Weight Watchers

I'm a Weight Watchers lifetimer who quit WW after losing the weight then stopped doing the program and well, we all know what happens. But that happens with EVERY diet - you stop doing it, it stops working. I'm headed back there tonight to start over. Why there? For the past year I've been trying to do it on my own and I just can't; I need the meetings and the accountability of a weigh-in. This time around I've also joined a gym (something I never ever thought I'd do, but I'm loving it).

I don't find it difficult figuring out a point value of an item...I have a smart phone so I can scan the bar code or use the point calculator, it takes seconds. Yes, maybe just looking at the label for the calories is quick too; but calorie counting never worked for me. I really don't eat the Smart Ones or the WW packaged snacks - I cook my own meals and such. I probably eat healthier now than I ever have. I know several bloggers who have maintained for years without having to count points forever; but what's the difference from counting points forever or counting calories forever? It's an indivdual choice.

I think each person needs to find what works for them. I don't believe any program is any better than another - what works for one, won't work for another. Everyone needs to find what they can do for a life time. I tend to be a little more structured if I'm paying and having someone else weigh me in!

I think the old WW program was fantastic! I lost 95lbs over a 2 year period and it was all while I was doing WW religiously. I tried it again after having my baby 2 years ago but the new program gives you so many points, I honestly don't see how anyone can lose weight on it. Plus they allow you "cheat" points on top of the huge amount already given. I just didn't see any results when i tried it again and have been way more successful this time around using MFP and exercising.
Everyone is different though!

It's double the work sort of but WW just works for me. I have struggled since I began MPF and became frustrated. But what I do like vs. WW online is the more interactive support system and of course the cost. But I feel that the points system for me takes all the guesswork out when it comes to figuring out my my macros. And to MPF's benefit I feel as though I have come up with healthier meal ideas which translate into lower point options. Plus on here having my diary open and checking in with friends everyday keeps me accountable and helps me make better choices.

Honestly as a person who has done both, I vote MFP. I still use a lot of WW recipes, but the bottom line is it's too confusing counting points vs calories. I had hit a standstill w/ weight watchers and I think that the fact that fruits are free is misleading, b/c yes you should eat fruit, but it does have calories in it! The other thing I like better about MFP is the database of foods. With WW I would have to plug in all the nutrition facts of a lot of foods I was eating (in order to calculate the points), b/c they just simply were not in their database (very aggravating and time consuming!!) Also, most importantly I have found a lot more support at MFP, have a great bunch of friends who are very supportive and active on this site! This is just my opinion. Good luck to you on your weight loss journey!

I just came back to MFP after canceling my WW account. I decided to cancel my WW account because I just wasn't using it. I hate the online tracker--MFP's is so much easier to use. It has a much bigger database of foods (it at least has entries for something like paneer jalfrezi, while WW had nothing). I also got tired of the nonintuitive nature of the points--calories are more concrete and meaningful. The final straw that pushed me to MFP was that I got a new Fitbit, and I wanted to take advantage of the integration between what I was doing physically with what I was doing in terms of eating. So here I am.

Edit: typo!

Hi There, I just saw your post about WW and am struggling with staying on WW since I can use MFP for free. I too did well on WW about 10 years ago and I think I just have it in my mind that WW is the best way to go since I had success. But I've joined since then 3 or 4 times as well and just can't get with it and one of the things I have a real issue with is that monthly payment. In addition, since I've discovered MFP, I have found that their food database is so much better there's no comparison. I'm constantly having to input a new food into WW and I find it interesting that such a huge corporation has such a limited food database since that's what their whole company is about - food. Anyway, I think I'm going to stop WW and just stick with MFP. My mind is really in a good place to do this and I want to do it with a method that I truly can live with - and paying for the rest of my life isn't conducive to my pocket book. Your post really encouraged me, and I want to thank you. I've been on the fence for some time about this.

I just canceled Weight Watchers. It's fine, I lost 50 pounds following it 10 years ago. But the cost does add up, and the database here on MFP is leaps and bounds better than the one on WW. In addition on MFP you can track certain nutrients you're interested in. On MFP you're only tracking the points of food - at the end of the day you have no idea how much fat / cholesterol / protein, etc. you've consumed in a day. And, needless to say, but I'll say it anyway, MFP is free. I'm doing MFP full time now and it's great.