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The Kitchen Table

Weight Watcher's?

14 years ago

A good friend of mine is pestering me to join W/W with her and another friend. I know that W/W is popular, but I've never been a joiner & I feel awkward doing wt loss as a group activity. I was wondering if anyone here has had experience with W/W? Was it good or bad? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

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Comments (3)

ruthieg__tx
14 years ago
A big thumbs up for Weight Watchers and it's always more fun with a buddy...Try it and if you don't like it quit...there is no commitment ...no contract...
socks
14 years ago
I've been a member forever, but have not done the program in quite a few years. As far as I know, the eating plan is healthy and provides structure if you need that. Also, some people are helped by knowing they need to weigh in at the meetings so it helps keep one on the straight and narrow. But of course you do not need to fear anyone saying anything if you pick up a few pounds in a week. It happens. I've found the presentations fun, interesting and educational. I remember a man at one meeting saying that since he had lost weight, he was able to give up his diabetes meds. That made an impression on me. It would be fun to do it with friends. If you're not a joiner, maybe it's time to "step outside the box" and try something new with buddies. You could learn a lot.

Back when I was a member, WW sold all kinds of measuring spoons, gadgets, magazines and other paraphenalia to help. Unless you see something you feel sure would help you, I'd pass on most of that stuff.

That said--I've recently lost about 10 lbs. just by eating mostly what I want but just much less and reducing carbohydrates somewhat (not completely). Also, no cookies, candy or other sugary treats, and of course no sodas at all. I'm also walking every day.

Whatever you decide, best wishes for success.
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Hi Cathy! C'mon and join our merry gang on the Daily Support weekly threads. There's a bunch of us there, different ages, different diets hugging and cheering each other on, being there when needed and generally just a merry ol' gang. I've done WW online and at meetings. I found the sight very informative and encouraging. A similar sight that is absolutely free is called Spark People - check that out too for more inspiration and ideas. I did not bother with online buddy stuff because I have a close friend doing her own diet thing and we account to each other and yak about diet, healthier lifestyle going forward (lifestyle - never really diet at all). And I have found this forum the most supportive overall because I feel like part of a family here. The last few years I've been using my weight watchers books and stuff myself at home and have made my own weight loss MS Excel spreadsheets for tracking on a graph (weekly weigh-in), daily point log and a spread sheet of my favourite foods and their respective points. I've got links to different sites on the web I like. But I'm used to the old points system, not the new one. Either way reporting in at WW online weekly helps you to stay the course. Please join our merry gang if you have not already on the Daily Support - we'd love to have you join us! Cheers and welcome! Peggy Here is a link that might be useful: SparkPeople
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I find the program very healthy. I eat a lot of protein, veggies, and fruit. No junk food at all. I agree that they sell a lot of over priced packaged stuff, but I've never once bought a WW product. Of course they want to make money with those convenient foods, but the leader of my meeting doesn't push them and honestly I think maybe only a couple people in the meetings I've gone to buy them. I get 30 smart points per day and I spend them wisely on healthy food that fills me up. There any many days I struggle to eat the full 30 points. If you are hungry, veggies, fruit, or lean protein are the key. The advice to fill up on these things is the same across many diet theories these days. I think a lot of people used to junk food, sweets, fatty foods, or high carb foods who stick with WW quickly find that these things use up points too quickly and they are hungry. By contrast healthy foods are very low in points so you can eat a whole lot of them for the daily 30 points, and thus are never hungry. At least that has been my experience.
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First of all, no matter what program you are on, you are supposed to eat mindfully, and not gorge yourself no matter what you are eating. You want to learn to stop when you are full, (actually, just before that). So that is why making something "zero" points should not mean you gorge on it. I think the WW changes are to acknowledge the latest science and obesity research. I think many many moons ago WW programs and most diets were based on the view that all calories were created pretty much equally. Then they decided that a) that was not good for your health and b) that led people to choose foods that may not have been filling, and so they gave into hunger. When I last was on WW, 15 yrs or so ago, the points system essentially keyed off calories, but the points system rewarded you for eating fiber and dissuaded you from eating fat. That is why points don't equal calories. I would guess that they have found that, if you make tracking the key to success, you will find very few people (even w online apps) who want to track everything they eat every single meal of every single day for the rest of their lives. If you take all of the foods that people tend not to overindulge in and that are reasonably nutritious without being calorically dense, and make them all zero, then essentially you are saying you only need to track treats, or indulgences. That is probably a lot more doable. I believe research shows that almost all diets "work." The issue is which approach one can live w indefinitely. Nearly everyone makes the mistake of playing Scarlett on this one, and figuring, after they lose, then they will worry about what to do for the rest of their lives. But the latter is the most important part. About 15 yrs ago I used WW and did very well. I did it 99% on line. I tried meetings, but some leaders, frankly, are bad at what they do. Or silly or juvenile or not really that knowledgeable. The participants can be even worse. Sorry for the misanthropic bent, but that was my experience. Some people need or like meetings for the accountability of weighing in. If that is useful to you, and or the camaraderie (assuming you are more patient/generous that I am), then WW is a sound choice. I like Myfitnesspal. I like to track from time to time and I don't feel I need a lot of guidance. It is easy to use and i have it on my phone.
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I did do Weight Watchers. I paid a small fortune to lose weight. Then I stopped weight watchers and gained it all back. So I went back to Weight Watchers, lost the weight again and low and behold, I gained it all back again. The winner? Weight Watchers. I did Keto for four years. I lost 50 pounds and kept it off. I got off Keto (long story, but I'm back on keto now) and gained back 15 pounds in 2 1/2 years (I gained my WW's weight back in a few months after quitting). Keto price? $0.00. Who won? My bank account. With any new way of eating, you will gain it back if and when (and I do mean WHEN) you stop that way of eating. How much money you want to lose to the diet plan, depends on what you can afford and how long it will take to lose that weight. They're counting on you to fail, but regardless: they have your money. Keto works best for me. No points to count. And in all honesty: I don't track. I just avoid processed food, sugar of all forms (white, brown, honey, agave [what the heck is agave anyway?]) with the exception of a little artificial if and when I want a diet pop, which I don't drink often. It's mostly a vegetable and meat diet, and some berries for fruit. About the only sugar Keto'ers eat. The problem I had with WW's is I was always hungry. And the message was confusing. They would say fatty foods are bad for you, don't eat them. Oh, but sugary foods are really bad too. Don't eat them. What does that leave? Not a lot. Yet when you walk into ANY WW's office, the first thing you see is all their low point highly processed chemical laden treats that are really expensive. With Keto, because it's a high fat, mediocre protein and low carb way of eating, you're rarely hungry. Some people even forget to eat. (not me, I like food). Good luck, and I do mean that sincerely.
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wildchild
14 years ago
WW is the best program out there in my opinion. I f you go to the meetings and follow the program you will lose weight and you will also learn to eat better for the rest of your life.

The only downside to WW is they keep changing the program each year to keep up the interest and make it look "new" when the changes really don't mean much as far as weight loss goes. A calorie is still a calorie no matter how you rename it.

I learned the program back when you used food exchanges and that is what still works for me. I hate counting points.

I started working it at home and have lost 6 pounds these last two weeks. I would go to meetings and found them fun and inspiring but since I was doing an old program a lot of it was not something I could relate to. But it was still helpful.

Right now I'm doing well on my own. If I get to where I need extra support I'll go back just for the moral support.

DD learned the points system so it works very well for her. She would hate doing it my way.

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