Please Note: Weight Watchers has changed it's program again. Click here to learn more about Weight Watchers latest program for 2020.
Some Successful Weight Watchers Struggle with Transitioning from Points Plus to Smart Points
I ran across this post over at Drizzle Me Skinny, where Kate, a successful Weight Watchers Lifetime Member, explains why she made the decision to switch back to PointsPlus after testing out the new SmartPoints Plan for three months.
She basically sums it up with this assessment:
After about a month of getting into the swing of the new point system I noticed my moods at the end of the day were different, and I was finding myself in the kitchen eating all sorts of snacks I normally never would have, a little of this, a little of that and next thing you know I am easily 10-20 points over my daily allowance of 30SP. This is because I wasn't buying or making the things I was so accustomed to on my points plus journey… because most things were about ⅓ of my allotted daily allowance. This new habit I had picked up was something I never did on points plus and I can sum that up to "restriction."
A lot of folks left comments expressing similar frustration that was tapping into feelings of deprivation leading to bingeing and weight gain. Not a good thing! And I'm sure not what Weight Watchers intended. Weight loss is such a mental game!
I know being told I can't have something is a real problem for me. I have this really spoiled inner child that rebels when told, NO.
So, I've learned to appease her by telling her that nothing is off limits provided she is willing to plan/budget for it. Most of the time it works.
This is why Weight Watchers is the only plan that works for me longterm. I can't live without bread, wine, chocolate, sweets, fat, sugar, pizza or potato chips forever. It's unrealistic for me and the way I want to live.
Other Weight Watchers Are Seeing Greater Success with SmartPoints
Another commenter's experience was just the opposite. SmartPoints is working for her:
For what it's worth, PointsPlus is what knocked me off of my goal weight. I loved the old original points plan and I could NOT make PP work for me. I found myself doing a lot of what you were doing and eventually, I quit WW in frustration of not having any good tools. I happened to join WW again just as they were rolling out SP (I had avoided it because I resented the PP plan). SmartPoints is working really well for me. I think the experience of many of us is: we have made one lifestyle change to embrace a program (Weight Watchers or otherwise) that works for us. We have success, and we find goal. If we are summarily pushed to a new mindset, when we like the one we have — and it’s working for us — we probably won't like it.
I think this is why I still have good feelings about the old WW exchange plan I followed to originally lose weight and achieve lifetime status. It was very restrictive, but the joy I felt getting slim and reaching goal is what I most remember.
Why Do Some Weight Watchers Programs Seem to Work Better Than Others?
As my leader explained during Friday's meeting: Weight Watchers has been around for more than 50 years and has changed the program dozens of times to stay in alignment with current dietary understanding, which continues to evolve.
Each and every program worked for the members that followed it. Many of us who have been with WW through the decades have witnessed this first hand.
The key is to lasting success is adjusting the program to best meet our individual needs. Question any group of successful Weight Watchers members and you'll discover that they're all doing things differently.
We all know what we are supposed to do - eat more fruits and vegetables and avoid sweet treats. The difficulty begins with actually doing it, as Mindless Eating expert Brian Wansink explains in this interesting article about tricking yourself into eating better:
The thrust of his research directly contradicts the prevailing wisdom in nutrition circles—that the way to improve America's diet is to teach people about the dangers of trans fats, refined sugar, and white flour. In Wansink's view, that's a losing battle—if we were rational eaters, the snack food industry would already be out of business. "There are a million nutritionists out there that tell you to eat an apple instead of a Snickers bar," he says. "I want to meet people where they're at."
Here's another great article that sums up why Weight Watchers is struggling as a business - because sensible eating and portion control can be boring and hard work. It's not extreme or sexy. It's not a silver bullet promising unrealistic results!
Can thinking differently help those struggling with SmartPoints?
I recently had this realization... with Weight Watchers SmartPoints, you can never hit your daily target and still lose weight!
Say What? The SmartPoints Target is a number designed to reflect OPTIMAL/NEAR PERFECT HEALTHY EATING FOR WEIGHT LOSS. So, it's possible to go way over your target and still lose weight...
I Regularly Exceed My WW SmartPoints Target While Managing to Maintain My Weight
When I first tested out SmartPoints, I began by just eating the way I regularly do to maintain my lifetime goal weight and was shocked to discover that I was consuming 50 to 60 SmartPoints per day!
That's way over my suggested SmartPoints target for maintenance! And I'm okay with that.
I eat a relatively healthy diet of mostly home cooked foods with occasional sweet treats. I enjoy a glass or two of wine with dinner most nights.
