Weight Watchers Activity Points-Please Explain

activity point

In your third week, you will learn how to count activity points. The first few weeks are for you to learn about your own existing eating habits and to incorporate ways to improve them.

Tuesday, January 24, 2006, 10:57 PM

activity point

In your third week, you will learn how to count activity points. The first few weeks are for you to learn about your own existing eating habits and to incorporate ways to improve them.

Tuesday, January 24, 2006, 10:57 PM

yes, on the third week they will give you another slider calculator, this one to calculate activity points. you earn them by excersising. depending on your weight, how long you worked out, and at what intensity will determine the AP's.
I'm still up in the air as to whether or not to "use" them....they tell you that you can, but dont have to. It really depends on your body, as your cravings. If you have them to use, and still want something more to eat, you can use them. I earn 6 whenever I work out, and so I'm trying right now to use up 3 or 4 of them. Weeks that I've done "really well" as far as not going over my daily points, working out, and not using my AP points...i've either lost less than half a pound, even gained a litle.

Wednesday, January 25, 2006, 9:29 AM

Go to the WW Boards

Go to the community section of the WW web site and get on the message boards. There are threads for newbies, recipes, age groups, fitness, etc. It's a great additional source of information while you're getting started.

Wednesday, January 25, 2006, 9:33 AM

OP here

Thanks for all the helpful comments- you're exactly right on the money with the explanation of activity points in week three! I was just thinking I joined a slow group- ha ha. I guess they're all run basically the same. I think I may check out those boards and I don't necessairly need the extra points, I just thought if I was earning them I could use them instead of my weekly extra 35.

Thanks again for the helpful suggestions :)

Wednesday, January 25, 2006, 11:24 AM

WW sucks

Thursday, January 26, 2006, 11:24 AM

I don't agree with the previous poster (11:24 am). WW doesn't suck, it's just not for everyone, apparently.

I am currently on WW, and have found that I either don't use the AP points or I don't use the flex points for the week. I earn 5 APs when I work out. I am following the core plan, so I use those APs for bread for a sandwich or something like that during the day. If I use the APs I earn daily, I try really hard not to dip into the flex points allotted for the week. I have lost 8.2 lbs over the last three weeks, so it seems to be working alright to do that. That may change, but for now it's helping.

Thursday, January 26, 2006, 4:26 PM

Those kind of comments really have no place in our community. If you don't like WW, please state why.

Poll-- should we leave comments like that up, or delete them? It's your call.

-PEERtrainer

Thursday, January 26, 2006, 4:48 PM

How about a flagging system...if enough users flag a post, it gets removed. Or, if enough users flag a thread, the whole thread gets removed. I have no idea what the cut off would be.

Thursday, January 26, 2006, 4:57 PM

Kind of like Craigslist. Thats a good idea. I guess what we wanted to do is make this more of a democracy and put these decisions into the hands of the community.

Thursday, January 26, 2006, 5:04 PM

I don't like WW either and I don't think I should be flagged for stating an opinion. Then it would become a matter of judgment.

Thursday, January 26, 2006, 5:52 PM

It's the tone you use-OP again

Everyone has opinions and everyone is welcome to share them whether they agree or disagree with the topic at hand. I don't think it was the issue that the poster didn't like the WW program, rather it was the word choice she/he used in stating her/his dislike of the WW program/brand/industry. I like that people voice their opinions in this forum but choosing more appropriate language would be beneficial.

It's my opinion that the word "suck" was what would warrant the flagging, not the person being opposed to WW.

Having just joined WW myself I would love to hear everyone's opinion of the program, good and bad, likes, dislikes, problems, negatives, positives- anything and everything someone would like to share. However, just using a bold, blanketed statement of something "sucking" doesn't help me understand why you don't like the program and it sort of hurts that you would chose to make that sort of declaration, especially since I was asking solely about activity points and not the program in general.

That's my 2 cents. Thanks to everyone who's posted on the subject.

Friday, January 27, 2006, 11:16 AM

How does WW calculate AP?

I just rejoined WW online after a two year absence. They've changed (lowered) the points for some exercises... 30 minutes on the elliptical used to be 3 points, now it's 1!!! I use the elliptical for 60 minutes on level 8. There is no way that I'm only burning 2 pts.

And, it classifies the elliptical as moderate intensity. How does WW define moderate intensity? How does it calculate an AP?

Thanks!

Saturday, January 28, 2006, 6:42 PM

I'd love it if someone posted a quick guide to calculating these. Just some general guidelines- I don't need anything exact. Thank you.

Thursday, November 9, 2006, 7:20 PM

weight watchers

It only sucks to you because you can't follow the program and if you could you would be sucessfull like everyone else

Thursday, August 28, 2008, 12:13 PM

Delete them

Thursday, August 28, 2008, 2:37 PM

when it is just a blanket "----------- sucks" it should be deleted. That is just being mean and foul tempered. But if someone where to say they didn't like something and gave a reason, it should stay.

