Weight Watchers Rocks! :)

Anyone else on Weight Watchers??? :)
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Replies

  • WeightLossGlow
    WeightLossGlow Posts: 29 Member
    I am!! I need an accountability buddy though because I've been slacking on counting my points and sticking to them recently!
  • eseeton
    eseeton Posts: 80 Member
    Weight watchers is essentially the same thing as using MFP to track calories. It is just simpler, with calories being changed to corresponding points and you having a number of points to eat each day. MFP also allows tracking of macros (fats, proteins, carbs) so that you know you are eating a balanced diet instead of anything with a number.
  • Chrysalid2014
    Chrysalid2014 Posts: 1,038 Member
    epawelek wrote: »
    Weight watchers is essentially the same thing as using MFP to track calories. It is just simpler, with calories being changed to corresponding points and you having a number of points to eat each day.

    When I was on Weight Watchers I did lose weight but also got into the habit of bingeing on fruits/vegetables as these were either 'free' (no points) or the number of points didn't correspond to the number of calories the item has (e.g. apples).

  • wizzybeth
    wizzybeth Posts: 3,578 Member
    I don't think bingeing on veggies is a bad thing. Fruit might be a bit higher in calories and not helpful...but veggies are full of fiber & nutrients and are filling. Binge away on them.


  • FitPhillygirl
    FitPhillygirl Posts: 7,124 Member
    epawelek wrote: »
    Weight watchers is essentially the same thing as using MFP to track calories. It is just simpler, with calories being changed to corresponding points and you having a number of points to eat each day. MFP also allows tracking of macros (fats, proteins, carbs) so that you know you are eating a balanced diet instead of anything with a number.

    You can track macros such as Fat, Protien, and Carbs with WW as well. I use the WW point system and am able to track them along with Fiber too. The Point system is a well balanced diet also provided one is staying within the points that WW recommends for them.
  • LavenderLeaves
    LavenderLeaves Posts: 195 Member
    Actual binging in any form isn't a good thing, doesn't matter what it's on.
  • HeidiCooksSupper
    HeidiCooksSupper Posts: 3,839 Member
    Weight Watchers can be very useful for beginners -- and it does work if you follow it and don't try to cheat the system. I belonged 3 times -- early 70s, late 80s and the mid 00s. Each time, I lost a good deal of weight and it was very slow to come back on. But that's the thing, nothing works if you don't plan to keep it up. When you get tired of paying for Weight Watchers, heading over here to MFP is an easy transition. You won't need to change what you eat just how you count it.
  • FitPhillygirl
    FitPhillygirl Posts: 7,124 Member
    wizzybeth wrote: »
    I don't think bingeing on veggies is a bad thing. Fruit might be a bit higher in calories and not helpful...but veggies are full of fiber & nutrients and are filling. Binge away on them.


    While It is true that Fruits and Veggies don't have a point value assigned to them, WW does not encourage their customers to binge out on them. They do have a healthy check system and do encourage people to follow their recommended 8 daily servings of fruits and veggies as well.
  • GBO323
    GBO323 Posts: 333 Member
    WW is a good system that works....just like MFP. I liked WW for the meeting format, but prefer MFP for the simplicity of calorie counting. It's not about the $$$ for me as much as having the right tools handy.
  • DerROK
    DerROK Posts: 14 Member
    Plz change the title from "Weight Watchers Rocks" to "anybody else doing it?". Very misleading....... So, rather that respond to the title (which is a NO btw), the answer to your real question is also NO because Weight Watchers do NOT Rock. Fox News did rate them tho as one of the few commercial diets that does help you lose weight, but the results were not very inspiring and they did not seem to be able to understand the difference between weight loss and fat loss.
  • wizzybeth
    wizzybeth Posts: 3,578 Member
    edited April 2015
    I think the macro tracking on MFP is way more complete than WW. There is more to nutrition than just fat, carbs, protein and fiber. I love the chart I can see (on the phone app; wish it were on the PC too!) at a glance - and see that I've hit or am close to hitting my goals for calcium, iron, vitamin c, potassium, and vitamin a, as well as fats, carbs, protein, and fiber.

