I've never done the online thing but as far as I am concerned, WW's is the way to lose weight and do it in a good and healthy manner. I am really bad about cheating but when I stay on plan, the pounds just roll off....It's like any other program though, you have to do it to lose weight...I say go for it if you are not familiar with the program...it's a good one.

I lost 125lbs with WW and have kept it off a year, so far. But I HAD to go to meetings and be there in person. I don't do independant study well! LOL it is the same as any other program.... the program WILL work, if you WORK the program. WW is an easy tool to help with calories in... it's all the same. calories in, calories out. In my opinion, WW makes the calorie counting a piece of cake with their points system. YOU MUST BE TRUTHFUL. Every bite, every taste, every lick of every spoon is at least a point. You MUST weigh and measure or accuracy... you can guess by the old deck of cards size, and that is a big help but the closer I got to goal, the more I needed the food scale.

So, if you are focused, committed, and are truthful, it will work. but I needed to go to a weigh in ... in person, kept me more accountable.

Most programs work, but YOU have to DO the work.

WW is good, though I've never done it online. I recently lost 15 lbs. just counting calories. A dietician talked to me about my lifestyle, activity level, recommended 1400-1500 calories per day, so I did that and lost the wt.

wow Kat; congratulations!! I can't seem to lose 20 lbs, much less 125!! That is really inspiring! :)

LOL juellie..
you have to want it above all else. it's all in the mind!
as DH would say, good thing, cause it's empty up there.

Here is a link that might be useful: this might be helpful... calorie counts

Have not tried WW, but I very successfully used SparkPeople online and it is free.
Best of luck with your goal and let us know how it goes for you!

I have kept my weight off for five years, but like Kat, I HAVE to go to the meetings and weigh in in person...that accountability is what does it for me. Now, you can go to the meetings cheaper if you join online...and if you join online, there are some benefits as far as information and such. I've never joined (too cheap) but I go to the meetings. And..that weekly charge kept me focused (again cheap)....I didn't want to have to keep paying for the rest of my life. I do so enjoy normal sized, cute clothes....a little added bonus besides my health. The meetings are no big deal for me to get to and I enjoy them and have friends who go with me. Yes, about any weight loss program will work as long as you "do" it...no one can do it for you.

I agree with Kat and Maybee. Attending meeting is what makes the difference. I don't di points because I prefer the old 80's program but those meetings keep me honest.

Once this new thyroid medication kicks in I will be going back.

WW works for me because there really is no special diet about it. I can do WW anywhere, even at a fast food joint.

A few years ago, I joined WW online, got their recipe for angel food cake with pineaple, quit and got a full refund. I didn't lose any weight. The cake is good.

HA HA, Jannie!!

Kat, you can sure be proud of that. You must feel like $1,000,000. It is difficult to lose, but then the hard part starts, right?

As many have said - you've got to be serious about it ... and you're the only one that can do it.

One of life's important guidelines is to get more bang for your buck ... so why help fatten WW's coffers?

What about putting together a group yourself recruited among folks in various agencies or groups in which you participate, e.g. social, political, religious or sport, etc. and agreeing to meet regularly, and to do your weighing yourselves? Dare I say, "religiously"?

The benefit? No fees ... or you could collect some and send the money through some agencies which feed hungry kids in various areas of the world, for thousands die there daily due to lack of food - or poor health, with minimal medical service available.

5%? 10%? of the world is worried/obsesses about being overweight ... while over 50% is hungry.

If there's a God ... how do you think that S/He may feel about such a situation? Or about so many of the people who claim to follow Him/Her not doing a great deal more than collecting for food hampers for local needy at Christmas (e.g. massive re-arrangments of the world's economy with a view to greater fairness, more people getting a decent diet)?

This issue of overweight, and bad diet (with many more of our kids being overweight than in earlier generations, and more suffering from diabetes) can be potentially life-restricting (even -threatening) for many in our society ...

... but it's immediately life-threatening for millions in many parts of the world ... especially in areas where they've been suffering for several successive years of drought recently.

Surplus food hurts us - the lack of it kills them. This is a major part of the reason that our world is as sick as it is.

I am sorry that I feel the need to rain on your parade, ladies.

ole joyful

On July 1 of this year, I joined (free!) Sparkpeople.com and lost 30 lbs. as of two weeks ago.

I have taken a "brief" break over the holidays, with the security of knowing that I will be "sparking" again (tomorrow).

I can't wait to lost an additional 20 lbs. with the support of Sparkpeople.

Oh - and I am a "lifetime" WW member, but last used them in 1999. I've never used the online version, but I was successful in losing 30 lbs. with WW too.

I am committed to Sparkpeople and all of the resources and support if offers.

Congrats for making a positive lifestyle change, and best of luck to you!

Here is a link that might be useful: SparkPeople

Thanks to all who responded! I've been looking over the Spark site & think I will give it a try.

I'm aware that I have to have the willpower to lose the weight, it looks like Sparkspeople has
a good support system. Of course, the price is right!

I live in a small town, the WW meetings are a 15 minute drive.
The winter weather in Illinois sometime make it longer.

Again, thanks for the advice. Kat, great job! You give me inspiration!
Thanks for the calorie counter link, it's now in my favorites.