Struggling with weight watchers
Zborni4
Posts: 38 Member
So I decided to join Weight Watchers online...maybe Oprah got to me, I don't know. I have been in a funk for a while and have put on weight and needed to do something. I have been on MFP forever but felt I needed a different jump start. However.. I am finding WW extremely difficult. I am not eating bad food and am not eating a lot, yet I am almost out of points by dinner every day. I did some dual tracking with MFP and I'm not over my calories here. Has anyone else had similar issues with WW?
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Oh yeah. The newest program is super restrictive. Basically if you're not eating chicken and veggies you're being penalized. Demonizing food that doesn't need to be by assigning super high points. I liked the previous programs they've had but the latest just is not for me at all.13
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Oprah said no bread, so she lost me there.
It really depends on what program you're using. There have been many threads that echo what @Ready2Rock206 said, that the new one is highly restrictive. Some people stay on the older programs because that's what they're used to (tried and true, too).
When you were not on WW were you watching your intake (ie weighing, measuring, etc) and meeting your deficit, or is that why you need the 'jumpstart'? I don't mean this in a bad way, just if using it is making it feel like you are not succeeding, it may be better from a mental standpoint to not follow it, or find the older versions.3 -
Ready2Rock206 wrote: »Oh yeah. The newest program is super restrictive. Basically if you're not eating chicken and veggies you're being penalized. Demonizing food that doesn't need to be by assigning super high points. I liked the previous programs they've had but the latest just is not for me at all.
This^
Foods are not "bad." Some are better than others. Some foods are occasional foods, while others are everyday foods. We just need to keep a balance.
I can fit a treat into my daily calories everyday on MFP.......with WW that treat comes with a penalty. I shouldn't have to under eat because I want a 70 calorie square of chocolate.
Losing weight is just the first step. How does putting a penalty on foods help with maintenance? My guess is, it doesn't. Then WW can sign the same people up (again) after changing their points system yet again.5 -
Ready2Rock206 wrote: »Oh yeah. The newest program is super restrictive. Basically if you're not eating chicken and veggies you're being penalized. Demonizing food that doesn't need to be by assigning super high points. I liked the previous programs they've had but the latest just is not for me at all.
Many years ago I used the 1-2-3 Success program and I really liked it. The weight came off pretty slowly, but it was steady and I didn't feel as if it was too restrictive. I could save points for the weekend and use my exercise points on beer. But I've had a look at the later progams and they're quite frankly awful. I would be so hangry after a week if I was doing the latest one.1 -
Oprah said no bread, so she lost me there.
It really depends on what program you're using. There have been many threads that echo what @Ready2Rock206 said, that the new one is highly restrictive. Some people stay on the older programs because that's what they're used to (tried and true, too).
When you were not on WW were you watching your intake (ie weighing, measuring, etc) and meeting your deficit, or is that why you need the 'jumpstart'? I don't mean this in a bad way, just if using it is making it feel like you are not succeeding, it may be better from a mental standpoint to not follow it, or find the older versions.
Oh I wasn't tracking anything at all. I really think I was going through a bit of a depression and have just kinda given up for like 5 months. I thought maybe if I started anew with something new it would be a good way to start. Plus, on the surface this new WW program sounds good. Eating cleaner, better for you foods and reducing sugar. However, when a Keurig mocha k-cup is 4 points, adding that to your breakfast and you are already off to a bad start. Or like someone mentioned, I don't want to be penalized for eating a square of dark chocolate. I only signed up for a month so I think I will try it and see how it goes but then I might just come back here.3 -
One interesting thing is that their recipes they suggest actually don't look that bad. However, they use a lot of reduced fat cheese and I'm kind of iffy on anything "light". It seems to me like those products are more processed.3
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One interesting thing is that their recipes they suggest actually don't look that bad. However, they use a lot of reduced fat cheese and I'm kind of iffy on anything "light". It seems to me like those products are more processed.
There's reduced fat as in taking fat out....period. Reduced fat milk is a staple for me. But then there is reduced fat (or fat free) with junk added for creaminess or whatever.
I'm okay with 2% cheese. But what the heck is in fat free cream cheese? I mean cream cheese is mostly fat.
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I get that depression thing. I was on a business trip for 3 weeks, ate garbage, came back and I was tired and depressed, etc. and gave up. Paid for it. Just got back on the tracking train and kept going on.
