Weight Watchers New Plan

[Hostess]

Anyone currently using WW plan? Have you heard that they are rolling out a new points plan at the end of November. Any ideas how drastic the change will be? And why?

[QueeTheBean]

I work for WW & can answer the "why"! The old Points system was based on the best science available at the time (1997!) Since then, scientists have broadened their understanding of nutrition and weight management. The new systerm is based on the latest scientific findings--it is more accurate and nudges us toward making even healtheir choices.

I can't give you any specifics, but I have been living the new plan for 6 weeks and LOVE it!

HTH

[Molli526]

If you Google it, you will find out a lot of information about the new plan in Britain, where they usually launch first

[Hostess]

I work for WW & can answer the "why"! The old Points system was based on the best science available at the time (1997!) Since then, scientists have broadened their understanding of nutrition and weight management. The new systerm is based on the latest scientific findings--it is more accurate and nudges us toward making even healtheir choices.

I can't give you any specifics, but I have been living the new plan for 6 weeks and LOVE it!

HTH

I suspected that might be the case. I am actually looking forward to the change as opposed to many on the WW message boards who are not.

[suebear37]

Our group leader has been giving us "teasers" at the meeting the last couple of weeks.
Here's what we've learned so far:

Fruit will be a free food!

The whole point system will change. Where the current plan's minimum number of points is 18 per day, the new minimum will be 29. However, that does not mean that we'll get to eat 50% more than we were before. Apparently, some things that used to be 1 point under the old plan might be worth 2 points with the new plan.

Those paper slide rules will be useless.

Meeting tomorrow afternoon, I'll come back & update!

[krhm]

This sounds really interesting. I started with the first points system, and did well, but didn't have as much success with the second (or maybe it was the third?) version in the mid 2000s. I'd love to take off 15 pounds and have been thinking about WW again. When is the new plan being released?

[Hostess]

I am very interested. I think WW is a good program. It is one of the few that actually makes people realize that calories in vs. calories out can make you gain/lose weight. It is not what you eat but how much energy you expend.

[suebear37]

When is the new plan being released?

The new plan rolls out the Monday after Thanksgiving.

[krhm]

Thanks, Suebear. That seems like a prudent time! I hope they keep the free trial week for WW Online.

[suebear37]

Today's hint (not much of a hint) was that there will be a new way to figure points. And calories will not figure into the process. I'm kind of intrigued by that one.

[BakerJane]

Has anyone tried the online program only? Any advice? I'm preggo right now with baby #2 and I'm thinking about joining WW to take off the pregnancy pounds. With 2 kids and working 4-5 days a week I don't think I'll make it to regular meetings. Hope to start WW at the end of January.

[krhm]

Has anyone tried the online program only? Any advice? I'm preggo right now with baby #2 and I'm thinking about joining WW to take off the pregnancy pounds. With 2 kids and working 4-5 days a week I don't think I'll make it to regular meetings. Hope to start WW at the end of January.

I've done WW fully online, and lost 25 pounds three years ago (15 of which have slowly come back). It worked well for me, whereas the meetings never really did. I would find a leader I liked, and then that leader would leave or change times, and I didn't really find the weigh-ins to be that much of a motivator for me.

Since I work from home and am on the computer almost all the time, it was very easy for me to keep track of things throughout the day. I enjoyed being able to participate in certain discussions and avoiding others, and reading articles online to address specific issues I was having. I also like to use other non-WW tools, especially Martha Beck's Four Day Win, while I'm following the WW program.

So for all those reasons, online worked well for me, but if you feel you need more socialization and that going to the meetings will be a big motivator for you, you might not find as much support with the online program.

[suebear37]

I tried the online program a couple of years ago but didn't stick with it. I find I need the "pressure" of having to get on the scale every week.

I also really enjoy the group I'm currently in. It's a lot of fun & the meetings tend to get rowdy at times. For example, the group is trying the convince our leader that wine is a "free fruit"!

[srahndennis]

Went to weigh-in a day early just so I could hear about the new plan. I think I'm going to like it! The plan really focuses around lean protein and whole fruits and vegetables. Love the zero point fruit. I've always found that I have much more control over my sweet tooth when I'm eating more fruit. Simple carb foods can add up quickly so it should encourage me to eat less of them. A lot to absorb in a short period of time but I think it will be positive!

[BarbaraL]

Just got the materials for the new plan, but haven't had time to look at them yet. The new points system factors in protein, fat, fiber, and carbohydrates, so it's not possible to use the "slider" thing to calculate points - you have to purchase a points calculator (or do everything online, I guess). The old program materials are obsolete, and, as I have several WW cookbooks, I'll have to convert the points in them (supposedly there's a place to do that on the website). The daily points allowance and flex points are much higher, so tracking will become even more important.
So far, it's annoying me, but I had a bad day at the office, so am probably just crabby. I do like that fruit is 0 points.

