Poll: Does Weight Watchers Really Work?

I’m wondering if Weight Watchers actually works, if it teaches health or just portion control. Weight Watchers was my first experience with dieting and I went as early as grade 5. I was 175 pounds at the time and my mother thought that I shouldn’t be so heavy. She first took me to the doctor who told her that I would “grow into it” as I got older. She didn’t think that was the right answer and so we joined Weight Watchers together.

I barely remember the food program as my mom handled that part, but I did go to the weekly weight ins. I remember taking more and more pieces of clothing off each time we went in, and even began removing my keys, my wallet, my belt, shoes and socks to get that extra quarter pound.

I know little of Weight Watchers now, but I’ve heard that it’s mostly about portion control and little about health. I admit, I do not know their current program, so I want to ask the question. Does Weight Watchers work? are you currently following the program and are you getting results. More importantly, are you learning anything about health and nutrition, or just about portion control.
does weight watchers really work
It’s my belief, and the basis of what I teach my clients, that a successful program should educate the user about health principles that they can take with them wherever they go. I believe that it’s more important to fully understand how digestion works, how to support the colon and manage blood sugar as well as making nutrient dense foods the primary focus of your meals.

So what about Weight Watchers? I know it teaches portion control, but what else? If you’re following the program, are you happy with the results and if you’re a former member of Weight Watchers, why? Did you lose weight and leave the program or get pissed off at them?

In the poll below, please choose any and all answers that apply to help myself and others understand. It may take a full 60 seconds for the answers to be recorded. Please bear with the server until the results are shown. Nothing is broken - just slow.

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If there is more to Weight Watchers, either good or bad that I’ve not included in the poll options, please leave your thoughts in the comments below.

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This entry was posted on Monday, January 28th, 2008 and is filed under Weight Loss, Fun.

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18 Responses to “Poll: Does Weight Watchers Really Work?”

1
Skinny Guy
January 29th, 2008 05:02

Success following Weight Watchers, as with any weight reduction program, depends chiefly on what you bring to the table. I’ve lost 130 pounds following Weight Watchers and have kept it off for 7 months so far.

My experience following the program and watching others who have followed it tells me that it is possible to follow the program and even lose weight without adhering to a healthy diet, especially on the Flex (Points) plan. But their Core plan emphasizes whole, healthier foods and discourages reliance on processed white flour foods. Most people shy away from that aspect of the program, with most of the comments I hear being along the lines of “I can’t give up my bread,” or something similar.
2
Rob
January 29th, 2008 09:43

Thank you for the contribution. I’ve heard about the Weight Watchers Core program. I’ll have to look into it.
3
Welmoed
January 29th, 2008 12:19

I was on WW about ten years ago, and what struck me the most was the emphasis on “trying to have it all”. They were fanatical about discussing low-fat, low-sugar desserts, cookies, candies, treats of all kinds. It really wasn’t about learning any new eating habits… only about finding substitutes so you could keep eating what you wanted. I wanted to learn about healthier eating patterns, but didn’t find any real support there.
Now I’m finally losing, through a combination of exercise and diet, with some help from acupuncture.
4
Ryan
January 29th, 2008 18:10

I lost weight doing weight watchers, but I didn’t have the energy to exercise. I do not think it is very well suited for an active 20 something looking to lose 30-40lbs with exercise.
5
Christina
January 29th, 2008 21:24

WW was the first attempt I made at losing weight. However, like many members I took the weight off and then rejoined because I began to put in on again. It wasn’t until the second time that I realized that it wasn’t teaching me healthy eating habits and I was becoming a slave to the scale. I know that it can work but for the majority, it is not a long term or life plan.
6
Cure Slabire
January 30th, 2008 07:36

The result’s are for “yes”. Is good that you’v made this pool
7
Meghan
February 10th, 2008 11:57

I had successful weightloss using the weightwatchers program two years ago. I was not significantly overweight to begin with and lost 20 pounds in two months. I was able to keep the weight off and in my opinion weight watchers really puts things into perspective for you. It makes you more aware of what you are eating and how much. I liked the program and still wanting to lose about another 10 pounds Ive tried to begin the flex plan again and am not quite as successful now. I am not interested in the core program and am trying to learn more about it.
8
Mindi
February 10th, 2008 21:06

I lost 35 pounds with WW. It is a good way to take a long term approach to losing weight while teaching you to be thoughtful about how you live your life and plan your eating and activities. They are good about bringing you back to the same principles, avoiding fads, and giving encouragement through support of fellow members. This is very helpful especially to people who need to be educated about food, and have grown up in dysfunctional eating situations.

