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A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Original poster

Weightwatchers vs Slimming world

32 replies

TrueyouDonna · 31/01/2017 10:32

So I've been looking at both just lately, trying to work out which is best, what fits? I have friends on S/W and friends on W/W they say there way is best. But wont/can't give me a why?
What's the costs involved? What do you get for you membership?
What happens when you reach your goal weight as a few friends have put the weight back on and are now back at there meetings? What happens at the meetings?
And why the rest bound weight?
Any one looked into other weigh loss programs?
Sorry for soo many questions !!
Thanks for reading, spk soon x

OP posts:
laurenlansbury · 31/01/2017 10:45

I prefer slimming world after trying them both. It has a joining fee which you can get cheaper from magazines etc, it is £5 per week I think you get quite a lot from the group especially support whereas weight watchers you don't as much

Original poster
TrueyouDonna · 31/01/2017 10:51

Thank you for reply, how do you prefer, have you had better results at 1?

What is the normal joining fee?
In the means of support, why do you feel you didn't get as much at weightwatchers? X

OP posts:
notarehearsal · 31/01/2017 10:58

I'm watching this with interest as have been looking at both and apart from the fact that ww is in a nicer setting for me (!) I can't choose between the two. A friend who has been to both over the years prefers SW as she says you can still drink wine sometimes! maybe not the best reason to choose though

Original poster
TrueyouDonna · 31/01/2017 15:23

Hmm ok SW can still drink alcohol.....can you not on WW? x

OP posts:
notarehearsal · 31/01/2017 15:58

Got it wrong, its WW where you can drink alcohol apparently but I don't think with SW
I'm sure someone more knowledgable will soon let us know which is best!

Sirzy · 31/01/2017 16:01

You can drink on SW you just need to count it in your "syns"

I am a SW target member, for me it has been brilliant as it has helped me to focus and rethink about food.

Both will have sample menus and recipes online so have a look at see which you can see yourself following the principles of for life.

Original poster
TrueyouDonna · 31/01/2017 16:53

I'll have a look. So what costs are involved? Joining, weekly fee, incentives?

OP posts:
Sirzy · 31/01/2017 16:57

SW Membership and first week membership is £9.95 unless you have a free voucher in which case it would just be £4.95 which is the normal weekly fee.

You can also block buy 5 weeks and get 1 free (£24.75) or 10 weeks and get two free (£49.50) - at the moment if you buy 10 weeks you also get a free recipe book.

When you reach target it is free as long as you stay within 3lb either way of your target weight and you weigh regularly (once a month I think but I am not sure as I weigh each week)

Munchkin08 · 31/01/2017 16:57

I've done both. Slimming world you can eat loads but certain things are restricted. Weight watchers you can eat more or less everything but in small quantities. So Sw very full up with food v WW you learn to eat less - that's the way I see it 🤔

BoxLoadingBaby · 31/01/2017 17:01

I've tried both and prefer WW - particularly the app as tracking keeps me on course.
I get daily points, which only count for that day, and weekly points which carry over (at least within that week) and can be used at any point.
I feel WW is more of a lifestyle change rather than an out and out diet. I felt I was making a sacrifice on SW, I don't on WW (crumpets with honey almost every night to use up my daily points - and have lost 8lbs in three weeks)

BoxLoadingBaby · 31/01/2017 17:02

I don't feel I eat less munchkin. If anything I'm eating more because I'm bingeing on carrot sticks Grin

FlopIsMyParentingGuru · 31/01/2017 17:05

I've done both. I've been more successful on SW but, that said, I found weight watchers groups better and the app better. It's just that SW suits me more

Original poster
TrueyouDonna · 31/01/2017 17:25

Wow some really useful links info there for me to start looking into, Thank you.
Out of curiosity how many ppl find themselves putting weight back on? Problem rebound weight?

OP posts:
Sirzy · 31/01/2017 17:28

I think whatever way you do it the problem with weight going back on is if you let yourself slip back into old habits. Whatever you do you need to see as a lifestyle change for the long term if you want to keep it off long term.

I have been at target weight for nearly a year but still follow the principles so have kept it off. I don't follow it 100% but I have found a way of eating which works for me based on it.

