This or Weight Watchers?

michele040673
michele040673 Posts: 71 Member
in Introduce Yourself
I have done both and been successful with both. Last year I lost 40 pounds on MFP. Don't know what happened but I lost my way. I have gained ten of the forty pounds I lost back.
I know it's mind over matter, I am a strong ***** when I want to be!
Thoughts? I'm sad and confused.

Replies

  • NH_Norma
    NH_Norma Posts: 332 Member
    From my own personal experience, this and ww both can work if you work at them. However, I have always gone with ww, until this go around. I am having more success here. Is that because it's better, or because it's better for me, or because I'm more motivated and focused? Hard to say, but I am definitely more motivated and focused. Counting calories seems much more sustainable for a lifetime than counting "points" that are derived from an ever changing secret algorithm. Calorie information is readily available and I prefer that over calculating fiber, fat, carbs, and protein to find a points value.

    The big question is, are you 100% committed to the effort required to move to where you want to be, or are you more focused on where you are right now? It's often not an easy question to answer.

    In any case, hello and I wish you great success whichever path you choose for you! :)
  • llbennett74
    llbennett74 Posts: 132 Member
    I'm logging here but counting points on the side. I haven't been able to figure out the right calories to eat for me but counting points always seemed to work. Many are having a lot of success here though. I think the food database is much better for sure.
  • dianeb613
    dianeb613 Posts: 121 Member
    I log here and WW when I remember. Keeps me on track.
  • WaterBunnie
    WaterBunnie Posts: 1,371 Member
    MFP. Save the money you'd have spent on WW and use it to treat yourself either when you reach goal on at intervals along the way!

    At the end of the day it's just about dedication. That's down to you - not the system you follow.

    Good luck!
  • crystalbluewolf13
    crystalbluewolf13 Posts: 197 Member
    I never found WW helpful, atm i'm using this app and i'm also doing the rosemary conely groups because as well as a weekly weigh in, they also do arobics/zumba and circuit training depending on the area. I've only been doing it for just over 5 weeks and i've already lost 1 stone! I guess if you feel you need more 'group support' it might be worth looking for somewhere to go, but on here is just as good if you find the right people to talk to :) x
  • neicbomb
    neicbomb Posts: 1 Member
    I have done WW in the past and had success with it but through my own fault put back on the weight and them some...I have also done it on my own cutting out carbs and done ok. But now at 46 and some health issues I am at my highest weight and doing MFP as well as bought myself a FitBit, which seems to motivate me. I am dealing with a hypothyroid. I found that doing MFP and I buy some of the WW at grocery store as well as following advice from Chris Powell weight loss program, I am eating better and hopefully, once I get this thyroid under control the weight will start coming off.
  • FP4HSharon
    FP4HSharon Posts: 664 Member
    Why not both? I think the more accountability the better. I'm a member of First Place 4 Health (kind of like a Christian Weight Watchers... www.firstplace4health.org ), & it was great for a while, but I found the extra accountability of MFP helped me do even better.
  • awise19
    awise19 Posts: 154 Member
    I used WW for 3 months when I first started. It really helped me get my portions under control and gave me a real idea of what I should be eating and how much. After my 3 month membership was over I felt like I could do it alone, so I came here. I lost 30 pounds during the weight watchers, water weight, stopped eating fast food, stopped drinking pop. Since then I have lost 40 pounds and gained muscle so the weight has went up and down because I do workout and lift. I say do what works for you, But if you feel like you can take it over and handle it then go for the free option.
  • cwaters120
    cwaters120 Posts: 354 Member
    I have done both. I lost weight with WW but have had more success here, made more friends here and spent less money here. I love MFP. I agree with above though in that BOTH will only work if you work at them. It isn't an easy journey - my MFPeeps make it easier though :bigsmile:
  • Hemptastic410
    Hemptastic410 Posts: 5 Member
    I'd say dont go to strict. I make that mistake all the time. I say I'm not going to eat that and I'm going to exercise hard, but what happens is you cant keep this up forever and that is the goal. We all need to find something we can stick to that is going to take us through our lives. Another problem for me is I feel that I have a little lead why becaus I've lost weight and then I slack of. Look at it this way you still have 30 pounds lost of success use that to keep yourself on track. I love this site because I can see what Im doing and manage it. I think of my calories like money and the move exercise I do the more money I have in my account, in case something happens and I need them.
  • shannongoneau
    shannongoneau Posts: 246 Member
    I've done weight watchers before and frankly I found it a viscous cycle. After weigh in day I knew I had a whole week to loose any weight so I would eat what ever I wanted the night after weigh in. on MFP I hold myself accountable, I see the numbers and how they impact my weight loss.