Thursday, August 28, 2008, 3:19 PM

I've been using WW points for a long time and here is how I calculate the activity points: I weigh about 180 at the moment ...

if I'm working hard and sweating - I earn a point for every 15-20 minutes or 100- 150 calories if the machine I'm using calculates calories.

So if I work out on the elliptical for 30 minutes - 1 pt ... 45 minutes - 2 pts ... 60-75 minutes 3 pts

If I'm being active but not necessarily working up a big sweat - I calculate 1 pt per half-full hour. So if I'm out walking with my kids for half an hour - 1 pt but if I go out for the day with them and walk all over a park or an event with them for hours on end - I calculate 1 pt per hour I was out and on my feet.

and in answer to the other question in this thread ... I agree, it's fine to have a dissenting opinion but put it out there with some intelligence or else I agree PT should have the power to remove it.

Thursday, August 28, 2008, 4:25 PM

Activity Points Calculations

Don't tell anyone I told you this ...

Light Activity is your current weight x # of mins x .000232

Mod Activity is your current weight x # of mins x .000327

Heavy Activity your current weight x # of mins x .0008077

It's best to round down to the nearest point since most people think they work out harder than they actuall do!!! :-)

Hope this helps

Thursday, September 4, 2008, 5:44 PM

WW Activity Points

Thank you so much for the activity points formula - I have been searching!!!

For those of you who like to track but can't afford the WW online program - try The Daily Plate at LIVESTRONG.com they have an awesome database of foods and activities - (later plug in all of your info into a Points Calculator that you can get for free to download to your desktop - just google WWpoints Widget for Mac or PC ) I then just add my points to the notes portion of the daily tracker. I love this site and it's free!!!!! It has the graphs, weight tracker and everything! Now I can use the activity points formula as well! I can't wait!!!

Link

Tuesday, September 16, 2008, 9:41 AM

Low intesity is 40 to 54% of max heart rate
Moderate is 55 to 69% of max heart rate,
and high intensity is 70% and above of max heart rate. So, it doesn't matter what you do, it's how hard you work out. I know people that walk at high intensity and jog at moderate.
Everything WW does is based on scientific research.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009, 3:03 PM

activity points

I joined weight watchers two weeks ago and lost 6.5 pounds in the first week using only 18 points a day. However, i've started running on average 30 mins a day and and going to the gym, i have one day off and i have actually put on a pound this week!. I was told that i had to eat all of my activity points for fuel..is this correct? Also is it true that your body initally retains water when you first start training? This is all new to me as when i danced it was eat as little as you could and exercise as much as you could :)

Tuesday, March 24, 2009, 6:54 PM

If you are really going to exercise on a regular basis and you just started to do this, you are going to have a really difficult time staying on just 18 pts a day. You may need to eat some of your 35 bonus points. There is an exercise phenomenon about gaining wt when you first start an exercise program. If I were you, I would stay on the program, use some of the bonus if you need it, and forget about the scale for 3 to 4 wks. You will gain some muscle, and I believe that the body does retain some water to repair the muscles as you get fit.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009, 8:37 AM

When I first started my program a month ago, I gained 12 pounds, then I lost all that plus 5 pounds.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009, 1:32 PM

negative comments

Hi, this website, I believe, was created to offer support for those trying to get healthy, lose weight, improve physical state, etc. And I believe everyone has a right to their opinion. But to state a negative comment about a program that many people have found great success with, and not offer explanation,personal reasoning, etc... I think it should be deleted. It doesn't do anyone any good.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009, 2:32 PM

activity points

Really!? ok, well i'm trying it today to eat my 23 points which is my basic amount...but my trainer said that i need to eat all of my earned activity points..but yet i read that you shoukd earn more than you use so now i'm just confused lol...as i feel like i'm eating soo much :)

Wednesday, March 25, 2009, 3:34 PM

The activity points are deliberately calculated to be less than you burn, so don't worry about it. Just err on the side of low vs. high when giving yourself points for activity.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009, 6:21 PM

Some people object to the usage of the word "suck." I would like to know what word you would recommend for this horrible program. Some people claim to have "success" with Weight Watchers, if they have the discipline to eliminate all the wonderful food that they love. I have not joined it, nor do I intend to, because I see what others go through with this horrible program. Just recently, I made a lemon cake to go to a party. It took a long time to make, and it turned out great, but BECAUSE my cousin was on Weight Watchers, she cut a teeny tiny piece, probably 1/64th of the total cake, just to sample it. Another guy munched on a 3 ounce portion of fish with lots and lots of plain asparagus on the side while others were enjoying pizza. If you can find a better word than "suck," I'd like to know what it is.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009, 9:42 AM

On the contrary, I got out my thesaurus. Here are some synonyms for "suck," but you guys probably won't like these either: bite, blow, and bite the big one. Weight Watchers does all of the above. You eat one or two slices of pizza, and that is all of the food you can eat in a single day???? This may be an exaggeration, but not by much. It sounds like self-torment to me.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009, 9:47 AM

Weight Watchers frozen dinners ("Smart Ones") are the only frozen diet meals with which I can actually loose weight.

