Weight Watchers v Slimming World

kingfisherblue

SW clearly explain (at least in my group) that you need to eat plenty of fruit, veg and lean protein for weight loss. They recommend one fibre choice and one dairy choice a day, to ensure that you have enough roughage and calcium. They also explain that some people don't tolerate certain foods very well. In addition, they recommend regular eating, as this keeps the metabolism functioning correctly. Missing meals means that your body hangs on to food because it doesn't know when it will be fed next. Adding fruit or veg to every meal encourages you to work increase intake, often surpassing the government's recommended five portions a day.

Syns are included because it is a lifestyle plan, not a diet. SW acknowledge that you are unlikely to go through life without eating chocolate, or drinking alcohol, or having a bag of crisps. Counting syns ensures that you can still have trewats while on plan, which means you are less likely to cheat. It also makes SW a sustainable lifestyle change.

In some areas, doctors 'prescribe' SW to overweight patients who need support.

74jax

maman wrote: »

I'd certainly agree with the magical mystery element. That's true of SW too to an extent. I'm not sure whether it's because some consultants aren't very bright or they have to stick to script but they rarely explain anything and I find that 'blind faith' attitude irritating too.


That being said SW is really common sense but with a structure to help you plan and organise yourself. Put very briefly it's a case of eating a balanced diet (roughly a third each of carbs, lean meat/fish, and veg) some daily fibre (like bread or cereal) and calcium (milk/cheese) and then keeping things we all know should be treats (chocolate, cakes, wine, crisps etc) at an occasional treat level. So it's not how much you eat it's eating the right things.

SW in my group explain why some makes are healthy b and some not (ratio of ingredients and how quick body uses it etc) and why some good is syned and others which look the same aren't.

Maybe it's you're group? SW online is a great back up too, to help explain everything.

maman

74jax wrote: »

Maybe it's you're group? SW online is a great back up too, to help explain everything.

You could well be right. My consultant certainly falls into the 'nice but dim' category. I think I've worked out most of it for myself using common sense. I use the website (main reason why I still go for monthly weigh in) but it's pretty poor considering how wealthy the company must be and (so I'm told) SW online version isn't very good at all.

Kynthia

Weight watchers has just started a new plan which is designed to reduce the amount of sugar people consume in their points, therefore it encourages you to use your points on more healthy foods. I find WW better for those that don't cook from scratch most nights as SW seems penalise processed food more. Also WW has an option that is similar to SW in that you can come off daily points and instead eat unlimited foods off the Filling and Healthy list, only pointing those that aren't and deducting them from a weekly allowance.

I prefer WW meetings as they are much shorter and don't involve talking to every individual in front off the class about the past week and upcoming week. They both give a talk each each about different things like exercise and portion control.

However whether they work long term is all about whether tge individual makes healthy lifestyle changes or just works the plan as a temporary fix.

june89

For cooking from scratch, I think this really depends on what kind of meals you want to make. Something simple like some grilled/pre-cooked protein and a side of steamed/microwaved veg (or a bagged salad) is perfectly on plan and takes hardly more effort or time than heating up a ready meal. Plenty of processed things are also free or very low syn too, just have to know what they are - the magazine is usually good for promoting these.

The new WW plans sound interesting though. Much better than the constant pushing of their products (not a fan of most of them) which is the impression I got last time I looked at them.

Petra_70

I would not waste money on a slimming club. JMO. You can do it on your own.

I know a number of people who lost 3-5 stone or more on WW and SW, and piled it all back on within a year.

claysam

I started slimming world in March and have just got my 9 1/2 stone certificate. I find it very easy to follow and haven't really changed a lot but cut out the rubbish and made healthier choices. We have target members that have maintained their loss for years :j:j

tatabubbly

Lost more than 2 stone for my wedding in September and I'm keeping it off - granted due to baby on the way, I'll be putting on some however, healthy eating sticks with you!

meer53

Petra_70 wrote: »

I would not waste money on a slimming club. JMO. You can do it on your own.

I know a number of people who lost 3-5 stone or more on WW and SW, and piled it all back on within a year.

Thats more to do with them, not the slimming group. You have to keep up with the new healthy eating plan which is where the support given by going to the clubs comes in. You can do it on your own, if you don't need the support. Many people need the group support, if it helps you get to a healthy weight, it's not a waste of money, it's only a waste if you don't stick to it and put it all back on again. It's your choice.

heartbreak_star

I tried SW for a month and put on 4lb :rotfl:

Crazy exercise and better lunch choices seem to be working for me

HBS x