Hi Everyone!! A little history on me....I stopped smoking and gained 20 lbs....now I am ready to once again take control of my life. After reading many message boards (this one Is the best) and researching various weight loss programs I decided WW would be the best for me. However, my DH thinks it is foolish to pay the fees involved. I do understand his point of view as we are on a fixed income. I know I can do it.....but how do I find out how many points I am allotted if I don't join? I know there's a formula and I know it can't be posted here..but any ideas as to where I could go to find out will be appreciated. Thanks and I am so glad to be a member of this forum of women helping women.

I went and read the patent which does have the basic formula information in it. I don't really think it is something that you can easily calculate. I think it will require either having their calculator or using the online calculator. You could try joining WW when they have one of their sales where it is cheap to join, buy the calculator and then not continue with paying to come to meetings. That would have some cost, but not an ongoing one.

That said,doing WW is a lot more than just knowing the points of various foods. I don't really think you get much out of knowing the point value of foods without doing the overall program. You can do the online version of the program although there is a monthly cost. Personally, I always do better when I'm going to the meetings. I tried doing online only and it didn't work for me. I know that it does work for others though.

If I felt that I could not pay for WW and didn't want the support of meetings I might be inclined to find one of the online places to record calories and do that instead of WW. I am tracking at WW and tracking calories at livestrong myself.

Sunny, There has been quite a discussion re/going it alone...If you will scroll down to the second page...look for NEW TO WW...TRYING IT ALONE...NEED SOME ADVICE....There were several posters who were in your same situation...Your questions should be answered there...Good Luck!

Right now if you call the WW 800# they are offering a $20. off on the first month of meetings (only 19.99) so, I am joining for the month, learning the program, and then probably will not continue as I really don't have the extra $$ at this point either. Maybe that is an option for you. If you would like me to forward you the coupon email me at [email protected] and i will forward it to you. You will just need to cancel before they bill yuo for the next month.