Weight Watchers?

What do people think of Weight Watchers? From people I know in person, it has worked very very well, but I've read some negative comments about the program on here.

What's the verdict? I'm thinking of joining.

so, did you join?

If you're the kind of person that would find it useful to be formally weighed each week and have the support of fellow members then WW isn't a bad scheme at all.   You can make it work very effectively if you match up healthy-eating principles at the same time. 

The downsides are that they tend to push their WW products on members.  Scales, recipe books, dubious 'foods'...   However, it's not compulsory to buy any of them.   Another downside is that they've moved away a little from healthy-eating and tend to push the compromise idea that you can 'eat whatever you like as long as you stay in the points'... this can be misleading and some people end up wondering why they feel so rough on 18 points-worth of junk!  But again, you don't have to fall into that trap. 

The biggest pitfall, I think, is this emphasis on 'points'..  By adopting their own unit of measurement rather than the standard 'calories' it can make members dependent on WW and nervous about going it alone when they can't calculate the points.   Which is marketing gold, of course, but possibly not a recipe for sustained weight-control.

You get out of WW what you put in.  There are much, much worse schemes out there.

I think weight watchers is great, but wonder why bother doing it when you can do CC for free.  The only difference is you have points and live meetings/weigh ins in weight watchers, which works really well for some people.

I did the online version before I found CC.  It was fine.  Personally I do prefer counting calories over points though, and I didn't spend much time on the online community bit since most of the posts seemed very very catty.

It works extremely well for me. I've tried all the diets out there and WW was the only one that worked for me. It's the same principle as CC but most people who succeed at WW and not at counting calories is because of the points. I found that when I was counting calories I would freak out and beat myself up if I went over my calories by lets say 100, just because it seems like so much more when you say 100 calories, instead of going over by like 2 points. Also, I am a repetitive eater, meaning I have my favorite foods and eat them often, which I find easier on WW because it's easier to know that a cup of grapes is 1 point instead of trying to remember that it's 60 calories? 80 calories? See, I can't even remember the calories. Trying to remember calories for everything is very hard when I'm in a rush. If I grab a cup of grapes I automatically know they are 1 point. I also find it easier to add 'points' versus 'calories'... they are simple numbers, where as sometimes with calories I have to remember I ate 268 calories, plus 43 calories, plus 146 calories. The points system is just way easier for me and... kind of fun. lol I like using the points calculator to figure out how many points things are. Some people find it a hassle though. Not me. lol

I don't pay for the program or do the weekly weigh ins. I just bought the tools, I usually only use the points book and points calculator... usually only the calculator for food labels, I use the points book for fruits, vegetables and meat that don't have nutrition labels. I just throw them in my purse and have my information anywhere, instead of having to find a computer.

WW can be too few calories though so you have to watch out and make sure you are eating plenty of the low point foods. One of the good things I realised the other day about WW is that you never eat the same amount of calories, you are always doing the zigzag in calories which helps with plateauing. I also save my 35 extra points and go out to a restaurant once a week, that gives me a high calorie day that usually stops me from ever plateauing.

I guess it's all about preference though. Everyone on CC seems to prefer counting calories, and everyone I know on WW just loves it. My mom, my boyfriend and I have been doing WW every time we find ourselves gaining weight. Works like charm. I usually lose 10-20lbs, then go off of it and maintain for a while. If I start gaining I get back on it. Gaining is my fault though, not WW. I am a pig when I want to be. lol

xlovelyx:  Great reply!

I am currently on WW, since May 28, and after 9 weeks on the program, I've lost 22 pounds.  My ultimately goal is another 11 pounds, back down to my pre-baby days, and I'm pretty sure I'll get there, with the continued proper eating and exercise.

It's my first time on WW and I love it!  People ask if I'm counting calories and I just say I'm on WW, but it is basically like the same thing.  Just the numbers are easier to follow.  Sure, you really don't know how many calories youre eating each day (and I wonder that sometimes), but I don't feel overly hungry.  I'm satisfied most of the time, and if not, I'll snack on low point foods like fruits, milk, Smart Pop popcorn (my favourite snack!)

I don't have time for meetings so I've actually joined online.  I thought I would have a problem being accountable to myself, but I find I'm more disciplined than I gave myself credit for.  Mainly because I see it's working, it gives me the extra push to continue on the program. 

You do have to exercise, and rather than jump on the treadmill like I force myself to do sometimes, I joined a kickboxing class (if I pay for classes, I'll go).

I can see WW working without joining, but I haven't tried it without the support of the WW website.  I can see me succeeding this way, but I don't have the books and guides to help out.  But there are WW calculators online that I could use when I get off the program. 

It's worth looking into.  You don't need to buy any of the WW products that are apparently encouraged at meetings.  It's possible to do without it...just find your equivalent tools online.

I did weight watchers, but it just wasn't for me. I think it works for some people, but I ended up stressing about points and it...it just wasn't for me. XD I know I could do the same thing with calories, but I was able to be a little more free I guess. Plus, the money just wasn't worth it to me.