weight watchers/jennycraig/LA weightloss

I was just wondering abot everyone's experiences and opinions about these weightloss 'clubs'

I started on calorie-count in August, and decided to try weightwatchers a month ago, even though I was losing weight on my own, I thought WW would give me that extra OOMPH.

I've decided that I do not like weightwatchers.  I know it works for some people, and that's good for them... however, I feel that it gives me personally a false sense of reality.  I mean basically, I could eat McDonalds hamburgers and oreos every day.  Sure, it frowns against that, but technically I could, and stay "within" my points range. 

I was doing better on calorie-count, by far.  Because I know if I put in a fast food item, my nutrition analysis goes down.  That's reality.  It's NOT okay to eat mcdonalds and oreos every day of the week.  This website does not give a false sense of weightloss, it gives you the facts straight up.  Weightwatchers doesn't even give you your caloric intake, let alone a pie char of your vitamins, minerals, and a free analysis!

So I'm back, and done with the points system.  Now I just have to wean myself off of thinking in points.  Bagel, 2 points, bread 2 points, mcdonalds 14 points, haha.  Not that I've eaten mcdonalds recently... blegh.

I personally haven't done any.  I have a good friend (male) he has lost well over 50 lbs on Jenny.  The only thing is now that he's lost the weight, he now has to learn to eat regular food, not prepacked.

I lost nearly 40lbs on WW about 15 years ago... it was when they used their other plan, which broke foods into categories of breads, proteins, fruits, veggies, etc.  - That was so much better of a plan because it really focused on a balance of foods.  Tried the "points" plan a few years ago and just couldn't work it... Also felt they relied too much on "diet foods".  I really like CC because it takes some of the best points of WW, like balanced meals and writing down everything you eat ... but there's so much more support here on CC. 

I did WW earlier this year and lost 10 or so pounds, then got frustrated with the points system and found Calorie Count, which I really love. While I completely agree with you regarding the fact that you can eat junk if you want as long as it's in your points range, I found that when I did WW I started eating more fresh veggies because they were either zero points or very few points.  That was a really good habit which I have continued, so for that one habit alone I have to thank WW! Now, my downfall on WW, was that I also ate a lot of low point WW snacks (cakes, muffins, etc.) because they were tasty, convenient and I got lazy.  I don't fault the WW program, because they do stress a balanced diet and 8 healthy guidelines. I really prefer Calorie Count because even though all I have to do is count calories, I'm more aware of eating a more balanced diet and I love the tools of nutrition analysis. I also know that I can have a "bad" snack (candy bar) but as long as I eat fairly well the rest of the day, my overall analysis is good. I did the analysis regularly when I started here, but I don't now since I've learned what is in the foods I regularly eat.

I've done both weight watchers and la weight loss....

And if you read my ticker, you will see they did not work for me...

Weight watchers did work - because I need accountability. But I moved to an area without a WW class, and backslid. LA did not because their food structure never did anything but cause me to gain.

I find that I have what I need here - a place to record what I eat, people with whom I can form some supportive community, and a place to record what I weigh. Hurray!

Feel free to look at my Journal -  I started with Jenny Craig and am Semi switching over soley to calorie-count I actually did a Jenny Craig day yesterday and posted the general facts (They really want me at the 1500 calorie level so I ate that day and recorded everything here to see what it was going to be).  JC is expensive but nice if your'e just bad at learning portion sizes it gives you a good visual - but they expect you to keep buying the food for the support they promise when you sign up... so I guess I am slightly dissapointed overall in the program.  I also feel like my consultant is slightly ignorant (she counted the so called fiber intake and at the moment I'm convinced she counted the sugar intake instead because of teh value she handed me.)  I like her but she is by company rule unable to help me with planning a non-jenny craig meal plan to move me away from the program and I feel like i"m doing better with the support here than there.  

I've lost 43lbs with LA Weight Loss.   I like that you can buy your own food, you can still eat out, you meet one one one multiple times a week, and there's no silly point system.  I have only 2lbs left to lose and I'm officially on 'Stabilization' since I'm within 3lbs of my final goal. 

I've heard good and bad about LAWL, and I really think it all depends on the office.  My office is great.  I've heard others can be really slack. 

Weight Watchers is a GREAT program!!  I have lost over 150 pounds following the points system.  I know they say you can eat whatever, but I find that refreshing.  Knowing I can have a cookie is WAY better for me then feeling like I CAN'T have something.  I don't do well being told I CAN'T have something.  On the same token, I WILL not WASTE my points on crap.  It makes me choose better foods so I feel more satisfied.  I think any program works if you follow it to a tee.  Just wanted those of you thinking of WW to know it's GREAT!!

Jenn

LAWL was horrible for me...after 5 months of only losing 2 lbs they finally "figured" out that my body does not do well with Soy and that was keeping me from losing. They are after your money since they push their Supps...you have a money back guant. if you use the LA Lites...ALL OF THE TIME...crazy...they do have you follow strict guidelines for your foods, but do not help learn why and if you have a bad week, too bad for you. 3 times a week I had to go weigh in with someone that was pushing all of the vitamins and everything else...worried about her commission and not my health. When I told her that I was tracking my calories here on CC she almost lost it....Told me that was against policy and it could void my contract with them. I have not been back.....even though I have only lost 9lbs here to date, I am happier and healthier. Thanks CC

heh That's what I mean when I say every LAWL office is different.  they know I'm counting calories here.  I even log all my percentages and total calories for the day in my LAWL food diary. I tell them I'm doing "Extra Credit" and they just laugh at me.  I bought one of the packages of bulk bars, but now I'm out and don't want to buy more and they're cool with that.  I tried the supplements and never bought any more and they weren't pushed on me again.  I really like my office.

I'v never done weight waters or LA but I have done South Beach and it did work.. for a while.. I was thinking of trying it again with the CC just to get that first jump.. I'm not really sure though

My Jenny Craig consultant is slightly unhappy with me going with a higher calorie level afraid I won't loose weight eating about 1700 calories a day. 

i agree with you on WW. i tried it once, i actually lost the first 2 weeks because i was eating the healthy/unprocessed food to get my points...until i discovered that oh...WW has some ice crean that is only 2 points...better eat that than my banana etc...then i gained back what i had lost and gained 2 more! i think WW is very good at advertising his own merchandise..and once you fall in that trap...you have to quit WW! CC is so good as you really see how much fiber. cholesterol and sodium you take and let you see and therefore control what are the fat/prot/carbs %..that is the best way to monitor our diet..points will not do it!