Weight Watchers... yes or no?

JesssHerzner
JesssHerzner Posts: 50
edited October 7 in Health and Weight Loss
I did weight watchers once and lost over 45lbs in three months. . . I'm considering doing it again, but I need some help deciding!

HELP! D:
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Replies

  • Yes! Best program EVER!
  • I think if it was that effective for you in the past then why not?! :)
  • pstaceyca
    pstaceyca Posts: 306 Member
    I think you answered your own question! It obviously works for you...go for it!!!! Good luck! :)
  • daydream58
    daydream58 Posts: 572 Member
    http://nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/

    There's a little tiny bit of info on WW in this article that turned me off WW - but you may get something from it differently.
  • cheeksv
    cheeksv Posts: 521 Member
    I got a rough run down of how WW works once from a friend. She kind of ignored my question though when asked why if WW bases the points on how many calories a food has do you not just count the calories ? I was asking becasue she said she wanted to join again but did not have the money. Not trying to put it down I am honestly just curious if there is something I am missing.
  • benodie
    benodie Posts: 231 Member
    personally I HATE the new 'pro points' system :noway: . . the old way was brilliant. I do still go to the meetings now, because I need the discipline of being weighed by someone else, but I dont follow the diet anymore . . .I just count calories on here, and its working!!

    Everyone is different though and if you've done it before then go for it!

    good luck :smile:
  • I currently attend Scottish Slimmers and I find that the only real benefit is being weighed in the class. I don't really follow the plan as such, but it is handy for recipe ideas and information about how many calories foods contain. The pressure of knowing you will be weighed each week is usually enough to be sensible. I prefer using MFP to calculate my calorie intake, logging food and exercise and keeping track of weight loss.
    It is all about what works for you.
  • dancingj2
    dancingj2 Posts: 4,572 Member
    I was on weight watcher and lost 28 pounds. That was mostly with the old points system. The new points did not seem to work as well for me and the cost was eventually not worth it.

    In some way the points are easier to keep track but harder to figure out. I had to keep a special caluator in purse to figure points.

    I think it can help balance what you eat and it def encorages fruits and veggies (many are no points). However it really did not seem to encourage exercise enough.

    With the MFP phone app and the support from other people here, I think MFP is better overall. Calories are easy to count and exercise directly effects each days calories. And challenges here are keeping me active. This site does work and I like the cost ;)
  • tinastanley
    tinastanley Posts: 55 Member
    I am presently in WW with my last meeting being on Thurs. The only reason I joined WW is because my work paid for all but
    $ 50.00 of it. I've been a member of MFP since June. I lost more weight using MFP then I did with WW. I prefer and will continue to use MFP instead of WW. MFP is free and in my opinion works better for me. Again, for me it's just a personal choice that I prefer MFP over WW. Good Luck on your journey whichever method you decide to choose.

    :smile:
  • lappelget
    lappelget Posts: 10 Member
    I lost 100lbs on the old program about 5 years ago. Have managed to keep most of it off (sneaky 20lbs has climbed back on) - I went back to weight watchers to try the new program and it didn't make much sense to me (couldn't wrap my mind around not having to count fruit - I mean there's just so much sugar in fruit). I will say it's a great place to go for motivation. My suggestion would be to do the program on your own and log your information in to a spreadsheet or something and save your money.
  • gail4721
    gail4721 Posts: 75 Member
    WW does work if you follow it as does any plan. Right now it is FREE to join.Good if you need a kickstart. I just completed the 17 week program and it gave me motivation and awareness so I didnt overindulge during the holidays. The weekly weigh in does help me stay on track.

    I am not too keen on the newest program because it isn't as strict as in the past and REALLY gives you options! You can even choose to use the older programs if that's what works for you. If you feel hungry you can adjust your points up by 3 for the week. If you feel you have eaten too much you can decrease your points by 3. That definitely gives me too much to play with ...I need to be disciplined.

    i know the program has worked for me before and the recipes are really good. It can't hurt to give it a try...they do have a weekly payment plan if you dont want to committ. There is the 17 week plan and then I believe there is a monthly payment plan. if you get the Monthly plan you get access to ETOOLS which everyone raves about because it has menus and chats with other memembers. You really have to go for at least three weeks though, now because the new program has three specific Power Start Trackers...one is green for creating spaces that will help u succeed replacing foods you are eating with healthier choices. ( you cant eat it if you dont have it)...one is blue...PLAN to succeed...you map out a plan to succeed...and the third is orange...It's CHOICE not chance that determines your destiny.

