Weight Watchers vs MyFitnessPal

24

Replies

  • MindyG150
    MindyG150 Posts: 1,296 Member
    MFP = FREE (enough said)

    added plus - I need my MFP friends most every day, once a week is not enough for me.

    WW = $$$$

    No meeting at 10:00 pm...when would I go?

    This is for me, whatever works for you...go for it! Just Eat Healthy and MOVE!
  • Buddhasmiracle
    Buddhasmiracle Posts: 925 Member
    I have a number of friends who have been very successful on WW and have lost weight ranging from 40-80 lbs. One friend is on MFP for maintenance. I would have joined except MFP is free. The weekly meetings' quality is dependent upon the local WW leadership and the mix of participants. The point system is a no brainer.
  • deejaycee114
    deejaycee114 Posts: 139 Member
    i tried WW for a $53 three-month trial a couple of years ago. didn't lose squat - and yes, i was mindful of what i ate - but tracking everything became a little burdensome....trying to remember everything i ate so that i could log it at the end of the day was too much for me. lol.

    then one night i came across the MFP app on my phone and based on all of the positive reviews, i decided to download it. seven weeks later and i'm down 15 lbs! i've told all of my friends, fb friends, coworkers about MFP. i'm their living proof it works! :tongue:
  • mcspruil
    mcspruil Posts: 4
    I also am an ex-WW dieter. I lost 12lbs and kept them off for a few years however it is so complicated! Tracking points, keeping books, and a points tracker around. MFP is great because all you need is your phone and I'm certainly not leaving home without mine!!! Good luck everyone!
  • sherry98008
    sherry98008 Posts: 11 Member
    I started WW Online last July, then joined the meetings in December. I'm down 16 pounds which is good. However, I find that the points are very tedious, and the database of foods is nowhere near as great as on MFP. I started tracking on MFP about 6 weeks ago, and I'm not even tracking the points anymore. I find that I like seeing the actual calories, carbs, protein, fat, etc. I and am also motivated to exercise more because you have the visual of being able to eat more calories. I have enjoyed the weekly meetings, but is it worth the money?

    I think it's time to cancel my WW membership, don't you think?
  • Long2bslim
    Long2bslim Posts: 34 Member
    Agree with most on here, I lost about 33lbs from January to November last year with WW but most of that was in the 1st 6 months, I got so sick of trying to work out points that I gave up... Havent been on here that long but so far I'm loving MFP not least because it is completely free but the interaction I'm finding is a real bonus...just didnt get that with WW and plus it's so much easier to count calories, as every single item of food you pick up these days has it already there for you...the google search I did at the start of march this year for "online diet tracker" was the best thing I've done because I'm so glad to have found MFP :happy:
  • MsMargie1116
    MsMargie1116 Posts: 323 Member
    I was WW for over a year and it was great. I ate whatever I wanted I just made sure I used my points for what I wanted. I lost over 25lbs with it. Now, with that I did the following.....went to my weekly meetings where we did receive support from other members and got to talk about and trade recipes and substitudes for things. I used the online part that was free since I was a paying memeber which was also helpful and I was walking about 3 miles every other day. I stopped going due to some life changes and was able to keep the weight off for a while but then job changes, divorce and a few other stressers made me give up on pretty much everything.

    The only reason I do not do WW now is because with my job and going to school at night I can not make any of the meetings and for me that is a key part of the WW experience. I think it is a good program and does work very well for some people, but with everything else it is a personal choice and may not be right for everyone. I like MFP but do not see the same support and progress I did with WW. Also, before starting on MFP I spoke with my Dr who informed me that she does not want me going under 1400 calories a day. Because of that I have had to modify MFP for myself.

