MyFitnessPal vs WeightWatchers?

mbaxternelson · April 2012

Hello, I also join WeightWatchers twice the first year I was so happy that I lost about 40lbs. The second year was when the point system changed, I did not like the change, ex: (when fruits were counted) but the trick to WW is that you must track your foods to maintain your weight. Also, you need to keep record of your food intake with myfitnesspal the difference is that myfitnesspal calculate as you eat and it's a teaching tool if you learn to eat in servicing or portions sizes you will maintain and control your weight. I love myfitnesspal I can eat anything I want, also I have a purpose for losing weight.

peluzuff · April 2012

I have had much greater success with MFP than WW. I lost 10 pounds at WW, then plateaued. Then I quite WW and gained 8 pounds back. Then I joined MFP and lost 24 pounds. I think its really a matter of "fit." Things I did not like about WW - there was a huge emphasis on how to "beat the system." I found everyone talking about the latest and greatest low calorie dessert rather than emphasizing overall health and good decision making. Also, there were many long-timers in WW ... people who go for the social piece, but never really lose weight, which was always discouraging to me. Also, while they encouraged exercise, there was not a huge push for it. I love that MFP shows you in a very concrete way how calories and in and calories burned affect you weight loss. I love that the community is focused on health and exercise. I like that I do not have to pay and that I can do it on my own time, while also having a sense of community support, since a few of my friends are doing it too. I really encourage that part. It has been essential for me to have MFP friends! That's what works for me. Hope that helps!

keoh52 · April 2012

I did WW for years and joined TOPS (Take off Pounds Sensibly), because it is only $26 a year plus a very small weekly fee (my chapter is only $.50 a week). We also have weekly weigh ins and the support of a group. I liked WW, but needed to save money. I just joined myfitnesspal at the recommendation of a few TOPS members. I like the tracking on here and will see how I do, because I am kind of needing something to help me keep track of what I am eating. Look for a TOPS chapter near you.

futuresize8 · April 2012

I know WW works for a lot of people. I did WW long ago and did lose 30 pounds. However, I like MFP more because I feel like I'm accountable to only myself and can be as private as I like. I felt like my particular WW leader was a bit condescending. I know there are great leaders out there, but mine just wasn't so hot on the interpersonal part...I wasn't looking for a friend in her or anything, but she sure wasn't discreet if you had a gain week or a plateau week, asking loudly, "Give me your journal...what did you do WRONG?!?!?" when I'd already done a great job of beating myself up.

This site is great - it's free, offers more in depth nutritional calculations and lots of support, if you want/need it. Good luck to you, whatever you choose!

p.s. it may be different now, but when I belonged to WW, you could eat a crappy meal that contained all your points during the day, and then eat "0 point" foods the balance of the day. While this may still be budgeting calories, it's not balanced nutrition. I find that by considering cals/exercise/protein/fats/carbs/etc. on MFP, I'm being healthier.

WaterBunnie · April 2012

I think when you've got a lot to lose (like I have) you resent having to pay for what's going to be at least 2 years worth of dieting. I'm going to allocate the money I would have spent on weekly meetings to a special holiday fund and take a nicer holiday than I would otherwise go on when the money has accumulated - and use the hour I'm not wasting in a meeting waiting for other slimmers to be weighed in in the gym instead!

I find points and syns etc too gimmicky. Why learn a new language for what is effectively calorie counting in disguise?

Crisark · April 2012

I did WW before my wedding and lost 13.5lbs and 8inches total. But that also took me 8 months of fighting to stick to it. I just couldn't stay on the Points counting.
Now, on MFP I've lost 6.5lbs in 5 weeks. I stick to it easier, I think, because of the app and also because my husband joined with me. He is awesome about keeping within his calories and if he can do it then I have no excuse.
I all in all vote MFP but that's my personal experience.

karebear32505 · April 2012

This however is wrong... NO BODY tells you, you need to buy ww food! you eat whatever you want whenever you want... You just track it!

I agree with Tricia, with WW, you eat a lot of their branded food, with MFP, you learn what you normally eat translates into calories and adjust portion sizes to reflect and generally eat more healthy and once you realise this is where you went wrong its can be easier to maintain.

However if like me you binge eat chocolate cause its LUSH, then its just discipline, and MPF helps, record before you eat is the key, it will then stop you eating all you need is a phone and a 3G connection, and it can prevent accidents from happening.

I think MFP is a great educator, whereas WW is a program you follow, then when you stop it ends, ... hence why people keep having to go back.

You either give people water who need it, or give them a means to save their own, this is a tool FREE so you can do it yourself!!!

Happy days ... love it! MFP all the way baby!!

karebear32505 · April 2012

Weight watchers 100% I Love what they have done for me 35+lbs i track there and here i come for extra support... I love them both but if money is the issue then i would say MFP! both you track and can eat whatever you want.... WW works if you do the program

ChristinaOlliver · April 2012

I switched. I used WW for a while. I had success with them... but this seemed more real. I am losing little by little here. I felt like I lost faster with WW, but as soon as I went on my own, I gained weight back. To me, this site seems more like everyday life. You just watch your calorie intake and workout.

This exactly. Plus, the MFP forums are so much better! Filled with lots of lovely people

just4u_cara · April 2012

WW has worked for my SIL, that and the gym have helped her lose her 68lbs since last fall. But she was so totally committed to it, she made it look so easy.

Now I have tried to follow the WW plan alongside my SIL and even have the app to calculate points. It's fine and the app was free, but I stalled after losing 28lbs.

I'm hoping MFP will help kickstart my weight loss again and again, it's FREE

for the ipad, phone and computer. MFP helps you track what you eat and when you workout and how it all plays into the weight-loss game. It's real food, real life and (I'm hoping for) real results that will last.

Good luck, I think MFP is the right answer, especially if money is an issue (for me it sure is).

oldbbwrrt · April 2012

I am a lifetime member of WW. Used their web site. for many months. I liked it a lot. It worked for me when i followed it closely. But stopped because of the cost. So far this one is working also.

Hegelian · April 2012

I have used both. I lost 5.5 stones using weight watchers (over a 3 year period) and am trying to lose my last 10lbs. Since January 2012 I have used MFP. I find MFP really helpful and good old counting calories helps me to be more honest about my consumption. I find WW expensive for what it is and MFP is free, easy to use and works.

jcan1588 · April 2012

i dropped weight watchers it worked but i prefer my fitness pal

dprincess28001 · April 2012

I think the free is always better and I hope this site remains free. I love the fact I can print my menu from whatever dates I need to give to my nutritionist. i work for novant health and they provide free nutrition visits for us. An expensive service otherwise. So I plan on taking advantage of all that is available to me. I want to reach my weight goal before I turn 50 in November. :flowerforyou: Debbie

long09 · April 2012

I say stick to MFP! It is easy to follow along and you are more likely to stick with it once you reached your goal. My husband and I started MFP together and combined we have lost 90 lbs since January! He is 9 lbs away from his goal and I have 45 lbs to go. We have discussed that when we meet our goals we are going to continue to use MFP to maintain.

MyFitnessPal vs WeightWatchers?

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