Reduced fat cheese is no more or less processed that regular cheese (as an example), it just means the calories come from so much fat (https://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/GuidanceDocumentsRegulatoryInformation/LabelingNutrition/ucm064911.htm). Processed foods aren't bad (and there's no way of specifically categorizing what counts as processed. There have been many a fight over that on MFP). If reducing sugar works for you, go for it. For me I have to reduce things slowly or I'll end up binging on them (like sugar). There are no bad foods, just foods people prefer not to eat. I've done low carb, paleo, clean eating, etc. and none of them worked for me better than another. Now I eat at a calorie deficit, weigh my food and eat whatever the bleep I want, and lose weight.
Definitely look online and find recipes from all sorts of websites and use the ones you like, alter the ones that you feel aren't a good fit for you. I think that often there are lots of good things you can take from different groups/companies/programs and make work for you.7 -
Most store bought foods are processed... I use 2%/low fat cheese, dairy products in recipes. The fat free options are just not the right texture/consistency.One interesting thing is that their recipes they suggest actually don't look that bad. However, they use a lot of reduced fat cheese and I'm kind of iffy on anything "light". It seems to me like those products are more processed.
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I left last week after a major blowout with a receptionist with no tact and a leader who couldn't understand why someone who exercises about 2 hrs per day would need to eat Fitpoints back (exercise calories). A lot of members are adding protein supplements to food to lower the points values. If you eat a 200 calorie dessert, you need to live off of tuna or chicken and veggies for the rest of the day. The list of foods I was avoiding or eliminating was constantly growing. I lost most of my weight on the old Program and it taught me so much about healthy eating. I've been battling the same 7 lbs for a year on the Smartpoints plan.8
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They lost me with whatever program came after Points Plus... I was a huge WW fan back in the day and lost the weight after both babies on the program.
The new Points are harder to calculate on the fly and the free fruit doesn't work for me. I also quickly grew tired of having to buy new materials or re-learn a new program. I was frustrated trying to learn a new program while the old one was working, leaving me scratching my head.
Then... I stumbled on MFP. Free!!! Better!!
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Can I share my trick? I'm losing 2-3lbs a week.
1. Track every morsel.
2. Eat anything you want just stay within your calories.
3. Sleep, sleep, sleep.
4. Water, water, water.
5. I don't eat back my active calories and I don't credit myself garmin given calories.
6. Eat balanced foods.
7. Take a daily pic of yourself. I do this and send it to my sis. It's my workout sweaty pic. Holds my accountable.
About 4 weeks in I was less hungry, had a ton more energy and was so proud of myself I don't want to stop. I hadn't felt proud of myself in so long I actually had forgotten what it felt like.
A few other things I did....got contacts, bought myself so new clothes and makeup and got my hair done, downloaded every song I could possibly want (which I never do-to workout). I think my confidence is beaming and that is the key. Simply confidence.
Last thing, first month I worked out hard every single day to prove to myself I could do it. It feels so good!
Try it!
I don't believe any diet is a lifetime commitment. Set realistic expectations and work hard at them, eat normal food. No box.
You can do this!17 -
I lost weight on points plus, then stopped caring (thanks, depression!), and then though I'd join back up because it worked last time. I hate the new program.
If I eat 100 calories of jelly beans, I should have to use 2x as many points as 100 calories of chicken breast.
It's too restrictive for me. I wish I hadn't wasted the money.0 -
Reduced fat cheese doesn't really taste any different to me. I recently accidentally bought some reduced-fat cheddar cheese sticks for lunches. I didn't even know about it until the package was empty and I took a closer look as I was throwing it out. I'd been logging them as if they were the regular version. Totally fat-free dairy products are kinda blah, though. For instance, 1% is OK, 2% is good, but skim milk is horrendous. Same with cheese, IMO.1
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Katiebear_81 wrote: »I lost weight on points plus, then stopped caring (thanks, depression!), and then though I'd join back up because it worked last time. I hate the new program.
If I eat 100 calories of jelly beans, I should have to use 2x as many points as 100 calories of chicken breast.
It's too restrictive for me. I wish I hadn't wasted the money.