Thank youu Weight Watchers!!!

Wednesday, April 1, 2009, 1:31 PM

put on weight again

Ok so again another week..i have a personal trainer and eat my points plus activity points and i put on another pound! sorry but i'm gonna try it my way with a mostly raw vegan diet..points come in very low, but the nutrition is better and i should see the benefits...we'll see next week aye :)

Wednesday, April 1, 2009, 5:15 PM

For the Sucks poster!!!!

I joined WW last year and have lost 20 lbs. I am a foodie and I eat all kinds of good food and I even eat Pizza and Cake. I can tell you I do not eat bland fish and veggies. It is all about choices and I have become quit a gourmet cook, trying new things and modifying recipes. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but why are you commenting on a diet you have not tried or plan to go on? It is obvious that you are jealous of others that are trying to get healthy. It is your choice to be whatever weight you want to be, but do not fault your cousin and others because they want to make healthy choices. You need to find another board to vent your personal frustrations.

Friday, April 10, 2009, 5:25 PM

Reply to 'put on weight again'

It's too bad that you're so disheartened by putting on a pound that you're willing to throw away the WW plan. Regardless of what plan you're on you're not necessarily going to lose weight each and every week. Your body is finding it's way with a new regime and changing that regime again is only going to confuse it more.

The critical thing to remember is that the goal is a lifestyle that can be maintained for the rest of your life with you being able to manage your weight and feel healthy and not deprived. If your goal is "how much weight can I lose in the shortest period of time" - you're setting yourself up for failure. Any program you use with that mindset is not something that you will be able to continue for a lifetime.

I joined WW almost a year ago and am down 75 pounds as of my weigh in last Saturday. I could lose faster if I didn't eat my 35 and my activity points, but with them I can have treats and splurges without feeling any guilt. If they have birthday cake at work for someone, I have a piece. If my office is bringing in lunch for a staff meeting - I partake of it if it's something I like and it's worth it to me to spend the points.

I drink the occasional beer or scotch and once a week I have a big honkin' steak (I'm truly a carnivore).

I still have 20 pounds to go and at my current rate of loss I will get there in 4 or 5 months. The critical thing for me is that I will get there without feeling deprived so there's no reason not to continue to do it.

Monday, April 20, 2009, 7:02 PM

For the Sucks Poster

Everyone needs to find what works for them, i have met many people over the years who have been on WW with tremendous success. Such as this person who lost 75 lbs. and as you can see a great example of moderation. I just started WW on my own, and if i want to eat more or less and exercise more or less i can. it's a great program to help people lose weight and helps us to stay focused, disciplined, and most of all aware of what's going into our bodies. It's reasonable for my lifestyle. I chose to do this. I don't chose to eat nothing but cabbage or mac Donalds. We have such an abundance and blessing in America that we have more obese people here than any where else in the world. With freedoom comes responsibility.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009, 3:02 PM

I don't think weight watchers sucks at all! I hear of people who lose weight all the time on it and its super easy. You people must like the SEE FOOD DIET BETTER

Monday, June 15, 2009, 11:35 AM

Re: Weight Watchers

I joined Weight Watchers on April 8, 2009, and as of two weeks ago, I lost a total of 27 lbs, which I am VERY proud of. I am still able to eat almost everything I like, I just have to watch how much I eat. I made some substitutions, like using 93% fat free ground turkey instead of ground beef, and I cut out cheese in most things I eat, but that's a personal choice, and I find I don't miss it. I also eat a lot of salads, but I mix it up a bit. I use different fat free and low fat dressings, and I do other things to change the taste so it isn't a bland diet for me at all. I still eat pizza every couple of weeks, and I even was able to go to a fundraiser at Cici's Pizza (a pizza buffet) and I just used my 35 extra weekly points that week. I went to a high school graduation party and was able to eat what I wanted there as well. I have had a couple weeks where I had a slight gain, but I don't let that get me down. I just work a little harder the next week. My only real activity is that I started walking 1-2 miles a day which I didn't do before, and I don't even calculate activity points for that, though it takes me a little less than 30 minutes a day to do my walk.

I missed my meeting last week due to an emergency with a friend, so I didn't weigh in, and I overate a little bit this weekend, so I imagine I've gained a pound or two this week, but that happens from time to time. I'll just work harder this coming week.

