Quote:
Originally Posted by Newshinyme
Kaplods: I think that you are right that a big part of the appeal for WW is the group support, I am not sure it that would still apply if doing the online only version.
I know that calorie counting is not complicated, I just find that it takes a huge time commitment to plan out my meals in advance and shop for them; that's the only way I can make sure I end up eating healthy (i.e. enough fruits and veggies). I do like the idea of just having to count points instead of calories. I have never paid much attention but, is the point information for foods readily available or is it like with calorie counting when sometimes you have to check 3 or 4 sites to get the info? How about when cooking recipes?
What is TOPS? I am not sure I've heard from it before, but I like the idea of it being more affordable
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TOPS is a not-for-profit weight loss club (Taking off pounds sensibly). You pay $26 for the national dues (which includes a monthly magazine newsletter with success stories, and chapter news, contests, recipes...).
Then you pay monthly dues to your chapter (or you can belong online with no extra dues). Most chapters meet weekly, and you can follow any diet you want, though an exchange plan is endorsed (I love exchange plans, but I don't use the TOPS plan. My exchange plan is lower carb, based on one I found on the hillbillyhousewife website).
Monthly dues are usually under $5. Yyou can find local groups on the tops.org website, and anyone can start a new chapter with just four members. There are three chapters in my area, and their dues are $2, $3, and $5.
I joined the $5 group, because they have more ways to earn money back. For example, if you are the monthly best loser, you win $5. If you lose 10 lbs and keep it off during the year, at the end of the year, you earn $5 for the first month and $1 for every month you kept that 10 lbs off - so if you lost 10 lbs in January and didn't regain any of it, at the end of the year, you'd get $16.
Also, every week everyone (whether you gain or lose) pays one dime to what we call "the dime contest." The best loser for the week takes home those dimes (usually about $2-$3).
We also have weight gain fines of a dime per pound.
My goal for this year is to break even, so I write down everything I spend (even the dimes), and everything I win.
Our chapter also runs various contests every month. Some of them are silly, but I find them surprisingly motivating. I'm in charge of March's contest, and I'm trying to think up something fun.
For me, the in-person aspect is definitely key. For me online only isn't enough. 3FC is great and really helps keep me motivated, but if I'm not actually weighing in somewhere every week, I tend to procrastinate.
Ideally I'd love a group that met twice a week. Maybe Friday and Monday so I would have more motivation over the weekend.