Old Weight Watchers Point Program?

[Joyfullyblessed]

Hello,

 

I posted about a week ago regarding workouts that were good to do. However, right now I want to focus on which diet plan I want to start.

 

I definitely have chosen WW as the plan. I have done it before with pretty good results and it just seems so sensible for me.

 

Anyway, I have always done the old points program. I didn't really mind the point counting, etc...

 

I tried the new one online, but never found the time to actually get on line and do anything about it. Now I am trying to decide if I should at least try the new points plus program again by going to weekly meetings OR if I should save my money and go with the old program.

 

For those who have done or are doing WW, will you please share with me your thoughts on this? I would greatly appreciate it! Thanks! :)

[dirty ethel rackham]

I think the new program is so much better than the old one. The old program penalized you for eating a clean, natural, whole foods diet and rewarded a lot of fake food. The new program encourages whole foods by making most fruits and veggies zero points. Before, in order to stay under my point total, I couldn't eat as much fruit or veggies, so I was hungrier and crabbier. The only way for me not to be hungry was to buy foods that had lots of artificial ingredients to keep the point total lower.

[snickelfritz]

I would look more at whether you want to do the meetings.

 

I, personally, don't like them. I mean, I do, but..... I find them intimidating and depressing when I hit a plateau. I end up skipping. It has taken me almost 2 years to lose 45 pounds. There were lots of plateaus in there. I was ok, because I wasn't gaining. I feel like I've made lifestyle changes. But, I tighten up my calories for a while and lose. Then, I relax a while and just chill and try to keep up better choices..... Without measuring how many ounces of cheese I'm snacking on or deciding whether that banana is a small, medium, or large banana. Now, I'm back to counting and I'm losing, but it takes time to analyze every choice and decide if I REALLY want to spend that many calories on that particular food.

 

Anyway, I love the principles behind weight watchers. I've done it enough that I use their old principles (push fiber, whole grain, lots of veggies, fruit, etc...) to get my daily calories.

[snickelfritz]

I think the new program is so much better than the old one. The old program penalized you for eating a clean, natural, whole foods diet and rewarded a lot of fake food. The new program encourages whole foods by making most fruits and veggies zero points. Before, in order to stay under my point total, I couldn't eat as much fruit or veggies, so I was hungrier and crabbier. The only way for me not to be hungry was to buy foods that had lots of artificial ingredients to keep the point total lower.

 

:iagree:

 

I do agree with that. Looking back, I think they pushed Splenda WAY too much. Eat that miracle whip-covered broccoli salad AND the cornbread AND the chocolate cake. It's all made with Splenda!

 

I'm not saying I don't splurge. I keep dark chocolate candy bars for splurges. But, I eat them in VERY moderate amounts and count the calories.

 

ETA-- And I also have the "what was I thinking and why did I keep eating?" splurges. I am a stress eater. I just try to head them off with the chocolate, which usually-but not always- works. In that case, every day is a new day.:)

[Deniseibase]

I like the new system too. It's much easier to not be hungry. Last night I got really hungry after dinner, but was out of points. Since fruit is free now, I could have a banana to fill me up. I wouldn't do that every night - a banana is still a lot of calories. But it's nice to have the option when you are truly hungry. They are really pushing the fruits and veggies now, which is fine, because really, very few people got fat from eating too much salad :lol:

 

There's a bigger emphasis on protein now, which was hard for me to get used to when the plan switched. On the old Points, I had eaten a lot of bagel thins and vitamuffins because they were so low in points. When the switch came, bagel thins doubled in Points and vitamuffins actually TRIPLED - I think I actually cried!! :-) The new WW plan isn't exactly a 'low carb' plan, but it does force you into being very moderate with your carbs. Yesterday, for example, I had a sandwich and soup for lunch and pork chops, salad, and potatoes for dinner, but I chose a diet whole wheat hamburger bun for my sandwich and weighed out a much smaller portion of potatoes than I would have before. It's not low carb, but it's a lot LESS carb than I personally was eating before because I was way overeating the carbs.

[mlktwins]

I have made goal on the old plan (12 years ago) and am on my way to goal on the new plan -- a divorce, loss of my mother, remarriage and the birth of twins and I gained it back and more. I'm a stressful eater :-).

 

Anyway, I have to say I love the new plan. I tend to reach for more fruit because they are 0 points. I don't overdo it, but I used to tell myself "I'm not eating that bananna -- that's 2 points." Now I eat the bananna!

 

I love going to the meetings. My dad joined about 3 months ago so the boys and I see him there. The ladies at the meeting all love seeing my boys. We wonder when someone is missing -- big meeting, but tight knit group. Thing for me now is my leader is leaving -- she is awesome. Depending on who they get to replace her, I may be switching to a Sat morning meeting where I don't have to drag the boys along.

 

For me, just doing it on-line won't work. I need to go the meeting, step on a scale in front of someone, and I like hearing everyone's good results and how they are doing it. It also helps to know other's struggle some weeks.

[soonermomma]

I am doing the new plan and love it. I ordered the new books and calculator from ebay and I'm doing it on my own at home. I didn't want to spend the money on the meetings or the online program. I am down 10lbs in three weeks, so it can be done!!!

[ByGrace3]

I am loving the new plan as well. I had a hard time jumping in because I kept putting it off bc I didn't "understand" the new plan. However, once I finally went back to meetings and stayed for the 3 week intro thing they have, I finally got it no problem, and it is way better than the old program.

[frugalmama]

I'm the lone one out - I use the old plan. I have all the materials for both, and found that I lost better on the old plan than the new one. However I have a thyroid problem so that is likely why.

[Joyfullyblessed]

Thanks for all the replies. :)

 

I am thinking that I may need to go to the meetings in the beginning, just to get a feel for everything. Also, I do believe that having to go to the meetings will hold me more accountable.

 

My problem is getting started. I have found that on my own, I just don't seem to do it even though I really want to lose weight.

 

Once I get going though, I am good. :) I can't afford to pay for the meetings long term, but maybe just going in the beginning would be a great place to start and then I can continue on my own possibly.

 

The new program does sound interesting. I didn't even really look at it much when I had the online membership, so I just don't think that doing it online only is going to benefit me much. I need a bigger push than that at first.

 

Never thought of ordering everything from Ebay... that is pretty cool. However, I still think I would benefit from a few meetings at first.

 

Thanks so much!!! Everyone have a wonderful day. :)

[Krista in LA]

Is the old plan working for you? Are you choosing fruits and vegetables over other low point foods? If so, then go ahead and stick with it. I lost 30 lbs with WW about 10 years ago, worked for them for awhile, and kept the weight off until I stopped going to meetings. I finally started back last year at a new all time high and got back down to goal in about 4 months on points plus. I think it's an easier plan to follow with fruits and most veggies being 0 pts. I also eat healthier with it - when I'm hungry, I don't reach for some chemical filled bar for 2 or 3 points when I can have an apple for 0. Lean meats are also very low points.

 

As for doing it at home by myself, that doesn't work for me. I need the meetings or it's too easy for me to permanently fall of the wagon. I haven't been to one since before Christmas because I gained a couple pounds, and I feel myself slipping more and more. I'm going to a meeting next week no matter what!