Weight watchers
jillyjelly
Posts: 148 Member
Hi there, I was wandering if anyone who was in thie Weight Watcher program, how did you like it?
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Replies
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My wife and I are following it but I have mixed feelings.
I have 32 points a day and I really struggle to eat that much so it seems i'm eating more just to try and reach that many points....surely if I'm not hungry I shouldn't eat!!1 -
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there seem to be a lot of people on MFP who have done WW (some more than once) and do it either in conjunction with MFP or MFP has become a follow-on.
In my experience (never done, but have had many friends who have) - seems that the points work for some folks and others not - I also don't understand the not counting points for vegetables - because even those have calories...and they can add up3 -
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Hi,
I did WW twice. I lost weight the first time and it was amazing then I fell off the wagon and gained a good portion of it back. The 2nd time I tried it I didn't really like the new layout they had for the website, it wasn't very user friendly. I did the website only and didn't go to meeting or anything. I found that I was wasting my money paying monthly. I feel that just using MFP alone works great and it's free unless you purchase the premium. I am paying closer attention to the calories, protein, sodium etc. rather than just going by WW points. This I feel will help me more in the long run because it's giving me the tools to understand better what I am putting into my body. If you are really curious about WW you can always try the free trial and see how you like it. Just make sure once the trial is up that you cancel it if you don't like it or it will keep charging you.
I hope this helps out.
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Look_Its_Kriss wrote: »The points would be no different then the calories, the problem with WW points is they give you points so far below what you actually need to encourage people to eat the "free" foods more, but just like on MFP, it can be hard to hit the proper goal if you only eat low calorie foods without a mixture of calorie dense foods to help bring the calories up
The points are even worse now..........once upon a time points = calories.
But now WW wants to steer you away from certain foods by making them worth a large number of points......sugar for example. If I want to eat something with sugar in it, then I guess 900 calories should be enough for me (?).
There are people leaving in droves, I'm not sure if Oprah's ads are picking up enough newbies to compensate.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/holistic-or-horrifying-not-everyone-loves-weight-watchers-new-program/2015/12/24/ce96cf38-a97f-11e5-8058-480b572b4aae_story.html?utm_term=.a211dda260453 -
Iv signed up online for a month after losing 50lbs on mfp, I kept gaining and losing the same 7lbs since last October so felt I needed something different to challenge me. Lost 5lbs my first week and two this week so its going well. I stilll track everything on here though but as im not a big fruit or veg fan (fruit and veg is free) iv found my 30 daily points often only equate to 1100 cals....no wonder im losing weight....but I am making better food choices as generally bad food is too high in points to spread the points evenly throughout the day. I am forcinng myself to eat fruit to get my calories upto at least 1200.
Iv only got another 14lbs to lose so this seems to b working1 -
I liked it - about three-four program changes ago. I lost about 85 pounds, but I also figured out how to "cheat" the system to get the most bang for my buck, points-wise. Since points can have a range of calories, you can easily end up over-eating. Did I put it all back on? You bet. And they brought some friends.
Honestly? I just prefer calorie-counting. It feels like much more of a real-world/sustainable solution. And even better - it's free! 4 -
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I liked it in the beginning but then I couldn't lose the last 15 pounds AT ALL. When I switched over to calorie counting and tracked for a few days, I was basically eating at maintenance because of the "free" foods. I feel like (in my opinion) WW works better for people who have more to lose. Plus I hated how it gave me a mentality that there were "bad" foods. It wasn't healthy for my psyche at all.2
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I've done weight watchers twice. Once on the second or possible third iteration of the program and once on the newer from 2011? pointsplus program. I heard they changed things up again since last time I left.
The first time I managed to lose 25 of my 30lb goal, I got pregnant again before I reached my goal, and when I came back and saw that they had changed it, I thought it could only be better. It took me 6 months to lose 10lbs and 8 of those were in the first three months. I wanted to lose 30lbs, I really. tried, but for some reason it wasn't working for me. I even switched from the online program to going to the meetings, and after months of watching the same two pounds come and go I decided it was time to find something else.
