Weight Watchers

I've done earlier WW programs and lost weight. However, from what I've read on these boards posted by others who've tried the latest program

1) Points are becoming more and more divorced from calorie values. The WW that I did about 7 or 8 years ago calculated 1 point at roughly 40-50 calories with high-fiber foods coming in a little bit higher (70 or 80 calories to the point). Now, they're trying to steer you away from treats, so that 200 calories of chocolate might come in at nearly twice the value of 200 calories of lean protein. Now what's true for me might not be true for you, but this sort of plan would make me feel nervous and guilty every time I wanted to indulge. And by 'indulge', I'm not talking about a binge, nor even a cheat day. Nor am I saying I want to eat nothing but cake and potato chips. I'm talking about looking for low-calorie (ETA: or calorie-dense but moderately portioned) desserts that fit the 'budget' MFP gives me. So, say, homemade chocolate truffles at 80 calories each. Or a frosted shortbread cookie once a week for 160. It appears that on WW, those foods would occupy a much larger share of the points allotted than seems warranted.

2) WW allows you unlimited fruits and non-starchy vegetables. Problem is, these 'zero-point' foods are not zero calories. They are low calorie (vegetables generally lower than fruit), but it is definitely possible to eat enough of them to wipe out most of the calorie deficit you think you're getting, so weight-loss tends to be slower than expected.

3) Apparently, people are discouraged from eating back the calories they burn through exercise. Now. When I weighed 254 lbs (at the time I started MFP), my main exercise was taking a 30-minute walk. And no, I didn't eat those calories back; it was probably about 100 to 200 and I was on a calorie budget of 1710/day. So... netting about 1550. I didn't feel hungry. BUT as the weight has come off, my calorie budget has decreased; I'm now on 1380. And I've upped my exercise; I typically either walk for at least 2 hours or do 1 hour on a fitness glider, plus strength training. MFP often tells me I've burned off over 500-700 calories. Which would mean I'd be netting under 900. (Assuming the burns are accurate; it's debatable. I typically eat back half my exercise calories.) Now, if I don't eat back some of that, I DO feel hungry. Understandably.

The more a weightloss program feels like deprivation, the less sustainable it is. I can—and have—cut back on portion sizes and treats per week. I can't—or won't—cut them out. I have FINALLY recognized that "a treat is not necessarily a cheat" and I think I've been developing a much healthier relationship with food than I used to have. From what I've heard/read the current WW program would unravel most of that.

To be fair, most of the people for whom WW is working probably aren't on MFP. If went to a WW meeting, I'd probably hear a lot more positivity about the current program. It definitely works for some people. I just don't believe I'd be one of them.