Weight Watchers - how expensive is it and what do I need to buy?

[TupperMom7]

After seeing some commericials on TV and receiving some Weight Watchers magazines in the mail, I am thinking about using them as my weight loss tool. There are so many products out there, guides, books, etc. but I don't know which ones I really need. I don't want a lot of extras that I'll never use.

How much does it cost to belong? I saw a commericial that said it's free to sign up right now. How much will it cost me when the "free" part runs out?

For those who have done weight watchers or who are still doing weight watchers, what would you say I cannot do without?

 

[*pixie*dust*]

After seeing some commericials on TV and receiving some Weight Watchers magazines in the mail, I am thinking about using them as my weight loss tool. There are so many products out there, guides, books, etc. but I don't know which ones I really need. I don't want a lot of extras that I'll never use.

How much does it cost to belong? I saw a commericial that said it's free to sign up right now. How much will it cost me when the "free" part runs out?

For those who have done weight watchers or who are still doing weight watchers, what would you say I cannot do without?

Are you wanting to go to meetings or were you thinking of just doing online? If you are considering online, I would highly recommend Sparkpeople. It is free and has the same kinds of tools available that WW does for a fee.

 

[Our 2 Princesses]

WW does work, esp if you don't quit halfway thru like me. They do have a great program and I am starting back up again on Wednesday to try and lose the rest of this weight. I believe it's $12 a week to weigh in and there is a half hour motivating meeting, usually with recipes. You do not have to buy any special food if you do not want to. WW gives you tools to help calculate "normal" foods. dwlzdotcom is a great website to get ideas and points for restaurant foods. HTH!!

 

[KirstenB]

There are different memberships. I signed up for the basic, which is $40 a month. You don't have to buy anything else. I go to meetings once a week, and they weigh you. You have the option to buy WW products at the meetings. Things like cookbooks, snack foods, and things that help you calculate the # of points in a given food. I bought the points calculator, which is a quick way to know what I'm eating. It was around $10. Anyway, there isn't a hard sell on any of the products.

When I signed up, there wasn't a joining fee. I just wrote them a check for the first month. After that, it takes $40 a month off my credit card that I registered online. They really helped me get through the holidays.

 

[Liberty Belle]

Are you wanting to go to meetings or were you thinking of just doing online? If you are considering online, I would highly recommend Sparkpeople. It is free and has the same kinds of tools available that WW does for a fee.

I agree. Sparkpeople is great.

 

[LauralF22]

I use the Monthly Pass and it costs me $39.99/mo and gives me access to both meetings and online tools. This is the cheapest option if it is still available. You can track your progress as well as your Points online, yet still get the support of personal meetings. I think the meetings are a must. It's the only thing that keeps me honest - because I know I have to get weighed in by someone else..

 

[TupperMom7]

I was thinking more of joining on-line. I know if I joined to go to meetings, I would come up with every excuse in the book not to go to them. I like being on-line though, so that won't be a problem. So does Weight Watchers have a calculator/book to figure out how many points are in certain foods? I know the recipes in the magazine have points on them - how many points can a person have in a day?

 

[fakereadhed]

Sometimes there is a registration fee. That is what you are saving. You pay the weekly fee until you reach goal- even for missed weeks. That is where the cost comes from. You don't need to buy special foods or products. Weight Watchers teaches you how to eat to lose weight- buying the food and managing your points is up to you. They provide you with a paper tracker each week to write down your foods and keep you on track. I think it's great! Good healthy habits for life even if you weren't watching your weight. The meetings are wonderful. They walk you thru real life pitfalls to keep you on track. But beware if you are the type who needs more structure- some people do better on a plan of prepackaged food. I need that at lunchtime when I am busy so I just buy Lean Cuisines or other pre-packaged frozen meals to get through those times. Also, I don't think they push exercise enough. You really have to be willing to do more than they advocate in their handouts to get better results. As an example, one of their suggested workouts is less than the last 15 min. of the hour long class I take. Yes, it is better to walk or do some gardening or sit-ups but you'll have better weight loss if you step it up more than that.

 

[dex08]

I joined online last year and quit during the summer but am about to start up again. LOVED IT! Since I sit at a computer all day long for work, it was easy for me to log my foods and keep track of everything right there. The online tracking includes points for foods (you can lookup many name brands too) plus calculators.

I HIGHLY recommend WW Online!

 

[happybratpack]

I use the foods and snacks to try to keep my calories down and surprisingly enough I really like a lot of their stuff. The frozen dinners come in handy and I love their individual cream cheese tubs. Even though I'm not "doing" WW anymore I know how many points I should be consuming and can kind of stay on track.

