Weight Watchers vs. My Fitness Pal

I've done both. I've been much more successful on MFP.

I liked weight watchers, taught me a lot, spray butter, rice cakes and peanut butter and learned to eat fruit and vegetables. But I like MFP better. I like calories better than points. Everything list calories and it Is easier than figuring points. I went too extreme with weight watchers, taking skin off chicken, etc. I eat everything I want with mfp and count calories. It is simplier for me.

a point is roughly 50 calories, if that helps.

I've done both. I met my goal on WW but couldn't maintain it. I liked the old method of logging food into a diary in portions rather than points. I HATE the points system. MFP rocks compared to WW. But WW does have the meetings which help some people stay accountable. And with MFP when I do falter and not lose, or gain a pound or two, I don't lose heart and quit. I just keep logging and wait till my mojo kicks back in. I'm not paying weekly dues to await that mojo :grumble:

They are both good programs that teach a healthy lifestyle you can adopt for the long haul. Similar in terms of making you realize nutrition is important. I found the forums and support on MFP more helpful than WW, but found the WW weigh in in person held me very accountable. Both great programs - MFP is free though and WW is not. Good luck to you.

MFP is way better,

MFP is free. I like free. *shrug*

I was a walking point guide while I was doing WW! It is a good program, but I have had to cut expenses and MFP is free! My nutritionist even suggested this program.
The key is to journal no matter which program you do, knowing what you have consumed makes a huge difference.

I have done both, and am on the fence too. I am currently paying for WW but using MFP as my fitness instructor recommended it. I was used to the points plus system, so I am actually way more comfortable with that than counting calories. I am trying to add in more whole foods rather than just sticking to low fat, which seemed to work best on WW. What I do prefer about MFP is that it tracks certain vitamins and gives you a target for fibre, sodium, fat etc, which I find is useful. Best of luck with whichever plan you go with

MFP is free. I like free. *shrug*

^^^ This plus it works....

my guess if it is a diet program that you are paying for they are pushing their viewpoints and products it doesn't mean they are up to date with the latest science

http://www.youtube.com/user/drjasonfung?feature=watch

I couldn't agree more! I was on WW and I couldn't understand the point either. I didn't understand how I could eat x amount of points. I hated it. I liked the community feeling, and when I would make "friends" I found out that many of the people that were using WW, were tracking their food on MFP as well and they found it very helpful. I figured why not use this for free and I'm getting the same perks instead of spending how much for WW.

Shortly after I got a sedentary job I gained around 25 pounds and did WW. I lost weight, became a lifetime member and kept it off for a long time. Then after an injury and subsequent weight gain I went back and they were doing the points system. I did WW for about 2 years and yo-yo'd like crazy until I quit. I found points did not hold me accountable for proper nutrition. Not having the visibility into fat, sugar, sodium, etc. led to some bad habits that I am trying really hard to break. After trying a number of things I have landed here on MFP. The points thing just doesn't work for me. My body treats 150 calories of simple carbs differently from 150 calories of protein or complex carbs. (I am sure the "a calorie is a calorie" crowd are going to criticize that but whatever, I live in this body - they don't.)

That said, I did learn a lot from WW and it also has some great tools and every recipe I have ever tried from a WW cookbook was awesome. My husband is a chef and rather serious foodie and he likes all the WW recipes I have prepared.

I did not find the meetings helpful but maybe it was just bad luck on meetings. If you are a lone wolf, you may find the meetings tiresome after awhile and if you don't go then you don't have the support network.

MFP has lots of supportive people and for those who aren't you can just ignore them. Its also free and it fits into your life when its convenient for you.

No harm in trying both for awhile to see which one works best for you. Good luck!

I am an American business loyalist, Weight Watchers is a foreign owned corporation while Myfitnesspal is an American company so MFP will get my vote. Weight Watchers seems to care only about profit and being in control of your wallet and purse strings before your health. MFP seems to care about putting you in control of your health and lifestyle and letting the business bear fruit accordingly. I hope I have not offended anyone but my first post should be from the heart.

I've never tried WW, but I started MFP half-heartedly and I started losing weight! Now I've been logging for a year. I've never dieted more than 2 consecutive weeks in my life. MFP worked for me, so I'm sticking with it. It's probably even more important to log during maintenance--that's my plan.