Hello,

I am toying with idea of joining WW meetings. Right now I do it at home, and have since 2000. I lost 75 lbs, but have gained some of it back. I know what to do, and how to do it, I just need to do it, is what it boils down to.

One of my coworkers is convinced that I should go to meetings with her. I'm not sure, because it is kind of expensive, and it seems like I'm paying someone else to do something I can do on my own.

What is it about meetings that works well for people? Have any of you tried to do it on your own, or with other people but not at formal meetings? I'm just trying to decide what to do. Since I"ve given myself a kick in the butt, the scale has gone down about 3 lbs...

I'm not saying that meetings are not important, or integral for that matter, but is it possible to take the feeling of the meeting and recreate it? I could get a gym membership for less than what I'd pay at WW.

As I said, I"m not knocking what works for people, I just want to learn from you to figure out what works for me.

THanks,.
...with the smilies, as well as many ads you see, the sun is always wearing sunglasses. That doesn't make any sense. The sunglasses aren't goign to do anything.

It can see that way but if you aren't losing you may need the accountability of someone weighing you for your hard earned cash. I only go to meetings to weigh in, I rarely stay for the discussions cuz I have gone for so long the subjects repeat themselves as well as the fact I have almost completed my nutritional degree. But if you think about it the weekly fee is not that much more than a couple of 'Starbucks' (or whatever).

[QUOTE=alteaon)...What is it about meetings that works well for people? Have any of you tried to do it on your own, or with other people but not at formal meetings? I'm just trying to decide what to do. Since I"ve given myself a kick in the butt, the scale has gone down about 3 lbs...[/quote] Like I said in the previous paragraph accountability really keeps me headed in the right direction. When I do it on my own (online and with my meeting materials) and it doesn't work for me that way...I tend to do good for a week or 2 and then slip.

I have both meetings and gym membership to me they are both a vital part of my weight loss efforts. If you can do it on your own (the only thing is on your own with at home and/or online you cannot get lifetime status you only get that at meetings) and want to use the gym to supplement then do that. If you feel you need someone to make you accountable so you stay OP 100% meetings may do it for you. Many people do at home or online and are very successful. Some people have a group that gets together to discuss things and utilize the boards for support.

So it really is more of a personal thing if the meetings are important or not. Personally I think at least an accountability in weighing is important.

I agree with Kel that the accountability factor is very important.

I enjoy the meetings, not only have I met a few friends, but you get good tips, get questions answered that you may not have thought of, learn different "life" strategies, and ways to make the program work for you.

I've tried WW on my own and didn't do well, but I really like the little awards and recognitions for doing a good job. It is also nice to know that if the scale isn't very agreeable, life happens and you just continue on. When I was doing it on my own, there just never was the moment (the meeting) to either start or end the week.

Julie

Well, the sun is not the only big star in the galaxy, just the one closest to us heh! So it might be protecting itself from their UV rays... Ok, I am now officially a real geek, thank you.

Anyway, I have done WW both ways, and I found that you need an Official Mindset. I hit a point a few years ago where I didn't care anymore, but I was still going to the meetings out of habit. Obviously this was reflected in my scale readouts! So I stopped going to them, and did it at home. (This is just my experience of course, don't mean to say this will happen to you!) When I did it at home, with no one "watching" me or really caring, it was easy to slack off and say eh, why bother.

But now that I have rejoined, after regaining pretty much all I lost before back, I am finding the meetings a lot of fun. I like the group support, I like the official weigh-ins, the little rewards and the cachet of the Weight Watchers reputation and becoming part of a weight-loss club. Seems kinda silly, but it pumps me up to lose weight more than me sitting at home calculating points and weighing myself... Plus the groups can be full of humor, honesty, accountability, and great advice. It's really helpful to feel that I am not in it alone, ya know?

But it is all a mental challenge. Sure, it is possible to lose weight without paying money to WW weekly If you find you can, you are enjoying your freedom and you are being successful, and feel you don't need the meetings, then there is no reason why you need to feel compelled to fork over your cash It's a good point that the cost would cover a gym membership - it would pay for a month at the YMCA for me too.

But I am shooting to get myself another keyring and make that dang Lifetime goal!

Whatever works for you... Good luck!

Well, I don't mean to downplay the importance WW is to many people in the 3FC community, but I don't find the WW meetings very effective FOR ME. I don't have too much to lose to reach my goal weight (in fact, I joined in hopes of getting out of my plateau) so what I did was joined on the flexible plan. Instead of paying the $10.95/week fee (which you have to pay every week, even if you miss going that week), I'm paying $14/week (this plan doesn't require you to show up every week, only when you want to). I go every other week, so it comes out to be $28/month, which I figured I could spare, even on my poor college student budget. Nobody at the meetings are talking about plateaus or maintaining weight, so that may be why they haven't been essential for me. But I do like getting weighed in and held accountable for that. It seems like one of the key reasons people stick with WW. If that's important to you, maybe you should think about sitting in on a session with your friend to see what you think about it!

Good work with the sun question, I have been put in my place! You may be a geek, but I think I have flexed my nerdiness that I even looked at that smiley so much to figure it out.

I mean, it's not like bananas dance around in real life or that this thing is real: ...I do like this one, though

Anyway, thanks to everyone for answering my questions. For now, I have decided to do WW with out going to meetings, but rather meeting with some other people who are doing it at home, so like having our own meetings. If that doesn't work, I'll investigate other means.

Thanks for everyone's answer.s

Everyone is so different as far as what works for them. I find I need the accountibility of an objective WI. But as far as the meetings go (at least with the current leader) I don't get a whole lot out of them. She is not great and just tends to read the information out of the pamphlet and that's it. The other women that go are great but to be truthfull I get more out of these boards and the WW forum also.

I like going to the meetings, I find them to be a great place to talk with others who are in the same boat as well, and a good way to be accountable for yourself

I prepay for 10 at a time, so that is $108

I've done WW both on my own and by going to meetings, and have found the meetings really make a big difference. Not only for the accountability, support and information, but also because this is time I have set aside just for me....I take enough time carting kids to athletics and school activities, what about ME!?!?

Maybe you could check with your local center to see if you can sit in on a meeting, sort of like a trial to see if you then want to join?

Christine