What do you learn in a weight watchers meeting?

Everyone talks about weight watchers and I want to know. What have you specifically learned that has helped you? TIA!

Wed. Dec 10, 7:48am

My mom told me she learned about thanksgiving dinner and how to count your points.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008, 12:48 PM

I definitely learned about points and how to use them, but we shared good recipe and food ideas which was helpful. A lot has to do with the type of group leader you get. That can make or break your experience.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008, 1:09 PM

You can learn a lot.
- How to estimate portions when you can't measure
- How to plan for specially occasions
- How to choose more healthy options
- How not to deprive yourself, but instead control yourself
- Great recipes
- Tips for cooking lighter
- Strategies for changing your behaviors to be more healthy

Most of all, you'll learn how to plan and make better choices that you can live with instead f depriving yourself of everything you love.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008, 1:45 PM

I learned a lot with WW but ultimately it taught me the importance of portion control. It was my downfall when I was heavy - now I've learned to eat everything I like, in moderation of course!!

rachspen

Wednesday, December 10, 2008, 3:25 PM

is there a core set of information or is it sort of a set of tips and things each week? what is the main value?

Thursday, December 11, 2008, 5:06 PM

In Weight Watchers you learn how to eat. They use a behavior modification approach that educates members about food, portions, nutrition as well as how to make better food choices even in dificult situations. I've been a Weight Watchers member for a year now and I've lost 40 pounds so far. The big key here is that I haven't gained any weight back!

Friends always say, you don't need to diet, just eat in moderation. I say, "what is moderation?" "what is a propper portion?", "How do I know when I've gone off the deep end?". A lot of people with severe weight problems can't answer those questions, so moderation isn't really an option. Weight Watchers gives you the tools to make good decisions and understand when enough is enough.

There is a point system that they use to help simplify calroie counting, but really it is calorie counting. There are also healthy eating guidelines that you're encouraged to follow like drinking water, excercising, eating fruits and veggies and eating foods high in fiber and protein versus food high in carbs and fat.

The meetings can vary depending on the group leader. They cane function like a support group or just be a time for members to check in. We trade recipes, talk about our successes and help each other overcome challenges.

Ok, I'm getting off my soap box now.

Friday, December 12, 2008, 3:33 PM

I learned how I could eat donuts, cake and pop, then starve the rest of the day.

WW teaches you how to count calories, but not necessarily proper nutrition. Although I'll admit their new core plan does try to address that. But if you're going to follow the core plan, you might as well save yourself the money and go buy Body for Life, South Beach Diet or the Abs Diet.

From my personal experience, WW was a waste of money, and the group setting wasn't for me. Not to mention if I went out with a group that had any WW members in it, they were watching what I was eating.

OK, I'll get off my soapbox now.

Monday, December 15, 2008, 11:24 AM

You learn about the points system and usually the leaders give their tips about how they lost weight and how they use weight watchers in their daily lives. Usually, if the leader has lost weight and it's someone you like and want to look like, it's effective. If not, well, you're not so apt to follow their advice.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008, 3:09 PM

what is the most valuable part of the meeting? If I know the system already will it help me? what specifically has a good leader told you?

Thursday, December 18, 2008, 11:19 AM

11:24 I really don't think WW encourages you to eat donuts, cake and pop for a meal and then starve!!! How silly! It does teach you to compensate if you are going to eat a bigger or more fattening meal during the day. If you are going out to dinner eat a smaller lunch - like a salad w/ grilled chicken, etc. It's still the principle of basic calorie counting while taking into account fat and fiber.

However I do know that meetings aren't for everyone. They weren't for me - I had success on my own without attending meetings. For some people the accountability of having to weigh in works for them, chatting and swapping ideas with other people losing weight - hence the meetings.

Diets like South Beach, the Abs DIet, etc didn't work for me because they were too restrictive. I would end up craving foods and bingeing and gaining more weight in the process. To each their own, just find what you like, what you can stick with long term and what works for you!

rachspen

Thursday, December 18, 2008, 11:56 AM

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