Weight Watchers Online
- Thread starter fitgirl19
- Start date
I am not familiar with their online program. However, Weight Watchers has a lot to offer and is widely trusted (teaches portion control instead of specific diet plans etc, and helps people learn to make better permanent changes)
I would keep in mind that a large part of the success of WW, in addition to what it teaches, is the accountability and motivation of the weekly meetings. Knowing that you are going to step on a scale each week at the meeting can discourage falling off the wagon, and seeing others face to face that are going through the same struggles as you can help.
I don't know what the online program provides in the way of accountability and motivation, so if those are a factor for you, I would find out.
I would keep in mind that a large part of the success of WW, in addition to what it teaches, is the accountability and motivation of the weekly meetings. Knowing that you are going to step on a scale each week at the meeting can discourage falling off the wagon, and seeing others face to face that are going through the same struggles as you can help.
I don't know what the online program provides in the way of accountability and motivation, so if those are a factor for you, I would find out.
Ok, I didn't want to burst anyone's bubble but I've got to say this. Weight Watchers is crap. Their food is crap. It's all fake premade stuff. Their favorite ingredients are partially hydrogenated oils and high fructose corn syrup. Weight Watchers does everything by points right? Just learn the calories and keep track of those instead of paying to learn how to do it their way. Can you lose weight doing weight watchers? Yeah, sure. But only because they put you are on a calorie deficit (and from what I heard it's too drastic of one). You can also lose weight going on Atkins, but it's not healthy.
I also want to point out that I've known two girls (who did not know eachother) on Weight Watchers and had been involved in it for a couple years. I told both of them the same thing about calories, needing more protein, cutting out junk food, and how the food they buy is crap. They both told me the WW system works for them. They were both obese. One managed to lose 20 pounds but gained it right back. Yeah, the system is working great.
Need a support group? Start a diary here on this forum. It's free and you will get way better advice.
~Nicole
I also want to point out that I've known two girls (who did not know eachother) on Weight Watchers and had been involved in it for a couple years. I told both of them the same thing about calories, needing more protein, cutting out junk food, and how the food they buy is crap. They both told me the WW system works for them. They were both obese. One managed to lose 20 pounds but gained it right back. Yeah, the system is working great.
Need a support group? Start a diary here on this forum. It's free and you will get way better advice.
~Nicole
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The Weight Watchers foods are only a small (and not usually very stressed) part of the program and are relatively new to it. WW has been around way longer than their food has.
It isn't like Jenny Craig or NutriSystem where the whole program is "eat our food and lose weight".
It is widely successful b/c people go to meetings face to face with others for motivation. They stress portion control, balanced eating (i.e. not using all your points up on french fries), increased water consumption, and exercise.
They do a great job of helping people to understand what a portion of something actually is - many many people don't actually know this. They also help people to make real life decisions - how to handle parties, dining out, holidays, etc. (for those who don't live on baked chicken and veggies 24/7)
The main downfall of the program is that they do not take into account body composition, only body weight. In that area, they need to do some updating.
It isn't like Jenny Craig or NutriSystem where the whole program is "eat our food and lose weight".
It is widely successful b/c people go to meetings face to face with others for motivation. They stress portion control, balanced eating (i.e. not using all your points up on french fries), increased water consumption, and exercise.
They do a great job of helping people to understand what a portion of something actually is - many many people don't actually know this. They also help people to make real life decisions - how to handle parties, dining out, holidays, etc. (for those who don't live on baked chicken and veggies 24/7)
The main downfall of the program is that they do not take into account body composition, only body weight. In that area, they need to do some updating.
weight watchers is ok for people who dont know where to begin. the points concept is easy to understand, makes you more aware of what you are eating and for many checking labels they probably never have before...
yes they focus on points but thats so you understand how many calories to eat in a day...you also get extra points so you can feel like on the weekends when u want/need to have a free day to minimize the damage of those binges...making wise choices, stick with it approach...
in the mettings they also talk about how to eat your calories approrpirately (portion control and eating 6 times a day, etc, trying to get the most nutrition from your calories, drink your water) but you have to take their advice and do a little extra reading/research on your own too to become knowledgable ....this is the step most peopel dont do...they want the easy way out...they dont want to eat clean...weight watchers also help with self-image and goal setting but again, its not in depth...like anything you get out of it what u put into it , its not a fix all, just a starting place.
weight watchers doesnt do a very good job of emphasising the importance of exercise...they do count fat and fiber but not really protein (so that its universal for everyone). but for most cutting the calories is why they lose weight but its a place to start. (losing weight btw, is the only measure of success in the meetings) however, if u are looking aswesome but not at your goal weight they will make an exception and do bf calcs). if you are not attending meetings you may not get the other benefits out of it...plus if u are here you may already understand yoru calorie needs and exercising...anyway what im staying is the program is effective if it gets you started...but YOUll be more effective if you really focus your efforts...
i would suggest taking the advice of the others here...clean up your nutrition, eat often, get your protein/supplements, tweak your workouts, etc...youll see better results...health and strength as opposed to just weight loss....good luck to you...let me know if i can help.
yes they focus on points but thats so you understand how many calories to eat in a day...you also get extra points so you can feel like on the weekends when u want/need to have a free day to minimize the damage of those binges...making wise choices, stick with it approach...
in the mettings they also talk about how to eat your calories approrpirately (portion control and eating 6 times a day, etc, trying to get the most nutrition from your calories, drink your water) but you have to take their advice and do a little extra reading/research on your own too to become knowledgable ....this is the step most peopel dont do...they want the easy way out...they dont want to eat clean...weight watchers also help with self-image and goal setting but again, its not in depth...like anything you get out of it what u put into it , its not a fix all, just a starting place.
weight watchers doesnt do a very good job of emphasising the importance of exercise...they do count fat and fiber but not really protein (so that its universal for everyone). but for most cutting the calories is why they lose weight but its a place to start. (losing weight btw, is the only measure of success in the meetings) however, if u are looking aswesome but not at your goal weight they will make an exception and do bf calcs). if you are not attending meetings you may not get the other benefits out of it...plus if u are here you may already understand yoru calorie needs and exercising...anyway what im staying is the program is effective if it gets you started...but YOUll be more effective if you really focus your efforts...
i would suggest taking the advice of the others here...clean up your nutrition, eat often, get your protein/supplements, tweak your workouts, etc...youll see better results...health and strength as opposed to just weight loss....good luck to you...let me know if i can help.
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