    That said - I did lose weight on the (old) WW system. It clearly works for people and people either love it or don't. :smile:

    I just grew tired of paying $52 a month for that and the privilege of having someone weigh me and either pat me on the back or say "You'll do better this week..." LOL. I grew tired of the meetings when the same topics eventually recycled and came back up again. When it becomes a "chore" to go...it's time to stop spending the $$$.

    I now spend a little less than that amount of money to go to the gym (including classes) and am loving it!
  • BlueInkDot
    BlueInkDot Posts: 702 Member
    edited April 2015
    I'm on Weight Watchers right now and I'm enjoying it mainly because of the accountability and support of the real-life meetings. I mean I like coming here to MFP to see my MFP friends, but I like the WW meetings too. They're different and they're both good.

    Another thing I like is that when I compare the nutritional facts of two foods, I'm at a loss as to which one is "better" because one may have more of one macro but less of another, and another may have the opposite, and it's frustrating trying to decide. The WW system sums it all up into one number that takes into account fat, carbs, protein and fiber, so it's a little easier to decide. The other factor I use in deciding is how "real" it is. If it's overly processed then I'm less inclined to choose that food, but that's just me.

    Lastly, I'm just enjoying the online interfaces with WW. No offense to MFP, but it's just a smidgen more user friendly, so for me, it's a bit faster to log things - also if I put lemon juice in my water or eat an apple with lunch I know I don't have to log it, so that helps a lot too! :tongue:
  • AwesomeSauceTN
    AwesomeSauceTN Posts: 27 Member
    My brother is working on his PhD in Dietetics and I asked him whether Weight Watchers is a good program. His words: "Crystal, don't walk away from Weight Watchers. Run!".

    He does love MFP and encourages keeping a food journal because studies show people who keep track of what they eat and exercise will lose 3x more weight than someone who does not log.
  • prettygirlstorm1
    prettygirlstorm1 Posts: 721 Member
    I too have done WW several times and have lost weight each time. The accountability was great but I did not want to keep paying for what I could get free from MFP. When I did well I was glad to go and get on the scale but if I had a bad week I would not go but still had to keep paying. I still follow the plan though.
  • Ninkyou
    Ninkyou Posts: 6,666 Member
    wizzybeth wrote: »
    I don't think bingeing on veggies is a bad thing. Fruit might be a bit higher in calories and not helpful...but veggies are full of fiber & nutrients and are filling. Binge away on them.


    Too much of anything can be bad for you.

    And anyway, you can eat all of the veggies in the world and you wouldn't lose weight if you're eating more calories than what your body needs to maintain.

    So saying to binge away on veggies is actually pretty poor advice, IMO.
  • wizzybeth
    wizzybeth Posts: 3,578 Member
    The clothes in my closet are my accountability. I have size 16s I need to get into. Then I'm going to push for 14, then 12. Then see where we're at. Then once I get to my goal weight/size, every single thing that is too large is going to the thrift store, except for 1 pair of size 22 pants I'm keeping for a memento.

    I will not buy larger clothes again. Ever. If my clothes get too "tight" then obviously I need to get back on track again. That's all the accountability I need. No sense paying $50+ a month for it.
  • MelWick524
    MelWick524 Posts: 215 Member
    I lost 60lbs on WW back in '08-'09...but...I was essentially doing the same thing as I am now on MFP, and I had to pay for it.

    I didn't have luck with WW after pregnancy, because I binged on fruits & veggies. It took me a LONG time to get this through my head, because WW had taught me I could eat "as much" 0pts/Simply Filling foods as I want...but...my trainer told me, "6,000 calories of fruits and veggies is still 6,000 calories, no matter how many points they're worth." That's when it really clicked.