[chefbecky]

Interesting to hear everyone's perspectives. I was on WW for about eight months after baby No. 2 (who is almost 3), and it worked great. But a lot of the weight came back, and I was thinking about going back on WW. The new plan actually seems great to me -- the free fruit is HUGE, IMO.

BakerJane, I was in exactly the same situation, and WW was a lifesaver. I lost all the baby weight (which was considerable), plus more, in about six months. I wasn't nursing, so I started about a month after my daughter was born. (I'm sure some would say that's too soon, but it worked for me.) My husband did it too, and I think that helped. I did it online-only, and loved it. With two little kids, there was no way I was going to make it to meetings.

[Hostess]

I have only done the online version and really do like it. I think the new plan is good and focuses on lean protein and fiber and encourages fruit and vegetables. So, it is well rounded and doesn't leave out any food group which I think is smart. It was tested at the Medical University in Charleston, SC before hitting the mainstream and that makes me think it is a better plan, too. I find it easy to follow.

[srahndennis]

I lost 1.2 lbs the first week on the new plan! Love it. I had plenty of points for the meals I wanted with fruit for a snack each afternoon. Some mindful choices but overall very little compromise.

[katygirl]

Just skimed the thread but are fruits AND veggies free or just fruits? Thanks!

[EmptyNestMom]

Just skimed the thread but are fruits AND veggies free or just fruits? Thanks!

Both are free...veggies still have a couple of hold outs (i.e. potatoes, corn, avocados)...but it sure helps to be able to grab a piece of fruit when I am hungry and not have to figure it out (I used to agonize over the bananas and whether they were, 1, 2, or 3 points and now no more agonizing...at least not over that!)...

[katygirl]

Both are free...veggies still have a couple of hold outs (i.e. potatoes, corn, avocados)...but it sure helps to be able to grab a piece of fruit when I am hungry and not have to figure it out (I used to agonize over the bananas and whether they were, 1, 2, or 3 points and now no more agonizing...at least not over that!)...

Thanks! Just curious, is edamame free? Oh, and I ASSUME pizza is still free, right?

[suebear37]

Thanks! Just curious, is edamame free? Oh, and I ASSUME pizza is still free, right?

I just looked online... there are 2 listings for 1/2 cup of edamame but it is 2 or 3 points depending on whatever it is that made them have 2 listings.

Oh, if only pizza was free!!

[EmptyNestMom]

Thanks! Just curious, is edamame free? Oh, and I ASSUME pizza is still free, right?

Unfortunately, under the new plan they did not find a way to make pizza free! The only listing I see for edamame is for 2 points per half cup of shelled in the book (on line it is 2pts for 150g shelled or 3 pts for 140g shelled, both listed as 1/2 cup, very confusing!)

[suebear37]

Unfortunately, under the new plan they did not find a way to make pizza free!

And our group keeps trying to convince our leader that wine is a fruit!

Back from the meeting, just a quick Q & A session since it's snowing like crazy here (40+ inches since Sunday) & the few people who showed up weighed in & left.

I lost 5.2 lbs. this week! If I can keep my nose to the grindstone, I'll be at goal by spring!!

[srahndennis]

Sue that is awesome!!! I am so excited for you!

Truly, I think pizza, wine (and beer) and avacados are the only bummers about the program. But I can manage, though!

I have a few questions for those of you who have been at this longer than me...how many activity points do you generally earn in a week? How many of those do you eat? How many of your weekly points do you generally eat? I know it's different for everyone and I'll continue trying to figure out what works for me but it might help to know where others have landed. Thanks for the help!

[suebear37]

Thanks, Stacy. I'm sure some of it was water weight since I went out to dinner the night before last week's meeting but I'm thrilled to have such a good loss & it'll be a great motivator for the upcoming holidays.

As far as activity points go, I generally earn 5 or 6 at the gym & I go 6 days a week. I'm also picking up AP's from shoveling snow, not that I'm happy about that. 10 minutes = 1 AP!

Our leader told us that if you are earning 4 or more AP's on any given day, you should be eating half of them.

Hope this helps!

[LakeMartinGal]

Sue! Fantastic loss -- keep up the good work!

I'm telling myself I can't afford to lose weight and need new clothes while DD is in school... is that sad or what?

[EmptyNestMom]

Sue! Fantastic loss -- keep up the good work!

I'm telling myself I can't afford to lose weight and need new clothes while DD is in school... is that sad or what?

There are always thrift shops!! Don't let needing new clothes stop you...

[srahndennis]

Kay -- If you're like me, you already have smaller clothes in your closet that would fit!! I think I have 3 or 4 different sizes....some that I just haven't been able to give away even though I'll never fit in them no matter HOW much weight I lose!

Sue -- Thanks for the information on the activity points. Do you usually eat your weekly points, too?

[srahndennis]

And Sue -- yuck on the snow!!