Okay so I found that there is a WW meeting in my area that I actually can go to now. I have absolutely no idea what to expect because the people I knew who went back in TX just weighed in and left on their lunchbreak.

I'm trying to decide if WW is for me or not. I've lost around 30 pounds since I started this "journey" in late January and that counts the last couple months of really not doing anything. So I know I CAN do this and I wonder if the cost of WW is worth it for me. Do you get the WW online tools with your membership or is that seperate? It seemed seperate on the website.. and then it seemed like you get a lot of neat stuff with the "ww at home" thing, but I dont know, maybe the meetings would help? I really dont know anyone in my area at all. In other words, I really dont have any friends and I'm extremely shy, always have been. Just the idea of going to a meeting with lots of strangers is pretty scary to me.

What does WW do as far as emphasizing exercise? Thats where I really get stuck.

No you have to pay for e-tools separately and it runs about $13 a month or $30 for 3 months at a time.

most of the stuff you get with the at home program is the 12 weeks worth of items but you also get the dining out/food companion guides and a calculator.

You don't have to talk to anyone or share anything if you don't want. To me most of the information at meetings I already know but I need the accountability of weighing in at meetings. Some people find the information very helpful and others don't. However if you are shy this may be a way to get out and meet some people in your area that you already have something in common with.

W/W doesn't make you exercise but there are benefits for it like you get more points to eat more food. They do recommend you earn 28 points a week with activity but nothing is 'mandatory.'

I think much of it depends on your personality. I know, for me, the meetings are essential, even if I can't stay for the whole thing. I know all about diet and nutrition and exercise. But the past has proven that I need the accountability of weighing in "officially" each week. And even though I sometimes feel that the meetings are a waste of time, I always do ome away from them feeling a little more determined. I really like my current leader because she talks a lot about members in her other groups and tells stories about them, their successes, their attitudes. It's a nice touch. She also focuses less on specifics like points, etc., and more on attitude, our approach to eating well and more of the big-picture things, which I really enjoy. When meetings are too focused on how many points are in a brownie or ways to "make it" through a special occasion, I get bored.

WW stresses exercise, and when you do work out you can have extra points, the "activity points" or AP you might see people writing about.

The online tools are indeed an additional fee, which is just about my only complaint with WW right now. They really should be included with your membership, I feel.

I have been on WW a few times in the past. In high school, I lost 60 pounds. Later, I lost 30. Twice, I joined, stayed on the program for A DAY and gave up. The thing about WW is that it is a sustainable, successful program for healthful eating and weight loss/maintenance. I can say, without a doubt, that it didn't fail me. I failed myself by not sticking with it.

I think you will be pleasantly surprised if you give it a try.

Hey there,

I just joined WW for the thrid time (I posted earlier with a post called Wavering, trying to decide if I wanted to join again). The first two times my mother in law was going and for awhile the first time I started my husband went too. I am like you, very shy. It was a big step for me to go alone. But I am a stay at home mom and I never get out of the house so it's kind of like my little break.

The online tools are seperate. You can just subscribe to them and follow the WW plan, or you can subscribe to them and get a lower rate if you are already a member. They are kind of neat, but I honestly didn't think it was worth the money, especially if you are doing the meetings. At home is not available here, so I can't comment on that.

I lost about 20 pounds doing WW on my own, so I too know I can do it. But the meetings for me lend a greater sense of acountability. I think the biggest thing that determines how much you get out of the meetings is the leader. They all follow the same basic guidlines and topic agendas. But personality makes a huge difference. Our leader is engeretic and hillarious!!! She lends a life to the meetings that is lacking when someone subs for her. My mother in law attended a meeting in another town b/c they had a special deal running. She decided you get what you pay for b/c she wasn't inspired by the leader. The leader should be someone you can learn to talk to and realate to.

As far as exercise goes the first few weeks you are encouraged to get moving most days of the week for at least 30 minutes. After 4 weeks or so you learn how to earn and use activity points. Activity points are based on your weight, duration of exercise and intensity. You can use them towards extra food or not.

I recommend the program. I like the meetings, I like seeing people earn rewards and I like hearing them share ups and downs. I don't speak up much, but I listen. And this being my third attempt to commit I want that 10% keychain lol!!

I don't think it's worth it to just go and weigh in, why pay for it ya know? I can weigh in at home. My suggestion is give it a try. Honestly, the first 12 weeks they give you information and recipes each week so after that you pretty much have all the free tools they will give you. If you don't like it then you can at least continue the program on your own if it works for you.

We discussed last week about how the meetings helped us even on weeks we gained. People said when they stayed they came away with a tidbit of information taht clicked for them, or feeling enegergized and ready to try again instead of weighing and leaving angry or depressed. Sometimes, we get little anchors or assignments to help us think about it through the week. For me they are worth the $12, I wondered at first, but looking back on past meetings and enjoying the first one I went to since rejoining I see it's worth it.

I hope this helps a bit. ~misty

Misty, looking at this post and comparing it to your first, I AM SO PROUD OF YOU! What a difference in outlook and attitude. You have come such a long way in such a short time -- and it has NOTHING to do with the scale. Good for you, girl!

Thanks Maggie! Just sucking it up and jumping in gave me a sense of accomplishment. I know it's a small thing, but was a big deal for me. For the first time in a long time I feel in control. Once I was there I found the same relaxed, supportive environment that was there when I went in the past. This time though I plan on actually trying. You folks gave me the nudge that I needed and in just a few days my outlook has turned around and I don't feel so depressed. I am looking forward to my next meeting!

Thanks again ~misty

By the way, Misty, I live in Philadelphia. We're neighbors -- sort of.

The last thing I forgot before I wanted to say there is also an online program that has all the same things as e-tools plus all the information you get in the booklets given at meetings.

I have just joined WW and am really liking it. Like all of you I had the head knowledge but there is something about paying that fee that is holding me more accountable. Also as you are running out of gas it is time for a meeting and the people help psych you up again. Stick with it and I pray I do as well

Well said Misty!!!!

Teckeygirl - how I see it is that you ARE reaching out, perhaps attending a weekly meeting and learning from others and getting recognition IS exactly what you need to continue your weight loss journey.

I started on my own as well, but felt that I really needed accountablity as Misty said.

........plus this place is GREAT!

I definitely can not afford the meetings, so it would be wrong of me to say they are good or bad. I know for me, though, accountability is a biggie. If you can keep track and self-disciplined on your own, more power to you;most people find the mandatory weigh-ins and support groups a big help/motivation, though. The program itself, though, does work. If you follow it, it will work. The only question is, can you follow it?