Weight watchers or low-carb?

[Jeslynb]

I'm all geared up to finally lose over 80 lbs. I have two friends who are in the same boat - one is doing a low carb plan and the other is doing WW. I would like to join one of them, but can't decide!

Anyone on who has lost around 100 lbs and could share some tips? I am a carb addict, so low-carb appeals for that reason. Psychologically, however, it might be too restrictive.

Would love some suggestions. Thanks in advance!

Jes

 

[rubato]

Low carb isn't healthy and it isn't a lifestyle change that you can stick with. I would go with WW. JMO

 

[dthogue]

I'm a huge fan of WW - its a plan that you can live with - if a plan is too restrictive you are more likely to quit and give up. I have been very successful with the WW plan - every food has a points value - you can decide what to eat - there is nothing that isn't on the plan.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I have to agree with the above posters. If you like your carbs, try WW. I started WW on August 1, 2010. As of this morning, I have lost 57 pounds. I eat bread, rice, pototoes and popcorn. I try to lean toward whole grains, but the occasional white carb doesn't seem to hurt at all. I've tried low-carb before and got really tired of meat, cheese and eggs. I also didn't feel quite right on low-carb. I found that I crave my carbs and need to be on a plan where I can eat them and still lose successfully!

 

[lovetoscrap]

It really is jut a matter of your personal preference and lifestyle. I have done WW more times than I can count over the last 25 years and it was never something I could stick with for very long and I just can't count points for the rest of my life. But I know that many are very successful and really do wonderful with it so I certainly wouldn't ever discourage anyone from it.

I use South Beach which is low carb-- but NOT no carb. I think some people see low carb and think that means NO carbs and maybe lots of fats but that isn't South Beach. It focuses on lean proteins and vegetables, as well as whole grains-- sometimes as much as 3 or more servings a day of grains and of course lots of carbs from other sources. I wouldn't jump into just a generic "low carb" plan and stop eating bread/pasta/rice etc. You need a program with guidance to help you make the right choices and understand why you are making the changes you are. For me it is a healthy and sustainable way of eating for the rest of my life. But that is just my opinion and I certainly know it isn't for everyone. I LOVE my carbs but the 2 week intro period does help and I still get enough in my day to keep me happy.
I suspect that if I compared what I eat in a typical day with what someone doing WW does we would find that we eat just about the same things.

You may need to try them both and see what you like and don't like. Weight Watchers has weekly meetings and support and accountability that many people find very helpful. I am not really aware of any commercial low carb centers that offer support like WW does.

I don't recommend a low/no carb plan that advocates eating any and all meats and fats like Atkins (yes I have tried it!), and talks about keeping your body in ketosis . That is NOT a healthy way to eat or live in my opinion.

And remember that just because it is working for your friends doesn't mean it will work for you. You can still diet together and support each other without following the exact same plan.

And come and join us on the Biggest Loser Challenge and get some online support here!

 

[princessnoelly]

I'm a life time WW member. I hit life time over 9 years ago...had a few kids, some medical problems and am back within 8 lbs of my original goal weight!

I tried low carb after DD#2 and couldn't do it...I missed my fruit, pasta and bread (loooove my bread!) and beer too.

I love the new WW because fruit it FREE! I can eat all the fruit I want and it's free. I ate 2 lbs of strawberries yesterday with Fat free cool whip and it was FREE! Not always a great thing to do but when you crave sweets it's better than the "other".

I feel WW is good because it gives you wiggle room to live your life. I also feel it teaches me to eat wise after I'm at my goal weight. But, everyone is different and different things work for different people.

Good luck with whatever you do! You're at the hardest part- realizing you want to lead a healthy life.

 

[HeatherC]

I am actually doing WW, but trying to restrict my carbs. I am counting points, but getting most of my carbs from veggies and limited fruits. Instead of potatoes, rice, pasta and bread, I have been eating a ton of veggies. When I need bread, I eat the Joseph's Flax Pitas which are very low carb but give me that carb fix.

I am hypothyroid on meds and have a very hard time losing weight. Last time I did WW I only lost about a lb in three weeks. Gave up then.

