Weight Watchers? Give it a go or no?!

WW is great. Mostly for the reason you state - the accountability. There is nothing "special" about the diet, it isn't a fad diet --- it's good old calorie counting (only with a point system instead - but don't let it fool you - it's calories). They recently made changes to promote eating whole foods too - which is fantastic!! it shows they aren't all about selling their own products since their products went UP in points.

I say go for it - for the accountability factor - and maybe making new friends in a new town! You won't get anything there about food intake you won't get here - so I wouldn't pay the money for the online version; but definite benefits from going the meeting route.

PS: I have about 5 gyms within 10 miles of me --- I don't belong to any of them. I find I'm better at doing workouts at home. Walking/running the neighborhood, I have my own treadmill, and I really enjoy workout videos. Right now I'm stuck on JM 30 Day Shred and Bob Harper Inside/Out Method videos.

I used to do WW. I quit the day after I joined MFP. Weight Watchers works as long as you work. I mean that if you put forth the effort and if you are committed you will lose weight. The principle of WW in my opinion is to promote a healthier lifestyle. Just like with MFP if you decide to use your calories on junk food you can. I wish you the best.

I do not belong to WW but my sister does and loves it. I have another friend that quit because it wasn't for her.

The key to success is to find what works for you, maybe that is WW, maybe it isn't. Unfortunately, WW does require a financial commitment that not all people can afford or feel comfortable with. : (

I also belong to a gym but do not visit it very often. I prefer to run outside and do kettlebells at home. It is nice in the winter to go and use the treadmill but as many people on here will tell you, a gym is not necessary for success.

Good luck with whatever you decide, and if that decision is that WW isn't an option, I hope you know that although it is virtual, the MFP community is very motivating and encouraging as well.

WW actually just got rated as the one of the best "diets" for short term and long term weight loss. If you "get" what they're teaching you can make alot of permanent changes in your life to be healthier. After I had DD I did WW at home. I had an app for my Palm Pilot and I was involved with a great group of girls on Dotti's Weight Loss Zone (www.dwlz.com I think) I lost all the baby weight and the weight I put on before I had her. I'm still really good friends IRL and online with the girls I met on that board. If you can get one of the deals where joining is free, I'd say check it out. It wouldn't hurt to check out Dotti's or the Three Fat Chicks message boards to see what other people say about it.

Weight Watchers, as others have mentioned, is a fantastic plan because they don't promote extreme measures to lose weight and the entire principle of the program is to teach you to make healthier choices in the long term. I also think that where you are living and where you don't have any family or a whole lot of friends, meeting those people through the meetings could be a great way to make new friends and feel more connected to your new community.

can i tell u Jennifer Hudson's Feeling good came on as i read this? lol
maybe its a sign? :laugh:


isnt WW calorie counting as well? it seems very similar to this one without the extra funds. that's all i really know about it though... so i'm not one to talk.

You mentioned u're in a new place.. so perhaps that extra support with WW might be good too.

oh well, no matter... i dont think one can have enough support for this journey we're on.

If you are finding you need help then go for it. I think they give you foods. I think you can do it yourself and save yourself a lot of money. You just have to educate yourself on food choices. Take a look at my diary. I will leave it open. I am on maintaining now but if you back before april I was on a 1200 cal goal.

I did w/w for about 4 years and had success up until they changed the points system. I had lost 43lbs and kept it off but once the change occured I put on 7lbs. This is not to say it happened to everyone already on w/w. I did w/w completely online and did not go to any meetings when I originally lost my weight. It was a great help but started to become expensive and once it stopped helping I went ahead and left. I have found that all the tools and help I was rec'ving from the w/w online site are actually found right here. I am starting to see success again. I just recorded 2.5 inch loss after 30 days. Only difference is calories counting which I've found this site helps me accomplish, vs points counting. I would recommend looking into a trial with w/w to see if its for you. They have offers all the time. I was originally happy with w/w but for myself couldn't addapt to the points system change. I'm doing much better now that I've switched. Again, the only differences between the online sites is first off $$ and then calories vs points. I'm not sure if going to meetings would have helped but who knows. If going to the meetings will be your only way to accomplish your goals, or just to meet others, check to see if any church groups or ymca or any community resorces are available as well because if so you might find with their help and by keeping up with myfitnesspal is all you need without montly dues. I hope this is helpful.

I recently stopped using WW. It is a great nutritionally sound program. When I started using it in December, I had every intention to use it for a few months and then switch over to MFP or Loseit.com. My reasons to start with WW was to get myself on track and used to counting again. (Points vs. Calories) Once I got in the groove of counting etc, I made the move over to MFP gradually. I started with a month of double tracking (points AND calories.) Then I let go of WW altogether.

The reason that I wanted to make the switch is that this is a life long process for me and I can count calories easier than I can count points due to the proprietary nature of the WW point system. I get it, they use this to make money and that is all well and good.

I am happy with my decision to make the switch, but don't regret the foundational time I spent with WW. Good Luck!