I think they kinda have to make things complicated, because a lot of people feel like a program is more legit, like they're getting their money's worth, if it's mysterious and/or complicated. Plus, if they made it too simple, like having 100 calories = 100 calories no matter what type of food you're eating, then people might figure out that they don't actually need WW. They could figure it out on their own. You know, why would you pay for something you can do for free on your own?6 -
I joined ww Feb used online only for 1 week it's so restrictive now
I did it last year for 12 weeks and didn't lose anymore than I did calorie counting
I think a lifestyle cash he has to be something we are happy with and if ww is too restrictive just start afresh in here reassess your calories and eat different foods log 10000000% honestly all the picked extras sauces sugar and weigh measure everything plus make sure you find the relight amount calories to lose weight with a good calculator0 -
Katiebear_81 wrote: »I lost weight on points plus, then stopped caring (thanks, depression!), and then though I'd join back up because it worked last time. I hate the new program.
If I eat 100 calories of jelly beans, I should have to use 2x as many points as 100 calories of chicken breast.
It's too restrictive for me. I wish I hadn't wasted the money.
I think they kinda have to make things complicated, because a lot of people feel like a program is more legit, like they're getting their money's worth, if it's mysterious and/or complicated. Plus, if they made it too simple, like having 100 calories = 100 calories no matter what type of food you're eating, then people might figure out that they don't actually need WW. They could figure it out on their own. You know, why would you pay for something you can do for free on your own?
This is exactly what WW is , it's a business they change it every January so people thinks it works better infact it doesn't pre late 1990s it was a great plan based in calories now they are in the carb band wagon like making out a jacket potatoe is really unhealthy as natural sugars ????
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Oprah said no bread, so she lost me there.
It really depends on what program you're using. There have been many threads that echo what @Ready2Rock206 said, that the new one is highly restrictive. Some people stay on the older programs because that's what they're used to (tried and true, too).
When you were not on WW were you watching your intake (ie weighing, measuring, etc) and meeting your deficit, or is that why you need the 'jumpstart'? I don't mean this in a bad way, just if using it is making it feel like you are not succeeding, it may be better from a mental standpoint to not follow it, or find the older versions.
I thought Oprah's tag line was that she DOES still eat bread - like everyday!6 -
So, when I want to drop water weight, have more regular BMs and get back on track with my eating habits, I use the point program circa 2003 (using an app called iWatchbites). I dual track and it's roughly 1,000-1,200 calories a day plus whatever I eat in vegetables (I aim for 200 calories of veg). I usually do it for 2-3 weeks because I am really not trying to lose a ton of weight but adjust my food habits away from high sodium, low fiber, low nutrients choices. Which I can get carried away with on MFP because they fit easier into my higher calorie goal and I am sometime bad at paying attention to macros. This forces mindfulness.
I'm actually doing this right now and will transition back to mfp in another week. I looked into the new program and lolno'd it. Not that I would actually join (I don't have more than 10 pounds to lose anyway) but what they are doing looks so restrictive and miserable.
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So I decided to join Weight Watchers online...maybe Oprah got to me, I don't know. I have been in a funk for a while and have put on weight and needed to do something. I have been on MFP forever but felt I needed a different jump start. However.. I am finding WW extremely difficult. I am not eating bad food and am not eating a lot, yet I am almost out of points by dinner every day. I did some dual tracking with MFP and I'm not over my calories here. Has anyone else had similar issues with WW?
I did WW for years and last year I switched over to MFP. The thing with WW is that they don't give you as many calories as MFP does. I get 1200 per day here and on WW it was around 800-1000 which there was no way I could stay within my points without constantly feeling hungry or deprived. It took coming here to MFP and entering all my food for a few months and comparing to WW that I found out WW said I was constantly going over points there so I knew I was eating too little on that plan.1 -
I re-joined Weight Watchers in March 2015 and had real success with Points Plus. there's a correlation between Points Plus and calories, when I double tracked here and at WW I could see the relationship.
I was there in December 2015 when Smart Points was introduced. I liked the holistic concept, the idea of viewing the member as a whole person, not just as a person trying to lose weight. But I lasted about 3 weeks. All of my "go-to" foods were suddenly too high in points, there was no correlation between points and calories. I was literally in tears at my last meeting, and the leader had nothing useful to offer me.