    WW was fabulous before pregnancy. After pregnancy? I changed, my mind changed, everything changed. So, I guess it all depends on your mindset and self-control.
  • FitPhillygirl
    FitPhillygirl Posts: 7,124 Member
    edited April 2015
    DerROK wrote: »
    Plz change the title from "Weight Watchers Rocks" to "anybody else doing it?". Very misleading....... So, rather that respond to the title (which is a NO btw), the answer to your real question is also NO because Weight Watchers do NOT Rock. Fox News did rate them tho as one of the few commercial diets that does help you lose weight, but the results were not very inspiring and they did not seem to be able to understand the difference between weight loss and fat loss.

    The title is just fine so there is no need for it to be changed. I think the OP was speaking for him or herself and not for all. Do you have any studies that you could show that prove that WW does not understand the difference of weight loss and fat loss? Sorry but this part of your post doesn't make sense.
    health.usnews.com/best-diet/weight-watchers-diet
  • hupsii
    hupsii Posts: 258 Member
    Eileen_S wrote: »
    DerROK wrote: »
    Plz change the title from "Weight Watchers Rocks" to "anybody else doing it?". Very misleading....... So, rather that respond to the title (which is a NO btw), the answer to your real question is also NO because Weight Watchers do NOT Rock. Fox News did rate them tho as one of the few commercial diets that does help you lose weight, but the results were not very inspiring and they did not seem to be able to understand the difference between weight loss and fat loss.

    The title is just fine so there is no need for it to be changed. I think the OP was speaking for him or herself and not for all. Do you have any studies that you could show that prove that WW does not understand the difference of weight loss and fat loss? Sorry but this part of your post doesn't make sense.
    health.usnews.com/best-diet/weight-watchers-diet

    I guess because you only get weighed in the meetings... they encourage you to measure yourself but it's basically about the scale only ! And if you do not lose on the programme, they don't really have a solution.
  • hupsii
    hupsii Posts: 258 Member
    My brother is working on his PhD in Dietetics and I asked him whether Weight Watchers is a good program. His words: "Crystal, don't walk away from Weight Watchers. Run!".

    He does love MFP and encourages keeping a food journal because studies show people who keep track of what they eat and exercise will lose 3x more weight than someone who does not log.

    did your brother give you any specifics ?
  • jkal1979
    jkal1979 Posts: 1,896 Member
    edited April 2015
    hupsii wrote: »
    Eileen_S wrote: »
    DerROK wrote: »
    Plz change the title from "Weight Watchers Rocks" to "anybody else doing it?". Very misleading....... So, rather that respond to the title (which is a NO btw), the answer to your real question is also NO because Weight Watchers do NOT Rock. Fox News did rate them tho as one of the few commercial diets that does help you lose weight, but the results were not very inspiring and they did not seem to be able to understand the difference between weight loss and fat loss.

    The title is just fine so there is no need for it to be changed. I think the OP was speaking for him or herself and not for all. Do you have any studies that you could show that prove that WW does not understand the difference of weight loss and fat loss? Sorry but this part of your post doesn't make sense.
    health.usnews.com/best-diet/weight-watchers-diet

    I guess because you only get weighed in the meetings... they encourage you to measure yourself but it's basically about the scale only ! And if you do not lose on the programme, they don't really have a solution.

    For me that was the most frustrating part. If I maintained or gained the only explanation was "Sometimes it just happens". There was no talk about how sodium, hormones, and water retention from exercise could possibly be the culprit. Before I knew about all of that (which I learned about on here) there were times where I would leave meetings in tears.
  • kimny72
    kimny72 Posts: 16,011 Member
    My brother is working on his PhD in Dietetics and I asked him whether Weight Watchers is a good program. His words: "Crystal, don't walk away from Weight Watchers. Run!".