Some things I liked about weightwatchers. I liked the concept of weekly points, and exercise points that could be earned one day and used later in the week. It's a concept I still use. I liked a few of the bloggers on the community, and I was very sad when the most recent website revamp made it so I couldn't keep up with them without a subscription.
What I didn't like. As much as I liked the weekly/exercise points I found that if I had a rough day one day and didn't track then I felt like my whole week was ruined and I would give up and stop tracking for the rest of the week, and since I wasn't tracking I would decide I could take a break till my week started over and eat whatever I wanted. I was starting over all the time. I think that had more to do with my own compulsions than the program itself, but why pay for something that in the end just wasn't a good fit?
Since MFP and other tracking apps like it only track day to day I find it much easier to stick with it long term. If I have a busy/bad/hard day instead to derailing my whole week, I just start fresh the next day and don't get frustrated that my "weekly" calories are now off.
I've had two more babies since giving up of weight watchers and have had baby weight to lose both times. I have used both My Plate, and now MFP. I have favorite things about both apps, but finally settle on MFP and I suspect this is where I'll stay.2 -
I've done it twice before and made it to Lifetime. Momentum worked best for me. PointsPlus didn't work at all as I ended up gaining the weight I lost and never could make it back to goal. I too began to get frustrated with the meetings as I found people waxing poetic about how they cheat the system with their foods and then get frustrated about losing/gaining the same weight over and over again (ya think).
I love MFP so much better as I see members looking at the holistic approach with the different message boards. If you feel you need the in-person communication, go for it. If you don't and can do online, I say stick with MFP and save that money for new clothes, hairdos, etc.1 -
I find the new way they're doing points (Smart Points) to have a lot of voodoo in it. I don't need to be punished for wanting to have a beer or a cookie, and I actually can eat more on days I exercise.
The expense is also just so high. I understand that paying for something can help make it feel like you need to actually follow it. I found the same motivation in a method that takes my money and then gives it back if I follow through (dietbetter.com).
Personally, I think that every aspect of WW can be found better elsewhere. Calorie count here. Get monetary motivation through Diet Bet. Get social support in person through TOPS or OA.6 -
Wait! They took away exercise points? That's dumb! What's the point of exercise then. Way to go WW! Teaching people to obsess over the scale numbers, and ignore all other aspects of health, they just keep getting worse! Of course their customers are leaving in droves!0
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Oh, you're still supposed to exercise... but you don't get to eat more if you do.jaymijones wrote: »Wait! The took away exercise points? That's dumb! What's the point of exercise then. Way to go WW! Teaching people to obsess over the scale numbers, and ignore all other aspects of health, they just keep getting worse! Of course their customers are leaving in droves!
The point of exercise is calories for wine.
Well, and health and sanity and strength. But calories for wine is probably #1 on my list right now. And that's ok.9 -
so do you get more points to start off with, if they have removed the bonus exercise points? or do they just assume you don't eat back those calories0
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annacole94 wrote: »
Oh, you're still supposed to exercise... but you don't get to eat more if you do.jaymijones wrote: »Wait! The took away exercise points? That's dumb! What's the point of exercise then. Way to go WW! Teaching people to obsess over the scale numbers, and ignore all other aspects of health, they just keep getting worse! Of course their customers are leaving in droves!
The point of exercise is calories for wine.
Well, and health and sanity and strength. But calories for wine is probably #1 on my list right now. And that's ok.
Seriously, I exercise so I can eat more, I claim it's because I want all the other health benefits, and I do want those! But really it's so I can eat more.
I wasn't planning to go back to WW ever, but now it's a sure thing. No bonus for exercise? Where is the motivation to do it?
