Smart Points vs MFP

honeybee739 · November 2016

I'm currently an online member of Weight Watchers and have been parallel tracking in both mfp and ww app.

My personal experience is that mfp is way more forgiving. WW fans will say, but you can eat 1200 calories of crap and still lose weight where WW pushes you toward healthier choices.

I get that. I get that I could eat 1200 calories of frozen meals and call it a day. Gross. But I don't do that. On mfp I can get away with eating some not so great foods and still lose weight if I'm under calories. I'm also making good choices as well which is much more sustainable for me.

With the new smart points plan I feel punished for eating anything with sugar or carbs. I know if you are going for overall weightloss and health, that's the way to go but it's really hard. For me anyway.

Maybe I'm just making excuses and being a wimp?

My questions are, what do you prefer? Counting calories or points? And if you track on here, do you try to hit macro goals or are you just concerned with overall calories? I seem to always be a bit over my carbs and fat but not eating enough protein. Even if Im at or under calorie goal. Should I also stress over that or just focus on calories to get started?

trigden1991 · November 2016

The best "diet" is the one that you can be consistent with. I've never tried WW but have had great success using the basic CICO equation with flexible food choices.

Regarding your question about protein/carbs/fats, I would say that calories should always come first. Macronutrient split is down to personal preference.

sarkav03 · November 2016

I actually just dropped my WW subscription - totally agree on feeling punished for eating sugar and carbs.
I much prefer MFP - and my weight-loss has picked up since switching over a month ago.
WW focuses a lot on "Beyond the Scale" and "Non-Scale Victories" but the same can be applied here on MFP as well - you're "rewarded" with the extra calories for activity etc, just like you would receive fit points.

And of course as an added bonus MFP is free

The thing is whatever route you go, you have to be able to maintain what you're doing in order to be successful. If you feel too restricted, it will be too hard to maintain long-term. I enjoy having my carbs and my treats within my calorie allotment - maybe my weight loss is slower, but I'm convinced that it will be more maintainable because I don't feel deprived.

Not sure if that helps at all but I've heard a few people have the same thoughts when comparing the two.

snickerscharlie · November 2016

honeybee739 wrote: »

I'm currently an online member of Weight Watchers and have been parallel tracking in both mfp and ww app.

My personal experience is that mfp is way more forgiving. WW fans will say, but you can eat 1200 calories of crap and still lose weight where WW pushes you toward healthier choices.

I get that. I get that I could eat 1200 calories of frozen meals and call it a day. Gross. But I don't do that. On mfp I can get away with eating some not so great foods and still lose weight if I'm under calories. I'm also making good choices as well which is much more sustainable for me.

With the new smart points plan I feel punished for eating anything with sugar or carbs. I know if you are going for overall weightloss and health, that's the way to go but it's really hard. For me anyway.

Maybe I'm just making excuses and being a wimp?

My questions are, what do you prefer? Counting calories or points? And if you track on here, do you try to hit macro goals or are you just concerned with overall calories? I seem to always be a bit over my carbs and fat but not eating enough protein. Even if Im at or under calorie goal. Should I also stress over that or just focus on calories to get started?

Any plan that feels punitive, or makes me feel like a bad child sneaking treats or promotes an atmosphere of demonizing foods is a complete no-go for me.

MFP is more conducive to responsible adult thinking. You can build your food choices around calories that fit your calorie and nutrition budget, yet not get smacked for also including a few treats along the way.

There is no good food and bad food. It's just food.

Edited to add: You absolutely DO NOT have to eliminate carbs for "overall weightloss and health." Carbs aren't evil.

d_waters · November 2016

I just started again on mfp. I have just cancelled my ww subscription during my free 3 mos! I am following macro counts and I swear, I have never been able to eat so much! Weird that I am looking for fat! On ww ... think the system was easier, but the food decisions got boring.... got totally tired of wraps!! And several other things. I can eat 2 cups of rice on my macro counting.... real butter, I actually have to have candy on hand to fill in the blanks.

grammageegee · November 2016

I also have trouble hitting my macros, but can easily keep my calories in line. I have been logging for 80 days and have lost 11 lbs. Feeling very motivated. Wanting to lose a total of 50 by the 4th of July. 8 pounds behind my schedule at the moment, but feel I can make it up in the next 8 months!!

Smart Points vs MFP

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