 

[rflorek]

I joined online last year and quit during the summer but am about to start up again. LOVED IT! Since I sit at a computer all day long for work, it was easy for me to log my foods and keep track of everything right there. The online tracking includes points for foods (you can lookup many name brands too) plus calculators.

I HIGHLY recommend WW Online!

You get access to these online tools if you buy a $39.99 monthly pass at the meetings. You get online points calculators, recipe finders, restaurant guides, activity trackers, weight trackers, message boards - I could go on & on. Plus I get the added benefit of weekly meeting and personal support from my great group & leader (hi Linda in Bridgewater!!) and the honesty that's required from the weekly weigh-in.

I've been a WW member since 4/22/09 and I'm down 40 pounds so far.

It's not a diet - it's a lifestyle. It teaches you how to eat without the prepackaged foods & diet plans (too easy to gain weight back when you stop using prepackaged food plans)

Good luck whatever you decide!

 

[cepmom]

here's one thing to think about when considering WW online vs meetings...when you sign up to attend monthly meetings with a monthly pass ($39.95 per month) you also get free e-tools. When you reach your weight goal and maintain that weight within 2 lbs, you then become a Lifetime member and no longer have to pay. When you only do online, you do not become a free Lifetime member and will not be able to get the benefits of WW for free.
Personally, I get so much more out of meetings that I ever would just doing the online program. It gives me so much more motivation to see my leader each week, to see the friends that I have made there. We give each other tips, recipes, support when things are not going so well etc. I am a Lifetime member and I actually work for WW now, but I still go to my meetings each week. I love WW!

 

[jennyf2]

I am signing up tomorrow @ 9am. I am going to do the monthly pass & go to the mtgs once a week. I was thinking about doing the on-line only but if I know I have to weigh in every week FACE to FACE I will not "cheat". I'm off to Target to get their Smart Ones (GC deal this week). I'm SO excited

 

[mjkacmom]

Even if you are set on doing it online, I strongly suggest you do at least a on e month pass, and attend some meetings. I consider myself a WW expert (thanks to having 5 kids), and even I lose twice as much when I attend the meetings, even though I'm really not learning anything at this point (and as a newbie, you will be learning). They are SO motivating! Really, you don't have to buy a thing for this program.

 

[miceli20]

I agree with the previous poster. It is the meetings that help more than anything else. You start to have your own cheering squad to help keep you motivated. My bff is a meeting faciliator for weight watchers and I have started going back. You will hear lots of tips on foods and recipes from other members. I looked at it like this, if I was going to pay for it I mine as well show up. Make it your down time, something you do for just you. You will be suprised how it will make you feel.. The meetings are especially important when you hit a plateu or maybe gain a little (around holidays or celebrations), they will help get you back on track. Give it a try if you don't like the meetings then go to online. The best thing with meetings is that you are not stuck in front of the computer you are getting out and moving even if it is going to a meeting. Good luck!!

 

[limace]

Just a suggestion-my health insurance will pay for Weight Watchers (Blue Cross/Blue Shield)-definitely worth checking out.

 

[mom2clr]

I started the program through work after returning from maternity leave to lose the baby weight. In 6 months I lost 30lbs and was back to my pre-pregnancy weight. I got laid off the day of my last meeting (they did 17 week cycles) in February ’09 and I have been home not exercising at all (going to school and taking care of my daughter). With the tools I learned at Weight Watchers I’ve been able to maintain most of the weight off (5-10lbs gained/lost over the past year). So basically what I am saying, if you do it right, even when you stop the meetings or online access, you will be successful. As a previous poster said, it’s a lifestyle.

 

[Liberty Belle]

Just a suggestion-my health insurance will pay for Weight Watchers (Blue Cross/Blue Shield)-definitely worth checking out.

That's great! I wish mine would, but I'm almost certain it won't pay for any weight loss program. I'll have to double check.

OP, when I did Weight Watchers I lost about 35 pounds. If you're ready to start eating and moving differently it does work, but you have to be ready. Spark People is a free program you can do at home, if money is an issue.

 

[tar heel]

There is not enough accountability with the online only program, and I highly recommend that you go to weekly meetings. Other than the registration fee (which varies in different locales -- it's $13 here), you don't have to buy anything. In fact, with a family, I suggest that you have everyone eating essentially the same thing. Otherwise, it is too difficult to stick to it. The beauty of WW is that it's not packaged food or diet meals, but real world stuff. Your spaghetti, pot roast, etc. fits in fine. You may need a smaller portion and a bigger one of veggies, but everyone can eat the same thing.

 

[aidensmom73]

Just a suggestion-my health insurance will pay for Weight Watchers (Blue Cross/Blue Shield)-definitely worth checking out.

Really? I have them as well and should check into it. I have Empire Prism EPO.