You might also try TOPS, which is a non-profit organization, so the cost is much more affordable (I believe there are chapters in Canada, if not I'm sorry).

You can usually borrow the food plan book from your local chapter, or you can buy your own copy. It is an exchange based system. You don't have to follow their food plan though, you can follow any food plan that you wish to, or even develop your own, but the aim is healthy eating, not just weight loss (at least in most chapters, you do occasionally hear of groups that get carried away in recommending and expecting crazy weight loss methods). There's an anual fee, I think around $20 (at least the last time I checked) and each local club determines their own weekly dues (the ones I went to were between $2 and $4 a week).

I love WW and I agree that it is a great starting point but I just don't have the money or time for the meetings. I still follow WW but I count calories at Spark People (it's free) and I come here almost daily for support. Plus, I have the advantage of working at a hospital were alot of nurses are doing WW so I have support at work too.

Kelly, I love WW too. It has helped me so much just going to the meetings every week for support and motivation. I tried the first time around to do it on my on after going to the meetings for five weeks and learning the plan. I lost 34 lbs. I found that I maintained but did not lose any more weight. Susan, you are so right. We practically throw away money for things that are not nearly as helpful. I purchased the monthly pass for $39.99 which averages out to less than $10.00 a week. I cut out some other things and did this for myself because I am worth it.

Denise

I loved going to WW meetings when I joined five years ago, and I lost 50 pounds, but I gained it back (totally my fault, not WW's). This time I decided to do the plan without going to meetings, mostly because of the money. I've been very successful doing it without meetings, because I come here for accountability and support. A lot of people don't seem to be aware that counting WW points is essentially the same as counting calories, so people will sometimes be a bit down on WW if they're not familiar with the program. I personally just find the point system more manageable because I'm used to it, but I consider myself primarily a calorie-counter since it's the same. Anyway, you can find the info online, certainly, if you want to do it on your own. Or you can send me a private message with questions if you'd like!