Weight Watchers - Why WW?

So I'm curious!!! Why did you chose WW over other diets? What was it about WW that got you to commit?

For me, I'd done Atkins in the past which worked. However, I lost 40lbs, ended up having high cholesterol (which I never had when I was fat) and could basically go nowhere with friends. Atkins really poses a problem for the social life.

So here I am ... 4 years later and 40lbs heavier. I guess, I'm exactly where I started. I tricked myself into thinking that Atkins was the way to go again. I low carbed for about 2 days before I realized that it wasn't going to happen.

I'm not working my butt off (literally) only to get stuck in a place where I'm skinny but can't eat MOST foods.

WW was the best choice for me. From what i've seen, its a program that changes the way you deal with food. It's only been 2 days and already I can see my food attitudes changing. Its a very manageable program for me!!!!!

Let me know what clinched you guys!??? :D:hug::);)

Good luck -- sounds like you are doing awesome!!

I personally picked WW because it is the only thing I've ever tried that worked. I am a "recovering" binge eater, along with many other eating issues over the years and knowing I can have anything I want, as long as I plan it out helps me tremendously. It also adds a bit of "casual counseling" every week which moves me along.

I've been told by doctors that it's a sensible & healthy plan. The group atmosphere & meetings really drew me in. Also, to have someone face-to-face to be accountable to.

Thank you for your replies!

I'm happy to hear that your doctor said it's a healthy way of losing the weight! That's exactl:carrot the point, we want to become healthy!!!!! :) :carrot:

Second the doctor -- my doctor has been pushing me to go for two years.

It's funny when I originally lost the weight, it was my doctor who suggested I got on a diet. I remember visiting her in 03' and she gave me a pamphlet about nutrition and how to make good choices.

At the same time, I was taking an intensive fitness class in College and become obsessed with working out. At first, my intention wasn't even to lose weight - I had the state of mind that I wouldn't EVER be able to be thin. I thought I was destined to be fat my entire life.

After one term of working out 5 times a week I ended up losing about 10 lbs with very little effort. By little effort, I mean that I didn't modify my eating habits at all. I guess by working out I burnt off all those extra calories I was taking in.

That winter I become obsessed with weight. After doing some research online I decided to jump onto the Atkins bandwagon. I bought all the books and set out to lose an extra 30 lbs. By the end of that summer I weighed 126 lbs. I was miserable though. Yay I was thin... but I was ALWAYS starving, I never went out with friends because I was scared I would get tempted into eating carbs. I was in a really bad place.

I ended up back at the doctor because I wanted her to see that I'd done it! When she weighed me she told me "very good" you've lost 41 lbs. However when I told her how I did it, she told me "not good" and sent me for a blood test.

Sure enough, I had high cholesterol which she attributed to the fact that I'd eaten eggs, eggs, eggs and meat for almost 8 months. She then explained to me that losing weight is meant to make you healthy and not to induce other medical problems. She suggested WW but I laughed it off thinking I don't need someone to tell me what I can and cannot eat.

So here I am, at 26.. unable to control what I eat. So far weight watchers has made me accountable, it's helping me gain the control over my diet and how much and what I put into my mouth!

I'm SOOOOOO glad I found this board. You are all such a huge inspiration to me!!!!! :)

Well, my MiL is a WW lifetimer. I think she's over goal, but she's been doing the WW points thing for a few years now. She & I would talk about it, but I was TRYING to do South Beach. She always said how much she liked it because she could eat what she wanted, just had to watch her points. She never pushed me, but was always so pleased with it.

Thing is, I started with trying South Beach, and then You: On a Diet, then Slim Fast, then back on South Beach, then back on Slim Fast, then back on South Beach...last year. With South Beach, I couldn't make it past day 3 in Phase 1 the first time. Then I tried YOU... and I gained weight! Slim Fast (the newer, updated plan where you can eat...not the old plan I tried in the 90s) worked, but then I felt guilty about eating so many products with corn syrup in them.

Second time round on South Beach, I managed to last 5 days. Third time, I managed to last 7 days. I just couldn't stick with it. Even though it's just 2 weeks, I couldn't psychologically get over no fruit or whole grains. Besides, it was very expensive for me to try and do.

