Is weight watchers worth the money?

[rduell]

I just wanted to clarify that my weight loss with WW did include exercise. I do a LOT of walking for exercise and also yoga 3 times a week. It wasn't just a matter of counting points or calories. And now that I switched from the Flex plan to the Core plan I feel that I'm learning a healthy lifestyle, not just a diet.

[InDebtInDC]

I just wanted to clarify that my weight loss with WW did include exercise. I do a LOT of walking for exercise and also yoga 3 times a week. It wasn't just a matter of counting points or calories. And now that I switched from the Flex plan to the Core plan I feel that I'm learning a healthy lifestyle, not just a diet.

Thank you for the clarification. While I myself have not examined WW in details, can you answer some questions for me?

How much do they educate you about fitness in the program? How much of the program is centered around weight? What other metrics does WW use to gauge fitness?

Thanks.

[geojen]

Thank you for the clarification. While I myself have not examined WW in details, can you answer some questions for me?

How much do they educate you about fitness in the program? How much of the program is centered around weight? What other metrics does WW use to gauge fitness?

Thanks.

Fitness is a huge part of WW. Starting on week 3 of the program you are encouraged to begin working out. This may be starting small for the very over weight people who have not exercised in a long time, if ever. You can actually earn activity points, which you can then eat or not to boost your weight loss. For example, my walking briskly for 30 minutes (at my current weight, assuming a moderate level of exertion) would earn me 2 activity points. I could then eat those points if I wanted to that day, because I actually burned 4 points during the activity.

Every week has new fitness routines and things you are encouraged to try. The also produce aerobic videos that I really enjoy, as well as sponser miles-walked/ran clubs and other fitness things.

[InDebtInDC]

What types of metrics do they use to measure how well you're doing? Do they just use weight or are there some other metrics they use?

[Scanner]

I agree that BMI is the more appropriate measurement. . .that being said. . .weight is just a good, very simplistic indicator.

It also probably sound better to go to your weekly "weigh-in" vs. "I'm going for my weekly Body Mass Indicator calculation."

[InDebtInDC]

I agree that BMI is the more appropriate measurement. . .that being said. . .weight is just a good, very simplistic indicator.

It also probably sound better to go to your weekly "weigh-in" vs. "I'm going for my weekly Body Mass Indicator calculation."

While I disgree with how the BMI is calculated, I think it's better to use BMI and weight together than just weight per se.

[geojen]

At the meetings they use strictly weight, but you are encouraged to keep track of your own measurements, especially if you are going through a plateau where you are not losing weight but you may be losing inches.

[InDebtInDC]

At the meetings they use strictly weight, but you are encouraged to keep track of your own measurements, especially if you are going through a plateau where you are not losing weight but you may be losing inches.

While this is not completely there yet, I think this is great to move away from looking at just weight alone. At least looking at inches lets you know how your body composition is changing.

[rduell]

Thank you for the clarification. While I myself have not examined WW in details, can you answer some questions for me?

How much do they educate you about fitness in the program? How much of the program is centered around weight? What other metrics does WW use to gauge fitness?

Thanks.

Each meeting is centered around a different topic. I'd say in the 9 months I've been going we've talked about fitness at least once a month, whether it's the topic of the night or not. The leader almost always asks if anyone did anything this week to move more. She encourages each member to begin a fitness program and brings new fitness ideas to our attention.

I'd say that the major goal with WW is weight. I also take my measurements each month, but that's something I've done for years now. I keep track on a site I belong to so I know how many inches I've lost.

I've also kept track of my BMI on my own. I do wish that was something that they regularly encouraged you to do. My BMI has gone from 34.0 to 26.3 since last July. Almost to the healthy zone!

[FrugalIII]

I don't get the whole BMI thing. And don't really agree with the figures. I'm a 5'10 man of med/large frame. In my youth I was an active, although not competitive body builder so I have a good bit of muscile mass compared to the "average" person even now. When I started WW I weighted 254. Agreeably I was fat. Now I'm down to 190. I feel very good and went from a 42" waist to a 34". Physically I'm the same dimensions I was when I lifted weights a few years ago and the same weight. But according to the BMI chart, the most I should weigh is 174. If I lost another 16 pounds, I'd look like a starving, sick man. Why doesn't the BMI take into consideration muscle mass and bone mass? Or am I just not seeing the picture clearly?

[Beckiboo]

I have lost weight through Weight Watchers in the past. Also used Spark People as previously mentioned. I could lose the weight, but never kept it off. I recently started the No S Diet plan, and it seems to be the trick for me.

I'm too much of a N00b to post a link here, so you will have to search for it. There was a recent Woman's World article about it, and there is a book about it, too. But the website is totally free, and very helpful!