Weight Watchers?

WW, as far as I'm concerned, sets a lot of folks up for failure. This is a tool to better manage your intake. Might I recommend the following wall of text that I put out here on a lot of threads? Okay, here goes:
Here ya go.

1. don't trust the initial setup that MFP provides. If you put in the wrong/inaccurate information, it'll tell you to eat an amount that may not be applicable.
2. Make sure you eat enough.
3. Figure out what works for you and is sustainable/healthy/long term.
4. avoid fads. don't buy in to any "Hey, try the twinkie and vodka diet"
5. Don't cut out anything now that you don't plan on literally giving up forever.
6. GET A FOOD SCALE. Weigh everything. No, seriously.
7. Get an HRM with a chest strap. You'll at least have a better idea of what you're burning. It'll be more accurate than the generic info in the exercise database.. and even more than the cardio machines. This is great for steady state cardio (run/walk/etc)
8. Don't go balls out. You'll burn out. I see 300 lb people show up here, instantly start working out and cutting their intake SEVERELY... trying to cut out all of their carbs at once.. whatever. Take it slow. Figure out how much you need to eat FIRST in order to lose.. then incorporate exercise.
9. Don't cardio yourself to death.
10. Take the information on the forums with a grain of salt. A lot of people that have been here for a while.. and have been successful, may seem jaded. They give out GREAT advice day after day, only to be met with people that refuse to listen.
11. Eat real food. Not diet food. Not "low fat, sugar free, now without X." It's easier to get/find/count.
12. don't set time restrictions.
13. measure yourself weekly. Don't just weigh. Measure and take pictures.
14 BE PATIENT.
15. Avoid forum topics that have "1200" in the title. It's just full of butthurt. Lots of it.
16. This isn't a game, it's about changing your lifestyle. Do that.

pretty much that.

...and don't fall into the "1200 calorie" vertigo of suck because of:

the typical MFP users does this:
1. I wanna lose weight, let's try MFP.
2. OH! Wow, it tells me I can lose 2 lbs a WEEK? AWESOME!
3. I just sit at a desk when I'm not working out, I guess I'm sedentary.
4. MFP tells them 1200 calories, and they don't even eat that.. then they work out on top of it.. creating an even bigger deficit.
5. Lose a lot, fast, brag about 1200 calorie success.
6. Come back in a few months trying to figure out why they're dizzy, tired, not losing weight.
7. Get on the forums, ask why they aren't losing.
8. Get two responses (I eat 1200 and lose) (I eat 2200 and lose)
9. Argument ensues about who is right.

Now. That being said. These threads happen hundreds of times per day. Most times, and I mean really.. seriously.. 95% of the time.. people get the 1200 number because they don't put the right information in when they set up the account. There are a great number of people that are trying to help. I'm one of 'em.

I'm a hardcore advocate of actually finding out what works for the individual.. by means of other calculators, averages, time, practice, and patience.

Blanket prescriptions of 1200 calories "because it worked for me" is more harmful to the generic new user than the "figure out what you need to eat." Unfortunately, one is a LOT easier to type.

Find out what you need: http://scoobysworkshop.com/accurate-calorie-calculator/
Take the tips, links, and info above and make the cart more manageable.

You may want to consider TOPS (take off pounds sensibly) instead of weight watchers. It is less expensive and you still have the structure of a weekly weigh in. Sign up fee is about $28 and weekly fee about $2, this may vary depending on your local group but not by much. There are small fines for weight gains and not turning in your food diary. I print up my food diary from MFP and turn that in. Amount of support and concrete weight loss info may vary from meeting to meeting. They do provide you with a large book which has a lot of diet and weight loss info in it. Best of luck and keep working, it will pay off.

3. Figure out what works for you and is sustainable/healthy/long term.
4. avoid fads. don't buy in to any "Hey, try the twinkie and vodka diet"
.
6. GET A FOOD SCALE. Weigh everything. No, seriously.

Find out what you need: http://scoobysworkshop.com/accurate-calorie-calculator/
Take the tips, links, and info above and make the cart more manageable.

I agree with much of this post but I just want to say

4- what "twinkie and vodka diet"?!! I thought I had tried them all but crap that one I missed- and it sounds like it would have been nearly perfect!

food scales - they are great and Weight watchers makes a couple of good ones (including one I have that you can put in the food and it will tell you both the points and the calories- I have had it a few years so they might not make it anymore)

while I think counting calories is better than points, weight watchers is set up to encourage you to eat REAL FOOD and not food subsititutes- and the points system is set up to encourage eating veggies and, to a somewhat lesser extent, fruit

if you are still thinking about weight watchers- I would suggest the online tools and use it alongside MFP- MFP will teach you about calories and portions- weight watchers tools about lifestyle plus they have some really lovely recipes, great article and lots of online workouts many of which include weight training etc

but in the end though I think trogalicious has pretty sound advice

I read recently that WW was losing business due to MFP. Althought I have never joined WW (I am much too cheap), I know that most people who join tend to put back the weight once they leave due mainly to lack of support, coaching and sharing that forms the basis of this type of diet system. The Dukan diet worked for me as I lost 12kg in about 3 and a half months. Then I stopped and started eating normally and exercising and I am maintaining, although I have about 4kg to go.

My philosophy is: You put on your weight on you own, so you HAVE to lose the weight on you own. That is, we all have to take responsibility and take control of what we put into our bodies!!! Believe me, this applies to me!!!!!! And I am not preaching!!!!!!!! I would stick to MFP (don't waste your hard earned money). Look for (support) Groups to join (under the Community tab). There are lots of monthly challenges where you are encouraged to log your daily activies. For example, I am doing a challenge to burn 4000 calories a week, walk/run/move/cycle 150 miles per month, and I have also joined an Insanity workout support group. Believe me, you can share as much as you like and there will always be other MFPers who will give you the necessary support. If you feel that you are not losing as much weight as you would like, there are people who will ask to see your food diary and will be there to give you advice!!

Ultimately, it is your decision and you need to find the best group for you. Why not try Jilian Michaels 30 Day Shred? Only 20 minutes/day. I did this challenge with others back in June and believe me, you will get a lot of support and encouragement to complete the chalenge. Log religiously everything you eat and drink losts of water.

I hope this helps!