Help!!!! Is Weight Watchers the best plan out there?

@coolcatzz (1587)
Canada
February 3, 2007 6:53pm CST
I would really love lots of feedback here. I have to get on a plan and lose weight. It is more then anything for my health. If I go up a flight or two of stairs I am so out of breath it is awful. I feel like I can almost scare myself into panic attacks if I don't feel like I am taking in enough air and my heart is racing. I have a life time membership at Jenny Craig but the food got to be too expensive. It is almost 140.00 a week and as a single Mom that is more then I am prepared to put out at least right now. What do you guys like or dislike about Weight Watchers?? Is it the easiest plan to follow??? I really want to get motivated and get on a plan. My health is in jeopardy if I don't. My problem is night time. I can do well until about 8 or 9 pm and then I literally graze the kitchen looking for something to eat. If I could get through those 3 hours I might do ok. What looks interesting as far as weight watchers goes is that you don't have to deprive yourself but you do have to allow points for it. Maybe this is the way to go??? What do you guys think???? Thanks I appreciate all the responses and I'll rate them all.
8 people like this
42 responses
• United States
4 Feb 07
Weight Watchers does, indeed, more or less guarentee results. More importantly, they also give you support along the way. It's a situation of mind over matter, losing weight (and keeping it off). Weight Watchers helps in this facet by providing support, and telling you (and in many cases, convincing you) that you CAN lose weight if you yourself believe that you can.
@coolcatzz (1587)
• Canada
4 Feb 07
Yes believing in yourself is important too. I think my self esteem has gotten so low since I've been a stay at home Mom. 10 years ago I was working and in a business suit everyday so appearance was so much more important to me.
1 person likes this
@XxAngelxX (2830)
• Canada
4 Feb 07
I have a friend who swears by Weight Watchers, she goes faithfully but I don't think she sticks to her plan very well. I have another friend who lost over a hundred pounds and all she did literally was cut the fat out of her diet. I'm not sure how I feel about different diets though, I think you have to make a lifestyle change. Change the way you do everything. Maybe in those three hours that you find are your weak spots you could just try drinking more water. All the best to you in losing your weight. I know it can be very difficult but you will get there :) Good luck.
4 people like this
@coolcatzz (1587)
• Canada
4 Feb 07
I find the majority of you think weight watchers is good. I think being accountable is important.
1 person likes this
@Brooke3 (610)
4 Feb 07
I've actually found that following a plan is not good for me, i find them to restrictive and difficult to follow realistically. (Like you've pointed out some things are more difficult if you've got children or don't fit in with lifestyles etc.) I think the best way to do it is to keep a record of what you eat, cut the number of calories you take in and excercise but not using anything specific. A website that has really helped me is www.fitday.com It's free to sign up to. Everynight i report how much i've eaten and how much i've excercised and it works out all the maths for me. For me it really helps because i feel as though i'mg etting somewhere by seeing how much i'm improving my diet and fitness.
3 people like this
@coolcatzz (1587)
• Canada
4 Feb 07
You know I can relate to what you are saying. When I lost a lot of weight ten years ago I just changed the way I was eating. Practical stuff like what they say on Oprah don't eat 3 hours before you go to bed. I don't know it seemed so much easier then. Maybe the key is to find something other then tv to keep me busy. I think back then because I didn't think of it as a diet but more of a routine the weight did fall off me. Maybe I should try to get in that mindset again.
@bonbon664 (3466)
• Canada
4 Feb 07
I really like WW. It's a plan for real life. There is no food that you have to buy, you eat what you buy in the grocery store. It's not a diet, you have to look at it as a life style change. A big part of WW are the weekly meetings. You can attend as many as you like when you pay the weekly fee, and you get a lot of support and similar stories from other members and the WW leaders. They tell you how to deal with cravings and the the kitchen surfing. The fee here for me is 16 dollars a week here in Canada. It's sure is a lot cheaper than other plans. It's not magic though, like any other plan, you have to make a commitment, and stick to it. The problem I've had in the past is quitting it when I've had a bad week, and I've felt like I've gained. I realize now that that is when you have to go the most. Nobody will laugh at you, and you realize that you have to get back on the wagon, and have a better week next time around. You can tell I really like it. I think it's sensible. You eat good, healthy food, including, fruit, veggies, protein, dairy, and water. I'm not going to kid you, it's not easy. You get out of it what you put into it. I hope I helped.
@coolcatzz (1587)
• Canada
4 Feb 07
I know you are right I just wish taking it off was as easy as putting it on. Why can't chocolate and ice cream be low in calories and brussel sprouts and cauliflower high in calories. I wish!
1 person likes this
@ktroth (378)
• United States
4 Feb 07
I too am a lifer of Jenny Craig and the food was way too expensive, not very tasty and the plan was just a joke in my opinion. Weight Watchers, on the other hand, is the only plan I've ever had success with. 4 years ago I lost 35 pounds and I've kept off 20. Periodically I go back on and lose 10 or 15, then go off. You can eat most normal foods, unless it's fried or just plain junk. You just need to eat smaller portions. Yes, you have to watch your points, but you learn what works for you. For me, I eat about 4 points at breakfast, 6 or 7 at lunch and save the remaining for dinner and an evening snack. I too have trouble between 8 and 10pm. But Weight Watchers has some really good ice cream products and snack cakes. One of those is enough for me. And the other key is to drink lots and lots of water--8 glasses or more a day if you can. Good luck!
3 people like this
@coolcatzz (1587)
• Canada
4 Feb 07
Well I'm good at one thing. Drinking the water. I drink it all day long so that isn't something I'll have to get use to. You are right Jenny Craig was expensive. Good for you losing 35 lbs that is terrific. That's interesting the way you divide your points up. So your allowed to do that and leave more for later in the day eh?? Good idea. That might work for me then. I'm from Canada and I'm not sure what Weight Watcher products we have available. Is it in a special section in the store or randomly throughout?? Thanks for the great advice.
2 people like this
@ktroth (378)
• United States
4 Feb 07
There are Weight Watchers products mixed in with other products in the store--at least here anyway. The ice cream bars are with the regular ice cream bars. Their frozen desserts, like key lime pie, are by the Sara Lee pies and stuff. You can distribute your points however you want. If you want to save most of them for dinner and just have a very light breakfast and lunch, you can do that too. They also give you nutritional info for some restaurants.
2 people like this
@cabergren (1181)
• United States
4 Feb 07
I am currently using the Weight Watchers Online Program. Didn't have time to attend meetings. It is a very good program. What I find most helpful is recording my food everyday. It really helps to know exactly what you have eaten. I have lost about 20 lbs. in the last 6 months. I had some trouble in the past losing weight, but this seems to work. I like site because it has all kinds of recipes that are very easy to make, so no buying expensive food. But in a pinch you always purchase their food at any grocery store. I really like the program and it is working for me.
@coolcatzz (1587)
• Canada
4 Feb 07
So I'm assuming you rely more on the messageboards for support then what you would get at a meeting??
1 person likes this
@patgalca (18355)
• Orangeville, Ontario
4 Feb 07
You can exercise slowly by going for short walks a couple of times a day and then building it up over time as you strengthen. I have never been on any diet because I know they don't work. You really have to make a lifestyle change. Sometimes just changing one thing can make a difference. My husband is currently taking Slimfast (Bob Greene OK'd it), and I took Slimfast after my first daughter was born. My recent weight loss can be attributed to walking 3 miles every day (sometimes) and eating no sugar added cookies instead of the Oreos and Chips Ahoy! With those cookies I would eat four or more at a time. With the no sugar added I only eat one. And I changed from sugar to Splenda. Sometimes it just means changing one thing. I know you said you drink water all day long (so do I), but as an example, if you drink pop all day long (a lot of people do) and you cut just that one item out, you will lose weight very quickly. So you have to look at your diet and see what is the worst thing that you are doing and just get rid of that one thing, drink lots of water and start exercising slowly and you should lose weight. Good luck!
2 people like this
@patgalca (18355)
• Orangeville, Ontario
5 Feb 07
Voortman has no sugar added cookies. Heck, you can get no sugar added ice cream, no sugar added candies, no sugar added pies. There's lots of food products that are no sugar added now.
@coolcatzz (1587)
• Canada
4 Feb 07
I never liked Slimfast when I tried it but I'll bet it's changed in the last 10 or so years. I wish I had your dicipline to walk you've always been good at that. You mean to tell me there are cookies with no sugar????? Oh man I have to find me some of those.
@patootie (3592)
4 Feb 07
First things first ... do go to the doctors and get a check up .. once you know the breathless is 'just' a weight problem then you are ready to start changing the way you eat .. Personally I won't recommend WeightWatchers because when I tried them out I was working a quite active job but because of all the food they say you MUST eat to stay on the plan I actually put ON 1 stone in 1 month. Not good ! And I felt really bad and my digestion was so sluggish because I was just not used to eating so much food every day .. Don't diet .. just go on a change of eating for life plan .. it's far better for you and will cost less money and will stay with you for ever .. and what's more you will feel really good about changing your eating habits .. Good Luck !!
