# Let's talk about Weight Watchers! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 9, 2006, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-weight-watchers/372018 "2006-09-09T01:27:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![newcrasher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b3f665/32.png) [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2006, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-weight-watchers/372018/1 "2006-09-09T01:27:16Z")
Howdy folks. If you came into this thread you probably have a weight issue that is impacting your life. Or at least have in the past. I have done Atkins, where I lost about 30 pounds and gained about 40. I have done South Beach, which I just couldn’t bear. And I have done the eat all you want of anything you want and get fatter plan. This one is very effective. But for the last 6 weeks I have been doing Weight Watchers. I am not going to meetings, but joined the website. I can live with this diet. I find myself with points left over just about every night. I am often in the position of trying to find something to eat to fulfill my points requirements. This week after I entered my weight, they encouraged me to EAT MORE because I was losing weight too fast. I have lost over 2 pounds each week. And the beauty is I can incorporate all kinds of “naughty” foods into my diet. My weakness is ice cream, and I can indulge daily if I want. Granted it isn’t the irresponsible pint in which I used to partake, it requires me to be responsible and be mindful of what I eat. Two weeks ago I went to a dinner party and ate about half a wheel of baked brie. Guess what? I lost more than two pounds that week. On Labor Day I went to a cookout and had two burgers with cheese, a hotdog with ketchup, mustard and mayo (gross I know) and all the sides…potato salad, pasta salad, baked beans, chocolate fudge cake a la mode…mmmmmmm…and I still lost over two pounds this week. And I am walking/running an hour most days. So I get an extra 4 points per day when I do. Have you tried WW? If so, how did it go? If not, why not? (I am in no way beholden to or affiliated with Weight Watchers) ---
**Author:** ![newcrasher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b3f665/32.png) [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2006, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-weight-watchers/372018/2 "2006-09-09T01:28:17Z")
And the OP title should say Weight Watcher"S". Could a MOD fix it? :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2006, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-weight-watchers/372018/3 "2006-09-09T02:20:49Z")
[QUOTE=newcrasher] Howdy folks. If you came into this thread you probably have a weight issue that is impacting your life. Or at least have in the past. I have done Atkins, where I lost about 30 pounds and gained about 40. I have done South Beach, which I just couldn’t bear. And I have done the eat all you want of anything you want and get fatter plan. This one is very effective. But for the last 6 weeks I have been doing Weight Watchers. I am not going to meetings, but joined the website. I can live with this diet. I find myself with points left over just about every night. I am often in the position of trying to find something to eat to fulfill my points requirements. This week after I entered my weight, they encouraged me to EAT MORE because I was losing weight too fast. I have lost over 2 pounds each week. And the beauty is I can incorporate all kinds of “naughty” foods into my diet. My weakness is ice cream, and I can indulge daily if I want. Granted it isn’t the irresponsible pint in which I used to partake, it requires me to be responsible and be mindful of what I eat. Two weeks ago I went to a dinner party and ate about half a wheel of baked brie. Guess what? I lost more than two pounds that week. On Labor Day I went to a cookout and had two burgers with cheese, a hotdog with ketchup, mustard and mayo (gross I know) and all the sides…potato salad, pasta salad, baked beans, chocolate fudge cake a la mode…mmmmmmm…and I still lost over two pounds this week. And I am walking/running an hour most days. So I get an extra 4 points per day when I do. Have you tried WW? If so, how did it go? If not, why not? (I am in no way beholden to or affiliated with Weight Watchers) [/QUOTE] Fuck the points. You’re eating way too much. 2 burgers, a hot dog, and all the side salads? Plus dessert? For one meal? That would last me 2 days! ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2006, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-weight-watchers/372018/4 "2006-09-09T02:35:19Z")
I joined WW in March of 2003. I attended four meetings before stopping - I couldn’t listen to the whining any longer. I followed the program on my own (with support from my husband) and lost 70 pounds in 10 months. I got pregnant and gained 50, and have lost it again. I’ve got a bit more to go, but it’s the best program I’ve ever used. It’s a pretty simple program. I eat less, and I exercise. Ta-da! Thinner me. ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2006, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-weight-watchers/372018/5 "2006-09-09T02:36:45Z")
