weight watchers vs mfp
lifechange84
Posts: 51
what are everyone's thoughts on Weight Watchers plus program? I have some friends @ work who are doing it & trying to get me to join as well. I understand it a bit...fruits & veggies free, counting points, etc...but it seems like the same things as MFP, but you have to pay...calories vs points, doesn't seem a big difference to me...am i missing something?? lol 
0
Replies
-
My mom loves WW... I find this easier. Converting to points is an extra step that I found to be a pain and not something I would want to keep up in the long term.0
-
I think if you are happy with you are making good progress on MFP there's no need to pay for WW. Personally, I think your friends are crazy for not giving this awesome free site a try before they shell out the bucks for WW!0
-
I am someone who had done both. I really like the convenience of this program better than weight watchers.0
-
My mom loves WW... I find this easier. Converting to points is an extra step that I found to be a pain and not something I would want to keep up in the long term.
My thoughts exactly. I did it before they switched up the points system. I did well, but MFP is pretty much the same (minus point counting) and is free. :-)0 -
I wondered the same thing... I would rather use this because you can't beat FREE!0
-
WW = calorie counting for dummies0
-
I was on weight watchers online when I started MFP. I was not doing very well, not sure why. But once I started on MFP, I've been focused and doing extremely well for me. I'm on week 5, no soda, no cheating, and have meals planned out for the next 10 days. You can do all of that on WW. I hated going to the meetings because they seem to be populated by either brand new people who don't know anything or big know-it-alls who just want to toot their own horn. It just didn't work for me.
I did keep paying for WW online access for the first 2 weeks of MFP and put all my food in both of them. Virtually every day, I was hitting my points in WW and not needing to use the extra weekly points they provide. I think one day I had to use 1 weekly point (and it happened to be a very high calorie day). So it appeared to me that the calorie count I was using in MFP was virtually equal to points allowed in WW.
So I think WW is a good solid program, it just wasn't the right fit for me.0 -
I would not have been able to be as consistent with MFP, if the calorie counting was not so easy. I do not see a downside to MFP over WW except for the face to face networking. The "Friends" element was surprisingly effective for me. I like having a place to unload, share my success, my challenges. I have "Friends" who will say, "Good job, but kind of high on sodium". What is better than that? I don't really see much of a draw with WW.0
-
Funny...I posted the same thread about 30 mins ago wondering the same thing. I actually started with WW back in May and that's where I've lost the majority of my weight. I love that fruits and veggies are free. It's helped me learn to make better choices and actually like fruit. I came back to MFP in January and have been doing both trying to figure out which one I like more. I just do online WW. I guess my thinking is...a banana is 100 calories...well so is that Reese's mini heart I've been eyeing in the candy jar at work. I know I would like the Reese's better...but because of WW I chose the banana and now I feel more satisfied.0
-
MFP all the way!!! WW is not as accurate.....losing weight is calories in/calories out! That is exactly what MFP counts....and it is free!! Why pay for WW when you will be guessing at points with exercise points, when MFP is free and is more accurate? Tell your friends they need to change over to MFP!! LOL!!0
-
They are the same... If you actually do the programs. WW adds that little extra layer of accountability by having someone weigh you each week. I like it here though0
-
WW = calorie counting for dummies
LOL. So true. Besides, when you're trying to live your life while working out and eating right, who has time to go to the stupid meetings? This is much more convenient and frankly I think it holds you more accountable for what you're doing.0 -
I've heard a few people complain about the emphasis of super-over-processed "diet" food as a way to cut calories, instead of the general approach taken by most people on MFP - which also happens to be FREE! (sweet) I've seen a lot of the WW recipes, and they scare me. This coming from a cheeseburger and pizza junkie.
So that's the first negative. The second is obviously the extra step of converting to points. What an unnecessary chore.0 -
WW = calorie counting for dummies
This. Baby's first diet.
Plus, fruits and veg are free? Always been very sceptical of things that say that....0 -
I wouldn't say WW is calorie counting for dummies (sorry but both my parents are on WW and they are not dummies). My mom loves WW because she needs to go in front of someone and weigh-in - she needs that kind of outside influence where she feels accountable to more than just herself. My dad loves WW because he hates computers and won't go near them. They both really like the meetings after the weigh-in and enjoy what they learn and enjoy the in-person support and motivation. I, on the other hand, hate it! I enjoy being accountable only to me. I don't like people asking me why I didn't lose weight - I know why I didn't lose weight - either its that TOM or I ate something(s) I shouldn't. I don't need to advertise it. Also, this is totally free. But even my mom mentioned that there were a lot of similarities between MFP and WW but I don't have to pay the $$ my parents do:bigsmile:0
-
Weight watchers uses a program that teaches you points. Some people find it easier than counting calories (although I think the effort is similar). The benefit of Weight Watchers is that you do it with a group and that you have people who have been and continue to be successful to help you and help keep you motivated.
If you read the peer reviewed and valid research, you'll find that all weight loss comes down to calories. What I hear all the time is that you find something that works for you.
