WW vs MFP ...for those who know about WW

Ok,

You are asking this on MFP...so, do you think WW will be the hands down recommendation?!???:noway: Obviously, those that are here are likely to favor MFP. But you should select what works for you: what you can and WILL follow. Personally, I think the "Free" fruits and the point system as currently constructed is nonsensical. In the end, it is calories in and calories out. Fruit have calories....

The last time I did WW was before they changed to PointsPlus (2010). I'll admit I didn't give the new plan a real try but from what I did see, I'd basically have to redo my whole way of eating (foods that were 3 points were now 6, etc) and that seemed pretty rediculous. Anyway, that's about the time I found MFP and it was like the clouds parted and a heavenly light shone (shined?) down - this was exactly what I needed!! Real food tracking, no tricks or manipulation to get just the right # of points, etc.

OP, you have to do whatever works for you but I think MFP is more realistic and flexible. You can still manipulate your days, it may just take a little extra notation or something so you can track it accurately. Say you come in under your calorie goal by 100 Mon-Fri, that gives you 500 extra calories for happy hour or the family BBQ. Or save some of your exercise calories for your weekly splurge.

The only thing I miss about WW is the meetings. Not just for the social aspect but I learned something new every week

I did WW for several years - I lost 60 pounds and then got stuck and nothing I did made that scale move. When I asked for help from the leader all I got was "just keep at it" or "you are exercising too much". I am very active and I think WW doesn't really accomodate that very well. I finally got so frustrated I quit last year and gained back 18 pounds

This spring I joined here and have lost 13 of the 18 pounds I gained last year. It is slow going, but at least the scale is moving down. I too hated that WW only focused on the scale, at the rate I was going I would be paying forever (which, I realize is what they want). At least here if I gain one week I don't stress out about the extra money I will have to spend to lose it. I also hated that you couldn't figure out your protein, carb and fat numbers without tracking separately - they have all that information so I am not sure why the tracking program doesn't show it.

My advice is pick one and stick with it for a month - when I started here I struggled with trying to incorporate WW into MFP and it was just overwhelming. That being said, I believe there is a way to add points to your MFP diary - there is something out here on the boards that you can download that will allow you to do both calories and points.

I had done weight watchers off and on for years. I found I did the best with the online tools, just having a chance to record and be accountable. I really like the point system and those extra points for the week! Also love the structure that encourages high fiber, low fat and whole foods. HOWEVER. I had gotten my fattest yet during one of my "can't afford to use weight-watchers now" periods and realized that I had to start recording and being accountable using a lower cost tracking tool. I think I found mfp with a google search. NOW: love this community (you learn to avoid the forums that are full of haters and trolls), have met some great supportive people, find the articles more helpful than the WW ones. I've lost 13 pounds in around 60 days and have lots of support for staying on the path. LOVE that the food data base is huge including all those name brands and restaurants. SO GREAT. I like the encouraging works that are automatic and how easy it is to track everything. I have no excuses now and intend to reach my goal weight in 2015.