Not counting smart points (Weight Watchers) anymore

Hello, I'm a former WWer from all the way back to the "Classic" program where you got to pick a certain number of servings from each group for the day! Then came Fat & Fiber, then Points, then ProPoints, then the Simply Filling... etc etc etc.

I found that the new system is very judgmental on food choices, the fact that they don't count carbs (only sugar) and only count saturated fat, rather than total fat, makes it more about their parameters for health rather than the numbers required for weight loss.

I notice there are a lot of WW refugees joining MFP nowadays.

MFP is free, and it really mimics the old, original point system of counting. I'm much happier here (and now completely used to counting fruit and veg!)

This is exactly what I just went through. Weight watchers was so depressing and really left me in a bad place. I lost 8 lbs in 6 months which isn't much. I binge ate pizza orders weekly cause I was so hungry on weight watchers I couldn't eat anything I liked. I eat healthy and like a kid most of the time I have a balance and i don't care. I have no Intention of eating healthy and fat free and sugar free for rest of my life. I can eat whatever and lose weight counting calories.

I was on WW again for the 3rd time and hated the new system. I lost 2 pounds during my time with them and always felt like I was hungry. Been on MFP and have already lost 9 pounds!! I don't feel restricted like I did on WW, and I am not bored either.

Well, kind of. I never understood calories. I never understood why my sister was skinny and I was "fat". I hated that she would run everyday and I couldn't. I was frustrated with my weight and not being able to lose, or lose 4lb just to gain them right back. I even managed to lose about 15 for my wedding, but they were back on before our 1st anniversary. One day, I came home frustrated and hubby asked why I didn't try this app "my fitness pal". I had never heard of it, but decided to give it a go. I also decided to buy 30 Day Shred. I went to the gym and logged everything. I got on the scale and yelled at it. I lost 40 lbs. I've learned so much about eating and working out. There will be days that are difficult, but you just keep going.

I would like to add my $.02 if that's ok. I would like to voice a different take on WW. It's not my intent to step on toes or hurt anybody's feelings (wow, that seems to happen a lot these days) but I speak from the heart.
I am currently on the Weight Watchers Smart Points Program, tracking on both WW and MFP. I have been on the WW online program w/ coach support for one year. Two weeks ago, on my one year anniversary, I hit my goal weight. Started out at 233, goal weight was 168. I have lost 65 lbs utilizing WW, and getting regular exercise. I like the SP program because it is regular food, purchased from the grocery store. Lots of veggies, protein and fruit. A balanced diet. Which are foods I like anyway. No pre-packaged, proprietary food like Nutri-System or Jenny. WW does have some of their own foods, but I have not purchased any.
I thinks SP is a great plan and it works well for me. I will be "Lifetime" in 4 weeks. I started WW last February and in April, I bought a FitBit and use it daily. I tracked food and activity on both WW and FitBit, then recently switched from FitBit to MFP. Last February I started going to the gym consistently 5-6 times a week, beginning with strictly cardio exercise. I struggled at first, but kept with it. I have developed an exercise habit and it's now a part of my life. I miss it if I have to skip a day for whatever reason. I am now doing strength training as well. And running. I ran 5.3 miles in 65 minutes last Saturday. Until this past fall, I have not ran in over 30 years. I have also kept on with the WW plan consistently. You see, I believe that a balanced diet plan and an exercise plan, practiced regularly and consistently will work. Following those principles, you will lose weight. It's nothing more than burning more calories than you consume. I think the SP plan is really simple and easy to follow. There is a learning curve, just like any thing else. I don't know... maybe it's just me.
Now... has it been easy? NO. Of course not. Did I have bad days and days when I wandered off track? Absolutely. Did I give up? Absolutely not. No weight loss plan is easy. There is no magic pill. Losing weight is a very hard thing to do successfully. And maintaining the weight loss is even harder. Losing weight requires changes. Changes that most people are not willing to make. Temporarily, yes. Permanently, no. That's the bottom line. I have gone through a complete life style change and transformation. Maintaining will be THE challenge, but I have become well educated in the last year. Not just in the WW program, but in myself. Having a coach along the way has been instrumental and one smart decision on my part. Maybe I got lucky. Maybe I just chose the right coach. She has been awesome. She lost 70 pounds 15 years ago on WW and has been lifetime ever since. She has tremendous experience, knowledge and knows what to say when I need to hear it. Fortunately for me, I have been willing to listen.
The WW plan has and does change over time. As does pretty much everything. Not just WW. I mean, think about it... Everything changes. WW does not change the plan because it does not work. They change it because as the plan evolves, they improve it. Everything around us changes. Things change because knowledge and experience allows us to IMPROVE. WW has been around for many, many years. I remember my mom being on the WW program when I was a kid, and I am now 62. Unsuccessful plans (companies) don't last that long unless they work and are successful. Just like anything else. Where would technology be if we did not change and improve. Technology changes at the speed of light it seems.
One thing I have learned, is THERE IS NO FINISH LINE. I cannot get to goal and think, Whew! I made it!!! Yay me! I lost 65 pounds! And then slowly (or quickly) go back to the old habits that got me fat in the first place. This is where the lifestyle change plan comes into play and the decision to maintain and follow my new life style habits from here on out. All things considered, it boils down to one thing. A decision. A decision to change temporarily at first, then permanently. A decision made that I simply cannot go back on. Period.
Best wishes to you, in whatever method you choose in your weight loss desires and goals. I think Weight Watchers rocks.

honeybee739 wrote: »

I have been paying about $20 per month to do Weight Watchers online.

I've lost count how many times I've joined this program.

Every time I join, I quit and tell myself I will never join again.

Points frustrate me. The program changes every few years and that frustrates me. Now the new "smart points" is pretty much a low/moderate carb "clean" eating diet, which I do agree is a healthy way to eat, but sometimes it's not easy to do on a daily basis, and I find it restrictive.

Back on "point." So, this past week I said, Screw it. I am going to track on MFP and exercise every day. And it was Leslie Sansone walking DVDs mind you, so nothing crazy.

I lost 2 pounds.

Lesson- I can do MFP for free. Calories never change. I lost 2 pounds because I ate at a deficit and exercised. I don't need to pay for a program to lose weight. And the biggest bonus was, I ate food I LIKED. I didn't feel like I was ON a diet. Just eating a bit less of the foods I enjoy and eating more fruits and veggies vs chips...but I still had chips one day!

Any other similar revelations out there?

Yes yes yes.

Love this post.

I have gained and lost the same 15 lbs through WW over the years.

MFP.... Down 80