My turning point/inspiration about WW came with my middle sister doing it. She's struggled with her weight since puberty. The only time before this that she was able to lose weight and keep it off for a while was when she did Jenny Craig in '98, but that's expensive.

Her sis-in-law gave her, as a gift, some WW materials. My sister and her dh have been working on it since about January. She has lost 23 lbs (and that's using more points then she's allotted, though not all her flex points). He has lost probably 25 or so. It took talking to her more, having be SO excited as she talked about how to use it.

The other thing was learning about #1: the at-home kit, which I've now ordered (just this week, so it's not here yet) b/c I'm not a big one for meetings and #2: that I could get the basic startup info at my first meeting. Our area has a special that dropped the registration fee, so I was able to start up for $15. I have significant weight to lose, about 75 lbs to get to my goal, and I need something I can stick with.

I started on April 8. I only made one meeting and a second weigh-in, but I'm doing alright on my own with what I have. I've lost over 5 lbs so far. Slow, steady loss, but it keeps coming down. And guess what? I haven't gotten tired of or frustrated with WW yet. I don't see myself getting tired of it. I like that there is FREEDOM with it. I'm not blowing the whole thing if I have a bowl of cereal, kwim? I have yet to use up all my flex points, and I'm doing a decent job at using up my daily points.

I'm still enjoying it, and can't wait to see how well it all goes! I want to break 200...in my clothes...by next week.

For me, Weight Watchers worked for me because of the accountability of weighing in every week, the focus on sensible eating not rapid weight loss, and meeting with other "losers" for group support.

I've had success on several programs, but they've all shared these traits. Hubby and I couldn't afford to both be on Weight Watcher's, so we joined TOPS. In TOPS we can follow any sensible eating plan, and many of us are former Weight Watcher's, about half of which still follow the point system. The plan offered by TOPS is an exchange plan, very similar to pre-1994 Weight Watcher's, which I am more comfortable with than points because it reminds me to eat a balanced diet, though I do revert to points on days that journaling will be difficult (like vacations, road trips, social events), because I have enough memorized to do them in my head.

I've been trying to lose weight for most of my teenage years (I'm 20 now) because I've always just had a bit of extra chub without being really overweight for my height. That said, I have attempted to cut back on processed foods and sweets but I found diets that restricted me far too difficult, as well as those that demanded a lot of exercise. Especially as a full-time student, I don't have that much time on my hands and sometimes am unwilling to do it after a long day at school. WW works even without exercise (though it obviously speeds up results and is better for you if you do it). This is the only time I have been successful, and so far I have lost 20lbs and am almost at my first goal. I feel great, and best of all, I don't feel like there is anything I can't have, as long as I am sensible with my choices. I love WW!

Weight Watchers works for me because it teaches me self control. I love the fact that there are not any forbidden foods. That all foods are allowed within moderation and within my allowed points.
WW teaches me how to eat without overeating.

I chose Weight Watchers because it isn't a fad diet - it's my belief that any plan that has you cutting out entire food groups, or having to buy special food, or drinking specific shakes, is just not healthy. I tried Atkins years ago, and I lost 20 lbs; however, I also started losing my hair, the second month I had my period for almost the entire month (it was bizarre!) and my skin was constantly broken out because of all the crazy stuff happening with my hormones (also the reason for the other two issues). My doctor agreed with cutting back on certain carbs, but she felt that Atkins was awful and had seen multiple patients with real issues stemming from the diet (including one with kidney disease). That scared me off of plans that teach, "This is a diet. You must eat this food, not that food." Weight Watchers is really just a way of life, you can eat whatever you want; it just teaches moderation and real portion sizes, lol.

