Anyone doing Weight Watchers? Oh, the drama!

My DH has lost 35 pounds and has been recalculating all day. he is a bit disappointed, but I think understands the changes. It makes sense, and dropping the sugar is a good thing.

agreed, people don't take change well.

Annette

I'm not on WW currently, I downloaded an app for $3.99 which basically mimics WW (without the monthly fee) so I wonder if they will change that app to look like the new WW program... any examples of how points have changed (ie a piece of cake or something)?

I'm in a couple of Simply Filling groups and the new "no count" replacement has the world in a total spaz.

I started back about 3 weeks before the change so I wasn't as invested in the old plan (done it before, but still not exactly second nature as it is for so many). However, I'm very dependent on the app and not having access to it for that amount of time was a pain. I think at the very least they should credit the members a small amount for loss of access to the online tools.

Sugar is my weakness. Sugar during the holidays is a particular weakness. If I can get through the next 2 weeks, I'll happily adjust.

Our leader did mention that it was important for us to attend a meeting this past week. I went to a Thursday mtg. I expected to hear about a change to the prog. I was a little surprised at first. But I understand why they did it. There is so much talk about reducing sugar and saturated fats. I am def. more aware of sugar in our foods. My cereal went up 2 points (7pts to 9). Change is hard but I am going to keep on the program. My nonfat lattes said the same (3pts).

From the link:


  

Wow.

ETA: I guess I would be a bit peeved at having to learn a whole new points system, but they've changed the program so many times over the decades, and as far as I can see it's always for the best. Imagine if they were still doing the same thing as back in the 70's? 

If you aren't able to go maybe I should go in your place! I don't do drama but an occasional show can be entertaining to watch! I bet she isn't just a, No person but a Heeeel NO. 

I don't think overall it's a huge deal. I honestly believe that the new program is making better choice that will help with long term success. On the PP system I had 26 daily points and 49 weekly points. Now I get 30 daily smart points and 28 weekly smart points. Here's the problem- if you have a 27 point piece of cake-that's it for the week. The first few days I had 5-7 points left over. Lean proteins went down in point value. I drink a protein shake that was 4 PP and is now just 2 SP. So some of the regular things I've been eating are lower point values which is giving me more options.

I'm for it. I do much better when I do high protein with lots of veggies and cut back on carbs. So I already know my body will react well to this. And my drink at Starbucks went down a point! lol
It just takes some getting used to, like anything. My leader has been maintenance for 8 years, since the leaders started this plan 2 months ago she's lost 12 pounds. So it WORKS!

What's the app?

WW doesn't have a problem with a little sugar either. I think what I've seen evolve over the years is the program intentionally steering people away from the processed foods and towards healthy, natural, fresh, whole foods. As the program changes, it makes it so that it just makes more sense to choose, say, an apple over a Fiber One brownie, or grilled chicken over a steak, or broccoli over pasta - not that some days you wouldn't pick the bar or the pasta, but that in general, you will find your points better used if you eat specific kinds of foods, which include fruits and vegetables, lean protein, and healthy fats. It doesn't dictate anything and the whole point of WW is that there aren't good or bad foods, just foods with point values that add up. So you discover that a candy bar has a lot of points but maybe you really want to eat it, so you do, and you balance it out with other choices and exercise through the day. This is why WW has consistently been rated as one of the top weight loss programs available. If you do it the way it's designed, it really works. They are working to set it up so that by its design it steers people to make healthier choices for life. You can put sugar in your coffee and eat sugar sweetened yogurt - that's fine. I think they're just trying to set it up so that you're not eating sugar all day and just staying within your points because that ultimately isn't the point of a lifestyle change.

Do you do the WW for Diabetes plan or are you on the regular one?

My work offers majorly discounted WW membership, and I was thinking about joining the diabetic one. It says that it is specifically for Type 2 diabetes. I have Type 1, but I do low carb, so I was thinking that this plan might still be appropriate for me.

The plan itself hasn't changed much. So if you were comfortable with how the plan worked, that part hasn't really changed.

- The "PointsPlus" are now called "Smart Points" and 'activity points' are now "fit points."
- You still have a daily target. Many people found that their daily target has gone up. The minimum daily target is now 30 instead of 26. (Unfortunately my DPT did NOT go up - and I'm at the minimum, which seems odd b/c I'm not near goal, but that's what it says).
- You still have weekly points. Those have gone DOWN for everyone (I think). I have 42 instead of 49. Some people have less, some have more.
- Fruits/veggies are still 0 points
- No foods are banned. You just have to fit them into your points (as always)

Main differences:
- Instead of calculating foods based on calories/fat/fiber, now you'll calculate using calories/saturated fat/sugar/protein.
- What does this mean? Foods that are higher in protein / lower in sugar, have probably gone DOWN in their point value (yay)
- Foods that are higher in saturated fat / sugar have likely gone UP in points (sad, but really not surprising!). 
- You're encouraged to eat your dailies and weeklies, but not necessarily eat your fit points. I think this is because (some) people were trying to exercise just so they could justify more sugary treats - and if they over-estimated their activity points, then ate cookies, you can see what was happening. BUT my leader said that if you eat all of your points and you're still hungry you CAN eat some of your fit points - just to use your body as a guide if you NEED them. Somebody training for a marathon may need some of them. Somebody taking a 20 minute stroll at lunch doesn't. 

(my opinion)
Plusses:
- They are pushing you to eat more healthy foods and it will be harder to 'game the system' and eat a lot of crap and balance it out with fruit and still hit your points. In my opinion, this is a GOOD thing. It is much healthier. Not everybody wants to be healthy. They just want to eat crap and lose weight. I prefer to lose weight and be heart healthy, so I like it better.
- The way the program works hasn't changed. You don't have to learn a new concept - just learn the new point values.
- They are focusing more on 'whole health' with more than just food - encouraging more activity for reasons other than just to reward yourself with food, and encouraging you to make time to do things to help you mentally - take a nap, read a book, take a painting class. I love this!

Challenges: 
- Donuts are a lot of points now. Like A LOT a lot. Like if I have one, I'll have to eat less the rest of the day (oh wait - that's actually smart, lol). 
- Eating out (which I do a ton as I travel for work) will be harder - will require more pre-planning.
- Peanut butter isn't free like fruits and vegetables - I hoped it would be. 

Biggest complaints I've seen are that: people have to recalculate their recipes (PITA, I get it), people can't fit a cup of ice cream each night in like they could before, sugary yogurts are too many points, cereal is too high, everything everybody eats is way too many points now (but 40% of food didn't change, and lean meats went down, so it depends on what you're eating!), and it's HARD (so is being fat!). From the recipe blogs I follow, it looks like most of their recipes have gone up about 1 point per serving.