    If it worked before it will work again...the program has IMPROVED once again and has many more FILLING FOODS so you arent as hungry .Good Luck with your decision.
  • I have 2 questions for you: 1) Why did you stop going before? and 2) If it worked before, why are you wavering this time?

    Personally, I am too cheap to pay someone for what I can do for free. I use the internet and local friends for support and I am honest with myself about my scale at home. I think learning to check labels for nutritional info seems WAY easier than using a system of calculated numbers that has you doing extra math in the grocery store and everywhere. However, I know some people feel they need more structure.

    Good luck!
  • like u i too did ww about 5 years ago and lost over 50 lbs (which i gained all back during pregnancy). I have decided that i need the emotional support and joined ww last night and today is my first day on this new point plus program. I have a total of 29 points a day and so far im doing pretty good but like others have said on this blog i really dont agreed with the whole not counting ur fruits and stuff i personally think i will continue to count fruits and just make up for their points by going to the gym.

    Also with this new program the points are no longer based on the calories like they basically were with the old one now you only calculate fat, carbs, protein and fiber.

    One thing i really didnt like is that in order for you to be able to calculate the points for a food that isnt in their book u would need to buy their calculator which is $12 where with the old program u had the tracker that would tell u the points and it was included in the price of the program.

    I think that honestly if iut worked before it most likely will work again so i say go for it!!!
  • Just1forMe
    Just1forMe Posts: 624 Member
    You just joined here...why not give MFP a chance first?? It's amazing and it's FREE! I was a weight watcher for 30+ years and then found MFP. I did both for a while, but found that MFP worked better for me, and it was FREE which was a huge plus. I used the money I saved when I quit WW to get a BodyMedia Fit armband ($130 on ebay) to accurately track my calorie burn ($4.99/mo for data after 6 mos free). I LOVE it & it's something I can do forever (& will) !!! Between MFP and my great supportive friends on here & my armband, I have all the tools I need to be successful. I will never go back to WW and pay again. Just my 2 cents....
  • Just1forMe
    Just1forMe Posts: 624 Member
    WW does work if you follow it as does any plan. Right now it is FREE to join.

    There is no registration fee but it's not free. It's still $56.85 for 3 months for online only....meetings are more.
  • yankeedownsouth
    yankeedownsouth Posts: 717 Member
    Years ago, I had really good luck losing 20 lbs with WW. However, last year, using their points plus system, I didn't have any luck at all. I have heard from multiple people that points plus doesn't work nearly as well for people with less to lose (I only wanted to lose 12 pounds). I cancelled my WW membership and came to MFP and am doing much better - for free.
  • elg1982
    elg1982 Posts: 167 Member
    I've done weight watchers but had had hard time getting to my goal weight and could not maintain my loss of about 30 pounds. I was hungry all the time. After reading about BMR and how using body fat percentage is a better measure of health/way to set a weight loss goal than BMI I would not go back. On WW you get too few calories to feel satisfied, and BMI is not a good way to set a goal for me.
  • A lot of people on here have past experience in WW. I am no different. I've done both the online and the actual meetings. Both had their advantages, and both worked for me, FOR A SHORT TIME. This last time I went to actual meetings, I lost as much as 8 pounds, but after 12 weeks, I only had a net loss of 5 pounds using their program. I became VERY frustrated and seeked other options, and I found MFP!!! I love this site, and after only 3 weeks (exactly!), I've lost more weight than I did in 12 weeks in WW.

    For me, this makes more sense. It's free, and seems to work better. Weight Watchers just up'd their price for the meetings to $42.95/month, and I don't think it's worth it. I find MFP to be more motivating, and it forces me to work out, which I love. WW seems to think that if you track your points, stay within you limit, and work out in addition that you'll lose weight too fast. It almost seemed to me that they discouraged working out because it made the plan unhealthy.

    It's up to you, and if it worked before, I say give it another shot! But ultimately you have to ask yourself if it is worth $43/month.
  • fteale
    fteale Posts: 5,310 Member
    I think if you are on here, there's no benefit to WW. It's all about counting your calories and learning about how much to eat.
  • rebysue
    rebysue Posts: 136
    I don't know how long ago you were on WW but I've heard the new program doesn't work anywhere near as well as the old program did. I did WW on the old program but have since switched to MFP and have totally LOVED it!
  • polar5554
    polar5554 Posts: 576 Member
    YES...I lost 70!!!
  • FITnFIRM4LIFE
    FITnFIRM4LIFE Posts: 818 Member
    Great program! I did it many mnay years back. I think it is a good starting point. It teaches you calories and portions. I learned much from that starting out years back. Also motivated me at that time to weigh in. Now in my later 40's I know I am accountable to myself and dont want to pay for the program.

