I can't help you at all on the question regarding whether or
not different meetings will vary on what is the focus. Like
you, I knew that I was not a meeting type person - been
there, done that, although an entirely different program
(not ww). I am a product of the ww online program, and feel
I was very successful - I lost 95+ pounds, reached my goal,
and have been on maintanence for almost a year. I didn't
need the in-your-face weigh-ins, was capable of being honest
with myself and not playing mind games. I came to this
newsgroup for support, help, tips, cheers and jeers. I was
unsure of the program itself, until I got into it ... then I
actually found it very enjoyable, it actually made sense to
me. It didn't push specific products, only focused on eating
healthier, making wiser food choices and PORTION CONTROL ...
which for me was a biggie. Until I started weighing my food,
I never realized how much I was actually consuming.
So anyway ... what do I think about the online ww program?
For me it was THE answer - perfect, no other way to
describe it. I didn't have to attend meetings, didn't have
to feel like I was being patronized. I had only to choose
what aspects of the online program I wanted to participate
in ... and I chose to only use the weightlog and journal
... on occassion the recipe maker but I found mastercook
did a much better job at figuring out the nutritional info.
I didn't participate in ww's chat boards, none of the
topics really interested me very much. Again, I found this
forum much more useful.
My feeling on why ww tends to steer users away from the
online site is strictly a monetary/business issue. Think
about it. If you attend meetings, you pay roughly $40/month
... and can then sign up for the online etools for an
additional $10 month (I think). Yet, the online program only
costs $15/month or if you pay quarterly it is $35 or $40
month (something like that, and you do have to continually
go into your account and change the billing cycle, as ww
will automatically revert you to monthly payments as soon as
they process the billing period). By suggesting the
meetings, they make more money. Then again, there are many
people who are not able to manage the program strictly on
their own - need those meetings to stay accountable. There
is no way for ww to know which category each of us fit into.
Whichever venue you decide to go with, I wish you luck,
enjoyment and enthusiasm throughout your journey. I also
hope to see you posting here often!
Joyce WW starting weight: 228.8 - 2/5/02 current weight: 132
total loss: 96.8 Lifetime: 4/4/03
Anny Middon said:Hi, all!
I know I need help in losing weight, and have been
considering joining Weight Watchers. The program as I
understand it appeals to me -- there's structure that I
very much need, but also the flexibility to accommodate
some of life's food-related events.
The thing is, I went to a Weight Watchers meeting to see
what it was like (under the open house thing that's going
on), and I didn't like it. I don't want to denigrate anyone
who needs applause and gold stars for motivation, but this
just isn't me. The whole meeting made me uncomfortable.
My questions:
1. Are there meetings that focus less on the "how do you
keep yourself from eating" kind of topics (which the
meeting I attended focused on) and don't give gold
stars?
2. Has anyone here done the online version of Weight
Watchers? What do you think about it? I'm leaning
towards this WW version myself, and wondered what
experiences others have had. The official WW site tends
to steer people away from this option and more to the
meetings, but then I figure they have a corporate need
to encourage the meetings.
Anny
