Weight Watchers

[JohnDaleswife]

Tell me the good, the bad and the ugly. I am thinking about joining.

 

[crisi]

Its good if you need the accountability.

I hate the points system. I used WW way back when it was portion control and you had your two glasses of milk and two proteins (or whatever).

Some groups are better than others in terms of providing the support and materials. But its support and materials, it isn't anything you couldn't do yourself with a log book, a scale and the idea that you need to exercise, limit portion sizes and stay away from junk.

 

[CruisingKate]

Accountability/ commitment is my number one reason for rejoining WW. I know how to lose weight, but having the goal, tracking the points, and having that weekly commitment works for me.

I like the points ; nothing is off - limits as long as you track and stay under your point allotment.

The W.I.S.H. forum here on the Dis can help, too. Check it out.

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

I used the myfitnesspal app and a steady routine of exercise to lose the ten pounds I gained after I lost my dog. If you are motivated, you can achieve success without joining WW or Jenny Craig IMO.

 

[GC&S]

I like WW because you can eat anything. Just in moderation. I like the groups and weighing in on a regular basis keeps me honest. I have had some wacky leaders but most have been ok. I will never give up a food group (especially chocolate .0 I lost 7 lbs just doing the simple start program. WW is not rocket science and they have made many changes to their program but it's the one that makes the most sense to me.

 

[JohnDaleswife]

What about doing the online program?

 

[akayek31]

I have lost 43 pounds by using MyFitnessPal app and working out. I tried WW before and it did not work for me. But what does not work for one may work for another.

 

[dsnyfn1022]

I do the online only WW program and I like it much better than the meetings. Oddly enough, I had the meetings before and gave up after like 2 or 3 weeks. I just didn't like having to carve out an hour of my day for them. It didn't work for my schedule. If you're needing the support then there are a couple threads on the WISH board that you can go to. They're great!

I've used MFP before and only lost about 10 pounds in like 5 months. I switched to WW and lost 6 pounds in one. Granted, that's the first month so I expect it to slow up a little bit but WW works better for me than MFP.

 

[hsmamato2]

it works great for some people,not so well for others- what's the harm in trying it out? my friend is a leader,and her groups seem to love her and her meetings! (it's not my cup of tea, but for some it's great)

 

[verleniahall]

It is VERY expensive to do - i have found that with myfitnesspal i can do the same thing and its free

 

[SandyinMonterey]

I did weight watchers a couple of years ago. It was the point system, don't know what they're doing now. The point system did work, but it got tiring quick (at least for me). Counting every little thing you eat, using that calculator or book. I did not find the weigh-ins or meetings helpful. Sorry, just me and my opinion. After a while what did me in is the cost and the driving distance I had to do to get to meetings.

 

[lustergirl]

I love WW. I have been going for a year and am down 62 lbs. I enjoy a early Saturday morning meeting and have got to know everyone there. My Fitness Pal is also a great program.

 

[pjlla]

First disclaimer..... I am a WW leader, so I might be a bit biased. But I lost nearly 90 pounds 7 years ago with WW and I am a walking/talking WW success story. I have tried it ALL over the years(except for pharmaceuticals or surgery)..... Atkins, South Beach, cabbage soup, Pritikin, SlimFast, Flat Belly.... you name it! The ONLY THING that got me losing weight consistently AND no go RUNNING for a treat at the first available opportunity was Weight Watchers. Not to say I didn't try it multiple times over many years before making my goal and having long-term success.... but I am now almost 7 years of maintenance and have never looked back.

You can get out of it what you put into it..... go to the meetings, LISTEN, SHARE, THINK about what the topics are, make a TRUE effort, track your foods/portions and it WILL WORK! Without crazy restrictions and WITHOUT Biggest Loser style 8 hour workouts.

Best of luck getting healthier, no matter what you try! (BTW, come visit us on the W.I.S.H. boards here on the Dis if you are looking for some online weight-loss friends!!)....................P

 

[NC State]

I agree with Pjlla. It's a wonderful support group. I joined March 2011 and lost 51 lbs by September 2014. I was only 9 lbs from goal and someone talked into stopping and do MFP. What a mistake for me, after 10 months I regained 19 lbs. I love the meetings because it gives me the support and "recharges" me for a new week. I know now not to stop; it's a life style change but it's a good change.

 

[JohnDaleswife]

I am going to do a bit more research before I do join, if I do. As far as the financial aspect of it, I am thinking that I could join the program and also teach my grown daughter what I have learned as well, justifying the price even more. I am looking at it to lose weight to look good, but I know that being able to possibly dodge diabetic conditions and other health issue in the future is the most important. I only need to lose about oh, 15 pounds. Would love to lose 20.

 

[lustergirl]

First disclaimer..... I am a WW leader, so I might be a bit biased. But I lost nearly 90 pounds 7 years ago with WW and I am a walking/talking WW success story. I have tried it ALL over the years(except for pharmaceuticals or surgery)..... Atkins, South Beach, cabbage soup, Pritikin, SlimFast, Flat Belly.... you name it! The ONLY THING that got me losing weight consistently AND no go RUNNING for a treat at the first available opportunity was Weight Watchers. Not to say I didn't try it multiple times over many years before making my goal and having long-term success.... but I am now almost 7 years of maintenance and have never looked back.

