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Weight Watchers

Can anyone give me the lowdown on Weight Watchers?

16 replies

Gemi33 · 02/08/2017 18:54

Hi everyone,

I have been putting on weight for quite a while. I am now the heaviest I have ever been and feel really miserable about it. I feel like I have tried and failed so many times and I am now wondering what might actually work. I have always just counted calories in the past and at times have been very successful but I have started to wonder if I would be more successful if I followed more of a 'plan' and joined a class. It's so easy just to give up when it's just down to me but if I was being weighed in I think that might help. I also really struggle with meetings and I thought meetings might help with that. I have tried Slimming World and didn't like it, it didn't suit me and I didn’t find the meeting at all motivating. So now I’m thinking about Weightwatchers. I’ve never done WW before and I don't really know much about the plan. I’d be really grateful if you guys could give me a bit of basic information and share your experiences so I can decide what to do –

  • I’m worried it will be really complicated and complete faff to work out the points for everything, do you all find that?
  • What are the meetings like? I’m quite shy and will have to go on my own so I’m a bit nervous. Do you find the meetings help keep you motivated?
  • What is the first meeting like? Can I just turn up or do I need to join online or call first? Do you get a pack of info when you join?

    I’d really appreciate anything you can tell me,
    xx
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VisitorFromAlphaStation · 02/08/2017 19:09

I've been a member several times under different types of programs. In the outset I recall they were rather good, but in my experience it became more and more focused on selling candies sweetened with artificial sweeteners and not so much focus on the actual diet, but that's just in my experience and it dates back to about ten years ago. If you're worried about it being complicated, it's not, but you have to weigh (or count) everything every day. The meetings are very friendly, though, and you weigh in in privacy before the class. Nobody is bothered with your weight during the class. You might expect to see a lot of thin people (=successful formerly fat people) sitting in a room, classroom style. Most of the talking is done by the person leading the session (usually this is a formerly fat person who will share their own experience). Some people like it, others don't. Normally you just turn up, but expect it to be a bit costly. You might want to compare with the 5:2 diet before you get started, which in my opinion is easier to follow through in the long run.

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JenniferYellowHat1980 · 02/08/2017 19:50

I'm not keen. It was good for me about 8 years ago but I've joined and lapsed a few times since. If you work out the calories in the points allowance it's actually very low and I just can't hack that.

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Gemi33 · 03/08/2017 07:26

Thanks for the replies. One of the things I was worried about was whether working out points was complicated but it sounds like it's not too bad.

I'd love to hear from anyone else on how they've found it, particularly if you've had positive experiences - how do you find the meetings?

xx

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twoheaped · 03/08/2017 07:39

There is an app to work your points out, much easier than poring over books.
I really liked it, nothing is out of bounds and it absolutely helps with portion control.
If you follow the plan and don't eat over your points, you'll lose weight without a doubt.
When I went, there was a lady who lost 10st. It took her a while but 4 years on she is still at goal (as am I, didn't have that much to lose).
Meetings? Are only as good as the person running it. I moved meetings a couple of times because I just didn't really like the leader. One was boring and the other seemed to be full of her friends.
I still go monthly to weigh in, it is free if you are within 7lbs of goal. I still have the app, for a small monthly fee, and follow the principles of the plan.
You are under absolutely no pressure to buy any products, I never do and have never been made to feel uncomfortable.
Good luck Smile

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Gemi33 · 03/08/2017 09:17

Thank you so much - that's really helpful. Do you get the books etc when you join or do you have to buy those separately? Also can I just turn up and pay for the first week and then pay as you go or do I have to pay for a month or more at once? I'd like to try it to see if it's for me before committing I think. There's a class I could make on Saturday morning if I decide to go for it but I'm nervous!

xx

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sez49 · 03/08/2017 18:05

WW is the only 'diet' that works for me. I have been on plan for just over a year now and lost over 8st so far. Still more to lose. I wouldn't be without the meetings. I find them helpful and motivational and supportive. Yes, it does depend on the leader, as I have previously had some naff ones, as well as some fab ones. If you pay monthly your weekly meeting costs are covered and you can get the app. The app is great for tracking and for working out your points. When away without internet access, I have the calculator to work out points manually if needed, as the app does need a mobile/wi-fi connection.

You get given a daily and weekly points allowance. Weekly points allowance you can use however you like. Sometimes I spread the weekly ones out fairly evenly over the week and other times I use most of them over the weekend. I personally find eating all my daily and weekly points works better for me. In fact I also eat some of my activity points (fitpoints) that I earn too. Although I didn't touch them much in the beginning. You do get given a pack with info when you go to your first meeting. Sometimes they have offers online, for signing up, so worth checking that out to see if you can save some money for the first month or few.

For me, this is a lifestyle change and I have to make the plan fit within in my lifestyle. I still eat out and have treats but it is in moderation.

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Gemi33 · 03/08/2017 20:02

Thank you, that's really helpful! You have done so well, that's an amazing loss! It's good to hear how helpful you have found the meetings - that's what I'm looking for but it obviously depends on the leader. I really hope I can do it, I feel like I've failed so many times, I've lost the belief that I can do it.

Thanks so much everyone, these replies have been really helpful xx

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sez49 · 04/08/2017 09:21

You can do it! I have failed so many times before to. I have lost cost the number of time spent I have rejoined WW, let alone how many other diets I have tried over many, many years.

I have learnt from past mistakes and for me now, this is a lifestyle change, so it needs to work in the longer term as well as the shorter term.

Good luck! There are also various FB groups for people following WW, which are helpful too.

