WW has worked for me. Of course, YMMV.
Why did it work for me?
I needed to be held accountable. Showing up weekly to step on a scale, having someone write down my weight in a book helped with that.
I need motivation. Sitting with the group and hearing about others’ successes, and figuring out how to deal with setbacks and problems helped with that. [so zev, I think the meetings are important because you can learn, get support, and additionally be held accountable. I found when I would weigh in and leave, I did not as well as when I weighed in and stayed for the meetings]
The plan is flexible. I’m not bound to eating any specific foods, or to eliminating others. I can do the exercise I choose. I need not buy any WW food, although I found some of the frozen dinners [which you can get at a grocery store] were nice for easy lunches.
I lost 28 pounds, and reached my goal weight in August of 1997. So very shortly I’ll be celebrating 5 years at goal. I have kept off all the weight I have lost. [keep in mind this was my 3rd attempt at WW, having tried 2 other times, lost about 10 pounds, then hit a plateau and gave up] I continue to keep a food journal, and weigh myself weekly so that the weight doesn’t creep on and surprise me.
And in the interest of truth, you should know that I also work part time for Weight Watchers. After getting to Lifetime status, I trained to be a receptionist, and then a leader. I work 2 meetings a week, which helps me maintain my weight. In fact, I am required to have an “official weigh-in” each month, and if I were to regain weight, would lose my job.
Oh, and zev, if you’re interested in trying out WW, they have a program called At Home where you get all the booklets shipped to you, and you’re a member that just doesn’t attend meetings. They’ve also got some online tools. Check it out at www.weightwatchers.com if you’d like.
Anyone who’s interested in getting any specific questions about WW answered, feel free to email me.