Honestly, i believe you have to come to a point where you choose that losing the weight is a priority and you do what you need to do. Different people find different programs that work for them but it does come down to calories in and calories out. This site is free and I find it really helpful, but nobody but my husband notices anything if I haven't been keeping it up. It comes down to my motivation to keep going everyday. Sometimes it's nice to have a group to keep you accountable - whether you pay Weight Watchers for it or just partner up with friends or maybe your mom . . .0 -
I have had success with both. I actually find I can eat more on WW though and still lose weight. For example, yesterday I put my calories in and was very close to my 1200 mark. I then figured out the points and I still had tons of points left for the day. A friend of mine has also done WW with me in the past and is now using MFP. She also finds she can eat more food on WW. Converting to points is an extra step that I get tired of doing over time though. I like that if I am at my allotted points for the day and still hungry, I can grab a bowl of green beans and eat those without having to add points. Whereas if I am counting calories and at my allotted calories for the day, those green beans will push me over. I don't have the new WW program, and every program I have done in the past never let you have fruit for 0 points, lots of veggies though were 0 points.0
-
Actually, when I did weight watchers I did eat some of their low calorie options and my body didn't respond well to it. The type of fiber in their products didn't agree with me.0
-
My husband and I did Weight Watchers and now we're doing MFP. We like this program better. And I already know that a piece of fruit is better for me than a 100 calorie snack pack, so even if it's not "free" like Weight Watchers, I will still pick the piece of fruit first. Plus the breakdown of carbs / protein / fiber / grams is on this program so it's not like I'm eating calories blindly. There are more foods listed in MFP's database than there were on Weight Watchers' database. And at MFP, it's free. My husband thinks this program is easier to figure out since we don't have to convert everything to points. And we're losing weight. So there's no reason for us to go back to Weight Watchers.0
-
what are everyone's thoughts on Weight Watchers plus program? I have some friends @ work who are doing it & trying to get me to join as well. I understand it a bit...fruits & veggies free, counting points, etc...but it seems like the same things as MFP, but you have to pay...calories vs points, doesn't seem a big difference to me...am i missing something?? lol
Medium Banana = 100+ Calories
Medium Apple = 80 to 100 Calories
Medium Orange = 80+ Calories
How are these considered free? I'd go with MFP!0 -
I keep asking myself this same question - a number of my work colleagues have just joined WW.........Can't beat free so MFP for me!!
The free fruit & veg is the only difference - but some are quite high, Bananas for example are like 95 calories each???0 -
Meh, I've done WW off and on for years. It's an easy program to use if you are new to watching what you eat. It provides structure and an easy format to go off of. Wouldn't hurt to try it if you want to. Also, not all vegetables are free and fruits are considered free but they built a buffer into your daily points allowance to cover fruit. You're not supposed to eat more than a few servings a day, not go nuts with it.0
-
This ^My mom loves WW... I find this easier. Converting to points is an extra step that I found to be a pain and not something I would want to keep up in the long term.
My thoughts exactly. I did it before they switched up the points system. I did well, but MFP is pretty much the same (minus point counting) and is free. :-)0 -
Looks like you are doing fine using mfp !!! Congrats on the weight loss so far !! With that said, I have no problem with WW. It has helped some of my friends !!0
-
I was doing MFP and getting nowhere, just taking into account calories allows you to eat too much sugar/fat anf no smart foods.
Since starting WW i've lost 8 kilos in 11 weeks.0 -
I am someone who had done both. I really like the convenience of this program better than weight watchers.
Same here - get support on the BB'S and from linked friends - maybe to a higher level than WW, and I like the potential for daily accountability if you log weight daily. For some, the WW may be better if they need more face to face.
Lots of ways to get there!0 -
I've done WW for 2 years. It helped me stay accountable...but I've never had TOO much to lose. MFP is free, and just as easy. Although, I'm already not eating as much fruit and veggies as I was, so...not sure about that aspect.0
-
I started with WW (after using MFP before) and though I loved the free fruits and veggie, I hated the way the site was set up, mfp is better, I felt restricted bc the points are low (27 a day) vs 1440 calories so mentally I feel like i get more this way, counting calories for me is way easier than points, I cant just look at the product and say "no" I have to work to figure out the point to say no, I love looking at the product and saying, 1/4 portion size.. 140 calories *imagining a measuring cup* yup.. thats good for me. ETC I had luck on here, moved to WW didnt have any luck, came back bigger and am now 5 pounds down. This works for me, maybe this is just what works for you too.. plus paying for it is just a pain!!!0
-
I did WW for a while and had some success, but then didn't want to keep paying for it. The main problem I have with WW is the idea that the purpose of exercise (activity points) is to earn food points. For me, I want to train my mind to eat what I need in order to fuel my activity, not be active so I can eat more. Bottom line is, do what works. For some having paid for it is motivation enough. Also, the points take into account protein, fiber, etc, and calories aren't actually part of the equation. This may be helpful for people who eat lots of empty calories and need the visual points values to make better choices based on more than calories.0
-
I have been doing WW since September and have lost close to 35 lbs. My husband has been doing MFP since November and is down 25 lbs
That's when I opened up a MFP account I still do WW points but I love the community part of this sight. So they both work! Both programs have their pros and cons and you have to see what works best for your personality.
I don't work on Mondays so I take that day to go to WW for my weigh-in and stay for the meetings (which I love). It works for me because I'm accountable to that person weighing me! It has been expensive ($18/week) but now I go for free because I am at goal!
My husband loves MFP because he doesn't need outside motivation... he is a really good self motivator! He loves the tech behind it too (ex: scanning the barcode of an item with his ipad to get info). He also likes the activity tracking device.
Both are similar in that you are eating less therefore you will lose weight!0
This discussion has been closed.
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.6K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.3K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.9K Food and Nutrition
- 47.5K Recipes
- 232.5K Fitness and Exercise
- 431 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.6K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.8K MyFitnessPal Information
- 24 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions