Anyone on Weight Watchers program? Opinions?

[parothdsue]

Hi there,
I have tried low carbing and it just isn't for me (I got bored!) so I'm considering using the weight watchers plan at home. I would love opinions! A friend of mine has the Winning Points plan that she's willing to share with me. I don't have the time or money to attend meetings since I'm starting back to college this fall (at night) and am home with my kids during the day. Anyway, thanks in advance for any advice, thoughts, or opinions!

[MrsReber]

I was on the program back in February. They came to my work place and did the meetings so it was very convenient for me. After having 2 kids in 2 years, I needed some help. I think the plan is excellent. I lost 12 pounds in 10 weeks and I am continuing to lose weight on my own. The program really seems to work. If nothing else, it will get you on track to healthier eating and portion control. And hey, if you're doing it for free, you have nothing to lose! Good luck.

[wallycat]

WW is considered safe and effective.
Some people need the meetings and "team spirit" to stay motivated.

Good luck.
Start with a positive attitude, don't give up if you have an off day, and start exercising.

[DocAgocs]

My wife loves it and has lost ~25 pounds doing it. She looks really awesome and is maintaining with no problem. As a clinician, it is the only "diet" that truly teaches a healthier lifestyle and proves, over and over again, that it is an effective weight management plan. I do a great 21 day weight management "starter program" in my office and then people can phase into something like WW and it works great. That said, I do have a few gripes about WW:

1) It does not do a good job of stressing good carbs over bad carbs. The lowest points bread is the worst crap in the world for you, while something with some better fiber and phytonutrients, like whole wheat bread, is higher in points, so in many cases it encourages eating garbage.

2) Doesn't account for different types of fat. This is particularly worrisome for females. Healthy fats that are high in essential fatty acids like flaxseed oil and fish oils are high in points, even though they are good for you and will not result in weight gain when used properly. Bad, bad news.

My advice? Follow WW but take 3?4 flaxseed or fish oil capsules per day and don't count them in your points. Also, spend the extra points on two whole grain choices. Again, as a woman this is incredibly important because research has shown as few as 1-2 servings of whole grains every day will greatly reduce the risk of things like breast cancer. Again, I find it hard to believe that a slice of good quality whole wheat bread or two per day will result in weight gain!

But, overall, WW is pretty good in terms of diet programs. It teaches you healthy choices rather than cutting things out. And stuff like most veggies are free in points, so you can eat as many of them as you want, in most cases. The only thing better is a living food diet that is completely fresh veggies and fruits with servings of proten at each meal. But, most people don't like to eat that way, so...