2 people like this
@coolcatzz (1587)
• Canada
5 Feb 07
You are right. I need to make a life change.
• India
4 Feb 07
I want to reduce my weight. I am also planning to go for yoga classes. I need your valuable information to reduce the weight. I am a pure vegetarian only. Please help to sort out this weight problem.
• United States
4 Feb 07
If you are worried that you are out of shape I would recomend weight watchers, and exercising also. But I would recomend weight watchers to anyone, to me its the best weight loss plan out there. It not only helps you lose weight but it teaches you how to be healthy in the long run. You don't have to buy expensive foods from one of those weight loss companies but you can eat the foods you would normally eat, its a lot cheaper. What weight watchers is doing is basically helping you in portion sizes, it teaches you what is enough, and that is something you can use forever. So the way it works is depending on your weight and everything they give you a certain amount of "points" per day. The points go with the foods that you are eating, depending on calories, dietary fiber and carbs I believe. So you can eat whatever you want that day, but it has to be within your points for the day. You also get around 15 extra points for the week. So if you have already gotten all your points for the day and you feel like having a late night snack you can eat it, but the points will be taken out of your weekly points. Its a really good program, if you try it I hope it is a success! Oh and I think they are still having this free trial online so you can try it for a week for free. Good luck!
3 people like this
@coolcatzz (1587)
• Canada
4 Feb 07
Thanks for responding. I do want to exercise but I feel like I have to get some weight off first before I'll have the endurance or be able to breathe properly. I get so out of breath I feel like I'm dying. Yes I guess learning how to eat for the long run is the way to go. Life changing eating patterns. I don't know if I'd be disciplined enough to do it online. I might have to do what the other lady suggested and go to the meetings. Something to be accountible for. I'll go check out the weight watchers site right now and see the info for my city. Thanks for responding.
2 people like this
@Debs_place (10520)
• United States
4 Feb 07
I have lost in the past over 60 pounds on weight watchers, they are awesome, due to medication, I gained it back. Now I can't afford the meetings, but am try to start a support group on here, do a search for 'weight loss buddies' if you are interested. I will be starting it tomorrow. Plan on having several threads going to include info and recipes and just help in general. Please join us.
@coolcatzz (1587)
• Canada
4 Feb 07
Could you let me know when you start this and where I would find it. Haven't got a clue.
1 person likes this
• Australia
4 Feb 07
Yay Debs....just the thing I was looking for! A weight loss buddy. It's always easier when you have the support of your peers!
• United States
4 Feb 07
WELL THOSE PROGRAMS ARE GOOD BUT VERY EXPENSIVE I GOT MYSELF INTO A EATIN PLAN AT HOME I STOP EATING THE WAY I USE TO I TAKE ALOT OF WALKS AND GOT MYSELF ONE OF THOSE BIKES YOU RIDE AT HOME BEEN DOING IT FOR 35 MINUTES A DAY AND JUST BASICLY CUT DOWN ON FRIED FOODS AND ETC AND LOST 20 POUNDS SO FAR ON MY OWN BECAUSE THOSE PROGRAMS ARE TOO EXPENSIVE
• United States
4 Feb 07
you know most programs take off the weight and then put it back on when you stop so it is a life commitment i suggest running alot and eating healthy eg. no snacks or sweets and try not to eat alot of bread
2 people like this
@Stringbean (1273)
• United States
4 Feb 07
I definitely agree that Weight Watchers is the best and healthiest plan for losing weight. I lost 37 pounds when I was going on a regular basis and don't remember ever being hungry. In fact, they gave us some awesome recipes that I still enjoy using today. One reason people give for not joining Weight Watchers is the cost. I agree that it has become more expensive over the years, but so has health care. If we think of it as part of our regular health regimen, we are more likely to see it as money well spent. And, if we are completely truthful, cutting out all the junk food we used to spend money on will give us more than enough to pay our weekly dues at Weight Watchers. Another thing I would highly recommend is to get a friend to go with you. It isn't that hard to find a friend these days who also needs to lose a few pounds. If you know that your friend is counting on you being there, you are less likely to get into the habit of skipping a week here and there. You can always go out after the meeting and have a cup of coffee or a diet soda together. I hope you keep us posted on how you are doing no matter what plan you choose to follow.
