WW on line or meetings?

[Tigger7570]

Hi Everyone:
I am back at this board looking for help. I had tried South Beach several months back, but with no success. I can't do a diet that limits fruit, etc. So, I really need to do something. I feel like I could tuck my hands and feet in and roll down the street. So, I need to do something and I have decided to join WW after reading the successes that people on these boards have had with the program. I am thinking that I should go and join, but I have a major problem with time management. I'm afraid I'll have a hard time getting to the meetings. Those of you who have joined on line, have you found you are able to stick with the program without the structure of weekly meetings? And those of you who go to the weekly meetings or weighins, do you feel you could have done just as well on line? Thanks in advance for all your help. Once I join, I will be visiting these boards for your help and support.

 

[CookieGVB]

I enjoy the meetings, getting to hear people's stories and see before & after pictures, among other things.

We go on Sunday morning - it's a fun group - at one point, we had a couple of older ladies contemplating how many points there are in edible undies.

It helps that my friend joined with me - we're a pretty good support system for each other.

It's working so far!

 

[Chicago526]

I did WW Online, and loved it. I lost 30 pounds in about 6 months or so. For me, doing it online was perfect, as I'm on the computer all day long anyway, it was easy to pop into the site to update my food journal or figure out the points for something new. I'm also not a "group" person. I felt that posting on the message boards was just as good as going to meetings, only you can post online 24/7 instead of only going to a real meeting once a week.

I'd say that WW Online is great if you have the disapline to stick with it on your own and not "cheat" when you enter in how many points a food item is, or fudge your weight numbers. If you think you need to weigh in every week infront of people to make sure you stay on track, then the meetings may be a better way to go.

Either way, it's a fantastic program that teaches you HOW to eat, with no gimicks or entire food groups that you aren't allowed to eat. It focuses on portion control (which is the REAL cause of obesity in the U.S.) and moderate exercise to achieve a healthy weight. The first week, I was really hungery, but detrimed to stick with it. I was rewarded with a 7 pound loss the first week! After that, my body got used to less food and I got used to the point system, and lost an average of 1 1/2 to 2 pounds per week. I went from 175 to 145 (I'm 5'7") and droped one size (12 to 10). My goal was to loss as much as possible from the time I joined in Nov. of 2003 until my trip to DL in Feb. of '04. I lost 20 pounds in time for the trip, and another 10 upon my return.

I've maintained my weight for 4 months now with little difficulty. I'd love to lose another 5 to 10, but I'm happy with my current weight and would be content if I don't lose any more. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me.

Good luck!

 

[Tigger7570]

Thanks so much for the replies. I am leaning towards joining on-line due to such a hectic schedule in our lives right now. Chicago526 I may take you up on your offer to PM you after I have joined for some tips, etc. in regard to staying on track using the online method.
CookieGVB - it sounds like you have a great group! I don't at the present time have any friends interested in joining and who I could commit to in regards to making meetings with them. Again, because of our hectic schedule right now.
I'm hoping to join over the weekend, at the very latest Monday. I'll let you know how I make out.
Again, thanks so much.

 

[KimRaye]

I've been doing WW online since 1/12/04. I've lost 53 lbs, and there's no fudging around that! I, too, am on the computer a lot so, online is great for me. It's cheaper as well. At night, I go in and enter the next day's planned menu, as well as add/delete things that I ate/didn't eat from that day. I print each day out, and carry it with me during the day.

As for meetings, I'm sure there are many around you, you can look them up at their site. You can go to any and/or all the meetings you want, once you pay the weekly fee at one of the meetings. I didn't have a problem so much with the meetings, but with blocking that same time slot every week to go.

Best of success to you!

P.S. WW is getting a whole new plan very soon. I believe if you join now, you will have the choice of staying with the current program, or switching to the new one. You might want to ask.

 

[chrismiss56]

Kim Raye I have sent you a PM

 

[Nancy]

I actually do both. I use on-line for tracking my points and reading the message boards. I NEED to go to the meetings because that is what keeps me on track. I have to have the accountablility of weighing in every week. Now that my SIL is going too, I have a buddy to go with and because she is SO competitive she gives me the incentive to not cheat. (because if she loses more then me she lets everyone know that she did better...and I mean EVERYONE! to her it's now a competition)

 

[Amirah95]

I did the program online and it only worked out for me for two months. I think I need real meetings. It's cheaper to do it online than it is to do the meetings.

 

[KrnB]

I've been doing WW online for two weeks, and I love it. I didn't see how I could fit weekly meetings into my schedule, but I am on the computer all day, so it just made sense to do it this way. I'm not a meeting kind of person anyway as I tend to be self-motivated (my good ol' Catholic guilt if I cheat and my frustration with how my clothes fit), although I can definitely see how motivating the meetings can be.

I tried South Beach too, and while it worked well, I couldn't give up bread and pasta forever so once I went into the maintenance phase, the carbs gradually came back - and so did the weight.

I realized that portion control was the lifestyle change I really needed to make, not just cutting out carbs. Based on feedback I saw about WW on these boards, I decided to give it a try, and I'm really glad I did.

I like that I can easily keep track of my points on a system that calculates everything for me and I can do it at any time during the day. I've made quite a few changes to some of my eating habits based on things that I thought were healthier than they are, and it's made a difference.

I also really like that I can have a hotdog at a baseball game and not feel too guilty because I know how to compensate for it by eating fewer points at other meals during the day. The flexibility is so helpful.

Good luck!