I tried calorie counting, and it worked, but I got sloppy about food choices. So I downloaded iTrackBites, and I'm doing Points Plus again. A little more structured, but it helps me make better food choices. If I'm staying within my points budget, I'm also hitting the target on calories and macros.5 -
[quote= But what the heck is in fat free cream cheese? I mean cream cheese is mostly fat.
[/quote]
Gross - fat free cheese is just gross! I'll use the neufchatel lighter cream cheese, but never fat free.
OP: I did WW for a years. When they switched to SP, I struggled. I was moody, hungry all the time (while eating healthy, balanced meals in reasonable portions) and I felt like a complete failure. I went over my DPs EVERY SINGLE DAY and I was still miserable. I saw a dietitian to see if there was some food box I wasn't checking (I wasn't). She's the one that had me join MFP so she could review my food diaries and check macros during my visits. I dual-tracked on WW and MFP for 3 weeks. One day when I hit my DPs dead on I went into MFP to finish tracking there and check my calorie limit. I was only at 930 calories! Eating whole grains, lean protein, and 7 F/V servings a day plus 1-2 tsp of olive oil (I still follow the old WW good health goals), I was starving myself by following WW limits. That's the day I decided I'd learned all I could from them and quit. A short time later I was diagnosed with insulin resistance (the reason I'd been struggling to lose despite a healthy lifestyle). That diagnosis requires that I measure my carb and sugar intake in grams every day, and I cannot do that on WW anyway. WW taught me to eat healthy, which is why my dietitian didn't have any changes to recommend and stopped seeing me after 4 visits, but at some point, their system is a more complicated, more expensive way to do what you can do here for free. Some people get enough out of the meetings to make it worthwhile, and there have been times I needed someone else on the other end of the scale to keep myself accountable, but I am past that.
Figure out what works for you, and if it isn't WW, maybe just come back to MFP with a bit more discipline in tracking, weighing, & measuring. Good luck!
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songbird13291 wrote: »I re-joined Weight Watchers in March 2015 and had real success with Points Plus. there's a correlation between Points Plus and calories, when I double tracked here and at WW I could see the relationship.
I was there in December 2015 when Smart Points was introduced. I liked the holistic concept, the idea of viewing the member as a whole person, not just as a person trying to lose weight. But I lasted about 3 weeks. All of my "go-to" foods were suddenly too high in points, there was no correlation between points and calories. I was literally in tears at my last meeting, and the leader had nothing useful to offer me.
I tried calorie counting, and it worked, but I got sloppy about food choices. So I downloaded iTrackBites, and I'm doing Points Plus again. A little more structured, but it helps me make better food choices. If I'm staying within my points budget, I'm also hitting the target on calories and macros.
I downloaded trackbites too- I lost over 80 pounds with points plus a few years ago- I keep trying to get back into counting points but I just haven't been able to stay focused. I know it works but my discipline and motivation is lacking right now. @songbird132910 -
Oprah said no bread, so she lost me there.
It really depends on what program you're using. There have been many threads that echo what @Ready2Rock206 said, that the new one is highly restrictive. Some people stay on the older programs because that's what they're used to (tried and true, too).
When you were not on WW were you watching your intake (ie weighing, measuring, etc) and meeting your deficit, or is that why you need the 'jumpstart'? I don't mean this in a bad way, just if using it is making it feel like you are not succeeding, it may be better from a mental standpoint to not follow it, or find the older versions.
Oh I wasn't tracking anything at all. I really think I was going through a bit of a depression and have just kinda given up for like 5 months. I thought maybe if I started anew with something new it would be a good way to start. Plus, on the surface this new WW program sounds good. Eating cleaner, better for you foods and reducing sugar. However, when a Keurig mocha k-cup is 4 points, adding that to your breakfast and you are already off to a bad start. Or like someone mentioned, I don't want to be penalized for eating a square of dark chocolate. I only signed up for a month so I think I will try it and see how it goes but then I might just come back here.
I was successful losing 30 lbs on the previous WW program (point plus) so when I needed to lose the 7 lbs that have creeped back over the last 6 years I naturally went back to WW. The new program sucks.
My major issue is that you don't learn the true caloric impact of your foods. For example: 6oz uncooked chicken breast for 220 calories, chobani strawberry greek yogurt cup for 150 calories, and 1 Lindor milk chocolate truffle ball for 70 calories all equal 4 WW points. These foods are not equal. 2tbsp of peanut butter at 190 calories is 6 points!!! I was maxing out my daily and weekly points and still starving all the time. Also, when fruits and veggies are 'free' you run the risk of overeating. One person on an old post calculated she was eating up to 700 calories a day in fruits and veggies!