    I also only do things at this point of my life, I can live . points, meetings I cannot commit. counting calories and being active I can.
    Good luck to you:-)
  • I love love love WW PP! When I see that each food has a specific number it guides me to the right choices. I have found so many new recipes and I don't feel deprived of anything sine nothing is off limits if eaten within reason!
  • zynx1234
    zynx1234 Posts: 73 Member
    I did WW or about a year in 2010-2011. And it was really helpful to learn about how to and what to eat. I didn't have the food or nurtition knowledge before WW. I stopped because I had got to a point where I wasn't really learning anything anymore ( and I didn't like the points plus). I lost a total of 40 lbs and after a year gained 12 back. This was largely a result of NOT tracking my points/calorie intake. So if you have the food and nutrition knowledge but don't want to spend t he money this site should be find (counting your calories/points is what makes the WW program successful). If you need the support and have the money then go for it.

    Also I felt like it was way more gimmick towards the end. They were always selling something and the whole change for the point to the points+ system was aimed at selling me a new scale, new cook books, etc., I am new the the MFP site but feel like it has the same versalitity and accountablity as WW online and the whole point tracking idea but now I save my 40 bucks a month.
  • I got a rough run down of how WW works once from a friend. She kind of ignored my question though when asked why if WW bases the points on how many calories a food has do you not just count the calories ? I was asking becasue she said she wanted to join again but did not have the money. Not trying to put it down I am honestly just curious if there is something I am missing.

    They not only consider calories, but there is a huge emphasis on fiber intake - which can somewhat reduce the amount of points in a particular food. I am pulling numbers out of thin air here, but if there's a food that's 200 calories with 1 gram of fiber, it might be 4 points. Same food with 5 grams of fiber might be 2 points. A search online might give you the 'secret' to points calculations.

    That said, I did the old plan and it was great for me - I lost 37 lbs and felt wonderful. I tried the new Points+ plan a few months back and really did not like it nearly as much as I liked the old plan, so I'm hesitant to return to WW. If you do it, get the monthly pass, see how you like the changes to the plan, and if it's not for you, move on.
  • vxjammiedodgerxv
    vxjammiedodgerxv Posts: 42 Member
    It's all about what works for you. Personally, I think this site is amazing! It's free, easy to use and you have 24 hr advice and help from other members if you need it. I would say the ONLY advantage WW has, is the pressure of a weigh-in infront of other people. But if you are honest with yourself on here and see the progress others are making, I think that's motivation enough...well it is for me lol.
    Good luck :) x
  • Osu2k1
    Osu2k1 Posts: 116 Member
    personally I HATE the new 'pro points' system :noway: . . the old way was brilliant. I do still go to the meetings now, because I need the discipline of being weighed by someone else, but I dont follow the diet anymore . . .I just count calories on here, and its working!!

    Everyone is different though and if you've done it before then go for it!

    good luck :smile:

    I don't mind the Points Plus system, but I was eating much more calories when I followed it. So I count calories here and go to WW meetings for support, accountability and weigh in. I love it. I have been going for 1 year this week, not missing a meeting, and will be continuing for a long time. :smile:
  • Hellbent_Heidi
    Hellbent_Heidi Posts: 3,669 Member
    Save your money and give MFP a fair chance. When I got on here, I was considering joining WW (because it IS a good program and did work for me in the past), but I found out I didn't need it after all. This site provides so much support and motivation for free....
  • personally I HATE the new 'pro points' system :noway: . . the old way was brilliant. I do still go to the meetings now, because I need the discipline of being weighed by someone else, but I dont follow the diet anymore . . .I just count calories on here, and its working!!

    Everyone is different though and if you've done it before then go for it!

    good luck :smile:

    Me to , Ive been a ww member on and off for years, i cannot get my head into this new pro points plan, so like you i need the dicipline of getting weighed and i like the group sesions but i am now going to count calories on here and just use my class for the weighins, Only joined yesterday, so i had my first weigh in today at my class, so here goes hope its going to work for me, i like the look of my fp. Jayne x
  • clh372
    clh372 Posts: 8 Member
    great program!
This discussion has been closed.