I'm thinking of going to a Weight Watchers meeting, and joining WW.

Anyone On or tried WW, and how do you like the program? What can I expect? Is it hard to follow... ect. ect. ect. Any info would really be appreciated :)

Fri. Jul 27, 11:39am

If you don't know much about eating right, WW is terrific. But the #1 reason it works is because you journal everything you eat, much as you do here on PT.

Friday, July 27, 2007, 11:47 AM

i also think the points can be helpful if you don't know about calories. i used to eat bagels 3x a day b/c i thought they were healthy b/c they were low-fat. i was in for a big surprise when i learned bagels are like 7 pts and an english muffin is 2.

Friday, July 27, 2007, 11:53 AM

I tried it and quit after about 2 weeks. It was too difficult for me to count the points because you have to weigh and measure EVERYTHING. It became too cumbersome, plus I didn't want to bring a scale into work like a freak show.

I also wasn't happy with the "formula" used to determine points. It seemed like the focus was always on eating a low amount of points rather than living a healthy lifestyle. For example, a handful of walnuts has 5 points (I only got 24 a day) so I couldn't really eat those but walnuts are GREAT for you and should be part of your diet IMO. Basically, it felt like I was being punished for eating healthily and encouraged to eat unhealthily or not naturally (i.e. eating fat free processed cheeses, fat free hot dogs, etc.)

Of course like any diet, pizza and fries and cheeseburgers are off the table. The commercials make it seem like you can eat whatever you want but if two pieces of pizza are 16 points and you only get 24 a day then it's hard to incorporate that into a healthy diet.

Friday, July 27, 2007, 12:16 PM

There will never be a 'perfect' program. Some here on PT use Weight Watchers, others South Beach, others Fat Smash, others prolly use Nutrisystem or Jenny Craig. What matters is finding something that will help YOU.

The focus at WW is indeed to help you learn to make healthy choices. Members who continue to attend meetings and learn the program are urged to make healthy choices: healthy fats, lots of veg and fruits, whole grains, lean protienetc. You may not be able to eat a handful of nuts, but you certainly can enjoy a measured amount. You can have chocolate (I love my one piece of Dove dark promises every day) I often put some finely chopped almonds in my morning oats. One slice of pizza and a big salad are very filling and delicious. Who needs two pieces. Foods you enjoy, with limits, is what will help you get to whatever your goal is. The thing is, you don't - or I don't think you SHOULD, would be better said - eat restaurant pizza and burgers every day. They are things that are high in saturated fat, white flour and grease, and are best kept in smaller portions as occasional indulgences.

What points offer is an easy way to keep accountable. Much like logging here at PeerTrainer. The weekly (VERY PRIVATE) weigh in is another accountability tool, and the meetings can be helpful and encouraging IF you have a good leader. Not all are, but you are free to check out meetings until you find a leader you like if that is a problem, though it wasn't for me.

Members are also encouraged to add more activity to their lives. Move more and eat less, my meeting leader often says. You will run out of points or satisfaction if you use a lot of packaged foods, convenience foods or lots of fast foods. If you use portion control and healthy guidelines such as getting lots of veggies, lean proteins, whole grains,etc. you will certainly find plenty to be satisfied with.

I am NOT currently attending meetings, but use what I learned there EVERY DAY! I do indeed weigh and measure everything (almost) because when I "eyeball" stuff like oils, peanut butter or chicken, my eyes LIE!

Weight Watchers also has another option, Core, which does not involve as much counting or measuring. The foods that are core are very healthy, whole grains, healthy fats, lean proteins. But don't be fooled - whatever plan you choose will, at times, mean you will limit your choices or your portions. Learning healthy balance isn't easy. Good luck!

Friday, July 27, 2007, 12:41 PM

Personally I really liked WW and it helped me lose my last 15 pounds that wouldn't budge. I have been at my goal weight for over a year now. I liked that it taught me to consider more than just fat and calories, rewards you for exercise and it especially taught me the value of portion control!!!! I would attend a meeting (it's free to go see what it's like) and see if it's for you. Everyone is different. Good luck!