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annacole94 wrote: »jaymijones wrote: »Wait! The took away exercise points? That's dumb! What's the point of exercise then. Way to go WW! Teaching people to obsess over the scale numbers, and ignore all other aspects of health, they just keep getting worse! Of course their customers are leaving in droves!
The point of exercise is calories for wine.
Preach.3 -
jaymijones wrote: »annacole94 wrote: »
Oh, you're still supposed to exercise... but you don't get to eat more if you do.jaymijones wrote: »Wait! The took away exercise points? That's dumb! What's the point of exercise then. Way to go WW! Teaching people to obsess over the scale numbers, and ignore all other aspects of health, they just keep getting worse! Of course their customers are leaving in droves!
The point of exercise is calories for wine.
Well, and health and sanity and strength. But calories for wine is probably #1 on my list right now. And that's ok.
Seriously, I exercise so I can eat more, I claim it's because I want all the other health benefits, and I do want those! But really it's so I can eat more.
I wasn't planning to go back to WW ever, but now it's a sure thing. No bonus for exercise? Where is the motivation to do it?
From responses to the Washington Post article above there is a way to add activity points.....WW is sort of discouraging that because they don't make it easy. But if you connect with web support, they can show you how to use activity points before your weekly points.0 -
deannalfisher wrote: »so do you get more points to start off with, if they have removed the bonus exercise points? or do they just assume you don't eat back those calories
You get the points for excercise, but they tell you weirdly enough not to eat those.1 -
deannalfisher wrote: »so do you get more points to start off with, if they have removed the bonus exercise points? or do they just assume you don't eat back those calories
You get the points for excercise, but they tell you weirdly enough not to eat those.
That's not new, I remember being told that in 2009. It was "eat them. Unless you want to boost your weight loss, then don't eat them."
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jaymijones wrote: »deannalfisher wrote: »so do you get more points to start off with, if they have removed the bonus exercise points? or do they just assume you don't eat back those calories
You get the points for excercise, but they tell you weirdly enough not to eat those.
That's not new, I remember being told that in 2009. It was "eat them. Unless you want to boost your weight loss, then don't eat them."
UGH. Yes, the double-talk.1 -
I am using the older WW program, Points Plus, and I am also tracking here. There's a real correlation between calories and points on that program. Although -- the last two weeks I was over my points budget and still managed to lose weight, because I was within my calorie goals for the week.
There's a real disconnect between calories and points on the new program, which is why I quit when they introduced the new program.
WW has been having problems for awhile now, and it's not just the new program. It's the business model. $19 a week? Why spend that when you can use My Fitness Pal, or the app that came with your Fitbit, or a dozen other tracking apps, that are iethe free or very low cost.1 -
songbird13291 wrote: »I am using the older WW program, Points Plus, and I am also tracking here. There's a real correlation between calories and points on that program. Although -- the last two weeks I was over my points budget and still managed to lose weight, because I was within my calorie goals for the week.
There's a real disconnect between calories and points on the new program, which is why I quit when they introduced the new program.
WW has been having problems for awhile now, and it's not just the new program. It's the business model. $19 a week? Why spend that when you can use My Fitness Pal, or the app that came with your Fitbit, or a dozen other tracking apps, that are iethe free or very low cost.
I also feel like WW has to keep "reinventing" itself in order to continue to pull in money.
If they have a successful program that goes on too long, in the internet age, people have access to finding their materials unofficially and getting unofficial (free) support online. If they keep changing up their materials, calculators, philosophy, they at least get a boon every few years as it's hard to access the "new" material.