    Although I don't see why you can't do both. The nice thing is that MFP is free :)
  • AJinBirmingham
    AJinBirmingham Posts: 497
    WW can be a good start if you're very overweight and really don't know how to go about eating healthy foods - it makes for good remedial training in adding fruit, vegetables, and real food to your diet - but if you're fine tuning your fitness and looking to drop a few pounds, MFP is much better (and free.)

    I did WW for years, but found MFP when they made fruit "free" on the program and I gained 10-12 lbs!
  • quicklabs
    quicklabs Posts: 254 Member
    From my own personal experience, this and ww both can work if you work at them. However, I have always gone with ww, until this go around. I am having more success here. Is that because it's better, or because it's better for me, or because I'm more motivated and focused? Hard to say, but I am definitely more motivated and focused. Counting calories seems much more sustainable for a lifetime than counting "points" that are derived from an ever changing secret algorithm. Calorie information is readily available and I prefer that over calculating fiber, fat, carbs, and protein to find a points value.

    The big question is, are you 100% committed to the effort required to move to where you want to be, or are you more focused on where you are right now? It's often not an easy question to answer.

    In any case, hello and I wish you great success whichever path you choose for you! :)

    This, exactly. I plan to log my calories for a lifetime. I think that has been the single most important component of my success so far. Good luck.
  • Yooperm35
    Yooperm35 Posts: 787 Member
    MFP is Free. You have the tools and the knowledge if you've already lost #40. I'd stick with MFP. You need to make it a lifestyle, not a temporary thing, or it will always come back.
  • amyst92
    amyst92 Posts: 9 Member
    I am actually on WW now, and thinking of switching here. I started WW in May, and have since lost 20 pounds. I have 10 to go. WW is good for steering you toward the right foods, because their points system takes into account carbs, fat, and protein. Plus with 0 point fruits and veggies, it helps you learn to eat more of those. My eating habits have definitely changed - I don't even WANT fast food anymore, and I have stopped drinking sodas (diet and regular). I feel that since I've learned how to eat better, I can do maintenance by counting calories.

    I've tried MFP in the past, but for some reason could never limit myself to the calories I was allotted. I finally joined WW, and I think that because I was eating healthier foods I was finally able to consistently eat less and start losing weight. I think I may stay with WW through the end of the year and try to get to goal - then I'll come here.

    I definitely agree that MFP has a MUCH better food database, and it's easier to track here. I can't wait to be using just this site! :)
  • losingmybehind
    losingmybehind Posts: 47 Member
    I believe that both WW and MFP are tools for the journey, with the ultimate goal of learning about your body, how it responds, what it needs. What about logging on MFP as you do WW to learn what your calories and macros are and how they correlate with a loss or gain on the scale? This way you can get away from depending on a point system and move more toward understanding what you're doing and if it works or not. I believe that there is no one program that will work forever out of the box. Our bodies change, our hormones fluctuate, so many variables. It CAN get frustrating, very frustrating, if you are intent on following verbatim someone elses program. It becomes interesting and informative, tho, when you use these tools to gather information about you and your body and trust yourself enough to create your own plan. It's definitely a process, Michele. I'm totally in your corner, you know that!

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