    I agree, the meetings are essential. Plus, if you have a good leader, that is also key... My WW Leader was awesome and had lost over 100 lbs on WW.
  • montana_girl
    montana_girl Posts: 1,403 Member
    I am an ex-WW member myself (did it for about 3 years), and was successful (lost over 80 lbs), as were a lot of people I know who did it. I only stopped because of cost. I'd come over here for nutrition facts on restaurants and other things, so when I stopped doing WW, I decided to stick with MFP. I am doing great on it, and probably won't go back to WW, because I have been much more successful on this one (I have lost almost 45 lbs since 1/1/12).

    In saying that, I say go with what works for you. For me, seeing the calories intake is motivating for me. Weight Watchers is a great program. You just have to be honest with yourself, and log everything you eat - honestly.

    You can't get me to say anything bad about WW. It was with that program that I started my real weight loss journey. But I LOVE me some MFP, too!!! :wink:

    Agree - both are good programs - whatever you do be honest with yourself and you will see results.

    ^^Thank you!

    Just because WW doesn't work for everyone, doesn't mean it's a "bad" program. I lost over 100 pounds with WW and would not have been successful if it wasn't for my awesome WW leader and the support and accountibilty of the meetings.

    WW is an awesome program that has been around for decades and is one of the most recommended by doctors. But like any weight loss program (including MFP) people only get out of it what they put into it. I know a lot of people that have been successful in meetings and people who have been succesful using the online portion.

    I find for me, I'm having an easier time maintaining my weight by counting calories here on MFP, but still use the meetings for support and accountibilty.

    I guess what I'm trying to say (yes, I'm long winded!) is you have to do what works for you! :flowerforyou:
  • mhotch
    mhotch Posts: 901 Member
    I successfully lost 43 lbs on WW. I did the face to face weekly meetings. I felt the meetings were informative and supportive. I still have an online account, but I do not feel like the WW boards are anywhere near as supportive and helpful, as here on MFP.

    I joined MFP for my maintenance and have kept the weight off for almost 4.5 years. I like the accessibility of MFP. At the time I reached lifetime, WW charged for the etools section, and I was too cheap to continue to pay.

    I believe both methods are as successful as you allow it to be. The end result , is only equal to the effort put in.
  • cattraxs
    cattraxs Posts: 47 Member
    ive been doing MFP and weight watchers at the same time and in that amount of time ive lost 32lbs just in about 3-4 months.

    Same here. I have been on WW since end of January and have lost 28 pounds to date. However, I am not using their online program so can't comment on that. For me it's all about the accountabiliy so I use MFP to track the calories then use that to track my points. FOR ME, WW is working . . .
  • justnname
    justnname Posts: 162
    I lost 70lb doing WW years ago.. I gain the weight back plus more because I didn't learn how to eat health.. Is telling a obese person that its okay to eat french fries everyday cause it x amount of points really going to help keep the weight off.. Then you get so point obessive you stop looking at the nutritional values.

    MFP as been amazing.. When I started logging what I was really eating. it changed my life. Being able to see how much protein, carbs, sodium and fat contents I am consuming helps me make better choices. Even going out to eat... I will preplan what I am going to order just to stay within my range.

    Unfortuntately, we live in a media world. WW, Nutrasystems, JC, and all the other fads out there are pushing their products using celebrity faces. Why listen to what the doctors have been saying for 100's of years and what really works. So we have to listen to them complain how much $$ they are spending to lose weight.

    They can't comprehend that if they used the money on buying healthier options instead of the meeting, or XXX companies food. They will save money and have better results.