You can get out of it what you put into it..... go to the meetings, LISTEN, SHARE, THINK about what the topics are, make a TRUE effort, track your foods/portions and it WILL WORK! Without crazy restrictions and WITHOUT Biggest Loser style 8 hour workouts.

Best of luck getting healthier, no matter what you try! (BTW, come visit us on the W.I.S.H. boards here on the Dis if you are looking for some online weight-loss friends!!)....................P

I remember the cabbage soup

 

[LJSquishy]

Unfortunately the only people I know who have done Weight Watchers are those who have regained their weight or are "lifetime members" (and overweight). I absolutely agree with pjlla in that you get out of it what you put in. This holds true for any program or lifestyle change. I think there are many great programs out there to assist those who want to lose weight, but at the same time I do not think they are the best to follow long-term. I truly believe that the nonfat/lowfat products Weight Watchers and other companies push are terrible for you. They are fine short term, but long term it's not teaching you how you should really eat. I believe in whole fat real foods and no sugar free, nonfat, lowfat, etc products. A great documentary on this is Fed Up (free on Netflix).

Many people start strong but give up on any lifestyle change after a few weeks because the scale either doesn't move fast enough, they feel deprived, or they lose interest.

Around this time last year I decided I was ready to lose some weight and really commit to it and used the Medifast program (not at the center) for approximately 4 months and lost 35lbs (putting me well into the healthy BMI range). I chose it because it was a simple, easy program and I knew I could commit to it. It was very, very expensive and it went against everything I believed in foodwise such as avoiding soy, sugar free, nonfat/lowfat, etc. I put my beliefs aside temporarily and the program worked just as advertised. Once I transitioned off of Medifast after meeting my goal weight, I slowly introduced only whole and full fat foods along with regular exercise and it's now been almost 9 months since I transitioned and I'm maintaining my weight just fine without any "diet" foods or counting calories. I changed my lifestyle, and if you aren't ready to change your life on a permanent basis, it won't work, but if you're ready for a lifetime commitment, it will.

 

[crisi]

Unfortunately the only people I know who have done Weight Watchers are those who have regained their weight or are "lifetime members" (and overweight). I absolutely agree with pjlla in that you get out of it what you put in. This holds true for any program or lifestyle change. I think there are many great programs out there to assist those who want to lose weight, but at the same time I do not think they are the best to follow long-term. I truly believe that the nonfat/lowfat products Weight Watchers and other companies push are terrible for you. They are fine short term, but long term it's not teaching you how you should really eat. I believe in whole fat real foods and no sugar free, nonfat, lowfat, etc products. A great documentary on this is Fed Up (free on Netflix).

Many people start strong but give up on any lifestyle change after a few weeks because the scale either doesn't move fast enough, they feel deprived, or they lose interest.

Around this time last year I decided I was ready to lose some weight and really commit to it and used the Medifast program (not at the center) for approximately 4 months and lost 35lbs (putting me well into the healthy BMI range). I chose it because it was a simple, easy program and I knew I could commit to it. It was very, very expensive and it went against everything I believed in foodwise such as avoiding soy, sugar free, nonfat/lowfat, etc. I put my beliefs aside temporarily and the program worked just as advertised. Once I transitioned off of Medifast after meeting my goal weight, I slowly introduced only whole and full fat foods along with regular exercise and it's now been almost 9 months since I transitioned and I'm maintaining my weight just fine without any "diet" foods or counting calories. I changed my lifestyle, and if you aren't ready to change your life on a permanent basis, it won't work, but if you're ready for a lifetime commitment, it will.

I have a former coworker who had a lot of success on Medifast, but it is EXPENSIVE. In terms of the programs you can join to get support and advice, WW is one of the cheaper ones - unless you find something free (and there are plenty of internet support groups to offer advice for free, and often lunchtime groups at work, support groups through your clinic or hospital, and just getting a group of friends or neighbors together),

Nothing will work long term unless you are willing to make the long term changes to monitor and maintain your weight.

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

I am going to do a bit more research before I do join, if I do. As far as the financial aspect of it, I am thinking that I could join the program and also teach my grown daughter what I have learned as well, justifying the price even more. I am looking at it to lose weight to look good, but I know that being able to possibly dodge diabetic conditions and other health issue in the future is the most important. I only need to lose about oh, 15 pounds. Would love to lose 20.

If this is your goal then I would maybe research other avenues. What you eat and exercise influence diabetic conditions (onset, numbers, etc.) way more than what you weigh. You could eat nothing but 2pt WW packaged cakes as long as you stay under your points but that won't do much to stave off blood sugar issues.

You'd be better off IMO finding a program that focuses on blood sugar eating (whole foods, proteins, the right carbs, etc.).

 

[crisi]

If this is your goal then I would maybe research other avenues. What you eat and exercise influence diabetic conditions (onset, numbers, etc.) way more than what you weigh. You could eat nothing but 2pt WW packaged cakes as long as you stay under your points but that won't do much to stave off blood sugar issues.

You'd be better off IMO finding a program that focuses on blood sugar eating (whole foods, proteins, the right carbs, etc.).

That is one of the reasons I don't like the WW points. If you follow the small print, you will end up eating whole foods and proteins - but the broader message is "eat what you want, just don't exceed your points"