A WW leader posted this (below).

It made me think of the "5 lbs to lose" thread...

But if anybody is thinking of joining WW'ers to get back on track... WW'ers is donating a pound of food for every pound of weight that people lose September 7th - October 18th.

I thought it pretty cool... and I think that WW is generally a very good program... And thought that I would throw it out there, if anybody is thinking, "Whoa... I need to get in gear this fall!".

Posted on WW boards:
"As you know, hunger and obesity are growing problems, both here in America and across the globe. In fact, in 2007, there were 862 million underfed people in the world, according to Bread for the World organization.

I'm sure you you're saying that's a interesting fact but what does have to do with me? Have you every said or thought that you would like to help those less fortunate than yourself but just didn't have the extra funds or time? Well Weight Watchers (WW) has come up with a way for you to help feed the hungry without it costing you any extra money and/or time. Starting September 7th - October 18th WW is donating one pound of food for every pound its members lose up to one million dollars to one of two leading hunger relief organizations.

That's right .... while helping yourself become healthier you'll be helping feed the hungery around the world and locally. Can you think of a better reason to re-engaged and get back on track?"

quote:

Posted September 07, 2008 11:42 PM Hide Post
Dena signed up for the free week.

If she decides to keep going (& I think she will) can I pay for a full year up front or does it have to be a month to month thing?

That's a good question, I know they take monthly fees and charge it to your credit card automatically each month, but am not sure about a yearly pass. That would be a question to either call WW about, I think their number is listed in their website, or ask at a meeting.
Good for her, I wish her the best.

Cathy J

Dena signed up for the free week.

She chose the Flex plan and after doing the quiz she gets 35 points a day and 35 other points she can spread out over a whole week.

If she decides to keep going (& I think she will) can I pay for a full year up front or does it have to be a month to month thing?

She has already entered a lot of her favorite foods that she eats on a regular basis and only one thing has a high point value (16) so it will have to be a sometimes treat. It was the Banana Bread from the Small Batch Baking Book.

I haven't been able to be at the computer for a few days, but read with great interest the replies to this thread (of course, I love WW and will support it 150%, it's the ONLY plan that has worked for me consistently when I work the plan)

I've been on core and flex. I couldn't do core, it was too limiting as far as what I could eat...but many of the women that I go to meetings with have done nothing but core. I am a bread person, and couldn't stick with that part of it.

On flex, it was more like normal eating -- minus the tracking. But then every plan that I have looked at and heard about has some form of keeping track. I like other kept track religiously and although I didn't turn it in at meetings, did have someone look it over for things I could tweak to make my meals more balanced.

I think that this is the beauty of WW, they have plans that fit the individual. You modify as need be. I am diabetic and need more protein than my 27 points allows, so we added 2 points of protein more, and I started to drop the lbs.
If you have other things that you are concerned about, you can tweak with the help of a "good" leader that plan to meet those needs.

**Point taken you should never eat less than 18 points, and if your quiz says 18 --- it's best to check with a "good" leader about it, cause that's almost starvation...depending on your exercise regime etc you might be able to get more points to h elp stay away from that 18 range.

I am now at a point (no pun intended) that I have to drop 2 points, I have lost that much.
I will continue to add my 2 points for protein, and up my exercise along with being consistent.

I think being on a healthy plan, such as WW or others it is important that we don't bash them --- not that this thread did, it's good to ask questions, and get the answers --- because like good doctors, each of us has a plan or doc that work for us. Support and encouragement is vital to loosing weight, and we do that for each other here, as well as where our programs or plans take us. Healthy is better than thin, any day of the week.

My experience is that if you eat out a lot, the Flex plan teaches some serious ordering- and portion-control. If you mostly eat in, Core (in my opinion) is fantastic. Because it focuses mostly on "whole" foods, it's very easy to cook and eat well and not feel deprived. My 35 points were spent on desserts (mostly ice cream and frozen yogurt) nearly every week.

When I did the Flex plan, my weekly food diary had checkboxes for 5-7 fruit/vegetable servings, 2 dairy servings, and 5-8 water servings. I did not realize there were people who did NOT check those off, because I was very perfectionistic and happily turned in my diary every week with the right points spent, the boxes checked, and steadily lost weight.

quote:

Originally posted by Nbox:
Question for Denise...(trying NOT to hijack this thread)
Fewer calories equals weight loss. Does it equal a healthy diet? - I'm not trying to be provocative here, just sort of thinking out loud. Last time I was on WW (8-10 years ago) hey had just scrapped the green-yellow-red foods and switched to points. I looked at the charts and saw I could go all day on a danish and still "lose weight" and fulfill the formal requirements. Nowhere did they issue any recommendations as to how much protein, vegs etc..

EDIT: I just realized this same discussion is on another thread. Sorry!

Moved your post over…

They do have the Weight Watcher's Good Health Guidelines. It has been around for at least 5 years… I don’t know about before that.

http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=21901

They have specific guidelines for oil (2 tsp), fruits and vegs (5 servings) and dairy (3 servings for teens, nursing moms and people over 50. 2 for everybody else). Grains and protein… the recommendations are a little more vague and don’t give specifics.

Honestly, I seriously doubt that MOST people following the Flex/Points program follow the health guidelines. When I have taken a poll… MOST people don’t follow them. I think that the Core plan makes it much easier to follow them… and people don’t worry about “wasting” 2 points on fruit or dairy. But I also know people counting calories who don’t want to waste calories on fruits or dairy.

I didn’t say this below… since Dena is young and tall and heavy… but I’m not terribly happy with some parts of the WW’er Flex program right now. If a person is “older”, short and doesn’t have a lot to lose… the points quiz that was implemented about 2 years ago… gives a person 18 points a day in losing mode. MY average point is about 50 calories… and 900 calories a day is just too low to eat a nutritious diet.

