WELCOME! YES! It's worth every penney. I've gone back and forth about this. I've tried other ways to do it on my own, trying to save the money. I had the information from previous tries at the meetings. I had joined and didn't follow the program so I quit. Joined again, but found out the next day I was pregnant.
So last year when my son turned 6 weeks old I tried WW again on my own. I lost 25 pounds from September to December. Then life got in the wya and I quit trying. I gained a bunch back. I treid this and that over the winter and spring and in July I decided to make an investment in me. I started the meetings and have stuck with them.
You can succeed on your own with the program, ALOT of people do it. In the meetings you get information and the points slider the first day, and you'll get information each week for 12 weeks. The activity points slider comes in week 3. I bought the complete food guide, I find it's very helpful, sometimes you see them on ebay. They cost around $10 in the meetings.
You'll find TONS of WW who have thier own websites with information for you. There are some people who have gotten all the information they need off teh web. Of course WW doesn't like that and often shuts down sights who break the copy right. But the stuff is out there.
WW also offers an at home package and the online program, both less expensive than the meetings. But I like the meetings. I am a stay at home mom of two, plus I babysit 2 more full time. I need to get out of the house alone. My leader is down to Earth and understands our struggles. It's such a fun positive place to be.
WW takes what you pay and turns it back into research and quality products to help you. I'm sure someone is sitting pretty well somewhere, but I honestly think they put alot back into the program.
To me it's worth it. If you do it on your own, or even do the meetings, a big key is support. Keep posting here. It's a fabulous place to find that support you need and to lend support too. I am in a challenge on the Dr. Phil/Oprah thread and I am also a Slimmin' Sista (we're under WW groups and clubs). We'd love to have you join us
I would not do as well as I do without my girls!
Best of luck on your journey!