I've been successfully maintaining for several years now the goal weight I set back when I was 28. Could I eat healthier and meet my SP target most days? Probably. Would I be happy? Probably not. And for me it's all about me finding my happy/healthy balance.
Remember that your daily SmartPoints is Simply a Target you are shooting for. You don't have to hit it to be successful! You just keep aiming for it! You can never hit it and still lose weight!!
You know yourself best and you should do whatever you need to, modify the program however you need to, to take care yourself. This is your life and you know yourself best!
The Correct Mindset is Critical to Lasting Weight Loss
Weight loss is a MIND - BODY challenge. It's as much psychological as it is physical. The correct mindset, thoughts and beliefs are just as important (or maybe more important) than what you eat.
Lasting weight loss happens with little incremental behavioral changes.
It takes awareness. It takes time. It takes patience. It takes practice. It takes creating new habits and changing your environment. It has to be a priority. You have to really really want it. You have to be willing to do the work. You have to be willing to learn from your mistakes and be kind to yourself.
There Are Lots of Ways Other Than Weight Watchers to Successfully Lose Weight
And the truth is that there are lots and lots of ways to lose weight. Heck, here's an example of a college professor who lost weight and got healthier on the junk food diet! You know yourself best so do what's best for you!!
Personally, I hate that you can no longer use a recipe's nutritional information to accurately calculate SmartPoints. Recipes must be run through the WW Recipe Builder to accurately determine SmartPoints which is time consuming.
I'm still a huge fan of the overall Weight Watchers model, with the accountability and support it provides. I believe Weight Watchers success is in their structure as a support network.
For me WW meetings are 30 minutes of sanity in an out of control food world. And I love the new WW Connect feature.
What do you think? Has Weight Watchers gone too far with Smart Points? Is it too restrictive? Or sustainable once you get used to it? Is it easier for new members than for those transitioning from Points Plus to SmartPoints?
Please share your thoughts. I really want to know so I can help be part of the solution to our weight loss and healthy eating struggles!
I'll also continue to provide both SmartPoints and PointsPlus for all new recipes for those of you sticking with the old plan.
PS - If you are tired of calculating/tracking Points or calories, check out why I've shifted to Intermittent Fasting after reading Eat Stop Eat!
Martha is the founder and main content writer for Simple-Nourished-Living.
A longtime lifetime WW at goal, she is committed to balancing her love of food and desire to stay slim while savoring life and helping others do the same.
She is the author of the Smart Start 28-Day Weight Loss Challenge.
A huge fan of the slow cooker and confessed cookbook addict, when she's not experimenting in the kitchen, you're likely to find Martha on her yoga mat.
This post contains affiliate links to products I like. When you buy something through one of my Amazon links or other (affiliate links), I receive a small commission that helps support this site. Thank you for your purchase!
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Darlene
HI Martha,
I saw the same post over at Drizzle Me Skinny and I first commented that I like the SP program and that it was working for me. I've now come to realize that the honeymoon may be over for me and SP. I am feeling totally deprived and for me that is a pit of dynamite. I want to eat everything and rebel because I am told "no". So I am going to switch to PP for a bit and see how I feel emotionally. It took me a few days to understand what was going on with my eating and feelings, and now that I know I am relieved. Honestly had a bit of fear in me that "oh no, here we go, back to old ways" but that is not the case (well we'll see in a couple of weeks if I'm right). Going to have a good look through your site now. So grateful for the blogosphere.
Martha McKinnon
Hi Darlene,
Thanks so much for stopping by to comment. Lasting weight loss is such a mental game. I know what you mean about wanting to rebel when told "no." I have the same struggle and through the years have learned to tell myself I can have whatever I want. Not as much as I want or whenever I want, but whatever I want within reasonable limits. It seems to work most of the time. The key is to learn how to give yourself what you need. Best of luck! I'm cheering for you.
Annamarie
I too feel hoodwinked by SP. I am barely losing and food that I ate on PP in double or triple the points. As soon as you take out a serving it's at lest 3-8 points and you only have 30. I am considering going back on PP and attending meetings for the support.
VSP
Several years ago I lost 35 pounds on points plus. I kept it off for a year, but I have gained 10 pounds back over the last 18 months, so I went back to weight watchers. After two weeks on SmartPoints I have not lost an ounce. I am going back to PointsPlus!
Janelle
I am totally with you on that one. I had good success after two of my babies on PP but have been doing SP for 10 months now and only lost 3kg. I feel like I'm on a diet with SP but never felt that way with PP. When my year is up, I'm going to cancel my subscription and go back to following PP on my own.
Martha McKinnon
Hi Janelle, This is such an interesting phenomenon and one shared by many who are having difficulty transitioning from PP to SP. Best of luck with getting back to PP on your own.
