weight watchers

[beansbeans!]

So is weight watchers worth the money??

Im breastfeeding DD3, and I would want to do the online version because the meeting thingys in my area are at bad times of the day for me.

Is it worthwhile? Do you lose weight? do you learn how to eat right or just how to count?

Whilst Im at it, what programs/eating plans, etc would be best for the breastfeeding mumma??

[megs]

Just subscribing as I'm in the same situation.

I'm considering weight watchers again but I think I will have to make the effort to attend the meetings with online I just don't committ when I don't have the threat of a public weigh in.

Will be interested to hear if there are any other options, I'm breastfeeding also.

[Trillian]

I did WW years ago and lost 21kg. It was a great program because it does teach you how to eat right - yes the points guide you a lot in the early days, but it soon becomes second nature as to which foods are better for you and the most 'value' for your points kwim? Even now I still follow the program myself even though I'm not signed up for it. And it works! It lets you eat real food and the food that you would normally cook for your family anyway without buying special foods or eating to a set menu.

ETA - with the breastfeeding, they ask you that when you sign up and they work out how many extra points you will need to compensate for that.

[AwesomeFoursome]

I love ww. I was doing it before I got pregnant with this bub, I lost 30.2kgs in 20 weeks on their breastfeeding program . I tried online and it didn't work for me, I need the meeting. You start off counting but learn very quickly how to eat properly / healthy. I'm going back to the meeting as soon as bub is born and I'm going to get down to my goal weight . The good thing about going to the meetings is once you get down to your goal weight the meetings are free.

[Jakabella]

It sure does! I have lost 11 kgs so far and Im aiming to loose another 20ish. Its a great program but I need the meeting to keep me honest!

Good luck with it - def worth the money!

[beansbeans!]

Wow! Thanks ladies!

There are two meeting times I could do, both at 5:30pm on different days. Main problem is that its right on dinner/bath time for the girls and I have no one to watch them for me. I admit the actual meetings would be great, but Ive thought about it for a while and cant make it work. so online it would be.
Im tempted, I just need some direction, somewhere to start. And my bargain hunter side of me is saying wait, it wont be long until they do a deal and it will be cheaper to sign up to. I should just sign up really.

Any other plans that work?

[Trillian]

I saw an ad on telly the other night saying it was only $1 to join? They run promotions like that every now and then. If you can't get to a meeting but feel like you need something to keep you 'honest', is there some where you can go to weigh in every week? I know my local chemist and the community health centre will let people weigh themselves, so if you could find something like that it would be something you could do every week, just like a weigh in at WW. Or, you could call the WW leader for those groups and explain your situation to them - my leader used to do weigh ins outside of meeting times for two women who lived out of town and couldn't make the regular meeting time.

[Novella]

i did it pre kids and kept the weight off for about 5 years

I went back on it after having the girls each time, weight loss was very slow while breast feeding but then the recommended amount of weight loss is less than 500g a week when bf so you dont affect ypur supply. When not bf I lost weight fairly quickly.

The girls are right at first its all about counting but then you get to a point when you automatically go for the healthier options and cook in a healthier manner. The flexibility works really well too, you can go out, have a few drinks, have a treat and it fits in with life rather than limiting your social life. For us it also meant I cooked healthier for the whole family, rather than two different meals/plans etc

[beansbeans!]

Trillian, I shall have to look it up and see if I can find that one..

I did find a promo code for a free two week trial. So im signed up and am going to give it a go and if I like at the end of the trial, I'll join easy decision

Oh if anyone wants the code let me know and I'll give it to you

[helle]

I'm doing WW and have lost 6kgs so far. I love it purely because it's a long term life style change and not just a quick fix. I dont feel like im on a diet, i feel like im being healthy. Definitely worth the money. I actually signed up after I had ds, then cancelled my membership because i couldn't really afford it (it was the one where you attend meetings) but I still have all the stuff and it's easy as to follow on your own

[helle]

Oh i am also breastfeeding. You are allocated an extra 7 points to allow for that. So to put it in perspective a slice of bakers delight multigrain bread is 1.5 points. You can have an extra 5 slices a day over someone who isnt breastfeeding

[Nai]

I did it when bf too using online. I lost 15 kg and have kept it off for 2 years now.

[HotI]

beansbeans - can i have the code please?

[Purple Penguin]

beansbeans - I have PM'd you

[misty]

Oh i am also breastfeeding. You are allocated an extra 7 points to allow for that. So to put it in perspective a slice of bakers delight multigrain bread is 1.5 points. You can have an extra 5 slices a day over someone who isnt breastfeeding

This is for the OLD points system. ProPoints is different. It is generally an extra 14propoints for fully breastfeeding mums. And there are no such thing a half ProPoints.

I have lost 30kgs after each baby (still working on loosing it after this last one) following Weight Watchers, and couldn't recommend it enough.

[misty]

Will also add that the $1 joining promotion is a bit of a marketing ploy. Generally speaking, Weight watchers charge a $33 membership fee, and then you pay for your meetings on top of this. However, if you sign up with Unlimited (meetings and etools) you never have to pay this membership fee anyway (and it is cheaper then just paying for meetings on their own). And they run that $1 joining fee promotion so often, that there is usually only a couple of weeks between promotions where anyone actually has to pay the full $33 fee anyway.

[beansbeans!]

Will also add that the $1 joining promotion is a bit of a marketing ploy. Generally speaking, Weight watchers charge a $33 membership fee, and then you pay for your meetings on top of this. However, if you sign up with Unlimited (meetings and etools) you never have to pay this membership fee anyway (and it is cheaper then just paying for meetings on their own). And they run that $1 joining fee promotion so often, that there is usually only a couple of weeks between promotions where anyone actually has to pay the full $33 fee anyway.

Thanks Misty, thats handy info! Unfortunately, I wont have access to meetings anyhow, there are two meetings here, and well they're at 5:30pm both days, and both days Im home alone with the kids, not to mention 'its that time of day'! So Im thinking I'll do the online thingy which if I do the 3months up front payment they waive the joining fee.
But Im still going to ring them and see if they have another time i could do the weigh in.

What I am liking about this so far is that its the easiest when it comes to the girls. Ive tried a few things, not many let you join if you are breasfeeding and the meals often arent kid freindly.

[misty]

You know that you are welcome to take your kids along with you to the meetings if you want to. So long as they are not disruptive. Alot of kids enjoy joining in, whilst others just sit in the background and read or colour in - and if you want you can just go and weigh in and then leave straight after, not actually staying for the meeting.

Having said that, the online tools are fabulous on their own. I know many people who have just used the online tools successfully. I would recommend going to a chemist or a dr surgery or somewhere at the same time each week (most places like chemists and drs are happy to let you do this for free) or even a friends house, as it gives you accountability (it is different weighing in front of someone else, rather then just on your own bathroom scales). There are also forums on the weightwatchers website, they provide a wealth of information, however aren't (IMHO) very well moderated; so be sure to take whatever is said with a grain of salt and try to get a couple of opinions (especially is something sounds to good to be true).

I attend meetings probably every second week, but I use my iphone app (which is free with etools) constantly throughout the day, it is what keeps me on track.