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Weight Watchers: Good or Bad? - Catholic Answers Forums
Can anyone give me their opinion on Weight Watchers?
Are they worth the fee, or is it just a waste of money?
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My personal opinion, based on my experience of about 25 years ago, is that WW is BAD for anyone who needs to lose significant weight.
I admit that it may have changed since then.
I hope so.
The reason I had problems with WW is that the first four weeks limit you to about 1000 calories/day or less.
Many of us who are overweight are used to consuming over 2000 calories/day or more.
To cut back so many calories so suddenly results in a rapid weight loss that seems really good when the Weight Watchers person calls it out, but it's not healthy to lose weight so fast.
Also, for most normal-sized people, a 1000 calories/day is simply not enough.
It's very hard to get all the nutrients you need with such a small amount of calories.
You are forced to take a multi-vitamin to get your nutrients;
It's much better to get these nutrients from food, not meds.
The sudden massive cut-back of calories results in headaches, tiredness, crabbiness, feelings of deprivation, weakness, etc., that set a person up for attrition from the program and return to former eating habits.
Also, these feelings of physical discomfort make it difficult to start and maintain an exercise program;
You don't feel like getting up early and working out if you have a terrible headache, or are dizzy from lack of food.
Also, the program makes it possible for a person to eat very, very badly.
My aunt recently did WW for a few months to lose weight for a Hawaii vacation.
She is extremely obese.
She would eat nothing all day so that she would be able to have a huge supper entree and dessert.
Not good at all! But it's possible to do this on Weight Watchers and still stay "on program." (She eventually went off program and is larger than ever.)
So IMO, Weight Watchers is simply much too restrictive for a person who has been used to eating whatever and whenever they wish.
I think the program would be good if it would start with cutting about 250 calories a day, and gradually reduce the number of calories consumed so that the person is eating a healthy but more moderate amount of calories.
I also think the program should cut back gradually on the treats and sweets that so many obese and overweight people are used to having.
For example, if a person is used to having six bottles of soda per day (yes, I did that!), instead of cutting out all the soda, cut out 1 soda the first week, two the second week, etc.
Of course, this would mean that a person would only lose about a pound a month, which of course would not be nearly as impressive and exciting!
BUT--it would probably be a permanent weight loss, and isn't that what we all want?
Healthy, permanent weight loss.
In case you are wondering, I weighed about 200 pounds when I went on WW.
I lost 40 pounds in eight weeks on WW.
Anyone with any medical knowledge will tell you that this is TOO MUCH WEIGHT to lose in such a short time.
And I cheated because I was starving all the time!
All I could think about was food!
I was constantly hungry, and after my weekly weigh-ins, I would go home, fry up a whole pan of breaded chicken livers, steam a huge bowl of spinach, and devour it all.
Then I would drive to the frozen yogurt shoppe and order an extra-large yogurt shake and suck the whole thing down.
What this tells me is that the WW diet was leaving me deprived of iron (hence the craving for liver and spinach), and deprived of calcium (hence the craving for yogurt shakes).
After eight weeks, I couldn't take it anymore.
I was so hungry, I gave up.
I have gained back all of the weight, and now weigh about 250 pounds.
I work out four-five times a week (exercise bike for 20 minutes, weights, and special exercises for my ankle that was operated on in March).
I am a strong, healthy person, and I am gradually making changes in my diet (more fruit and veges, cutting back on portion sizes, etc.).
I don't lose any weight, but I am fitter and stronger than I was years ago, and my labs are amazing (cholesterol dropped from 232 to 171, triglycerides from 151 to 50, etc.).
All of this is JMO, based on my personal experience with WW.
Back then, I said that never again would I pay a fee to NOT eat.
I have payed a fee to join a really good gym.
Again, no weight loss after three years, but at least I'm in better shape.
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Cat, I didn't read your entire post but I got the impression that you do not like WW.
I like WW, but every diet plan is not good for everybody!
I've been on and off WW and overall I think it's good.
It's definitely different from what it was 25 years ago.
Today, you got so many points per day, depending on your weight.
For instance, a 150 person may get 24 points for the day plus 7 bonus points for a total of 31 points.
OK, take this and look in the pantry or fridge.
An average sized apple is 2 points.
An egg is 2 points.
A slice of white bread is 2 points.
Veggies are 0 points.
Meat is 1 point per ounce.
These are rough guesses.
I'm going on memory.
I think it's a good plan and easy to follow.
Just my
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Thanks for your input.