Friday, July 27, 2007, 12:41 PM

I totally agree with the last poster, I too lost 25 lbs on WW and have been able to keep it off for 3 years. It is a great support group, it makes you weigh in weekly and be accountable both during the weight loss period and after. They allow you to eat any food you want and you get extra points for excerise. Yes, it is all about portion control and not depriving yourself, which WW does because it allows you to eat any food.

Friday, July 27, 2007, 12:54 PM

I'm another fan. I lost 30 pounds on WW and kept it off for 6 years (until I got pregnant -- so now I'm back up that 30 pounds with 6 weeks to go in my pregnancy...). It's a terrific, healthy program.

Friday, July 27, 2007, 4:40 PM

I would encourage anyone to join Weight Watchers.

I joined WW in the 70s, when the program was far more restrictive than it is today, but I focused on learning the plan, keeping the food diary, attending meetings, and energetically studying all the materials they provided.

I lost my weight and kept it off for a long time, and as I've aged it has crept up on me again - that's my fault, not WWs.

What stayed with me over the years, however, was the massive amount of sound nutritional and psychological information I'd gained from WW. Those may have prevented my weight from being worse than it is now (and I'm currently losing weight again in a healthy sustainable way).

To the OP - please join WW and tell us about your experience.

You don't have to do the points - there are other ways to stay on program. One of the posters complained about weighing and measuring, but that is sooo critical to mastering portion control - we wouldn't be at WW or here if that wasn't an issue for us, right?

Learn everything WW has to teach you about healthy eating and the psychology of overeating.

It can change you life - it did mine.

Good luck - let us know!

Saturday, July 28, 2007, 12:39 AM

I'm a big fan. I've lost 32 lbs on WW since last Oct and am on the flex plan. You have to find the right leader, because some of them I found were kinda crazed. I like it because I can eat what I want, but with portion size and mindfullness in my choices.

Saturday, July 28, 2007, 7:56 AM

And yet another fan of WW if you're still reading. I like it because on my own I eat too little when I start to diet and always end up giving up. I cheat like crazy (guess at what the portion size is, guess at what WW's point value is) and it still works.

Saturday, July 28, 2007, 8:27 AM

I've done WW twice now. The first time I lost 55 pounds to reach my goal weight. Then, I went off plan and ate too much due to stress and didn't work out and gained back 35 pounds, then pregnancy with 20 more pounds, and 20 pounds post-delivery. Now, I'm back on WW and have lost 50 pounds in 6 months.

I think it's a great plan for lots of people. For me, it's nice to know that no food is off limits. I don't measure everything. After you've been doing it for a while, you are able to estimate things pretty accurately. I like that it encourages healthy foods and activity. It's a lifestyle change and that's what most overweight people need - not a pill or a diet that tells them they can't ever eat their comfort foods again. Changing bad habits is a daily struggle and WW helps with it.

So, my advice is to try it for a month. You can join on the plan that's $39 a month (no registration fee) that gives you all the internet tools. Give it a shot and see where you are in 30 days. I bet you'll have lost some weight and be feeling great!

Saturday, July 28, 2007, 4:35 PM

I've lost 75 pounds with WW. I started on flex and found it easy. Simple to count the points, more so then calories. After about 2-3 weeks you start knowing how much a serving is, especially if you weigh things for the first few weeks. After 8 months I switched to core and LOVED it. It is very much like the fat smash diet.

Saturday, July 28, 2007, 9:04 PM

OP here... thanks for all the advice on WW. My town meetings are only on Mon and Tues. So I have to wait till next week to attend a meeting. I will let you all know how it goes... :)

Wednesday, August 01, 2007, 2:09 AM

I loved it but I couldn't afford it. I find peer Trainer just as helpful! By the way I never did lose all that much on WW. I don't blame WW tough If it was free I would still be there

Sunday, August 05, 2007, 11:21 PM

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