[QUOTE=Leaffan] Fuck the points. You’re eating way too much. 2 burgers, a hot dog, and all the side salads? Plus dessert? For one meal? That would last me 2 days! [/QUOTE] That’s a lot of food. That sounds like blowing more than your extra 35 points plus your daily point allowance. I’m not your mom or your WW leader or whatever, just someone who knows the program very, very well. ---
**Author:** ![newcrasher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b3f665/32.png) [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2006, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-weight-watchers/372018/6 "2006-09-09T02:44:17Z")
[QUOTE=GingerOfTheNorth] That’s a lot of food. That sounds like blowing more than your extra 35 points plus your daily point allowance. I’m not your mom or your WW leader or whatever, just someone who knows the program very, very well. [/QUOTE] Yeah I can imagine that I really blew the 35 points. But I am exercising alot and I stick to the plan most of the time. And I am still losing, so what are ya gonna do? I am an obsessive compulsive eater, so eating large portions is something I sometimes struggle with. WW helps me be mindful of my portions. But I know cheating like I did has to be kept to a minimum. ---
**Author:** ![newcrasher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b3f665/32.png) [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2006, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-weight-watchers/372018/7 "2006-09-09T02:46:09Z")
[QUOTE=GingerOfTheNorth] …lost 70 pounds in 10 months. I got pregnant… [/QUOTE] Husband couldn’t keep his hands off of ya? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2006, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-weight-watchers/372018/8 "2006-09-09T03:04:29Z")
I ain’t no role model, but I’m a lifetime member (who’s WAY over my goal weight) and a former WW leader. So here are my observations. I don’t know if you are male or female, or how much weight you have to lose. But males (damn them all!) get a larger allotment of points than women and tend to lose faster (larger muscle mass), and people who have a lot of weight to lose tend to lose a lot in the beginning. The points thing works well because it gives you flexibility. The danger is that it gives you enough rope to hang yourself. You may be within your points, depending on whatever else you’re eating, to consume a half a wheel of baked brie and still lose weight. So now you think, “I can eat a half a wheel of baked brie and it’s OK, as long as I balance out the rest of my points for the week.” That is not healthy eating. Half a wheel of baked brie or hot dogs and hamburgers every once in a while? Sure. But when you start thinking, “I can eat like this and still lose weight,” instead of “I dodged a bullitreally splurged and still lost weight, but I need to get back on track with healthy eating,” you’re in trouble. ---
**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2006, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-weight-watchers/372018/9 "2006-09-09T03:08:02Z")
[QUOTE=freckafree] “I dodged a bullitreally splurged and still lost weight, but I need to get back on track with healthy eating,” you’re in trouble. [/QUOTE] Ham-handed editing. :smack: Insert “and” between “bullit” and “really.” ---
**Author:** ![newcrasher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b3f665/32.png) [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2006, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-weight-watchers/372018/10 "2006-09-09T03:23:33Z")
[QUOTE=freckafree] I ain’t no role model, but I’m a lifetime member (who’s WAY over my goal weight) and a former WW leader. So here are my observations. I don’t know if you are male or female, or how much weight you have to lose. But males (damn them all!) get a larger allotment of points than women and tend to lose faster (larger muscle mass), and people who have a lot of weight to lose tend to lose a lot in the beginning. The points thing works well because it gives you flexibility. The danger is that it gives you enough rope to hang yourself. You may be within your points, depending on whatever else you’re eating, to consume a half a wheel of baked brie and still lose weight. So now you think, “I can eat a half a wheel of baked brie and it’s OK, as long as I balance out the rest of my points for the week.” That is not healthy eating. Half a wheel of baked brie or hot dogs and hamburgers every once in a while? Sure. But when you start thinking, “I can eat like this and still lose weight,” instead of “I dodged a bullitreally splurged and still lost weight, but I need to get back on track with healthy eating,” you’re in trouble. [/QUOTE] I agree completely. Do you plan to make another run at your target weight? Will you use WW to get there? Can you tell me about your shift from WW to whatever it is that had you gain back the weight? Of course I understand if it is none of my business, I am just looking for cautionary tales. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![DeadlyAccurate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac91a4/32.png) [@DeadlyAccurate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeadlyAccurate)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2006, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-weight-watchers/372018/11 "2006-09-09T03:54:22Z")
