Goodbye Weight Watchers - Again and probably for good

mom2nate08 · October 2017

I've been an on again, off again WW member for years. I rejoined recently and have been following the program for about 6 weeks. In that time, I've learned how to manipulate the system. Eating one less almond because it saves me a point, or trying to see how many zero point foods I can fit into my day. Zero points, really? But that fat free cheese and cup of grapes still has calories. And rumor has it that with the new system that is launching in December, more foods will be zero points. There are said to include eggs and chicken. Now, I could eat a LOT of eggs and chicken in a day! There is also rumor of a food delivery system. I think I'm just fed up with the business aspect of it all. I think it's a great system and people do succeed on it. It's just not for me. That being said, I'm canceling my membership and sticking to the basic caloric deficit. Rant over, thanks for letting me vent!

flippy1234 · October 2017

WW works for many people but with any diet, as soon as you stop, most people go back to regular eating. The best thing to do is educate yourself on the benefits of real food and portion size. Eat real food and stay within your calorie limit to lose weight. But, make it your life, not just a thing to lose a certain amount of weight then go back to what you were doing before. Make it a lifestyle change.

newheavensearth · October 2017

I've heard the same rumors and have the same concerns over more foods becoming zero. I've lost well with WW, over 60 lbs, on their older programs. But I've done nothing but struggle with Smart Points. I double track and am so amazed how much caloric damage adds up with so many zero point foods in a day. Definitely not calorie free.

Welcome and good luck.

cheryldumais · October 2017

Yup I gave up on them 2 years ago and have since lost 85 pounds. Now I know how to eat without their fancy formulas and calculators. Plus I have more money in the bank, lol.

Unknown · October 2017

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azironasun · October 2017

flippy1234 wrote: »

WW works for many people but with any diet, as soon as you stop, most people go back to regular eating. The best thing to do is educate yourself on the benefits of real food and portion size. Eat real food and stay within your calorie limit to lose weight. But, make it your life, not just a thing to lose a certain amount of weight then go back to what you were doing before. Make it a lifestyle change.

THIS!!! This is the magic key.
This is the exactly what people should be doing to lose weight and lead a healthier lifestyle.

rfroehli17 · October 2017

I left WW this morning and joined re-joined MFP. I'm not liking many aspects of the program, either. For example, I literally ate a whole watermelon one day for zero points...I don't like how easy it is to manipulate the plan to stay "on track".

LBeekman2017 · October 2017

I haven't been on WW in ages but just watching YouTube videos on the zero point foods and manipulating things for less points seems crazy. I watched a video on a protein shake for 1 smart point and when calculating the calories, it's over 240 calories ...how can that be 1 point? If you had 30 points you could eat 6000 calories and still be in your smart points by this logic. Crazy! I'm learning portions and looking closely at what is in food for a lifestyle change. Down almost 20 pounds but losing slow and steady.

Maxxitt · October 2017

I did WW 4 years ago to get things started, and lost about 25# and then went a month continuing with WW and simultaneously logging on MFP. From a CICO perspective, WW was fine. The "zero point" foods basically buttressed an 800-900 calorie intake to something that worked out to about 1200 calories/day. But from a health perspective, the deficit was too high and the protein too low to sustain long term without negative consequences.

Sairzie · October 2017

I used to be a member and rejoined multiple times. I had several concerns....firstly if the program you’re selling me is such a winning formula then how come we’ve had so many renamed, revamped versions promising to be the best one yet! Secondly I detested going to a meeting that weekly seemed to revolve around a supposedly qualified leader suggesting ways to eat less during the week to save points for binge drinking on the weekend! Didn’t feel this was quite the healthy lifestyle change that is required.

So I went away, joined MFP and educated myself.

Tazzie0208 · October 2017

no wonder my insurance company keeps emailing me to remind me i can join WW for free! I was almost considering it! I'm glad I read this thread. Definitely not joining. You all are correct; watch calories and portion control. So simple.

Messy_Human · October 2017

I am a former WW also... I like the MFP food database & information far better, and feel more comfortable tracking calories vs. eating large amounts of "free" food.

smregar · October 2017

It's funny I joined WW this morning. I entered in breakfast: 2 eggs, slice wheat toast and coffee and just entered in lunch: salad and sweet tea ( I ordered unsweet but got sweet by mistake and drank it blush:) and I have no smart points left..... so no dinner?? I entered in the same thing here on MFP with calories to spare for a lite supper.
Needless to say I will be canceling WW.

COGypsy · October 2017

I lost my first 30 pounds on WW and have maintained that loss for about 3 years now. I credit it more to the meetings than to Points Plus. We had meetings at work and just had a really good group when it came to trading tips and brainstorming. I'm sure it helped that we were all familiar with each other rather than a more random mix of people. That arrangement played nicely into my Type A personality and the accountability of weigh-ins helped me form the habit of tracking. It also really helped me think of food as a budget and not some moral thermostat. With the tracking, I could see that occasionally going over my points didn't necessarily "ruin" my week and that I could work in things I liked and didn't have to only eat "clean" or "healthy" and be "good".