@coolcatzz (1587)
• Canada
4 Feb 07
I will definitely keep you posted and thanks for the advice.
• United States
4 Feb 07
Weight Watchers is easy to follow, safe, and more or less guarantees results. As long as you follow the plan, you WILL lose weight. If you are able to attend the physical meetings, I would suggest them, because they give you a lot of support.
3 people like this
@coolcatzz (1587)
• Canada
4 Feb 07
Yes I guess attending the meetings would help you keep on track better eh??
1 person likes this
@annihilus (2181)
• Italy
4 Feb 07
I think anyone that really needs to lose weight need to go to a dietologist, a specialist... Generic plans I think cannot work well for everyone!
2 people like this
4 Feb 07
I think weight watchers seems to a really good plan, I haven't done it myself but my Mum has used it with really good and more importantly lasting results. She went on the core plan so didn't have the stress of weighing everything out and counting points all the time as you can eat as much as you like of the core foods and works on the idea of knowing when you are full. Would onlt recommend that though if you like the main things on there though like pasta, rice and fruit and veg. I think it is really important to exercise to though, it doesn't mean having to go to the gym all the time though, just little things really help, when I feel the need to start getting fit again if I've had a faze of being a bit lazy I do things like park in furthest part of the car park when I go to the supermarket so to walk that little bit further and it'd amazing how it can make you want to do more. Another thing a friend of mine did was to cut out pictures of slim bodies that she wanted to look like and stick her own face on them then put up on the fridge. If you do decide to go for weight watchers, which does seem to work for a lot of people as it doesn't deny you treats, then good luck with it!!!
2 people like this
• United States
5 Feb 07
I find Weight Watchers to be rather expensive, but it is less expensive than Jenny Craig. I know that the plan is really easy to follow, and the food is much better than Jenny's. I love the point system, because it does help you monitor yourself. I would say give it a try. The only true way you will know if it works for you is if you try. I have a huge snacking problem as well! What I had to do was eliminate all snacks from the house. If they aren't there, I'm not tempted to eat them. Weight loss can be the most difficult thing in the world. I wish you the best of luck with this.
2 people like this
@shawn2008 (296)
• United States
4 Feb 07
lol i have seen so many out there and i just say i could care less about my weight and i eat what i want. but there was one pill which sounded really good to me but i forget the exact name. if i run across it again ill b sre to let you know
2 people like this
@mrsmommy (42)
• United States
4 Feb 07
Weight watchers is the greatest. I am so grateful for weight watchers. I have gotten to goal, but got pregnant. I am going to start weight watchers again as soon as I pop this baby out of me. As long as you follow the program and go to the meetings, you'll do well. Good Luck! :)
2 people like this
• United States
4 Feb 07
I have probably gained and lost more weight than you have ever weighed! Here is the secret: Do NOT diet. Do not attempt to follow a predefined plan. Instead, learn to make good choices. How? By eating "in the zone." OK, the book is unfortunately called "The Zone Diet" but it is not a diet in the sense that you must eat certain things at certain times in a certain sequence. Rather, you limit your fat intake -- 20 grams per day or less. It makes all the difference. You learn to use non or low fat foods. You will feel better and the weight will come off. When faced with the choice of the fat-laden chocolate cake or fresh fruit, choose the fruit. You can eat more of it, get full, and lose weight all at the same time. Of course, you must exercise and my exercise of choice is water aerobics. There is nothing like it for getting a good all-over workout that is painless. First of all, you use every muscle in your body. Secondly, it is good for your joints because there is no hard landing on asphalt or cement. Thirdly, I hate so sweat and if you are sweating in a pool, you probably don't even know it or, if you do, you just splash some water on your forehead and keep moving. Last, if you love being in the water, as I do, you can indulge your preference and work out at the same time. Since you will probably have to join a club to take classes, the friends you will make are an added bonus. Think that it's hard to eat out on this plan? It's not. I take a bottle of nonfat salad dressing with me. Restaurants don't care. Ditto a small container of IMO instead of sour cream if I am going out for a nice dinner and might order a baked potato. You can actually buy individual sized items, too, but they are more expensive. You can even take your nonfat margarine, etc. with you. If your health is in jeopardy, you should talk to your physician about this plan and get his/her input. Lastly, if you are looking for nutitional supplements, such as vitamins, try Advocare. I use their Metabolic Nutrition System. Just check out their website: www.advocare.com.