I have not returned because I felt like a slave to the little book which kept me accountable, and I was weary of measuring everything. I honestly preferred fasting to feeling constantly nagged by my own conscience about food. So, yes it works. Yes, you learn a great deal. Yes, it tends towards good health guidelines.

I used the flex program, and not the core program. Long time members told me that flex is good for losing weight, and core is good for keeping it off because you don’t have to measure and count so much.

I may return to the program eventually, but I needed some time off.

It also makes a big difference who your leader is. Some are absolutely excellent, and some are not very helpful.

The harsh reality is that you can’t lose weight and eat whatever and whenever you want. Most people kids themselves about this truth, and get nowhere. You have to face that early on in WW.
9
Rob
February 11th, 2008 13:18

Mindi, thanks for your comments.

I would tend to agree that results may very well vary depending on who your leader is. I was not aware of that term “leader”, but realize that the program is held in many places within one city and of course all over the country. If the leader isn’t “on” with their stuff, the members may suffer as well.

good point about flex being useful for weight loss and core being useful for keeping it off.

once again, thanks for your valuable feedback.
10
sharpchick
February 24th, 2008 17:07

I’ve lost 50 pounds with Weight Watchers in about 15 months. I did most of the losing with flex, but now I’m on core. I think there are people who “game” the program and eat crap on it, but it’s really not designed to work that way. The 8 Good Health Guidelines are the cornestone of the program, something which a lot of people forget.

I lost half my weight going to meetings and half doing the online program only.
11
marci
March 3rd, 2008 21:21

I lost over 60 pounds on the WW Core program. I have kept the weight off for over a year now. I attended the meetings almost every week, I am now a lifetime member. I was fat my whole life. I have amazed my friends and family, I am in the best shape ever. I do workout about 4 to 5 days a week. I have become addicted to spinning. I do not think I would have ever been as successful counting points on the flex program. The Core Program was exactly what I needed.
12
Rob
March 4th, 2008 17:41

Awesome Marci - thanks for the feedback on the weight watchers core program.
13
Scot
March 6th, 2008 14:01

I never had luck following any “Diet”. I had to create my own plan for eating.

My opinion is that weight watchers will work for anyone as long as they commit to it. This goes for South Beach as well. Losing body fat is all about self-control, deciding it is time to lose the weight, and exercise.

Scot

The Chub Chronicles
14
Anne
March 11th, 2008 08:25

I’ve lost almost fifty pounds on Weight Watchers and have just started the core program (I was previously on flex). It’s interesting figuring out my comfort zone and I’m looking forward to how it works this week.

They do stress the healthy eating guidelines but I think people still have a diet mentality about it and look for the easy outs like low fat, highly-processed foods.
15
Riccioli
March 16th, 2008 16:35

I lost 47lbs on WW about 5 years ago became a life-time member and kept it off for over 2 years. Changes in my life, work and increased stress got me eating out of wack again.
I gained almost all the weight back. But it’s clearly my doing… not eating right and not being active.
I went back last week and was warmly welcomed. I think I have found a group & leader that will work. When I heard about Core, I was skeptical. I decided to try it and I think it may be a little harder but probably better long term. Can I start connecting with my sense of hunger, being full etc?
I am very hopeful and excited. WW did wonders for me in the past and I know it will work again.
16
Christina
March 17th, 2008 04:19

IF anyone is interested, Rob has a forum dedicated to Weight Watchers.

http://www.formerfatguyblog.com/community/viewforum.php?f=8

The forum as a whole itself with provide you with interesting ideas, reader comments and is dedicated to a healthy lifestyle. I’d encourage you to check it out. I’m glad I did!
17
Patience
May 4th, 2008 22:05

I have been on WW since Jan 3, 2008. I love this program. Sunday is my high point day and is also my chance to have my “bad foods” throughout the week I eat healthily and exercise vigorously. I do believe this is a long term/life long program that works and has worked for many many people!! This program has been out for 45 years… they must be doing something right.
18
Patience
May 4th, 2008 22:07

I wanted to add in that I’ve lost 42.5 pounds in 18 weeks on WW.

Totally worth it!! I actually get to have my cake and eat it too!

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