    End of RANT
  • bizgirl26
    bizgirl26 Posts: 1,795 Member
    I lost around 60 pounds on WW back in 2007. I didnt follow the points program, I followed the old CORE program which is eating lots of fruit and veggies , low fat dairy whole grains etc. I was the ONLY person they knew of doing it that way. I think it was more of having someone weigh me. I thought MFP would be better for motivation and I have to be accountable to myself at the end of the day
  • jmatney79
    jmatney79 Posts: 80
    Thanks for all y'alls input. I think that will help others as well! :)
  • realhousewife_windsor
    realhousewife_windsor Posts: 63 Member
    I did WW for a while, i eventually left because the leader asked if i could make my then 6 month old be quiet! But found the point system wierd so ended up eating only ww branded products, some of which are really unhealthy, think they just make the portions really small to keep the calories low, but that dosent make it healthy. Think this system is much better, i make my own choices and dont have to worry about how much noise my children are making!
    I had the same issue with my baby
  • realhousewife_windsor
    realhousewife_windsor Posts: 63 Member
    I don't find ww a, life style change due to the points being bard to track. Calorie information is everywhere.
  • CallMeCupcakeDammit
    CallMeCupcakeDammit Posts: 9,377 Member
    I lost around 60 pounds on WW back in 2007. I didnt follow the points program, I followed the old CORE program which is eating lots of fruit and veggies , low fat dairy whole grains etc. I was the ONLY person they knew of doing it that way. I think it was more of having someone weigh me. I thought MFP would be better for motivation and I have to be accountable to myself at the end of the day

    That's the program I liked the best, and then they had to go change everything up! I lost 68 lbs and kept it off for a yr before I started to backslide a little. Too much going on at home to stay focused. I definitely didn't starve, I basically ate what I'm eating now. The new PointsPlus program made it too difficult for me. I still post on one of their boards because I had made friends there, but MFP is much easier for me tracking-wise, and I love these boards and my MFP friends!
  • Vonnie2006
    Vonnie2006 Posts: 246 Member
    I did WW in 2007 and loss weight and kept it off until my diagnosis of Lupus in 2009. From there, I kept starting and restarting WW. I did face-to-face meetings, because I was one of those that needed in your face accountability. It just wouldn't stick, I wasn't making the healthiest choices for food intake and the cost was kicking my butt. I would tric myself into believing I was following the plan when I was really just doing JUST enough exercise to earn my ice cream or whatever other sugary snack I wanted that day.

    The message boards were the worst. So bad that a group of us (maybe 30 women left to start our own message boards. Phew...anyway, when I first got to MFP I wasn't ready. I was depressed and still on the steroids, but baby, when I got off those steroids and realy started paying attention to what the women in my circle were accomplishing, it ignited something in me. I haven't shed a lot of pounds but the inches have fallen off and I've learned so much about eating right, exercise, portion control and forgiving myself for not so healthy choices. And it's FREE!

