Switching from WW (Weight Watchers)

Hi there! I'm a successful convert. I did weight watchers for 3 months before switching over to MFP, where I've been successful for another 5 months. I lost with both programs, and at about the same rate (52 lbs total now, yay!)

It did take some minor adjustments- watching fruit intake was one. I used to eat fruit a lot because it was free. But I still can, just not as much. I don't feel any more hungry than I did with weight watchers. In fact at first I thought I was eating more. What calorie allotment have you given yourself? If you're following 1200, that may be the problem. Make sure you're choosing the right calorie budget for your needs and goals.

Feel free to ask any specific questions.

I tried Weight Watchers several years ago. I was hungry constantly. I like MFP much better. It has really taught me that everything consumed matters. I've lost weight and think I have a better shot at keeping it off since I will very gradually slide into maintenance. Hope it works well for you.

I had been an on-and-off member of Weight Watchers for years, both on-line and meetings. I was strictly an on-line member for a while at the end (most of 2014) and then when my finances took a hit I quit it altogether and came to MFP the week of Thanksgiving. Seriously it's been an incredible change! I find myself a lot less hungry on MFP and like someone else mentioned the food database is HUGE! I have very seldom run into a problem where something is not listed that I was looking for. Even small "mom and pop" restaurants are usually in there. I found myself eating a lot of processed foods (100-calorie packs, etc.) on WW versus MFP, and I have also learned that there is no "off-limit" food, everything is doable if it fits into your daily goal. I think having the ability to be able to post your diary for your friends to see has helped me a lot too (and the ability to see other's diaries). It was tough letting go of the WW mentality of Points, but I am much happier now! Best of luck to you!!

JSurita2, TDEE stands for "Total Daily Energy Expenditure" which basically is the number of calories your body burns in a 24-hour period, sleeping, working, exercising, playing and even digesting food.

I do both. I go to WW for the weekly accountability, and MFP for the tracking.

I did WW for a year or so, had a break and now am on MFP. I find I think more about what I'm eating with MFP because of counting fruit and veggies - and I am also making more conscious decisions to allocate my calories to nutrient-rich foods rather than just 'spending my points'.
I also far prefer these forums
Good luck & welcome!

emailyv wrote: »

I am nervous to switch from WW point plus to MyFitnessPal. I feel like counting calories, I can eat a lot less than the number of points and then the 49 bonus points.
Anyone make the transition successfully?
Thanks!

At the end of the day, your body doesn't care if you're tracking calories or WW points. It's all about creating an energy deficit to lose weight. Extra weekly points you get with WW are the same as having the calories even out over the course of a week. Different equations, same results. Don't over think it.

I'm a WW Lifetime Member . . . but I achieved that on the old points system. When WW went to the new Points+, I had more problems loosing, and sometimes even maintaining on it. And since WW keeps the calculation a secret as to how many points it's worth, I found it frustrating to track what I ate, and always had to have their calculator with me.
Anyway, I wish you the best in this endeavor. . .

You have the power within you to be successful!

I tried WW but it was hard to get to he meetings. Then, it just wasn't in the budget ($$) anymore.

I'm new to MFP. I'm distrustful of the "HUGE database of food" because most of the food I look up has been entered by other members - there will be several different items; not sure which one to pick; also, what if something was entered incorrectly? I was hoping MFP would be easy but it seems like I'll have to look up (Google) food to see if it fits what's in the database... no?

AnonyMS13 wrote: »

I tried WW but it was hard to get to he meetings. Then, it just wasn't in the budget ($$) anymore.

I'm new to MFP. I'm distrustful of the "HUGE database of food" because most of the food I look up has been entered by other members - there will be several different items; not sure which one to pick; also, what if something was entered incorrectly? I was hoping MFP would be easy but it seems like I'll have to look up (Google) food to see if it fits what's in the database... no?

That is a problem. You just have to look at all the entries and find the one that is accurate. If there are none, you can enter your own or edit incorrect ones. I try to use the information on the food package or a restaurant website to stay as accurate as possible. If I just can find it, I choose the one that has, for me, the highest carb count.

I have been to WW in Australia on and off for many years as well but have cancelled my subscription to stay with MFP.

Although WW has become more modern with technology recently (it now links with fitbit etc), it's food database is cumbersome compared to MFP. I was also paying $75/month au (plus in-meeting items like cookbooks) to WW (??! omg, was I REALLY???? ) to do what I can now do for free.

I also had surgery for ovarian cysts in Septemeber last year and my hormones have been in the nut house. Even though I was eating the set points etc, I was still up and down on WW with the mainstream foods I was eating. I hated the patronising comment I got from the desk girl at WW one day who announced that a 1.1 gain in a week (due to my poor cycle after surgery) was "quite a lot of weight and was I sure I was following the program?" For $75 I can feel deflated by myself for free, thanks

I feel renewed now I have discovered Dr Sandra Cabot's books about bodies and hormones, plus Paleo baking for sweet treats. In a short time my weight in going down all the time, my body is behaving in a very civilised way now a lot of mainstream ingredients are out and I can link my Fitbit for calories exercised. I especially LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the mapping of vitamins and minerals which I have to keep up to rebalance myself ... WW just doesn't give you a focus in that regard.

Sometimes I miss having a chat with fellow people on the food stuff but there are more ticks for MFP for me than WW .... give it a go

Hello I'm new to MFP. I am also a WW online member & I am trying to decide whether or not to quit WW & do MFP full time. I have been using both apps for a week now & really tired of doing both. Lol I am realizing that the food data base is much better here & the community is much nicer. I just need to decide which I want to do. I have been doing WW for a long time & lost weight. I only have about 13 pds I still want to lose. I think I'm just scared to let go of something I've been doing for so long, but I'm also ready to be accountable on my own.

I switched after I had reached my goal weight. I found it a simple switch. If you set up your goals the same as WW and how quickly you want to lose weight (how many lbs per week), then it shouldn't be different. While I miss the meetings, I am eating so differently (vegan, sugar/gluten/dairy free, nothing processed), that the meeting were becoming unhelpful.