points" but just calories as per MFP. I don't use WW online because it is not as easy as MFP and their database is smaller. I use WW for "accountability". I go in faithfully every week to weigh, but don't attend the meetings. Just the fact that someone actually sees my weight loss (or lack thereof) makes me be careful all week. I actually reached my ultimate goal about 3 or 4 months ago and now go in weekly to weigh just to be accountable to someone and (so far) it has really helped me avoid the temptations that have always led to gaining the weight back. I would surely take advantage of $7.00/month!!! Great deal!

I lost weight on WW and worked for them --- IMO, don't. Just don't. They are overly focused on the BMI, with very little focus on providing facts and accurate acknowledge about nutrition.

Their focus is to make money (ie keep you from your goals because then it's free). Use a free site and don't fool yourself into thinking fruit doesn't have calories.

A lot of people have had great success with it. That being said, I only lost about a pound total after three months on the program. It works for some people, does not work for others.

As a lifetime member of WW, I have nothing negative to say about it. I haven't attended a meeting in 20 years though.

I do however tell people all the time that the program one chooses is not as important as whether they are ready to make a lifetime change. That undescribable "click" has to occur in one's psyche before any significant changes in life can be made.

Good luck with whatever path you choose.

My mom did WW years ago and lost a ton of weight...which was good, but it never really taught her a whole lot about proper nutrition or true calories in/out because it was all just points. It worked for her actual, initial weight loss, but left her in no mans land when it came to maintenance and especially when it came to fueling her new love of fitness.

She's been calorie counting and macro counting now for about 8 years and has benefited greatly from that as she has learned what her body actually needs fuel wise, particularly as she's turned into quite the gym rat over the last decade or so. She's almost unrecognizable from the mom I knew growing up...she's now a triathlete and she's also big time in the weight room @ 60 years old.

My personal opinion is that weight watchers is just a different form of counting...instead of actual calories, you're counting points. I don't really see the appeal when you can count calories for free. I guess the one benefit would be going to the meetings, etc if you're into that kind of thing.

I lost weight on WW and worked for them --- IMO, don't. Just don't. They are overly focused on the BMI, with very little focus on providing facts and accurate acknowledge about nutrition.

Their focus is to make money (ie keep you from your goals because then it's free). Use a free site and don't fool yourself into thinking fruit doesn't have calories.

I KNOW RIGHT!
I remember one of our leaders saying she had 3 bananas that day, I was like "Ummm that's like 300 calories??? How the hell does this equate to 0 points?"

I thought the expense was NOT worth it for me when I could do basically the same thing and get support through MFP......Another less expensive option is TOPS....take of pounds sensibly....weekly weigh ins, support group and cost is minimal. 34 for a year and 50 cents a week. I guess it all boils down to what you want to get out of joining the group? The accountability, the support, the program........there is pros and cons to everything. Make a list and decide if it is worth the expense. To me with many children and not a lot of money it is not, but to others it is. Best of Luck!

I find Weight Watchers & all related things to just be terrible. While it may help lose weight, it's a calorie restriction diet which essentially depletes your muscle mass & that's why you experience a weight loss. If you do it for long enough, you'll also reach a plateau. They simply aren't effective in the long term - you get a large spike of weight loss followed by a plateau & slowly gaining it back (sometimes plus interest).
It's the same with if you ever stop doing Weight Watchers.

If you really feel the need/want to do it, then go ahead. But just know that it isn't really the healthiest way to lose weight, despite the way they market it. It's also interesting to note that all these companies - Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig etc - are owned by a larger company and often they are the companies who produce chocolate bars & other high calorie, not-so-good-for-you products.

TL;DR - I guess what I'm trying to say is it presents a false sense of healthiness. If that makes sense.

I've belonged to Weight Watchers several times since the 1970s and each time I learned more about eating right and lost weight that stayed off for several years. I'd recommend Weight Watchers to anyone starting out who doesn't know much about healthy eating and portion control. Yes, everything you do with Weight Watchers you can do here but the going through a set of weekly meetings (you'll know when they start getting repetitive) you will learn a great deal.

The Weight Watchers points systems rewards eating healthy food and reminds you that you have to pay for unhealthy, weight-gain-inducing foods. So, for example, you might be able to eat unlimited amounts of green beans for zero or very few points, but eat bread, French fries, etc., and the points will add up fast.

So, I'm not going to Weight Watchers now because I don't need it but I wouldn't have missed those times I did it for anything. It really taught me the basics.

I've done Weight watchers (I reached goal and lifetime status) and Medifast (baby vomit). Weight Watchers is expensive over time and you get dependent on the system. When I found MFP It was like a whole new world to me. And I had that WW motivation ON MY PHONE!! I can't post a status like "OMG Work making me go out to mexican for lunch! What can I eat" And my friends give me advice before we hit the restaurant. It's a built in support system!

I also found the WW website & mobile apps (I havent used them in about a year) very clunky and most food wasn't in there. MFP works much better and it's FREE!!!

Im my eyes, WW is a waste of money. It's the same thing as MFP but with smaller numbers.