ok, Leaders DO make a difference. My first meeting, 2 weeks ago, I really didn't like. I found the it hard to take the way it went. Made me uncomfortable.
The information was kinda sketchy too.
I missed last week on vacation.
THere was a substitute leader this week, (she knows people, so is a "regular" substitute apparently) and she was much better. Very on track, had good way of working the group, and left the "gold stars" from the teacher til the end.
DO you think its worth switching meetings to follow a good leader?
How does this work? can I go to any meeting?

Of course it's worth it, this is your journey and you gotta do what ya gotta do to be successful. Yes, you can go to any meeting location/time you want to.

It is absolutely worth it to find the right group/leader.

I've been to many over my years on WW, and it makes a huge difference in the week. Different leaders have different styles. They have different personalities, and they click with different people! (Hmm, how much more can I use the word 'different'? ) But, that's a good thing.

Different means that there are a lot of options.

You can technically go to as many meetings as you'd like during the week. You only weigh-in on your first meeting, but if you're interested in finding a different day/time, you can experiment and sit in with different groups. You don't pay extra for going to more than one meeting in a week.

The general message is the same each week, but leaders handle it in their own personal way. Finding someone who fits what you need is important.

It's nice for those of you who have an option for leaders/programs. The one where I live doesn't offer the etools add on, so you have to pay extra for that. And the leader repeatedly talks about how she knows nothing about computers or the etools and will say things like "it says here you can use the etools for that, but I don know anything about that." while she's reading from the leader guide.

The accountability of the meeting is why I go. Not the leader, I have seen people do really well and stop coming because they just switched to the online which I don't find as helpful as this community, when it comes to questions.

Yes, I may switch meetings, although I also realized I am liking seeing some of the women who go, (and one lone man!) some are rural like me, its such a small town. I will have to go quite a longer distance to go to a different meeting. I am generally pleased with the pointsplus plan, its one I can live with, and tailor to my needs for stable blood sugar. (I'm pretty low carb).
Will keep plugging away though, its working and sustainable. And moviegirl, thats too bad, I love the online stuff, track all my stuff there, don't use paper at all.

thanks for the support everyone

ABSOLUTELY. My leader is INCREDIBLE! She is SO great. She gives us "gems of wisdom" for every pound lost that we put in jars to keep for ourselves, she gives us "golden hangers" for every size lost and she often blows bubbles at us. It is COMPLETELY worth taking your time to bounce around meetings to see who fits you best. I couldn't go to anyone else after I went to a meeting with Mary Ellen. Everyone else was drab and incredibly boring compared to her. Find someone you like and stick with them, they can have an amazing impact on your weight loss.

I've only been a member for 3 weeks but I love my leader, Suzanne! She's funny, kind, approachable, gives lots of tips and shares info about how she's been on WW for over 20 years and how her hubby's doing as he's losing weight. She and 2 of the ladies who man the scales/front counter sing at the end of our meetings! They pick a song and change the lyrics to something to do with weight loss or support. It's pretty hilarious.

I actually gave her mt 1st week tracker and she emailed me with a few tips- I wasn't getting in all of my dairy and oils- and was just really supportive. I felt no judgement at all.

I have no plans to ever change meetings, lol! I hope these positive feelings last....I'm so glad I finally joined! It's so much better than I ever imagined it would be!

I actually just weighed in last night and didn't stay for the meeting. I went to hot yoga and by the time I got to the meeting afterward it was almost over. I just didn't feel like it. I am going to try to go to a meeting in another town next week and see how that is.

I first joined WW over 20 years ago so I've been to a lot of meetings with a lot of leaders.

You don't really know how great it is to have a great leader until you've had one. Most of the leaders are OK. They don't do anything annoying and aren't awful but aren't really special either.

I've had two really great leaders. One was the leader when I got to goal (about 20 years ago) and she was really great. My current leader is great also. It is hard to know why really. She doesn't do anything special or different but is just a great leader.

The bad leaders I've had are mostly leaders who style doesn't mesh with mine. For example, one leader was really big on group stuff so every meeting she would have you turning to someone else and making a list of this or discussing that. I hated it. Another leader who subs sometimes for my current leader is OK content wise but her sense of humor just isn't that funny to me.

We are about to move and I will be driving the 45 minutes to the big center with lots of meetings so I can try out several different leaders at good times to see which one meshes best.