    Why?
  • _incogNEATo_
    _incogNEATo_ Posts: 4,537 Member
    hupsii wrote: »
    Eileen_S wrote: »
    DerROK wrote: »
    Plz change the title from "Weight Watchers Rocks" to "anybody else doing it?". Very misleading....... So, rather that respond to the title (which is a NO btw), the answer to your real question is also NO because Weight Watchers do NOT Rock. Fox News did rate them tho as one of the few commercial diets that does help you lose weight, but the results were not very inspiring and they did not seem to be able to understand the difference between weight loss and fat loss.

    The title is just fine so there is no need for it to be changed. I think the OP was speaking for him or herself and not for all. Do you have any studies that you could show that prove that WW does not understand the difference of weight loss and fat loss? Sorry but this part of your post doesn't make sense.
    health.usnews.com/best-diet/weight-watchers-diet

    I guess because you only get weighed in the meetings... they encourage you to measure yourself but it's basically about the scale only ! And if you do not lose on the programme, they don't really have a solution.

    contradiction is contradictory

    Why is Weight Watchers responsible to find a solution for you to lose weight? That's your responsibility. Eat at a deficit.
  • FitPhillygirl
    FitPhillygirl Posts: 7,124 Member
    edited April 2015
    hupsii wrote: »
    Eileen_S wrote: »
    DerROK wrote: »
    Plz change the title from "Weight Watchers Rocks" to "anybody else doing it?". Very misleading....... So, rather that respond to the title (which is a NO btw), the answer to your real question is also NO because Weight Watchers do NOT Rock. Fox News did rate them tho as one of the few commercial diets that does help you lose weight, but the results were not very inspiring and they did not seem to be able to understand the difference between weight loss and fat loss.

    The title is just fine so there is no need for it to be changed. I think the OP was speaking for him or herself and not for all. Do you have any studies that you could show that prove that WW does not understand the difference of weight loss and fat loss? Sorry but this part of your post doesn't make sense.
    health.usnews.com/best-diet/weight-watchers-diet

    I guess because you only get weighed in the meetings... they encourage you to measure yourself but it's basically about the scale only ! And if you do not lose on the programme, they don't really have a solution.

    It's only about the scale if a person chooses to make it that. For many WW life time members like myself who actually know the program as it is meant to be, it is more than just a scale. However, since a persons weight is how a person reaches their goal, one might think it is all about the scale. MFP, is no different however, since one is required to give a starting weight and a weight that they want to get to. Therefore MFP and WW are the same, imho. Also, if a person is not losing weight on WW they are going over their recommended points, which is the same as MFP for those who go over their recomened calories. WW does base their goal weight within a healthy BMI range. Isn't that what it should be?
  • FitPhillygirl
    FitPhillygirl Posts: 7,124 Member
    edited April 2015
    Duplicate post deleted.
  • shezza4mobee
    shezza4mobee Posts: 250 Member
    Done WW twice now. Just quit my last round last week.
    I've been doing it the last two months in combination with MFP and honestly, WW is a joke to me. Sure the leaders are nice folks, and the meetings are a great bonding place and a place of accountability, but that's where the effectiveness stops.
    Not counting most fruits and vegetables is a joke. Encouraging you to work out so you'd have more points to eat is another, and the extra points make it so I feel like it's OK to binge one day a week, as long as it's not the two days before my weigh in.
    Not to mention, have you ever looked at most products WW sponsors? High in sodium and corn fructose. I personally think their plan is set up for you to lose some weight, slowly, so you keep needing to repetitively go to meetings for forever. And then every leader I've met so far has lost 30-35 lbs. When someone walks in needing to lose 100+ lbs, I just don't see that leader tag as much motivation, because they understand some struggles, but not all.
  • KANGOOJUMPS
    KANGOOJUMPS Posts: 6,474 Member
    all righty.
  • Vixenmd1
    Vixenmd1 Posts: 146 Member
    I too lost weight on WW multi times. It is a great program. First time I did it was in 1999 and I lost 35 lbs. The most successful time was in 07/08 when I was at my heaviest. Starting weight 227 at 5'9. I lost 75kbs entirely following their online program. I kept it off for 3 years. And when I stopped tracking, running, and weighing/measuring food I gained. That is not the fault of WW. I also discovered running after my first 50 lbs. I learned about C25K on the WW boards and within 6 months I was running half.

