Struggling with the weight watchers mentality
lexingtn7
Posts: 4
I've done WW many times and have always had success. One of the most helpful changes that WW made was making most fruits and all veggies 0 pp. Now that I'm trying to count calories, without joining WW, I'm having a hard time with the adjustment to counting fruits in my daily calorie counts. Has anyone used MFP, not counted their fruits/veggies and lost weight? I'm struggling with the adjustment.
Thanks!
Thanks!
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Replies
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Some people from WW, still track points. Not sure if this would help you, but check out this thread:
https://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/822101-is-there-a-way-to-track-ww-points?hl=tracking+WW+points&page=2#posts-139745270 -
I struggle with the idea of WW giving fruits and veggies 0 points. They have calories. It's a fact.0
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I think the new WW program not counting the "points" in fruits works wonderfully for people who have a significant amount of weight to lose. I've seen people at my meetings lose 30 to 50 lbs on the new "zero point" fruit/veggie program.
But, if someone has fewer than 20 lbs to lose...those people (like me) really struggle and stall.
I do WW and MFP. WW because it "rewards" healthier eating (basically so long as you keep within a certain caloric level you can manipulate MFP so that you can live on 1200 calories a day of Twinkies and Fritos.) and MFP because with only 15 lbs to lose, WW's new program was just too nonrestrictive forrme.
I am one of those people who can eat 4 lbs of grapes...!0 -
I struggle with the idea of WW giving fruits and veggies 0 points. They have calories. It's a fact.
Me too. SO many of my calories come from veggies.0 -
I struggle with the idea of WW giving fruits and veggies 0 points. They have calories. It's a fact.
Me too. SO many of my calories come from veggies.
fruits make up a few hundred of my cals daily!0 -
Hi there. I always go back to the old pros and cons. What are the pros and cons in WW system. What are the pros and cons MFP has to offer.
Also, can't you do both? Just because they are different doesn't mean you couldn't utilize them both. You have a certain limit of calories on MFP. And on WW you have points. If you meet both of those it's like hitting two homeruns in one game.
One thing I do like about MFP is that you can track your exersize. I think once you get used to MFP you will really enjoy it.0 -
I've done WW over the years and finally reached my "goal" (very tip top of my height range) in 2005. Due to an Achilles' tendon injury a year or so later, I was unable to exercise/walk for two years and gained a significant amount of weight back. Long story short, I returned to WW, began losing weight, then discovered MFP a few months ago. I struggled with the same issue as you. I tried to reconcile the two programs, found I couldn't, and decided to count calories and stick with MFP. I immediately began losing more weight, upped my exercise, and finally found the right formula. I do go to WW once a month (for free because I am a Lifetime Member and have been within my goal weight). At this point I am 13 lbs below my WW "goal" weight and feel terrific. I like WW and do believe the "no counting" of fruits and veggies is good because it gives you the feeling that if you are hungry you can eat a healthy snack instead of a crappy one. But, as others have said, there are calories in these foods -- and I can easily eat two bananas an a couple of oranges a day -- but that would put me outside my MFP guidelines. Happy to be your friend in MFP if you want to send me a request. I keep an open diary.0
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I have to say I've been to weight watchers most of my life, and I truly believe they've made me paranoid over food, and counting calories. Then I started losing weight this time all on my own, I didn't count 1 calorie. I knew what what fattening, and what was healthy, I just had to concentrate on the volume, to my activity in the day. I bought myself a tiny bowel, and a side plate, and that's what I ate off, and it works.
Now that I've lost nearly 14 stones (336 pounds) in weight the last stone (14 pounds) is the only time I've had to be more precis with my food, hence joining this site to count for me during the last stone.0 -
I have to say I've been to weight watchers most of my life, and I truly believe they've made me paranoid over food, and counting calories. Then I started losing weight this time all on my own, I didn't count 1 calorie. I knew what what fattening, and what was healthy, I just had to concentrate on the volume, to my activity in the day. I bought myself a tiny bowel, and a side plate, and that's what I ate off, and it works.
Now that I've lost nearly 14 stones (336 pounds) in weight the last stone (14 pounds) is the only time I've had to be more precis with my food, hence joining this site to count for me during the last stone.
you have done beyond amazing0 -
Weightwatchers certainly works at making people think about what they are eating but I had to stop going as I couldn't believe how paranoid it made everyone. Mature women standing in line to be weighed, removing every bit of excess clothing (even underwear on one occasion) every bit of jewellery and going for a wee every two minutes, just to lost half a pound. Its not healthy. Then the 'leader' told us the story of how she and her family went to a nearby Wagamammas (upmarket burger bar) as a treat for the kids. While looking at the menu she saw they portions on a nearby table and she made them leave because she couldn't only eat half a burger!! That is NOT a healthy attitude to eating/food/life and even though she had lost weight it was still controlling her!0
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My mother in law and sister in law have been doing Slimming World, which is very similar to WW. One of my male friends also did it, and the thing I really cannot stand hearing is "it's free".
