Old WW vs. New WW

[jamesq]

A study of the old Weight Watchers program and the newer Points Plus system suggests that there is no difference between the two. What the points represent doesn't matter as long as people track them and the numbers correspond to healthy portions for the day.

Which goes into my theory that Weight Watchers is more successful than most diet plans because it promotes healthy eating, tracking/portion control and cognitive therapy techniques; not because the math is better.

The post above does point out in an oblique way that the new system may be psychologically better (Fruits and most non-starchy vegetables are now free), but there is no intrinsic advantage to tracking carbs/protein/fat vs tracking calories/fat.

Meanwhile it continues to work for me based mostly on the fact that I can use my phone to track now. I always have my phone on me so I haven't missed tracking a day in over a month now. I haven't been this diligent since the first time I joined (and lost 60 pounds).

Comments

[bungle-lord.livejournal.com]

Take a look-see at this ninety minute video about sugar titled "Sugar: The Bitter Truth" by University of California TV.

http://www.uctv.tv/search-details.aspx?showID=16717

[wendy-licious.livejournal.com]

I remember reading once that the biggest point of the Points plan was to make the calculation/tracking of calories easier for people. Basically 25 points is easier to keep track of than 1500 calories.

[wee-megan.livejournal.com]

I'm actually suprised that fruits are now free seeing as they are quite high in sugars. I love fruit and could probably eat enough fruit every day to negate any weight loss I was getting from sticking to my points on other foods. Do you think the new points system would work for someone like me?

[jamesq]

That goes into the whole "healthy eating, tracking/portion control and cognitive therapy techniques" that I alluded to. If you're gorging on any food, even if it's healthy, that's something you should probably try to control. What WW is trying to do is get people to reach for a healthy(er) snack when they're going to have a snack at all. That is, for most WW clients, the choice is "an apple or a candy bar", not "an apple or ten apples". Personally, there's a limit to how many pieces of fruit I'm willing to eat in a day.

That being said, the WW group leaders have more-or-less admitted that the new daily points total assume you're having several "free" servings of fruits and vegetables.

Will it work for you? Dunno - evidence suggests that people will lose weight simply by writing down everything they eat. The trick is to be aware of how much your eating.

[wee-megan.livejournal.com]

Good point. I guess I'm not really a 10 apples kinda person either and it probably would help me to actually track what I'm eating. I don't have a ton of weight to loose by any means, and I consider myself quite an active person which is why it's frustrating that I'm not losing anything at all. My eating habits aren't great though and I think that food journaling might just show me how bad they are. Thanks for the interesting post! :)

[bungle-lord.livejournal.com]

The February 2011 issue of Scientific American cover story is "Scaling Back Obesity: What science says about losing weight and keeping it off."

how many points?

[thirteenthchild.livejournal.com]

Hello quixote,

Could you please tell me how many /points per day is ideal (for loss, not maintenence)?

Am 5"5, weigh 150 and would like to lose 15 lbs -ish.

Re: how many points?

[jamesq]

I am not a nutritionist, so I'm not qualified to give you weight-loss advice. I might do so in a conversational way with people I know (for example, wee_megan above), but I don't know that we've ever met. It's possible though, given you're in An Tir and know what "An Tir" means.

Having said that:

• If you are worried about your weight and health, go see a doctor. Anything a doctor says is going to override anything I'm about to say.
  
• 5'5", 150 lbs is barely overweight according to the BMI. Losing one pound gets you back into the normal range, albeit at the top of it.
  
• Rather then dieting in a Weight Watchers way, perhaps simply eating better and exercising will help you more. A "toned" 150 is going to look and feel a lot better then a "flabby" 150. Jogging has always worked for me.
  
• Points Plus targets can be calculated using the formula here. From what you've written, you're in the neighborhood of 29 points per day.
  
• Finally, if you're interested in a Weight Watchers method of losing weight, you can always join Weight Watchers. It's not like AA or Fight Club, you can stick to the pack of the room and just listen.

If you're at Estrella this year, say "Hi". I'll be in the Avacal encampment.

Re: how many points?

[thirteenthchild.livejournal.com]

Thank you for your kind advice; it is appreciated. I apologize for the intrusion. 13th.

[gifted-spirit.livejournal.com]

What phone system are you using to track? My android has the Points Calculator but I haven't spent the time to figure out the tracking it with my phone yet side. NEED TO!

[jamesq]

My Droid's calculator is WWDiary. Check it out.