Weight watchers skepticism

[KLM]

I have done WW a few different times over the years and have been unable to stick with it. Maybe because I always feel hungry when I am on the program.

The other thing that bothered me about the plan the last time I tried it (Dec. 2005 - Feb 2006) was that a lot of the recipes relied on using fat-free (aspartame sweetened) products to keep the points values low. I try to stay clear away from aspartame. So, I would eat healthy foods in moderation and I would always be almost out of points before supper. I also found that there weren't enough points for me to have snacks in the middle of the day, unless I wanted to have pretzels or something rather high in refined carbs. Even on WW I found that refined carbs made me bloated. On WW I will say that they do encourage whole grain products with more fiber in them - fiber is used to reduce the point value of foods. So that is a good thing. ~KLM~

[longboat614]

I'm a Lifetime Weight Watcher (about 25 pounds from goal), but the program and the whole company lost its appeal for me last year. First off, I was using most of my points to eat carbs, definitely not a good thing. I chose the Flex plan because that enabled me to do that and as long as I ate fruits and veggies and dairy, I deluded myself into thinking I could avoid protein, which isn't my favorite thing. Of course, the more I ate carbs, the more I craved them. The other thing that really bothered me was I was paying to attend commercials. WW made their leaders do hard sales at every meeting on their new foods and other stuff. It was all about the money. In my heart, I also knew I was not eating for my health. I'd read so many books on diet and eating, one of which was eating for your blood type. That underscored that as an O+, carbs were NOT going to get me to a healthy weight and assist me in keeping healthy. I'm so fortunate that I have low blood pressure, good cholesterol, no evidence of heart disease/diabetes or any other ailment. My overweight and bad back CAN be helped and SB is the right course for me. I won't claim to be a purist, but I am determined that this time I'll be successful in getting to and staying at goal. I'd stopped exercising, which was a death toll to my efforts, but have reinstated a good workout plan for me.

The "old" WW was more about healthful eating, but I still think SB is the plan for me. My stomach distress is gone.

[mminch]

My Mother in law lost 98 pounds on WW. She was very dedicated and two years later she still is. I tried WW but did not like to measure food or track points. However, the weekly meetings do teach you to make good healthy decisions, but sometimes you are left hungry. The down-side: Now that my MIL can't eat what she would like she forces it upon the rest of us. And it is a little silly to watch her eat some of the gross foods she does, which she doesn't even enjoy but because they're two points she'll endure it. But she weighs less now than she has in forty years, I beleive every individual has to find their successful diet. I'm hoping SB is the one for me!

[elleelise]

I think that weight loss is exersize, how much you eat and what you eat. I've found, from doing both for a long time, that while on WW I became so focused on the "points" that I lost track of the nutrition aspect.

At one point I was eating all sugar and refined carbs, no veggies, no meat, and meeting my point limit. I think that's why WW has added the "Core Plan," because some people [comme moi] take improper advantage of Flex Points.

[iheartpink1983]

actually I did weight watchers from 2002-2003 and I lost almost 75 pounds, but because I got lazy and stopped I gained most of my weight back plus more. it's a nice plan now that they have what is called "core" and I think it's a little bit of phase 2ish+phase 3ish together. I can't wait to start sbd on monday!

[yellowladybug]

it's a great diet, but just not for me anymore. in college, i lost 30 pounds on the WW program. now, after marriage and the honeymoon, moving to a whole different state, living with hubby, i just cannot stick with WW. i try and try and just end up failing. i need more structure and that's why i'm starting again with SB. i think it's an awesome plan and keeps me focused. granted, it takes a little bit longer to prepare foods and a little more thought goes into what i buy in the grocery store, but it's all worth it. i was allowed 22 points per day on WW and i would just blow them all by 3pm on snack foods and empty calories. i told myself i would only eat veggies for dinner (0pts) which never happend. i would just end up binge eating throughout the evening.
today i feel awesome (first day, phase one). i've had a veggie omlette for breakfast, cheese for a snack, a big salad with tuna, olive oil, pinto beans for lunch, pistachio nuts in the afternoon, and for dinner i plan on having lots of broccoli with some grilled chicken.
i feel free now. i was so tired of counting points and obsessing about them!!!!

[vickil]

Well, I am going to start the WW Flex program. I lost 50 lb. on SB over a year and a half, but I could not maintain the loss. I've gained half of it back. I think the structure of counting points and tracking my calories for a while will be helpful to me. Of course, I won't be eating any trans fats and all my grains will be whole. Some things never change.

[SBDSally]

Different stroke for different folks, I reckon, but after two years on WW and yoyoing up and down. I feel that SMD is my best bet, especially with my history of high sugar. Time will tell.

[summer_belle]

I tried WW for about 2 months. I lost 3.5 lbs, but nothing major. I think my problem was that I would eat light all day and save half my points for the evening. Plus, i was snacking on the 100 calorie packs of chips or granola bars (only 2 points for either one, but lots of carbs and little nutritional value).

SB (though I've only been on it for 2 weeks now), has been working better for me because it forces me to eat throughout the day. I don't get hungry in the evening, even on phase 1, and I'm eating more things that are good for me, not just processed stuff that happens to be low in points.

WW isn't a bad diet plan, I know someone who's lost 50lbs on it, but it just isn't the right structure for me.

Just my thoughts.