It IS possible to find lots of products… WW’ers brand yogurt, Fiber One Cereal, Vita muffins, Flat Out Wraps, etc… with lots of fiber added. These are about 100 calories and 1 points. IF a person eats these kinds of things and lots of zero point vegs… it is possible to eat 18 points and have it be 1400 or 1500 calories a day… and for it to be fairly healthy.

But I have a strong bias towards the “Core Plan”, which came out 4 years ago… and many people who have done WW’ers in the past… have never done or tried. Literally, my only issue with Core, was that I didn’t like that 100% whole wheat bread isn’t “core” and is supposed to be counted… but I also realize the thinking behind it.

And also WW’ers is doing a lot of marketing right now… “Diets don’t work”… but honestly, for MOST people… WW’ers IS a diet. MOST people don’t follow the health guidelines. MOST people look at it as a “I’ll count my points and lose weight” and don’t think much about nutrition. And MOST people still have a “I’ll go on a diet for X period of time and lose Y number of pounds” mentality. And many (I don’t know if I’d say most… but it very well is probably MOST) people want to lose as many pounds, as fast as possible.

And WW’ers, being a business…, sort of has to cater to this group of people… and if they give them a points/calorie range that is going to give them a weight loss of 2 lbs a week… people might be happy. Many people are very unhappy to “only” lose 2 lbs a week. But, since eating 7,000 calories less a week… every week… week in and week out… for 30-50 weeks to lose 60 or 100 lbs… is VERY difficult. And most people quit WW’ers like any other diet.

HOWEVER, I think that a mature person who is realistic about what they want to lose… and how long it will take them… and how healthy they are willing to eat… and how many treats are realistic a week… I think that it is VERY, VERY realistic to do WW’ers… eat healthy… eat some “junk food”… and lose weight.

Also… since every meeting is different… some people do no click with their meeting leader or the meeting group. In larger cities or suburbs, it is possible to meeting shop. And it is also possible to do WW’ers online. Every WW’er board has a little different culture and personality. The 50’s board is great. Ditto the Maint board (and a person CAN be in losing mode and post there). The “Guys on a Diet” board is very good… and many woman post there. And then there are a few boards to avoid…

The Core plan… I like a lot.

The Flex plan… I have some issues… especially if a person is female, short, “old” (like older than 38 ), doesn’t have a lot to lose.

But for a young, tall, fairly heavy person… Flex is probably fine… and a person will have enough points to eat healthy and eat some “junk food” in moderation.

And, like duh… this is my opinon and others will disagree with me.

What is the difference between the Core Plan and the Points Plan and what are the pros & cons for each?

Core: There are a list of foods that are "Core"... chicken, pork loin, eggs, grains, brown rice, dairy, ff cheese, fruits, vegs... avocado, olives... sf/ff pudding. LOTS of foods are "core".

You eat until satisfied. Very minimal counting. You do get 35 points to eat things that are not "core"... I had a Oreo Milk Shake from BK tonight... 14 points.

I think that my only "con" with the Core Plan -
I think that it is "dumb" that a slice of bread is 100 cals, but is not Core. But 1/2 cup of brown rice is 111 cals but is Core. But it is REALLY easy to exercise and earn 2-3 more points for foods that are not Core… such as bread or a tortilla.

Pros: It encourages a person to eat healthy... and it teaches moderation with the 35 "extra" points.

That was really my only complaint. Bugged me to have to spend points on bread. But, that isn't too bad.

Flex or the points plan:
WWer's has a Point Formula... that combines calories, fiber and fat grams into a "point".

The downside to the Flex...
It is possible to game the system. It is possible to eat a really junky diet of things like WW Fudge bars and products that are 110 calories and "only" one point. It is possible to eat 2,000 calories a day on 20 points, if a person eats LOTS of foods that are "only" one point.

Sometimes, people focus ONLY on points... and will happily eat 3 points of ice cream... but won't want to "waste" points on fruit

OTOH... if a person makes a good attempt at eating healthy... it is VERY possible to lose on the Flex plan.

My leader once said, that if a person is eating healthy... Flex and Core should look about the same.

I suppose that the Pro's of Flex... It IS flexible...

How do they decide how many points you have to "spend"?

There is a quiz... depending on gender, how much a person weighs... how old... how tall... what you do for a job.

And activity/exercise... you can "earn" points. Will exercise for food.

And only “downside” of WW… vs. like going on the Biggest Loser… it might take her a year or two to lose 100 lbs… not a TV season… but that isn’t too bad!

Send Dena our best wishes!

Dena is thinking about it.

What is the difference between the Core Plan and the Points Plan and what are the pros & cons for each?

How do they decide how many points you have to "spend"?

I'll attest to that fact, WW is actually going to give a million lbs of food or money to two large organizations in the US who give food to the hungry. Can you imagine what that would mean to starving hungry children who are going to school with nothing for breakfast or lunch? How about mom and dad who are looking for work on an empty stomach, or the seniors who can't get Meals on Wheels? Not only is this very healthy organization going to make it,they will exceed it... AND if you want to get involved, make a donation in WW's name or your own to your local food bank. You can take food in cans, non-perishable items to the WW site in your area to be a part of this movement, also.

Just as an example, of how little it is, our leader has lost over 30 lbs. Our local market was having a sale on 24 cans of vegetables for 7.00 and a $2.00 off coupon. Those 24 cans weighed in at 10 lbs, and she bought thirty cans...for her 30 lbs....for $15.00, that's less than you would spend at a fast food place or for one fine meal. And now people are going to have vegies for dinner. When we all work togther, American thrives.