I have been doing this for two weeks...starting my third week tomorrow and am down 5 lbs.. For me that is huge, and I really think it is because of the carbs.

I like Ww because it really is a way to eat forever.

 

[cewait]

I'll offer this as a century loser

WW or any balanced nutrition plan WILL be low carb as far as you body is concerned. If your current diet is what I expect; full of processed foods and not so full of fresh food, then a change to a balanced plan will will just like low carb.

For those who think the Atkins, etc plans are long term low carb plan, they aren't. You are correct that the 2-4 weeks of extreme low carb is not sustainable. But I really do not feel it is needed, either.

Get ride of sugar, High Fructose Corn Syrup, artificial sweeteners and enriched flour products - substitute fresh veggies and fruit and you will dump weight quickly. Manage portion control and you will dump more..... Do this in a purposeful way so that lifestyle changes are made, you will not have to say diet every again.

 

[Tree]

I do a combination of WW and South Beach. South beach isn't really low carb but focusing on the good carbs-no white bread, flour or sugar.

I was doing south beach alone but my portion sizes were getting bigger and bigger. I have lost 10lbs since I started combing the both them since Feb.

 

[portobello_rd]

ive been on the new WW points plus program since january 3rd. lost 31 lbs. i love it. i always just had a problem with portion control and now that i measure everything it works for me. i would think it would be a sad way to live cutting out the carbs. EVERYTHING has carbs, and the more you count the sadder it gets.

 

[Jeslynb]

Well, first of all - thank you so much for the great replies. You have definitely given me wonderful information which will help in making my decision.

Secondly - congratulations to all of you who have lost weight on any plan. Very impressed by all of you!

Coach Charles - no, my current diet does not contain junk or processed food. I think it's a sad assumption people make that if you are obese, you are sedentary and eat a diet comprised mainly of junk. In point of fact, I feed my family - and myself - a diet consisting largely of whole foods. Unfortunately, I do love my potatoes, as well as things like rice and crackers.

My weight gain came on during pregnancy when I had gestational diabetes and had to have regular injections of insulin. Prior to that, I had always maintained a healthy weight, although I was 10-20 lbs from what I considered ideal.

I am not sure why the weight has been so slow to come off, but I assume it's portion sizes, combined with consuming the bulk of my calories in the form of carbs and at night.

Thanks again, everyone.

 

[Creativebeth]

I have done both.

I did a low carb diet 5 years ago. It was just the ticket for me then....I ate 40g of carbs a day (10g per meal, and 10g snack)

Good points of low carb:
1. The first time I really wasn't hungry!
2. Got to eat foods I usually restrict (nuts for one!)
3. Pretty easy to eat out.
4. Once you are used to reading labels regarding carbs, easy to follow

Bad Points of low carb:
1. Got really boring.
2. Didn't give me enough 'fuel' to exercise (got really tired and run down)
3. Judgemental people giving me crap about it.

I am lifetime with Weight Watchers (currently following the new Points Plus)

Good points of Weight Watchers:
1. You are able to assign point values to ALL food. Gives you the ability
to eat your 'normal' foods.
2. Easy to follow, once you learn the system.
3. "Free" fruits (0 points plus) so if you're hungry, you can eat!
4. Gives you good guidelines on a healthy diet.
5. The accountability of the SCALE weekly. Knowing you have to weigh
in, helps you stay on point.

Bad points of Weight Watchers:
1. Weighing in weekly, and paying weekly.
2. You can eat 'junk' food and count the points!
3. I do get hungry on a routine basis before meals (somewhat helped with
"free" fruit)

That's just my run down of my view point. No problem following weight watchers and restricting your processed carb intake. Encourage yourself to stick to healthy whole grains.

Beth

 

[Jeslynb]

Thanks, Beth. So helpful to hear from someone who has done both plans.

 

[Creativebeth]

My main advice is not to listen to the 'downers'. Not every plan is for everybody. I try not to judge, but that certainly not the case for everyone! Good luck.....

Beth

 

[poohbear2]

I am a weight watcher lover. I have lost almost 30 pounds and it doesn't feel like a diet. I learned to eat better and can eat anything I want as long as it fits into my points.