Munchkin08 · 31/01/2017 17:46

Yes Box - carrot sticks would be fine on both 😂😂 - I also like WW as you can eat everything, SW used to go very wrong on days out unless I took my own food X

BoxLoadingBaby · 31/01/2017 19:16

Munchkin I scan EVERYTHING with my WW app. Really helps in making decisions on what to eat.
When I did SW it was red days and green days (do they still do that?) and I fell hard done by some days because things "weren't allowed".
Can eat what I want on WW. Having chips tonight Grin (and my crumpet with peanut butter and honey)

Munchkin08 · 31/01/2017 21:17

Box no they don't do red and green days now so it is more flexible, but what I didn't like was if you were out and wanted a McDonald's or a sandwich you have totally gone over your sins for the day, where as WW you can point them in - the app sounds good. At the moment I'm not really following either I lost a stone and have really just cut out all snacking in between meals and eat smaller portions, I still do a few SW recipes and try to cook all my own meals and if I do snack no processed food - I do still drink wine 😄

SealSong · 31/01/2017 21:27

Do you get really hungry on WW though?

And do you have to weigh or measure every single ingredient / portion on WW?

I want to do WW but I know I won't stick at it if I'm starving hungry all the time.

Original poster
TrueyouDonna · 31/01/2017 21:46

My biggest problem is the snacking an if I'm starving hungry I grab the first thing I find. Don't like McDonald's so that's not a problem, how ever love croissants an pain au chocs Shock

OP posts:
sm40 · 31/01/2017 21:56

I've done both and only Ww really works for me. I take the eat as much pasta as you want on sw too literally! With Ww nothing is out of bounds, yes, you might not eat anything else all day, or you can dip into weeklies (which I usually save for a night out!). Currently sat here with my bottle of lager from my points. With sw if you don't eat what is on the list it gets a bit complicated. I lost 2 stone last year. I put a stone back on over Xmas because my sweet tooth took over. However if you stick to it it works! Ww has a great app where you can track everything and a good chat forum to swap ideas. Also can see some amazing before and after shots. People are losing 10 stone in a year! On Ww a good snack is popcorn, fruit, sugar free jelly, certain cereal bars. You just need to be organised and plan ahead.

MsJuniper · 01/02/2017 04:45

I've done both and just gone back to WW. There are pros and cons with both. SW encourages home cooking and self moderation BUT there's the obsession with muller lights, the 'syns' and the interminable bloody meetings. WW is more flexible with prepacked food and eating out and encourages more discipline with portion size BUT I'm bloody hungry and not yet making such good choices.

The ww app, weekly recipe cards and the slightly less interminable meetings are worth it for me.

Waby01 · 01/02/2017 04:55

Weight watchers all the way for me , I have lost 5 stone whilst following an amazing , healthy plan . The benefits of weight watchers.., no food are ever off limits , you can still enjoy nights out and socialising whilst enjoying your drinks and treats if you wish . You are never restricted in doing anything whilst following the plan . You have a points allowance to use your way that suits you best . The plan is catered for you personally . The ww app is a god send , the bar code scanner is fab in the supermarket and will tell you the points of food instantly , you can accesd recipes and also chat to a expert coach 24/7 if you wish . Your weight loss journey is personal to you and Support is always there for you . The classes are full of inspirational members who love to share ideas and tips to achieve success whilst enjoying e study's foods .xx the monthly pass option is a feast saving . Amazing deals currently on x

Waby01 · 01/02/2017 04:58

everyday foods the monthly pass option is a great saving *

BoxLoadingBaby · 01/02/2017 07:12

Seal you can go "no count" on WW, where food from a certain list are free (I don't really follow that as I need the structure of points)

Personally I'm not hungry- my day goes

7am breakfast inc fruit
11am fruit
1 lunch
Afternoon - bag of carrot sticks
7pm tea

ClashCityRocker · 01/02/2017 07:36

Never done weightwatchers, the points thing puts me off and I feel like I could just save my money and log it on mfp.

I like slimming world because of its simplicity; I've also found I can still have eg a takeaway and bottle of wine once a week and still lose - but I tend to look at Syns on a weekly rather than daily basis which I know some don't approve of.

I also think if portion size is a problem, ww might work better, however I don't feel restricted or on a diet on SW due to all the veggies - I'm still having a fairly substantial tea. Plus I've never been a big pasta eater! I do think they've got their free foods and Syns a bit arse about tit sometimes.

It's early days yet for me though. I will say there's quite a few people at target in our group who still attend, some who have lost a significant amount of weight. There's also some who lose and put on the same couple of stone repeatedly but I don't think that's an issue with the plan, rather the individual.