[miss fidget]

going to meetings I lost 35+ doing flex/points. that was yrs ago, I gained it all back, and then SOME.

I like SBD cuz it really pushes the veggies and the WW counting drove me nuts. It practically gave me OCD!

I think it's all about finding somehting that works for you. And heck, gaining weight isn't the worst thing in the world, unless you forget how or stop trying to lose it!

[renee05]

I hate saying this on a SBD site, but I LOVE weight watchers. The point system has always worked for me. Whenever I start to slip (am bad) and put on a couple pounds, I just go back to watching my points and it works every time. By the way, after a short time you are not actually countting anymore, but just making better everyday choices. Even small, simple ones can make a huge difference.
The BEST part of the diet is that I know exactly how to cheat on it and still get results. I have weaknesses for certain foods (as I'm sure everyoe does) and I don't have to give up any of them. If I am craving something, I just save my points so I can have it. I must say, however, that I was pretty anal about the diet in the very beggining. I didn't half-ass it at all. I did my homework and counted the points pretty faithfully until I was around my goal weight. (Hitting it didn't take long either). By that point, I just remembered everything in my head, and would make better choices, here and there, to maintain. The initial time I spent researching which foods held what points really paid off in the end. Since I spent the time to find low-point foods I actualy liked to eat, it became easy. Plus implementing simple changes, that seem minute, can actually make a huge difference. An example that helped me was not putting cream in my coffee. I know this may seem unimaginable for some, but it wasn't hard for me. It saved me a couple points a day that I could use for something more worthwhile. I'd just think to myself why waste the points on that??? For those who feel cream in coffee is WORTH the points, there are plenty of other fast and easy small-change-options avaiable. It is individualized around your own tastes and cravings. You have choices and freedom, but within established limits and portioning. Plus there are some yummy low-point snacks that I could not believe. To discover these hidden snack treasures, I really had to investigate in the beggining, but the initial time investment ended up paying off later. I guess I am just an expert at working the points system!
I do not believe this plan is as good for men though. I think a low carb plan, like SBD, is more suitable, especially at satisifying their appetites.

[kjj3kids]

I joined an at-work WW meeting a few years ago. I was able to lose weight and I did not mind the point system. It became natural after a short while. What I really liked about the program is that it helped me to learn about portion control, food groups and making good choices.

After a couple of years, the weight started to creep back up. I could not get WW to work for me anymore. I needed something different. I did my homework after seeing some friends' successes with SBD. I have come to believe in the basics of SBD - good fats/bad fats, eating whole grains, lots of veggies, and am thrilled that I can eat dark chocolate in small amounts!!! The SBD has been a blessing for me. My cholesterol is down and I am at a weight I haven't been at since high school.

I think it is so sad that of all the people that joined the at-work meeting a few years ago, all but 2 have gained back weight. I know they worked so hard because I was there with them.

I believe WW now suggests using healthy fats and eating whole grains but the plan still allows for the bad white stuff - sugar and flour, and eating whatever you want with the point system. Although this was very appealing to me when I was on WW, I have come to realize that eating the bad white stuff, processed foods and bad fats are not good for our bodies. I believe that with the SBD, I am making better choices about what I eat which is keeping me healthy and feeling good.

IMO, WW is not a good WOL. SBD is.

[Lau924]

kjj, I can relate, its more difficult and such a daunting task to diet to lose weight you already lost and gained back. I'm in the same boat.

I do think its possible to gain back on any diet though, WW, Atkins, SB... b/c people view it as a diet/fix for their weight so that they can be thin and go back to their old ways. I was off Atkins for 7 months and didnt gain back a pound... Then I met my boyfriend... I blame it on the boyfriend LoL

[vs1023]

I was on WW for a long time and returned as a lifetime member after having my daughter (I gained 55lbs with her). I was able to lose the weight on WW but at the end I had a hard time getting off the last 10lbs. I'd lose like 2-3lbs and it'd come back. After being on WW since 2003 I decided to try something different. I knew I had been eating a lot of refined carbs since they were low in points on WW. Since being on SB I do like it better. I do find I'm less bloated as that was a big issue with me, I was so uncomfortable! I'm eating better overall. I'm not losing as quickly as others, but I'm ok with that. I lose slowly and only have ~10-15 to lose and realize it may take a little longer, but with WW I stopped losing.

[mrspug1212]

Reading the posts about how WW is "bad" and doesnt work because it allows for too many bad choices is so rediculous. If any of us made the best decisions about what to eat, none of us would be on this forum. You can take the good and the bad with any diet. I have tried Adkins, SBD, and WW. My only sucess has been on WW. I guess my problem is that I have trouble sticking to a plan were I have to cut out a food group. No carbs, or no sugar can cause me to be grumpy, have mood swings, and be very tired. Not to mention the cost of buying all those lean cuts of meat. Dont get me wrong, I know I need to eat tons of veggies and lean proteins, but if I want to have a small piece of chocolate or some ice cream every now and again, I dont want to feel like I have destroyed all my hard work for that week. Does that make any sense? I know there are alternatives to any diet plan or way of eatting. But to bash WW just because some people shoose to use it the worng way just seems silly to me. I know people that stay in Phase 1 od SBD because they are afraid to even eat a piece of fruit. They think it will "ruin" their progress. You would think after tying so hard to get to the same place we would all be a little bit more open-minded...