Which one should I should I chose, Weight Watchers or Slimming World ?

[dustwhatdust]

I have never been to or done WW or SW and as I have yoyo dieted for many years. After a steady increase in weight since returning to a desk job 6 months ago ( after many years as a stahm ) and a horrible christmas binge i am wanting to try out one of these .
i will start on the 2nd january when my normal routine resumes . Would really appreciate any insight or advice from fellow MNers's ...
Also should i go for groups or do it online?

[jellybeans]

I find groups better as there is more incentive with real people you can't hide away as much and you make friends etc which also motivates you to encourage each other. I dropped out online but like group and carried on with it.

I think WW and SW are both good and both work. But I found WW easier for eating out, having more junk food and convienience stuff when on holiday etc. Eg buying WW ready meals with points on pack.

On other hand SW easier as you are not hungry, I was on WW and low cal diets. However I did propoints at WW and not their other plans. SW encourages home cooking as most free stuff needs making from scratch but there are lots of quick meals like eggs beans etc you can eat as much as you like of these foods.

Overall I prefer SW as could do it for life and am not hungry.

[PoppyWearer]

I think going to a group/being weighed is important. You could give yourself a month, say, to try online only, then switch?

As for which one, WW or SW, my decision was based on finding a convenient group to join, at a time and place that suited me.

I have done WW twice now and recommend them.

[Princessdivaaa]

Go to a group.. The support there is amazing, you pick up tips and everyone is friendly and in the same situation.

I've done both WW (on line) in 2010 and SW (attend a group) this year.. both are really easy to follow.. I've been successful with both systems and managed to lose weight and keep it off.

I think you need to take a look on line at their plans and see what would suit your lifestyle. If you go to a group you will be able to track your progress on line too.

My reasons for choosing SW this time as there was a group near to me..

Good luck x

[MistletoeAndMerryChristmas]

Definatly group.

Ive done well on ww a few times. Didn't get along with SW at all.

[dobby2001]

Another one who has tried both. I preferred WW as it helped me with self discipline and looking more into why I overate and what habits and parts of my environment I needed to reevaluate for permenant change. I got to gaol just before Christmas . Greg Wallace and Patsy Kensit have recently lost weight with WW and you will see them plastered everywhere as part of the January Campaign. Here's Mr Wallaces take on the plan which sort of sums up mine too

Good luck whichever programme you decide to follow

[Rumours]

I'm going to do this in January too and I've decided on WW. I've done it before and it worked, but then two babies later I'm worse than before.
I've not chosen SW because I need to work on my portion size and I think with SW you can eat as much as you like with certain foods, so I would just stuff myself silly on those foods.

[dustwhatdust]

thanks Jelly beans, princessgaga, poppy, dobby, mistletoe and all for your replies .

I was leaning towards slimming world especially, but after Rumours says WW because of portion control - that's my problem, as i eat too much of stuff, maybe WW better
I'm not sure, regarding the groups, someone said that they ( the others in the group )wouldn't take me seriously as I only want to loose a stone, i don't understand because never been and don't know what they're like at these meetings, so that's why I thought online better...?
I did well on dukan last year and i know the WW propoints is very low carb orientated so i thought that might be good but like cooking from scratch so SW sounds better - oh i just dont know , decisions !

[Snowkey]

Did a slimming class yonks ago and I only had a stone to lose, I didn't feel the support, more resentment about why I was there because I had a healthy BMI already. I have found the support on this forum to be pretty amazing, it's free, and it's there for you all week, I've lost weight and more or less kept it off.

[BikeRunSki]

I have been going to a SW group, with 2st 7lb to go. Joined at the end of Sept and have very nearly lost 2st. I went to the SW group because it was convenient - in the morning on a day DS is at preschool and the group leader was happy for me to take DD (1) along too. I loved going to the group, and had friends I started looking forward to seeing. it's a bit like a mum and baby group. Everybody there may not have much in common apart from one thing (weight loss/baby), but that thing is a big deal to everyone and you all support each other. There's a similar kind of trust and intimacy too.

I went to the last meeting of my SW group a couple of days ago because I am going back to work on 2 Jan. The same leader does am evening session on the same day, so I'll try and get to that sometimes.

I have also found SW very straightforward and easy to bring into family eating.

Good luck!

[frenchfancy]

I know you are asking about WW vs SW, but have you thought about the 5:2 diet. It is easy, and is more of a way of eating that lasts you a liftime rather than a diet. Come and join us on the main thread to find out more.

Lots of people on their just to lose a stone, and several others just maintaining.

[Alibabaandthe40nappies]

Neither, they will both wreck your metabolism.

I would look into lower carb eating.

[theynevershutup]

Think SW is great, joined over a year ago and lost 10lbs and kept it off, friend of mine lost 2 stone. SW is not a diet it's a change in the way you cook things etc. plus You don't have to count points, plenty of free food and have never been hungry on it. The thing I like about it is no unhealthy processed ready meals. Does involve cooking from scratch but you can have things like unlimited chilli con carne and rice and things whole family can have. Going to a group kept me motivated as the thought of weighing in was enough to keep me on track. The only thing I steer clear of is putting sweetener into things which I don't think is that good for you.

[dustwhatdust]

Really great and interesting responses, thank you !

My real problem with weight, is eating between meals. I love biscuits , cake buns, bread and butter , chocolate ( everthing sweet ) which is why maybe i should try and get myself off my sugar addiction . When I go off the rails I simply say "well I've blown it now - I might as well just go for it now and start again on Monday ".

This is happening so regulary Ive got this binge every weekend mentality and coupled with sitting at a desk now for over 8hrs a day, a lethal combination as Ive been steadily increasing by the week. this Christmas holiday has been an excuse to graze constantly on chocs , biscuits etc cheese , crisps as I have a week off work .

I did think about 5:2 frenchfancy, but since I've maintained before on this idea of 80/20 priciple in the past ( good in week and eat what want - but didn't binge - during weekends )
I've now changed and am desk bound in week and have put on too much , I now need to be strict everyday, get into a routine to get back to a reasonable maintainable weight .
Does this make sense ?
ps low carb does work for me but I was eating far too much meat when i was on dukan - but you do get used to it and i found it quite good to get me off overeating on carbs as i didnt feel hugely hungry .

[jellybeans]

At SW yes you can eat what you want of the free foods but still lose weight. In reality you will stop when you are full as free foods are low cal yet filling. I know a few people said they couldn't see how you would lose weight being able to eat unlimited amounts of eggs etc! But they too have lost weight. I too used to eat lots of junk in between meals but now can keep junk in and allow myself treats up to my allowed level. Not having any treats leads to bringing and feeling deprived. But the SW diet teaches you you can still treat yourself and eat plenty but while making a few changes!