Weight Watchers is not about the quick weight loss. It's about changing life habits, and making new ones that work for you. I have found the program to be very easy to follow because I was ready to make some changes, and I was pleasantly surprised that I can still eat a lot of things that I love. I can even eat fast food sometimes if I really want to, just don't overindulge.

So to the people that say the program sucks, but have never tried it, I say I don't think that's a fair assessment. For any weight loss program to work, you have to be ready to make some changes, because apparently what you were doing that led to your becoming overweight didn't work. I've lost almost 30 lbs, and I have a lot more to lose, but I know I am well on my way, and as long as I keep up with the changes I have made, and progressively step up my exercise regimen, I will get there!

Sunday, June 21, 2009, 6:00 PM

I don't think you should delete the "sucks" comment. I learned a lot about WW that I would not have had the comments not been "lively" and interesting.

Sunday, June 21, 2009, 7:56 PM

To all those nay-sayers

Weight Watchers does NOT suck, or whatever term you wish to use. I ended up 76 pounds overweight because I LOVE food. I had an eating disorder where I didn't know I was full until well after I had already eaten too much. As a result, eating healthy portions always left me wanting more. I tried the South Beach diet, now THAT was torture, no bread products for 2 weeks? are you kidding me?

I tried the Special K diet. Again, no luck there. It just didn't work, So finally I gave weight watchers a try.

You learn to control your portions. Like it or not, 2 large slices of pizzeria pizza is NOT very healthy. And just think, I used to eat 4 slices whenever we ordered pizza! I still have pizza while on WW, but if I know we are having it I try to make allowances in my food choices to accommodate a slice or 2.

As of January 31, 2010 I have lost 38 pounds in 6 months! I am literally halfway to my target weight! and I almost never work out, so THAT alone is a testament to how well WW works. Just remember the WW Points program allows you to eat pretty much whatever you want as long as you stay within your point allowance. I believe it is the Core program that limits what you can eat. Sorry I love pizza and cereal too much for that :)

Don't knock it till you REALLY try it.

Sunday, January 31, 2010, 6:50 AM

pp- how old are you and are you on any medications at all?

Sunday, January 31, 2010, 3:17 PM

I have been a follower of the ww plan on and off for about 20yrs. I intially lost 97lbs and have been successful in wt maintenance until I made poor choices. to blame any wt loss program is just an excuse to continue poor choices and "creative point counting" Although I no longer attend meetings it is my go-to plan for healthy weight loss when I have lapsed in healthy choices. I recently quit smoking ( 5 mo ago) approx 30 lbs has "appeared " very quickly on my hips. I have again turned to my rock of a plan and have already lost 12 lbs in 1 month. this program is real, not a temporary fix and inexpensive to follow. I know I will be successful

Link

Wednesday, February 3, 2010, 2:30 AM

Activity Points earned..

Hi,

I started WW online because Delta Junction Alaska canceled their meeting due to poor attendace. I still don't know what is the purpose of the earned points when I do an activity. What do I do with them.

Finally, I want to add that I'm glad that this site does not appreciate rude comments. We are here to support each other and if you can't say anything nice just keep it to yourself.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010, 3:16 PM

YAY!

You go girl!

Wednesday, April 21, 2010, 3:17 PM

Support!

I see all your comments and I know I will succed! Wow! You guys are awesome!

Wednesday, April 21, 2010, 3:19 PM

It works for me

I joined WW in 2007 at 199 pounds and 55 years old, lost 25 in 7 months and have been within 2 pounds of goal for over 2 years. So I have been a lifetime member for 2 years. I had never lost weight in the 30 years prior. nothing else worked for me, even though I had been exercising and hiking for years.

Monday, May 3, 2010, 10:08 PM

to all of WW people

I started this program last year and lost 32 lbs. I got to the holidays and got the blahs and gained 20 of it back. I am finally back on the plan and have lost 4 1/2 lbs in the first week. You guys are amazing and it really makes me feel good to hear everyones success stories and feelings about gaining some of it back and the whole thing. I didn't get this weight by hating food I can tell you.
Thank you for putting yourselves out there for the world and being positive.

Friday, May 7, 2010, 1:13 PM

related article on the new Weight Watchers Momentum Program:

http://blog.peertrainer.com/tip_of_the_day/2008/12/weight-watchers-new-momentum-program.html

Thursday, September 16, 2010, 2:42 PM

Related: PEERtrainer has a free weight loss coaching program, called the Tip Of The Day. Learn more at this page:

PEERtrainer Tip Of The Day Program: Free Email Based Weight Loss Coaching Program

Thursday, September 23, 2010, 12:22 PM

neg. post.

Those Kinds of post should be deleted. As a member of WW I look to post for inspiration and support. I don't want to see neg. post like that.

Saturday, August 4, 2012, 6:23 PM

Sorry I posted that.

Ok that last post I deeply regret. I just started ww. Please forgive me.

Saturday, August 4, 2012, 6:30 PM

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