Anyway, I came to MFP and have had a much easier time. I eat 1300-1550 calories a day and lose about 0.75lbs a week, maybe 0.5lb more if I get some exercise in. I understand that part of the points system is built to force people to eat 'healtier' choices, but I prefer knowing the real calories for my foods since that is what really matters. I am always successful when I can learn how eat healthy and still have my 1 Lindor truffle at the end of each day than when I have to completely cut the things I love out of my diet.9 -
I joined WW right before Smart Points were introduced, and like many others I find it pretty restrictive, especially because I eat a high-carb, medium-protein diet and feel penalized for it. Since then I've switch back and forth between WW and MFP, finding both to have their pros and cons. Having only a few pounds to lose means I don't get many points or calories to play with. I like that MFP gives me more calories, but WW helps me make good choices and stay on track...it actually helps that I have to pay for it. Right now I have a chart on my fridge, where I put stickers if I've stayed within either my points OR my calorie budget for the day. That way if the points for a day's meals are too hard to figure I can use calories instead, or vice versa.1
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Weight Watchers...ugh! I had success years ago after my first child when they had they exchange program. I have tried it twice since then. This includes recently, upon my Dr.'s recommendation, and have had zero success. I don't know why they feel like they had to tweak the original program. I think I lost maybe 1/2 pound in 2 weeks and $49.00. I came right back to MyFitness Pal. I have about 30 more pounds to get off. This is after losing 55 pounds using MyFitnessPal and getting derailed by brain surgery, knee surgery, and just being slack. I really think WW is for people who have A LOT of weight to take off, are new to weight loss and dieting, maybe need the motivation of group meetings...I don't know. Counting calories, wearing my Garmin tracker, and exercising (Mixxed Fit dance classes, Pickle Ball, walking 3 miles) EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK is what does it for me. It is a calories in and calories out thing. Oh and weighing myself to stay honest. I weigh at least 3 times a week. I got Taylor digital body mass scales at Walmart. They run about 30 dollars. Not as much as some scales but they are good, accurate scales. No more WW for me unless they go back to the exchange program.4
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I have done WW in the past, but could never stick to it for long. And the last time I tried it, I actually gained weight. I hated the new plan because it was so restricted that all I did was cheat. Needless to say, that didn't go well. And I was paying them $20 a month for the privilege. No thanks. I like MFP way better; it's free, and tracking calories is way better than tracking points anyway. It's more valuable to your lifestyle to know the calories in things. What good does knowing the point value of a chicken breast do you over the long haul?1
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I lost weight when I joined back in 2001, 2004. 45 lbs I think total. I had kept the first 20 off and then when I rejoined I lost another 25. I lost weight on my own through MFP starting in 2013, 55 lbs. My friend asked me to join WW with her last Sept. I did but I still track through here. I have lost an additional 15 lbs since starting there. I like the meetings. I find it helpful and having to weigh in every week gives me a purpose. I am not far off from goal, 28 lbs or so, so I need motivation.1
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Weight Watchers...ugh! I had success years ago after my first child when they had they exchange program. I have tried it twice since then. This includes recently, upon my Dr.'s recommendation, and have had zero success. I don't know why they feel like they had to tweak the original program. I think I lost maybe 1/2 pound in 2 weeks and $49.00. I came right back to MyFitness Pal. I have about 30 more pounds to get off. This is after losing 55 pounds using MyFitnessPal and getting derailed by brain surgery, knee surgery, and just being slack. I really think WW is for people who have A LOT of weight to take off, are new to weight loss and dieting, maybe need the motivation of group meetings...I don't know. Counting calories, wearing my Garmin tracker, and exercising (Mixxed Fit dance classes, Pickle Ball, walking 3 miles) EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK is what does it for me. It is a calories in and calories out thing. Oh and weighing myself to stay honest. I weigh at least 3 times a week. I got Taylor digital body mass scales at Walmart. They run about 30 dollars. Not as much as some scales but they are good, accurate scales. No more WW for me unless they go back to the exchange program.
The Exchange program worked for me, too. Points calculating is just not practical for a life style.0
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