Also, it is the only program that I lost a lot of weight on in the past. Stupidly though, I stopped following my new way of life and I gained it all back. That was my fault, however, not the Weight Watchers plan! I won't make that mistake again. :D

I just want to say that I LOVE WW. Going to the meeting and weighing in is one of my favorite times of the week (I kid you not, I'm a dork!) It's just a great feeling because it DOES work...and the people are so supportive and helpful. I love finding new recipes that sound amazing and I don't feel guilty about eating them! The best thing--you CAN eat whatever you want. It is NOT A DIET. (My family still says "Can you eat that?" "Is that on your diet?" and I just laugh). You can have your favorite foods, but learn to control portions. and learn to love new foods! This forum is great for finding recipes and getting support. With WW, I feel flexible, and I love eating (yes, I eat all day long on this "diet" and still lose weight), and I'm exercising more and eating HEALTHY foods! They base the points on YOU, and you still get flex points each week! It's scientifically proven to work, and if you follow the plan and keep yourself accountable (which helps with going to meetings), it will work. And people are supporting you every step of the way. I think I'm rambling, but I think I made my point ;)

Well, my doctor has been urging me to go to Weight Watchers for a couple years, but I didn't go due to the expense. Any 'diet' I'd tried previously (such as Atkins or calorie counting) was on my own. Finally, 5 weeks ago, I decided I couldn't afford not to go! I've had some medical issues this year that demand I lose weight.

I did lose over 70 lbs on Atkins 5 years ago, but I gained all but 10 back. I decided I just couldn't be restricted from eating any particular foods anymore. It isn't realistic for me to say I'll never eat chocolate or french fries again, and I never want to feel guilty for "cheating". So WW is good choice for that reason too.

Finally, there are three women where I work who have had fabulous results on WW. One lost 30 lbs, one 50 lbs, and a third has lost 85 lbs over the last two years! They were my real inspiration to try Weight Watchers!

So far so good. I must say it is motivating to have to go in to get weighed every week, too ;)

I chose Weight Watchers because to me, it seemed to be the most realistic choice for me. I'm a full time college student and a full time worker, and sometimes I have to eat fast food or things of that nature. I feel WW has helped in me making better choices. It leaves room for life's little mishaps. You can't plan everything and WW makes it easier for me to make better choices.

TheHeather

I know exactly what you mean. I'm a full-time Law Student and I also work! Sometimes I just don't have the time to make myself a meal. WW is great for that since I can make better choices and still stay within my pts! :D

I chose to go to WW because I had tried it in the past and I knew that there are meetings just about everywhere. I felt that what I needed was the face to face meeting, the accountability, the weigh in, etc. Then after starting on the program (this past March), I decided to try the new core program. And now I am totally in love. Core is something that I can do for the rest of my life. Even though you do exclude a lot of different foods on this plan, you also get the 35 weekly points that you spend on "everything else". So I can eat whatever I want, but just limited amounts of processed food. For me, eating whole foods and emphasizing the 8 good health guidelines is a revelation. Finally I am eating a balanced diet! I feel AWESOME! I don't ever want to give up this good feeling I get from eating a balanced diet based on whole grains, lean meats, ff dairy, and tons of fruits and vegetables.

I recently started exercising! I felt so much energy, I just had to start moving my body. I have always been a couch potato. So this is a miracle. And it's all just based on good nutrition which the doctors and nutritionists have been telling us to do anyhow.

I'm so glad that I gave Weight Watchers another try because I love my new way of eating and it is going to change my life!

I had a friend who had started it. I saw a huge difference. I had told myself so many times that it was okay that I was a size 14, because I was happy eating any old way I pleased. When I started to gain weight instead of just maintain, I decided I needed to make a lifestyle change because I wanted to be a cool mom and not have my son be embarrassed to go out with me. He is only 10 months old right now, but I knew what it was like to grow up with a morbidly obese mom. She would ride around on a motorized cart at the mall and never came to any of my softball games in high school.
She turned all that around and became an inspiration for me. She lost 150 pounds 10 years ago on her own without a surgery but gained it back through the course of my dad dying, being attacked my a cow (we lived on a dairy), and taking care of my father for a year while he battled throat cancer. She made a decision to have gastric bypass and I was so scared. I had already lost one parent on the operating table and couldn't bear the thought of losing her too.
But it turned out fine and she went from being 330 pounds to 164 in the course of a year and a half. She has so much energy and confidence. Proud does not even begin to describe the way I feel about her.

