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Weight Watchers

Share experiences, tips and results from following Weight Watchers. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

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Original poster

SmartPoints or No Count?

5 replies

mrskhw · 04/08/2017 15:54

Hi All,

I signed up to Weight Watchers last week and am unsure whether to stick with SmartPoints or switch to No Count.

I'm struggling to make the right choices with SmartPoints as I'm not sure what is low and what is high. With No Count, it seems more straight forward and takes the thinking away! For example, I know that I can eat a crumpet and be good. If I put Flora Light on it, I have to use my weekly points.

I wish they did an ultimate SmartPoints shopping list for newbies!

OP posts:

sez49 · 04/08/2017 18:24

I thnk it is generally recommended to follow smart points for a few weeks to get the portions under control. When I first tried no count, I gained, but after checking one day in points, it wasn't much different to what I would have used pointing. Think it was water retention rather than no count. Tried no count again a few months later and started by pointing what I was having to make sure my portions were about right. I mostly point, but prefer mostly no count days when I am away on holiday. Do whatever you find easiest and works best for you. I like that you can switch between a pointing day and no count day, as and when you like. I have more no count based foods now, as I think longer term, this will be the way forward when I need to maintain, when I eventually get to goal.

Points are based on calories, saturated fat, sugars and protein. Higher saturated fat and higher sugars mean higher points. Higher protein usually lowers the points a little.

Certainly no count is more limited with what you are allowed, and as you say, you can then use your weeklies for anything else. But i like that I can cook lots of different things from scratch. There is a great FB page, WW - no count friends. It has lots of inspirational no count ideas and recipes.

Original poster

mrskhw · 04/08/2017 19:17

Thank you for your advice. That has been useful. Most people who I've spoken to have all said that it's best to start with SmartPoints.

OP posts:

stevie69 · 04/08/2017 22:46

I have lost 6 stones with WW and have always counted SmartPoints (previously ProPoints and even more previously, just Points).

The No Count option does work for plenty of people but I am a compulsive over eater and the idea of 'eating until I'm comfortably full' doesn't resonate. I think if I could do that, I wouldn't have hit 15 stones in the first place

I too would advise that you start off by counting SmartPoints in order to get into the swing of things and then try out No Count if you feel that it could work well for you.

Wishing you loads of luck.

S xx

Original poster

mrskhw · 05/08/2017 20:38

Thank you, Stevie. I too can go overboard, mostly sweet things as I have a terrible sweet tooth so I think you're right, pointing is the way to go. X

OP posts:

SquareWord · 08/08/2017 23:08

It doesn't have to be an either or option. You can do both SmartPoints and No Count. Just choose which method you want to do each day and keep track of your weeklies. Your Eat book will help you to get an idea of which foods are low in points. Remember that foods that are high in sugar are high in points. Protein lowers the points value of food.

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