I used to be quite thin, but have put on about 40 pounds since my thyroid went bad (I know it's an excuse, but it is so upsetting).
If
I could just get some of it off I would feel so much better.
I get short of breath so easily, now, and my stamina is poor.
I know I'll never get my old weight back, but I'd settle for a couple of clothing
sizes.
Oh, to be a 9 or 10 again
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Weight Watchers has been around a very long time and it is most recommended by doctors (at least by my experience).
I know people who are not much overweight at all who join weight watchers just to re-teach themselves how to eat properly.
There is a ww thread in the clubhouse forum.
I'll try to post the link but I'm not very good at that.
You might search it.
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Here 'tis
http://forums.catholic.com/showthrea...eight+Watchers
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We use it at the university where I work.
I've had friends who used it and lost weight, but the minute they went off it, they put the weight back on.
You have to stick with it.
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Ceil- 1
My sister has been on WW for more than 25yrs.
She liked it so much that she became an RD [registered dietian ] in NYS.
As a matter of fact the American Dietic Association - ADA recently did a study of all the current diet options jenny craig etc etc.
And
after several years found that people who attend WW and follow the advice given consistently kept their weight off.
Good luck I'll keep you in my prayers !
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I joined weight watchers about 2 months ago.
I am enjoying it.
I have re-learned what a protion is and how much you truly need to eat a day.
I also have learned WHY i crave eating and each week I get support in my pursute to be healthy.
I think that is the biggest reason why i am enjoying it.
It gives me focus and someone to look to when i need help.
The web site has a lot community much like CAF does so you can get receipes and such.
It's not a diet but a lifestyle.
It helps you control your food instead of letting your food control you..
I only feel hungry when I don't eat enough points.
WW also has a core plan that is like the Akins for those who don't think they can count points.
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Thanks for your replies, and thanks Little Mary for the link.
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I have been on weight watchers for about 3 months now.
Actually, I was on it for about two months then I had a family emergency and flew out of state to take care of my sister and her kids for a month then went on a week long vacation with my husband and kids, so for that month I was unable to go to the meetings and so overwhelmed I wasn't really keeping up with my stuff.
But using the information about food and portion control I had learned from WW previously I was able to make better food choices and when I went to my meeting last Wednesday (for the first time in over a month) and I was suprised that I had lost another 5 pounds!
So I have lost 17 lbs in the time I have been doing my diet and I can highly recommend it.
I too used to be very thin, but after three kids and the number that age did on my metabolism, I had gained 60 lbs and it was very upsetting.
I think that I am relearning how to eat healthfully and am given weekly encouragement from people in the same boat as me.
It really is just basic eating and exersize, but that it what works.
And about the points...
I am a breastfeeding mom so I get another 10 points a day.
Because I was at 170lbs, it came to 42 points a day.
You also need to drink a certain amount of water a day and also make sure you hit your mark of 5 veggie/fruit servings a day.
I had to eat A LOT of food and somedays I found it hard to meet my daily requirement of the amount of food I was needing to eat.
You have to meet your daily requirement of points, plus every week you are allotted an extra 30 points which you can use at once, spread them out over the week, or don't use them at all.
I have been using my extra 30 every week, and that is why I haven't lost more weight, and I know it.
But part of the diet is not denying yourself, so if I am at a friends house for dinner, I can feel guilt free about eating what they are serving and just chock it up to that extra 30 points.
I say it is a good program and worth the money.
Let me know if you need a certificate for free registration, I think I got a coupon in the mail for that in case a friend decided to join.
Also call weight watchers and see if the meeting places in your area are franchises or not.
Franchises are a pain in the behind and they over price everything and then they don't honor your online supscription (that is what I have, its cheaper and very handy).
Write me if you want more info--Rebecca
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I went on WW back in 1967 when I was a 200 lb high school student.
I had seen Jean Nidetch on the Tonight Show, bought her book and started the diet.
I had no support group to go to and pay $$$ to get weighed.
The diet was far more resrtictive in those days.
I lost over 70 lbs and have kept it off the rest of my life.
After having been a fat child, I promised myself that, if it is in my control, I will never be fat again!!!
WW taught me the importance of eating well and exercising.
This along with vigilance (weighing myself at least once a week) is the key to keeping the weight off.
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After many children, WW taught me how to eat in a healthy fashion and I lost nearly all of my excessive weight.
I could not have done it without WWs.
Every time they change the program, it is for the better.
The weight watchers of a few years ago is a little different now.
Well worth the money.
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