That said, when our work meeting group was cancelled, WW on its own just didn't work as well. I also found that it didn't work well with my workouts. I started doing heavy circuits, HIIT and pretty serious lifting (1.5x my own bodyweight on deadlifts at one point!). At the time, WW database just wasn't set up for that level of effort and I wasn't getting enough exercise points to recover properly.

I guess you could say I outgrew WW, but it did help me establish the habits and viewpoints that have made me successful with MFP. Since WW, I've lost another 20 pounds that have stayed off for more than a year and I'm currently working on shedding another 10 - 15 pounds. I think WW can be a good springboard, but (especially with what I've heard about SmartPoints!) I just didn't find it to be a sustainable effort.

fittocycle · October 2017

I'm a Lifetime member of Weight Watchers who also dropped the program with the points change over. I know most of you are too young to remember but there was a time in the 80's when WW's had an exchange program. Basically, members were required to check off a certain number of servings of dairy, protein, fat (healthy fat), and fruits and vegetables. I liked it because it focused on eating a balanced diet by making healthy choices.

Now, I strive to eat pretty much the same way. Well, with the exception of all the Halloween candy I've eaten. Thank goodness it's leaving the house tonight!!!

labblb86 · October 2017

I lost 60 pounds on WW last year, got to Lifetime. I've maintained my weight, but now up 5 - 6 pounds after joining the gym 6 months ago. I am consistent with my workouts, but I think I have out-grown WW as COGypsy mentioned. I can't seem to find the right balance of smart points with my workout routine so MFP is a better fit.

rosyone1 · November 2017

WW predates the Internet and even predates the now legally required nutrition panels on food packages. It was a godsend for my mother but I never felt like I needed it with all of the resources that are available now.

SandDodds96 · November 2017

I’m in the same boat. If what is true about more zero points, I won’t go back. I was never fond of making fruits and veggies zero points because they still had calories.

I lost 53 lbs with Momentum a while, gained some and all back after PointsPlus and SmartPoints. I’m more fond of MFP now with their reminders of nutrient goals and I feel more in control. I’m close to losing 20 pounds in 2 months plus I want to get to a realistic goal weight.

Plus, I couldn’t really find anyone to relate to at meetings. I’m just a young guy in a meeting full of older men and housewives and couldn’t connect with anyone. WW hasn’t seem to try to reach out to younger people

rainbowblu · November 2017

I'm no WW fan,but they DO NOT tell you to overindulgence in the zero point fruits,NoPE! That was still your choice,and even it it was 'allowed' you know that eating a whole watermelon or copious amounts of any zero point food will not end well.

56Marigolds · November 2017

I belong to WW and I really like it. Its educated me about nutrition and food. I enjoy the meetings and they don't push or even talk about their products. They're available on a shelf if you want them.

I like having a real live person to answer my questions and I like trading recipes with the people in the group. The encourage eating real food and being aware of your choices. Sounds like a "lifestyle" to me. WW has gotten me back on track and I've learned a lot.

The leader does NOT encourage eating unlimited servings of fruits and vegetables. What she says is people who limit their fruits and vegetables to 2-3 servings a day DO BETTER and SEE MORE RESULTS, however; they would rather see you eat 3 bananas instead of cookies.

newheavensearth · November 2017

56Marigolds wrote: »

I belong to WW and I really like it. Its educated me about nutrition and food. I enjoy the meetings and they don't push or even talk about their products. They're available on a shelf if you want them.

I like having a real live person to answer my questions and I like trading recipes with the people in the group. The encourage eating real food and being aware of your choices. Sounds like a "lifestyle" to me. WW has gotten me back on track and I've learned a lot.

The leader does NOT encourage eating unlimited servings of fruits and vegetables. What she says is people who limit their fruits and vegetables to 2-3 servings a day DO BETTER and SEE MORE RESULTS, however; they would rather see you eat 3 bananas instead of cookies.

I'm glad you found a meeting you enjoy. I used to enjoy it until shaming for not losing the big numbers in a short time became the norm at my center. I guess my 60 + lbs off and maintaining means nothing unless done Biggest Loser Style. I have changed locations multiple times and did not find the same click. Past programs have educated me on healthy eating, not so much this one. The focus seems to be on touchy feely stuff when I do attend a meeting. And when I do ask food related questions they get blown off. Meetings make a big difference. And when I lost those that contributed to my giving up on WW.

jelleigh · November 2017

Personally i feel like WW had a sweet spot a few versions ago. It focused people on making healthy choices, having space for a few reasonable treats, and being aware of what they were putting in their face. As they continue to change the program, I feel like it gets more and more gimicky. I appreciate what I learned while doing the program years ago, but i feel I'm better off now doing IF and calorie tracking.

azironasun · November 2017

I used WW many years ago with success. For a beginner, if you know nothing about food, calories and macros, it's a safe place to start. Once you understand more about calories and macros, MFP is a much better program because it lets you adjust your macros and calories to what works for you. Many people here on MFP have outgrown WW.

Goodbye Weight Watchers - Again and probably for good

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