Their mentality (especially my mother in law's) is to eat as much as possible of free foods, whether they want it or not. Personally, I might like fruit, but I can't spend all bloody day constantly munching on fruit like they do. I want to eat food that I like, when I like, which will include fruit and vegetables, but requires moderation. I watch them sit and binge on food because "it's okay- IT'S FREE!"
It does work for some people, but it's by no means a cure-all attitude to long term healthy eating. Sometimes I think these people have been indoctrinated into a cult and "it's free" is their holy chant.0 -
I struggle with the idea of WW giving fruits and veggies 0 points. They have calories. It's a fact.
Me too. SO many of my calories come from veggies.
fruits make up a few hundred of my cals daily!
I used to do WW and I did love that the fruits and veggies were 0 pp. But a lot of people in WW start out with really bad eating habits. I think WW gives fruits and veggies (with the exception of a few) 0 pp, to encourage more healthy eating.
But the WW leader at the meetings used to STRESS over and over and over that just because it's free doesn't mean you can go binge eat on 10 lbs of grapes. She said we should count them as 0 pp until we got the 5 fruits/veggies for the day. After that, we should give them points.
I used to eat whatever crap I could get my hands on that would give me the lowest points. I ate lots of sugar cereals. I was always hungry. I like MFP much better because it's encouraging me to eat healthier. I didn't feel that way with WW as much... Plus I feel like I get to eat more on here. :bigsmile:0 -
The whole concept of WW is backwards. It's just a way to make money by selling overpriced and highly processed foods.0
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I struggle with the idea of WW giving fruits and veggies 0 points. They have calories. It's a fact.
Me too. SO many of my calories come from veggies.
I'm not on WW, but it's my understanding that they've raised the points of everything else to balance it out because they found people were avoiding fruits and vegetables because they had "points". The point is to encourage people to eat them.
But not very helpful if you're going from the points system to counting calories, I guess.0 -
I've been working for WW for almost 20 years. If you have little to lose, count your fruit as 1 point each. They have a lot of calories, which mfp will tell you. That isn't free! Even the wintersquash, I count as 1 point. I do both plans, points, and mfp. It works for me, although does get to be a bit too much posting, in that case, I have to keep current w/the points system, but it's the calories that are the bottom line. By having the free fruits, WW wants you to grab that instead of Cheetos, but there is a limit to free. Limit fruits to 2/day, and you should be ok.0
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bump0
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I've done WW many times and have always had success.
Oxymoron. You can't be successful MANY times with WW, and be here looking to lose weight. If WW weren't a gimmick, it would be successful for life, and teach us how to live without it when we were done with the program, not just how us how to do it while we're tracking then cut us loose to fail. (I did weight watchers, and became a "lifetime member")
If you're still in the WW mentality, as many are, count your fruits and starchy veggies like potatoes and carrots, peas etc and not your regular veggies, leafy greens etc. Many dietitians who tell you to track will also say that. Non-startchy veggies have so few calories, they are pretty much negligible when it comes to counting, but if you're going to have fruit, make sure you have space for it in your calorie count and macros, or do the extra exercise to make room; they have big calories, they aren't free.0 -
But the WW leader at the meetings used to STRESS over and over and over that just because it's free doesn't mean you can go binge eat on 10 lbs of grapes. She said we should count them as 0 pp until we got the 5 fruits/veggies for the day. After that, we should give them points.I struggle with the idea of WW giving fruits and veggies 0 points. They have calories. It's a fact.
Me too. SO many of my calories come from veggies.
fruits make up a few hundred of my cals daily!
This!! WW is doing the "free" fruits and veggies to encourage people to eat them, HOWEVER - you are supposed to eat 5 servings per day. You are supposed to measure those servings - and they are included in how your daily points allowance is calculated - you just aren't actually "counting them" in your diary.
If you want to count points and track calories on MFP, then by all means, track their calories - because you are still eating them - they still count.
I think this is where MANY people have failed with the new points plus system and the free fruits/veggies. They just don't understand how it is supposed to work and think they can eat 45 lbs of free fruits and veggies everyday and then complain when it doesn't work.0 -
I've done WW many times and have always had success.
Oxymoron. You can't be successful MANY times with WW, and be here looking to lose weight. If WW weren't a gimmick, it would be successful for life, and teach us how to live without it when we were done with the program, not just how us how to do it while we're tracking then cut us loose to fail. (I did weight watchers, and became a "lifetime member")
If you're still in the WW mentality, as many are, count your fruits and starchy veggies like potatoes and carrots, peas etc and not your regular veggies, leafy greens etc. Many dietitians who tell you to track will also say that. Non-startchy veggies have so few calories, they are pretty much negligible when it comes to counting, but if you're going to have fruit, make sure you have space for it in your calorie count and macros, or do the extra exercise to make room; they have big calories, they aren't free.
That's not true. Maybe she did it in the past to lose 20 lbs and then stop. It doesn't mean she wasn't successful in her goal at that specific time.