    WW worked for me when I needed it and now MFP is my vehicle of choice on this journey to a healthy lifestyle change. I have friends that are still doing it and making great strides. I think everyone has to find their own thing and we should be supportive of that thing. No two journeys will be the same.
  • Lisac2344
    Lisac2344 Posts: 1 Member
    Its so much easier to just count calories, rather than counting points! Its frustrating actually.
  • MichaelFunaro
    MichaelFunaro Posts: 66 Member
    As someone who has used both WW and MFP a lot I can say they are both very good. But for me what makes them good are the communities and the support and sharing you give and receive at both sites. Why I left WW was because I like tracking my foods and seeing the calories and the way MFP projects five weeks out for you at the end of the day. WW is fine, but why spend the $$$ when MFP is just as good, or in my opinion, even better than WW. They have to pay for their celebrity endorsements and commercials. MFP is the way to go and while I made some good friends and such on WW, this is the place I have found that works best for me.
  • auuudriana
    auuudriana Posts: 18
    I started doing Weight Watchers back in the beginning of January and I have lost 21ish pounds since then...About 2 or 3 weeks ago, I started doing MFP as well. I find when I log my points on WW and my food on MFP, the calories come out to near where they are supposed to be. I guess it just depends on how strict you are with yourself and how badly you want it. It's different for everyone.
  • nannabannana
    nannabannana Posts: 780
    bump so I can read later.
  • crudd123
    crudd123 Posts: 244 Member
    I did ww and their food database is not as good as this site and this site is free! With what I paid for the monthly pass to ww I used it to join a gym and now I exercise instead of sit in a meeting talking about food! This site is way better than ww ever was!
  • JeanineGiorgi
    JeanineGiorgi Posts: 14
    Hi guys, I have tried WW & Jenny Craig & Lite N Easy & the only MAJOR weight loss was my wallet so I have come back to the MFP but this time as a team player not just on my own. Although it did work before I think I need the motivation that comes with seeing other people getting there!! Having said that my sister has lost weight with WW (25 kilos) I think with any of these ones if you have the money & can totally change your lifestyle & have no underlying health issues they can work. I have a ****y thyroid & early menapause (finished at 40 yrs old) What I like about MFP is you make it fit your lifestyle not the other way around which means you will stay on the wagon. You can still meet friends for lunch, dinner etc you just check your days takings of calories & make yourself accountable for what you are going to eat!! You can up the exercise on the days you know you have eaten more etc. You have the control & empowerment not just blindly following a menu & with them if something comes up that you have to eat & drink weddings major birthdays etc. It is impossible to work out how to go about fixing the damage over those few days. With MFP you can track & adjust the next few days to get back on track The money saved on this you can indulge in some reward as you get your little targets achieved instead!!
    Cheers
    Jeanine
  • stephie4111
    stephie4111 Posts: 118
    i have been on ww for one year I have lost 40 pounds and i love the program. Im a lifetime member so its free so Im not gonna cancel anytime soon
  • SunnyAndrsn
    SunnyAndrsn Posts: 369 Member
    While I had success with WW and could tell you points value for most foods, I took out a lot of foods from my diet. I used butter substitutes, which tasted terrible, and ate very little protein. No nuts, no peanut butter, and very small portions of lean chicken and other meat. It was just too many points, and points were all that mattered to me. In the meantime, my hair got thin and brittle from too little fat in my diet, and I was miserable because I was depriving myself of foods I enjoyed.

    In other words, I didn't learn portion control or moderation. When I snapped, I snapped BIG. It simply wasn't worth it to me to get back on the wagon. This was the fundamental problem that I had with WW. I don't think that WW is lacking in the program, it is a very good program and works for many, many people. However, I took what I wanted which was "Stay within your points and you'll lose weight", and threw out all the nutritional aspects.

    I need the the nutritional breakdown that MFP offers. It works for me, and it's FREE which makes it a no-brainer for me. I likely COULD have better success with WW NOW, but I no longer need to pay or drive 30 min to a meeting to work through this process.
  • jmatney79
    jmatney79 Posts: 80
    Love all the input and opinions! This will help a lot of people in the community!!!!
  • MzMandi1025
    MzMandi1025 Posts: 78 Member
    My mom had been pushing me for a while to do WW. I didn't want to spend the money since I was already spending so much on my gym membership & training sessions. I realized that I did need to get my eating habits under control & was about ready to buy a Calorie King book. My trainer had given me the information to this site a while back, but I was too lazy to look into it. At the beginning of March I decided to finally check it out & now I'm kicking myself in the butt because I didn't start sooner. Once I got comfortable with it, I gave my mom the information & she decided to skip WW & start up an MFP account. I've never done WW, but I really like this site & have gotten some good results with it.
  • Drenz0725
    Drenz0725 Posts: 4 Member
    I love WW before they changed the program. I was able to lose the 30lbs I gained from college using it but for whatever reason when they changed the program I just couldn't get back into the swing of things and ended up gaining most of my weight back. I just started on MFP yesterday and I am excited to see if this can help me get my groove back!
  • isaacsmom99
    isaacsmom99 Posts: 12 Member
    I've done both. MFP ALL THE WAY!!!
  • jaytur
    jaytur Posts: 9 Member
    even though I have use WW myself, I have a co-worker who is currently with them and all day I here, do know how points are in that or how many points are in this not to mention the WW meals that she buys (added cost) .....with MFP it's I'll have that for lunch and this for dinner and then I'll add a workout session here and it all even outs, also after awhile you get to know roughly what you can have within a day so you don't exceed your calories....I love the freedom you have with MFP. I have never really taken losing weight seriously until I joined MFP
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