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Gemi33 · 04/08/2017 13:23

Thank you - you sound so positive and sounds like you have done amazingly! My main worry is that I have previously counted calories so just getting my head around it could be difficult and also I tend to give up after one day and thing I've failed. Really want to get out of his rut though.

xx

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Gemi33 · 04/08/2017 17:20

Also - if anyone has any FB groups or blogs or anything like that they use I'd love to know about them - need all the support I can get!

xx

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Whatsername17 · 05/08/2017 07:48

I joined last week. I'm 5ft6 and my starting weight was 11stone 2lb after having a baby/breastfeeding. Pre baby, I was 10st4lb but I'm most comfortable at 9st7lb. Anyway, in 5 days I've lost 6lb! I needed something to help me change my attitude to food and this is really helping. I eat way too much sugar. I'm a new mum so constantly tired and looking for a quick fix. I've found this week so frustrating because all of my convenience foods have cost me too many points to eat. I've had to find alternatives which has taken a bit of getting used to. Ive also eaten a lot of fruit and I felt like that couldn't possibly be ok when trying to lose weight. My sil was adamant I'd lose and forced me on scales to keep me motivated. 6lb down. I can't believe it.

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njplom · 11/08/2017 07:09

Hi Gemi33 ~ I've done WW and SW a few times and I've decided to go back onto WW. I'm going to start today actually. I'm not going to the meetings i bought all the latest smart poin books online and I'm doing it myself. I'm so busy with running a dental laboratory 2 kids and renovating a house I don't have time for the meetings. I'm happy to do it alongside you if you like.....😆

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Gemi33 · 12/08/2017 09:52

Hi njplom,

Thanks for your message. Well, I've had a disastrous first week..I started off ok but then I have been ill for most of the week and feeling really rubbish and have ended up basically not following the plan at all because I just felt terrible. It has also been time of the month for me and I always really bloat up and feel constantly starving so between those two things I basically didn't do it at all. I'm pretty certain I've actually put on weight (probably the first person to do that in the first week :()

Tbh I'm not really sure what to do regarding the diet now. The meeting I went to last week was on a Saturday morning so in theory I should be going today. I'm not going because I'm still not feeling well and have struggled through work this week and now have no energy at all. I can't decide whether to continue with the meetings or not. On the one hand the coach was lovely last week and I can see how they would be motivating and a good support but on the other hand if I've not gone this week because I'm not well and I can't make classes in the week, the next one will be next Saturday and between putting on weight this week and being ill I think it could be a bit of a funny time to go. Whereas if I decided now I have the info just to start again on my own whenever I'm feeling properly better and go from there at least my first full week would hopefully be a full and positive one and motivate me to keep going. Really not sure...

I'm also feeling a bit weird generally, in the past whenever I have started a new eating plan or diet I've felt really motivated and determined (later on it can be difficult to stay that way) but at the start that's how I feel but this time I didn't (even before I was ill). Even though I'm the heaviest I've ever been and miserable and running out of time if I want to lose a decent amount by the time I go on holiday....I just feel kind of flat and can't be bothered which means I'm struggling to commit and stick with anything - even though I actually think the plan is great. I really want to do it though - how do I get my head in the right place if it's just not? Does anyone else feel like this?

Sorry for the long post...just not sure what I'm doing really, would be lovely to hear from you guys,

xx

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hattie100 · 22/08/2017 11:07

Hi Gemi333,

I've had the same issues, trying a few different weight loss programmes in the past but none of them ever really working in the long term. I found the prospect of WW meetings daunting and never managed to go because I am also quite shy and found it very hard to motivate myself. I think that the mental aspect of dieting and weight loss plans is always overlooked, I could never motivate myself to follow any of the plans in the long term and it just made me feel worse about myself.

After researching loads I found a company that avoids all the face to face meeting stuff and has a heavy focus on the mental side of weight loss. You seem to be in exactly the situation I was in and I would really recommend having a look at OurPath because they have helped me so much, they give you so much support through chat groups on an app and one-on- one support with a mentor if even that seems too daunting. I'm 4 weeks into the program and have lost 8kg already without feeling like I'm really trying! Google them and see what you think Smile

xx

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ListenAgain · 04/05/2018 00:12

Didn't want to start a new thread. I finally went to WeightWatchers' meeting and didn't like it. The weigh-in - I found strangely depersonalising! Like a cattle market. Didn't understand the points system. No-one had time to explain it to me or give me a short written explanation ... I was meant to go to WW "online" and work it out for myself. The long queue behind me of awaiting "weigh-ins" stopped me asking anymore questions. I was told to go on an App and do it that way, but thats not the kind of help I wanted. There was a strangely cold atmosphere. The WW Leader wasn't my cup of tea either. I could say more ... but basically I felt I was going back in time to the 1950s (and not in a good way!)

However, it obviously seems to work for some. And though personally I the attitude of the leader a bit patronising, I know they don't get paid alot, and there seemed to be a lot of people needing her attention.

Still, its helped clarify for me what I think will work instead.

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bluelampshades · 04/05/2018 18:27

sounds like your leader wasn't the best. In my group everyone new stays behind at their first session and she explains it carefully , taking time to answer questions. If you can't stay behind then she tells you where to look online and encourages you to stay next time instead, she also says people can text her with their queries . They can't explain individually during weigh ins or it would take forever and piss everyone else off.

I'm 50 and am losing an average of 2 pounds a week (and I don't have that much to lose) . I love it, i can go out for a pizza and beer as long as its all pointed. Its working really well for me.

can you try another group?

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