Making the switch from WW to MFP

I did just that.
Kickstarted the change in my eating habits in mid-Dec (due to health and age). Joined Weight Watchers (free through work) at the end of Dec. Did well, but felt like I still didn't have a full grasp of nutrition. Logged back into this old MFP account. Started parallel tracking on WW and MFP. Moved away from logging on WW anymore, because I feel like my meals are more balanced and satisfying through MFP by just reading through all I can on the forums. I feel WW was not helping. I was shying away from healthy fats, buying sugar-free stuff, etc instead of just eating properly (with less chemicals, and in moderation.) Plus the meetings felt a hair "cultish" (I can only speak for my own.)

I am still losing steadily and gradually. So far 17lbs in 12 weeks. I'm very happy with this.

I invested in a food scale, I bought a lot of the same sized "tupperware" containers and meal prep on Sundays for my work week. I now have a much better understanding of my food intake without relying on converting to "points", I can just glance at a nutrition label.

I feel like MFP is LESS tracking than WW. You have to still weigh everything the exact same as MFP in order to be accurate, but then have to convert all those to SP. The only time it's "easier" is the veggies and fruits. But why should you NOT count those? Do you know, for example, that a banana can have 20g of sugar? It's silly not to consider things like that.

Eons ago, when WW started their first points program, I joined an at work group for a few cycles. We all did lose weight, but I found the information and calculations too much of a pain in the as$ or too costly to get my hands on. WW wants to charge for everything and I’m, um, shall we say, “frugal.” Additionally the points system while simple in concept still required the little calculator, or the sliding cardboard thingy be lugged around, or the books be consulted. I really felt that WW has a great model for people who like to follow someone else’s plan, who need companionship and support from other people and for corporate success. (And there aint nothing wrong with corporate success.)

Being a numbers person calories in calories out is perfect for me. Calorie information is everywhere. It is easy, my barcode scanner works great and I am, for now, mostly looking at one number – my net calories. And it works. I lost over 30 pounds before I got sidelined – which I will blame on 80+ hour work weeks (but was still ultimately within my control.) Now I have left that job and am back in control of my life and my food.

What can make it easier for you? I highly recommend

• Use the USDA Food Database for calorie info https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/search/list
• Until you become familiar with foods calories don’t blindly trust the calories and nutrition in the MFP databases.
• Measure, measure, measure. Wear our both your spoon and cup measures plus have a decent electronic kitchen scale. I bought mine at Target.

I've never done WW, but one of the assistants in my office does. She's been doing it since December with not much weight loss, but at the same time, seemingly on a very restrictive diet. I've been doing MFP since early December 2015 as well, and I've lost almost 23 lbs with no restrictions on food whatsoever (except for managing portions of course). I'm trying to convince her to switch over to MFP - she's not yet convinced that weight loss is as easy as calories in, calories out.

I'm not sure if the new SmartPoints system is very good, I've heard nothing but bad things on these forums TBH. People seemed to prefer the old system. You are definitely not alone in your switch to MFP. Good luck!!

Today i made the switch from WW I lost weight following Smartpoints but i found the meetings were focused on low point food that were not healthy for you like their snackfoods. Also they weighed me wrong my weight was actually up 1.5 lbs they said i lost i asked them to weigh me again they refused because it would affect their numbers. I have tracked Mfp with WW and I really like MFP better and it is free.

I am in the process of switching over. I started on PP on WW, lost just over 30 pounds when the switch to SP happened. I had been pretty satisfied up till that point. With the switch over to SP I found I was so limited I couldn't even enjoy a half slice of son's birthday cake without it blowing my points up. While my focus is definitely weight loss I do still want to LIVE my LIFE and have the freedom to enjoy an occasional slice of cake without being so severely penalized. The mental process I started going through just became unhealthy and my weight loss has been stalled since the change to SP. So, a couple weeks ago I started tracking on MFP again and figure I will give it a month and see how it goes. I can tell you, it is a lot more freeing. The scanner works fabulously for foods, the easily accessible community posts have been wonderful, the website WORKING has been a nice change here, most of the foods I want to enter are already in the database here and if I have room and want a half cup of ice cream I feel like I can do that and still stay in my calorie range. My husband started getting healthier the same time I did and our conversations are more helpful now as we both speak in "calories" versus trying to figure out SP too. Unless something drastically changes I am leaning more towards cancelling my WW membership. I really got off to a great start there, was open to the change to SP, but, it is just not something I think I can manage for the rest of my life.

I have been charged for another month of WW. I have NOT learned a thing about nutrition. All I wanted was help and accountability which I'm still waiting for. The app is driving me absolutely INSANE! Bar code scanner doesn't work half the time or doesn't RECOGNIZE food item. WE should be concentrating on how much sugar, fiber, protein, etc that is in our food. NOT points. What I've learned so far is that their PROCESSED products are low in points but if you READ what the label says, it's not that healthy. Fruits are a sugar even though natural sugar at that, should ALWAYS be counted. Sugar affects our systems giving us a temporary high then the dreaded afternoon crash. I'm sorry for sounding crabby, but this is my very heard earned $45 per month that hasn't helped me in any way.
I dread the meetings.

I am seriously considering dumping WW. Been paying them for far too long.Since the switch which I at first thought was great, because it emphasizes healthier eating, well it turns out it's not a good one size fits all system. I was eating far too much with the 30 SP's they gave me and not losing.Their 24/7 chat told me that they expect you to eat some junk calories and I don't. For example. A cookie might be 3 points. To get 3 points worth of turkey breast I'd have to eat 9 0Z. She had me add my calories including my "free" stuff and it averaged 1600-1800 calories. Too much for me to lose with. Hey if I have to count calories I may as well use this site for free.

There is another thread about this here http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10350569/came-from-weight-watchers#latest