    The other thing I really appreciated is that they were the only major commercial diet I COULD do. I have been vegan for 25 years so all the other big brands with the prepackaged food were a no go for me.
    It is at it's core a calorie and deficit program with a layer of macros. It also has a earn exercise and you can eat it approach (but you don't have to). The flexibly of having a week look helps many just starting out who would bail on a diet if they felt they "cheated" (I hate this term) by having Easter dinner or date night then abandon all efforts. The weekly extra points (which are just built in to the deficit) gives people a way to plan for the special events.

    Also my brother and sister in law are both doctors and are very positive about the program since it is basically just a form of a CI/CO program that teaches portions and encourages exercise. They knew I did it and cheered me on the whole way.

    But alas I decided that it was time for me to start doing strait up calorie counting. Why. I don't think it is easier. One of the reasons I STOPPED going to meetings years ago is that the discussion in meetings was one of very typical American diet issues. Like understanding portions for the first time, stopping overeating fastfood. Not eating a pound of bacon. None of these related to me as a vegan who ate too much "healthy" food and damn well knew it. Online was better but honestly since they changed the program formula it has been harder for me. I don't eat out at many chain restaurants. So when I eat out I can likely find the calories for a dish but not the fat fiber ect. The new formula using the fat fiber ect to calulate the calories and then thereby the points.

    So I 20 days I thought I will add MFP to WW see what happened. Two days in I canceled WW and am only on MFP and have lost 9 lbs. I think WW is great but you have less control. Using MFP I can decide if I want to set my calories to take off 2 lbs a week or .5. WW is based on height and weight and you are given a points allowance. I really think it is a great program for people starting out on thier journey who have a typical American diet and the programs that come with it. It can be adapted to other things like a vegan diet but MFP is better suited for that.

  • who4fan
    who4fan Posts: 388 Member
    I have done Weight Watchers a few times, and while I lost, it was super slow. Plus, it seemed I lost the most during weeks that I really didn't follow closely and I gained weeks that I followed it to the letter. So, for me personally, it wasn't the answer. But nothing works for everyone, so if you are getting good results, then for you, Weight Watchers indeed rocks!
  • hupsii
    hupsii Posts: 258 Member
    Eileen_S wrote: »
    hupsii wrote: »
    Eileen_S wrote: »
    DerROK wrote: »
    Plz change the title from "Weight Watchers Rocks" to "anybody else doing it?". Very misleading....... So, rather that respond to the title (which is a NO btw), the answer to your real question is also NO because Weight Watchers do NOT Rock. Fox News did rate them tho as one of the few commercial diets that does help you lose weight, but the results were not very inspiring and they did not seem to be able to understand the difference between weight loss and fat loss.

    The title is just fine so there is no need for it to be changed. I think the OP was speaking for him or herself and not for all. Do you have any studies that you could show that prove that WW does not understand the difference of weight loss and fat loss? Sorry but this part of your post doesn't make sense.
    health.usnews.com/best-diet/weight-watchers-diet

    I guess because you only get weighed in the meetings... they encourage you to measure yourself but it's basically about the scale only ! And if you do not lose on the programme, they don't really have a solution.

    It's only about the scale if a person chooses to make it that. For many WW life time members like myself who actually know the program as it is meant to be, it is more than just a scale. However, since a persons weight is how a person reaches their goal, one might think it is all about the scale. MFP, is no different however, since one is required to give a starting weight and a weight that they want to get to. Therefore MFP and WW are the same, imho. Also, if a person is not losing weight on WW they are going over their recommended points, which is the same as MFP for those who go over their recomened calories. WW does base their goal weight within a healthy BMI range. Isn't that what it should be?

    I am just saying that if you go to the meetings and pay good money for it, one would expect results or in absence of those, some guidelines ...