I really believe that their last program was their most successful, but so many people were able to do it without paying the fee that they probably saw a drop in revenue.1 -
I did the WW thing many moons ago, where you had one points range to stay in. There were no pointsplus, no extra week points, just- here's your range and your calculator. It was simple and it worked. However, it was just a formula for counting calories and making sure you were eating fiber. Checked it out years later and it felt like they changed, like any business I suppose, to keep you more reliant on their system.1
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Look_Its_Kriss wrote: »
Sweet jesus.. =/
Thats sad, i had a co worker join them just 2-3 days ago.. $19 a week.. and shes ranting and raving about how it needs to be real for her or she wont do it.. yeah.. well... i kept my mouth shut for the most part.. but.. i honestly dont think anyone learns much of anything from the program to take with them if they ever cant afford to do it anymore... i had a co worker previous to this join and lose some weight but she stopped paying to go cause it was just too expensive.. she put 5 pounds back on since the summer, which is all fine and good, its not ALOT of weight but shes still over weight in general.. i would rather see someone LOSE 5 pounds since the summer on their own
Things I've learned from WW that I've carried with me for years even though I'm no longer willing to pay for the program...
- How to make reasonable choices at any type of restaurant.
- How to estimate portion sizes, with pretty good accuracy, when I'm away from home and can't measure (I actually test myself periodically, and I'm pretty darn close)
- That it's important to eat at least so much every day.
- Tools for dealing with cravings, including knowing when and how to indulge one.
- Which foods are more filling.
- Drink water.
- Exercise (so you can have desert)
- Desert ideas that don't blow your diet.
- Make sure you still eat dairy, protein, fiber, and healthy fats.
- Don't only worry about the scale. The scale on any particular day doesn't tell you how good or bad you're doing.
- Celebrate Non-Scale Victories.
- If you have a special occasion coming up, eat lighter ahead of time to "bank" some calories/points, then you can indulge a bit without going off plan.
- Going off plan one day is seldom a problem, it's when you use that day as an excuse to stay off plan. Brush yourself off, and get back on the saddle.
- The importance of mini goals (5%, 10 pounds, etc.)
- The joy that is club soda.
- Slow and steady wins the race.
- The importance of maintenance.
Before WW, every "diet" I tried was not at all sustainable, and some of them were downright dangerous. Could I have learned these things somewhere else? Probably. But I learned them from WW, and I'm not sure I would have learned they would be as ingrained in my brain if I learned them somewhere else.
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I was successful on WW back before they made the changes that assigned more points to certain foods. Now, the system they use just doesn't work for me. I am assigned 1200 calories a day on MFP. Even something as healthy as a large garden salad takes up 10% of that total, but on the current WW system, that salad would be assigned no points because it's a vegetable. And I find it annoying that WW keeps talking about "taking a stand" against unhealthy foods on behalf of all of us adults!2
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Knowing now how the newest program punishes "unhealthy foods" makes those new adds with Oprah all that more annoying. Talking about eating what you want while still losing weight is one thing, promising that you can, but punishing you when you do seems like false advertisement.5
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If I still had regular employment, I probably would have gone back to WW when my doctor told me to lose weight in September. It was the only program I knew that didn't mandate eating 'their special meals' (I know WW has their own foods, but it's not like Nutrisystem, etc. where you HAVE to buy it), wasn't a fad diet, and had a good track record. But I didn't and I told my doctor that I couldn't afford the fees. Best advice my doctor gave me was the obvious: "You don't need WW to lose weight." Keep in mind that a previous doctor had pushed WW as though it was my only option and it had never occurred to me to go elsewhere. Not sure what else to do, I went Googling online calorie counters and one of the first links that came up was MFP.
Truth be told, I feel like I've got a better attitude toward food than I did on WW. That could be me wising up and being honest with myself about not wanting to give up all junk food, desserts, etc. It could be all the forum threads, the straight-talk as well as the sympathy. It could be that MFP put me on more calories than I'd expected (though, to be fair, I'm also heavier than I ever was on WW and starting on 1200/day when you're 124 lbs overweight is probably a bad idea in most cases; 1710 was more my speed).
At this point, even if I had more disposable income, based on what I'm reading about the current program, I wouldn't go back to WW. But I might consider going premium on MFP...1
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