I'm sure this has been covered before, but I am curious about WW but can't invest the $$ now to join. I heard that the 1st meeting is free..? Also is there a way to learn about WW (the points etc), to try it a few weeks and see if it's a good match for me? I am currently counting calories but find it tedious at times!
I think you can do it online...
But if you can get your hands on one of their manuals, then you can follow it pretty easy at home, its pretty much justa simplification of calorie counting though..
If you are really interested in it (and it did work for me a few years ago (50lbs or so) I would just pay up, and get all the info, and then go to 3 or 4 meetings, then just kick off by yourself. I don't think its much money to register, if it makes you lose then its worth it!
I would definitely second going to a couple meetings. Maybe sign up for a month and hit as many as you can to get the information. Weight watchers always seems to be "tweaking" their program (flex/momentum/core etc) so go in, ask questions and get the basics down and figure out which plan is right for you. As far as the tediousness of counting calories, with some of the WW programs you'll be counting points, and depending on which system (online or hard copy) you use.. can be tedious as well. (though programs like Core I believe drop the point sytem in place of a "good" food list)
It really is a program that you can follow on your own, and I found the most benefit I got from the meetings was the support and accountability. But if you have the online support, track with other people online, and the "know how" to follow the program you should be fine.
i went to 4 meetings and got all the manuals and then quit and do it on my own at home. i found that the support at meetings was nothing that i couldnt get online for free.
I find counting points soooo much easier than counting calories. i have 26 points a day and i dont have to worry how many calories are in the 3 tomato slices i had in a sandwich or whatever, cos on ww they are free. its easy to figure out the points and so much easier to deal with a smaller number instead of going into the thousands.
I find that the weightwatchers programme is far more manageable and realistic for my lifestyle, especially when you are shopping and cooking for a family.
hope you make a decision you are happy with!
edited to add, my husband weighs me once a week and i give him the money that i would spend on the weekly meeting, and if i reach my goal of dropping 2 dress sizes in november i get all that money to spend on a weekend away! so thats my accountability!
If your really short on funds, you can get most of the materials on eBay and start doing it on your own. Like others have said, you can get as much support and accountability on sites like 3FC as you get from the meetings.
As for the actual program, I lost weight on it, but I was constantly hungry. I'm counting calories right now and like it more - I feel like I'm more informed about my eating choices than with points. They always felt sort of vague to me. But it's definitely worth trying - it's certainly worked for a lot of people.
I vote for the ebay route too....when I first started the meeting and 3FC helped me stay accountable but if you don't have the money the cheapest way to get the tools you need to start is going the last minute bidding route on ebay Make sure to get the weekly books...those explain everything!
I do count calories now but I was so overwhelmed when I first started (I did core first to help establish healthy eating) that the less numbers I had to worry about the better
I looked on Ebay for WW material... not sure what to look for though. They have several starter kits like the Momentum books (Food Companion, Dining Out Companion) w/calculator, 2008 and 2009 deluxe starter kits (no calculator), some include 3 month journal, some incl 50 Quick Fixes. I guess I don't know enough about WW to know what to look for! What's Momentum and other types of WW, I would like the simplest method.
I believe where I live the 1st meeting is free, should I go to get some insight? Thanks again everyone!
Kellygram, if the first meeting is free of course you should go, what possible reason is there not to??!
Then you can get a better handle on the whole thing, and see if you think its for you, and you will also see or presumably be shown the material you will need to buy, and then you will know what you want to bid on in Ebay
Good Luck
WW: to join or not to join...?
Make sure to get the weekly books...those explain everything! 