Been doing WW Online since June 2005. I’ve lost 41.5 lbs, and I’m 15 pounds from my goal weight (and officially not overweight). The only week I didn’t track points was the week of Christmas when I was out of town. I’ve never gone over otherwise, and I’m fastidious about writing everything down. Right now I have 5.5 points remaining (my week starts over on Saturday), that I plan to spend on a snack here in a minute. I feel confident I can do this one the rest of my life. ---
**Author:** ![Vision\_of\_Love](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Vision\_of\_Love](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vision_of_Love)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2006, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-weight-watchers/372018/12 "2006-09-09T04:41:02Z")
My mom put me and my sister on WW back in 2003 (I didn’t even think I was fat!). I’m grateful for it though because I did lose 14 lbs while on the program. I’ve since lost a couple more. They’re good. I would definitely recommend them. Too bad I lost the point-counter thing. ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2006, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-weight-watchers/372018/13 "2006-09-09T13:58:13Z")
I’m glad you’re thinking of your activity points in that equation. Just remember that they’re to be used day to day, not banked. We used to be able to bank those little fuckers, as well as regular points. I would eat nearly nothing points-wise for a couple of days (lots of vegetables) and exercise like a fiend in preparation for a night out. Can’t do that anymore. [QUOTE=newcrasher] Husband couldn’t keep his hands off of ya? 😉 [/QUOTE] Nah, he married me fat and he couldn’t keep his hands off of me then, either. ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2006, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-weight-watchers/372018/14 "2006-09-09T13:59:43Z")
One other thing: I don’t really use my flex points. I may go over on a day or three a week, but I take them out of my flex bank. A friend of mine and her husband will go out on Friday nights and eat ALL of their flex points. ---
**Author:** ![newcrasher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b3f665/32.png) [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2006, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-weight-watchers/372018/15 "2006-09-09T14:03:27Z")
[QUOTE=GingerOfTheNorth] One other thing: I don’t really use my flex points. I may go over on a day or three a week, but I take them out of my flex bank. A friend of mine and her husband will go out on Friday nights and eat ALL of their flex points. [/QUOTE] Which is the beauty of WW. You can indulge in real life activities like a night out, provided you are responsible most of the time. You don’t have to feel like you are depriving yourself. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2006, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-weight-watchers/372018/16 "2006-09-09T15:13:35Z")
I’ve been considering doing it after I get back from my cruise (no point in doing it before!) I’ve gained a surprising amount of weight this past year, although everybody I mention it to is all “No, really? You’re so thin!” Well, gaining 30 pounds in a year isn’t healthy, particularly when you started out at 110! That’s a huge percentage. Also, I have absolutely no clothes that fit and something’s got to give. I think I eat fine, but I don’t exercise enough. I’m kind of hoping that even though my problem is more with activity level than food, a structured atmosphere would be helpful. ---
**Author:** ![susan\_foster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@susan\_foster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan_foster)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2006, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-weight-watchers/372018/17 "2006-09-09T17:41:27Z")
I lost 50 pounds using WW online. Never entered a meeting room. April 2007 will be 5 years since I hit goal weight, and I still plan on being at goal at that time. Right now, I am 5 pounds above goal - leftover from 2 summer vacations. But, two weeks ago, when I came back from my vacation, I was 9 pounds over goal, so I am taking steps to get back to goal. I journal using excel. I always count. Even when I go over. I weigh every week. WW works for me. Susan