I chose WW (Flex) because I dont believe in any diet or any program that tells me what I can or cant eat. I need to make a change that I'll be able to maintain for my whole life and saying goodbye forever to sugar, carb, treats, certains fruits even, is not acceptable to me. With WW, I can have whatever I want, as long as I have the points for it. I'm learning moderation but I'm having fun while at it because I'm also taking the time to learn new recipes and try out new food.

Ive also read the first chapter of Thintuition online, which basically reminded me to listen to my body : eat when Im truly hungry, eat something that I want to eat and STOP when Im not hungry anymore. With thintuition and WW, I cant go wrong. Now all I have to do is be patient :D

Good luck -- sounds like you are doing awesome!!

I personally picked WW because it is the only thing I've ever tried that worked. I am a "recovering" binge eater, along with many other eating issues over the years and knowing I can have anything I want, as long as I plan it out helps me tremendously. It also adds a bit of "casual counseling" every week which moves me along.

Wow, I think I could of written that myself!!! I no longer go to meetings, but I am also a "recovering" binge eater and have had other eating issues, and WW has been the only thing that has "stuck." Though WW, I have been able to make a complete lifestyle change. I feel that I can eat whatever I want, there are no "bad foods" but I know my limits. WW is an easy way to learn how to eat properly. If I want my cake, I can have it....just a small portion, and then be accountable.

I feel that I can eat whatever I want, there are no "bad foods" but I know my limits. WW is an easy way to learn how to eat properly. If I want my cake, I can have it....just a small portion, and then be accountable.

Totally agree with this, for me I find that WW allows you to be in control of what you're eating but also in control of the amount you're eating, which is key to the plan working, you have to have some accountability into the portion sizes of what you eat, but if you want a big portion, just rack up the plate with veg or salad and you're still doing good but really filling yourself up. I think that nothing compares to how good i'm feeling when i'm 100% on it, 1000% in the zone of WW, getting really good results every week and seeing and feeling the difference. The act and sense of belonging to the group, even if you dont stay to the meetings, for me goes such a long way in helping me to feel like I can have the freedom to choose what i want to eat. I feel so good when I'm doing well and it makes me want to do really well and get out there and finally be the slim person that I know I can be if I just allow myself to be.

I chose WW because it's real food. You don't have to purchase stuff just for yourself and still feed your family. For me, it's making me and my family healthier.

Wow, you ladies now have me sold! I have been thinking weight watchers is the program I want to start. And this thread made me realize, this program is something I can do for the rest of my life! :D

playfullyme,

It's great that you're getting a good feel for how things are on WW, and that you're feeling it's something you can do! You will find great support here.

playfullyme: Glad to hear you are thinking of checking it out. I'm sure you will find the Weight Watchers program to be really great. I think the program has improved a lot. It has so much to offer because you get all the materials that explain how to change the way you eat, and then you also get a lot of good information that shows you how to start becoming more physically active, and then you also get a lot of great information to show you how to set goals and be motivated to make these changes ("tools of living", "helpful habits", etc.)

It's really a good deal when you think about all you get. I pay for the monthly pass which also gives me the online tools at the weight watchers web site. But the forums are free there if you can figure out how to log in (some people have trouble with that, I hear). It's easy if you are paying for it because it's all set up rather easily.

I have belonged to Weight Watchers in the past and I did not enjoy it half as much because I just didn't work the program very much. I also didn't set goals and just was oriented towards trying to figure out how much junk food I could get away with eating and still lose weight. This time I am totally committed and gung ho, so I love the program as I am delving deeply in to all it has to offer.

Good luck!!!

I joined WW because I needed other people to be accountable to. I'm glad I've found this board because I've doubled the people I need to be accountable to now! :lol:

I first joined WW early in 2004, about 6 months after my mom passed away with the main cause of death on her certificate listed as "morbid obesity." Within the next year and a half I lost about 80 pounds (without always being perfectly on program), met the love of my life, got pregnant, had the OTHER love of my life who just turned 2, and now I'm back on WW for good! I toyed with other plans (most recently South Beach), but the strictness of them made me beat myself up every time I "slipped" (and with South Beach that could be as easy as having a regular baked potato!). I made a list of pros and cons for each plan and realized that WW really is the best one for me. All I have to do is remember not to eat my daily points in just ice cream ;)