I followed WW 10 years ago and lost 70 lbs - got down to my goal weight. Therefore, I was VERY successful using Weight Watchers. The reason I am back here today has absolutely NOTHING to do with how useful or helpful Weight Watchers is for maintaining your goal long term. The reason I am back here today is 100% ON ME.0 -
Their foods and products are absolutely NOT required to follow their points system. It isn't like Jenny Craig.The whole concept of WW is backwards. It's just a way to make money by selling overpriced and highly processed foods.0 -
I'm a veggie, eating too much fruit and veg (plus other carbs) made me put on weight. By managing my portions and counting calories I've lost the weight.0
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I did Weight Watchers for 10 months. When I started, I was overeating and avoiding fruits and veggies. WW encouraged me to pay attention to what I was eating, and I actually STARTED eating fruits and veggies because they had 0 points. So that kind of thinking definitely improved my eating habits.
But my weight loss eventually stalled out, and I decided I needed to dig a little deeper into calorie counting. That's when I came back to MFP. It's hard at first to make the switch from counting points to counting calories, but you get used to it pretty quickly and it gives you a more accurate picture of your diet.0 -
I did weight watchers online a few years agos, I did lose weight. But then I found this site and I can't believe I paid to use the other one. Food already comes with calorie labels on it, why pay for the inconvience of converting those calories to points? It just seems so silly. There also seems to be a much better sense of community here on mfp. I really feel encouraged, not just to lose weight but to be healthier.
The free fruits and veggies seem like a good idea, but you can overdo it. I think one of the main points of this site is to be aware of every thing you're eating, not just to find a way to cheat the system.0 -
LOL...I could just as easily say I have counted calories many times with success... The problem is the relationship I have with food. Not the program I am on. 2 years ago I joined WW because I was fed up with my out of control habits. Lost 55 lbs. Still had 25 lbs to go..and I stalled out. The program did not stop working. Honestly, I just did not want to do it anymore. I stopped WW last October and started MFP. I have to be honest as say that I have maintained...not lost on MFP...but that is not the programs fault. It is mine. I do not follow it rigorously like I did WW when I started that. I was tired of counting in general, and I still am.....Changing programs helped some. I no longer felt guilty for paying for what I was not using. One thing I loved about WW that I do not get here is the weekly weigh ins. Having to be accountable to the person I am weighing in front of helps me. Also, having to be accountable to my husband for spending money that I am just wasting helps too. LOL...he don't mind if i am following the program and doing what I am supposed too, but if I am just paying for it to eat whatever...well i might as well not be paying for it.
To the OP: I have thought about playing with 0 calorie fruit, but I have not done it as of yet. One thing that made WW really work for me was that 0 point fruit. If I needed a snack, I would grab that ...because it was a mind game for me. It made making good choices an easier choice. I also found when I was eating more fruit and veggies I was more satisfied and less hungry all the time. I think that is one reason they allowed for the 0 point fruit. It makes it a better choice and at the same time gives your body the nutrients it needs so you are more satisfied. Honestly, when I have to count the fruit, even though I know it will better satisfy, I have a hard time eating it. I don't want to waste the calories. I have thought about lowering my calorie intake by a couple hundred per day to allow for 0 calorie fruit but have not messed with it. My mind is just not in that place.
I also miss the Weekly points that I could use any time I wanted during the week. But, I do not see any way to make that work unless it was set up in the system. It would be too difficult to do that on my own with in this program.0 -
I struggle with the idea of WW giving fruits and veggies 0 points. They have calories. It's a fact.
This.0 -
It seems that if you are using ther MFP food tracker, you don't need to add points on top of that. It will tell you the nutritional breakout of your food, including calories. If you use the food tracker for the first 1400 calories and add an uncounted 300 calories of fruit, you have eaten 1700 calories and your body will treat them ( store them) just as if you had added on 300 calories of bread, cake or pork chop. So I am not too sure where the blend of the two systems would be.0
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Yes, but....
Pre-WW, my snacks were pretzels, Baked Lays, and Junior Mints. Now my snacks are apples, peaches, pears, plums.
The idea isn't calories, the idea is nutrients and satiety. The "loop" is "more nutrients/more satiety" fewer calories.
I've seen many people lose weight on WW, but like any "diet" it has to become a lifestyle.
As I mentioned earlier, I can eat 4 lbs of grapes (which is why I'm doing MFP!), but before WW I could easily eat a gallon of ice cream instead.0 -
Thanks for the info! Based on everyone's comments, and my own suspicion, I will continue to count my fruits and possibly even reduce the amount I'm eating. It sounds like the 0 pts, as everyone mentioned, was created to get people who normally avoid fruit to eat fruit. I guess it's time for me to track every single thing as a calorie regardless of what it is. I loved WW but it really does mess with your head. I was thinking about rejoining it but I can't keep joining and stopping and joining and stopping. I need a tool that is quick and easy without converting everything into points values!0
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