Annamarie
Yes I enjoyed PP. I didn't realize how much I did until I tried SP. Feel deprived everyday. I don't get how these tv ladies are eating chips everyday.
Melissa Novella
LOL - yeah, I wondered about the chips, too. Its much harder to go out to a restaurant, and eat semi-normal with having such restrictions on points... its like a dinner roll is 5 points, really? The bag of chips they are eating on TV would be 55 smartpoints... they are lying their butts off... LOL; Almost every night I, too, feel deprived, and I can tell you I am eating only 1/4 of what I ate before I started the program two weeks ago. I got on the scale, and I actually gained a few pounds. I am unsure how this happened... I measured, I weighed, I ate hardly any carbs (the entire time, only had 1 cup of whole wheat pasta) - the rest was vegetables (fresh), fruit (fresh), and protein (low fat cheese, grilled chicken breast, salmon, and yogurt); its pretty bad, when a 2/4 cup of Kashi cereal is 7 points... WHAT!!!
Mary
It seems to be like the smart points guide me to a higher protein and lower carb diet. I find it to have more satiety value for me and I have more energy.
Rose
I really don't understand why people say SP does not work for them...it is proper eating and I don't see how they say it is restrictive. Eating sugary food, anything processed with white flour and garbage is bad for you no matter what program or weight loss strategy you are following. If you want to eat all that sugar then plan for it, going back to PP is just an excuse not to eat better! I'm sorry but I just don't get what these people are complaining about with the new SmartPoints. I have been on WW before, did PP and really do not find SP much different besides making people aware that sugar and saturated fats are not good for you so eat them in moderation. How can this be wrong? I plan my meals and make this work for me and I know what I am putting into my body is good for me. Sure, treats are welcomed and have always been on WW but being more aware of what is not good for your body is a good thing not a reason to give up on such a great program. It's a journey, not a race.
Martha McKinnon
HI Rose, Thanks for commenting! It sounds like you are in a really good place with Weight Watchers, SmartPoints and your weight loss right now! That's awesome. Some of us just have this little spoiled child inside us that can't stand being told no. So we do things to rebel and sabotage ourselves. Most of us aren't rational and logical when it comes to food. If we were than we would all be really healthy and nobody would be overweight, lol. You are right, it's a journey and not a race 🙂
Rose
Thanks Martha. Yes, I am making the program work because I WANT it. I have lost 21 lbs so far and feeling great. I still don't understand why people feel WW is telling you no....they are telling you to do better and if you really want those "foods" then work and plan for them, that's it. I guess everyone is entitled to their opinion. I hope people figure it out and make this or something work for them as it is important to lead a healthy life so we can enjoy each day to the fullest! Good luck to everyone and keep on going!
Martha McKinnon
Thanks for your kind words, Rose! The more ideas, experiences, thoughts we can share, the more we can help ourselves and each other achieve our goals. The truth is that the most recent science supports the fact that losing just a little bit of our excess weight can help our health a lot!! Congrats on your 21 pound weight loss!! That's awesome 🙂
Anna Prez
Rose, it may work for you and to say that going back to PP is not eating well is basically saying that for the past number of years following WW plan was not healthy eating?
And in all of their previous plans there was supposed to be a nice balance of protein, carbs, oils, fats - all of which they told us had to work together to help weight loss and now they say no.
I gave the new plan a good try for 3-4 weeks and put on 6 lbs. And before you remark, yes - I followed it to the letter.
AS the article so clearly states, what works for one does not work for all. We each have to find what works for us.
This new plan does make me feel deprived. I feel that I am being penalized for wanting pasta or my little 1/2 cup ice cream. And again as the article states - a lot of "dieting" is mental/emotional. And if I feel that I am being penalized or deprived I am going to have a hard time. And for that reason I am back at PP. I can eat whatever I want - all in moderation - and not feel like I have to go hide in the closet to eat it.
Lavon
Rose, I've been at Lifetime for 4 years now & have maintained that entire time. I dislike Sp as well but it doesn't have anything to do with sugar. My DH cannot eat a lot of meat due to a medical condition. That means our dinners do not feature large portions of meat & we get protein from other sources. The points for meat went down but most of the other sources increased. In order to stay on point with SP, I have to eat less (not garbage & not processed food). Please don't assume those of us that don't like SP are eating junk all the time. I use very little processed food & cook most of our meals. SP just doesn't work for us. I still go to meeting & root for my friends but I'm happy with PP.
Martha McKinnon
Thanks for sharing your experiences, Lavon! The more perspectives we are able to share in a supportive conversation, the more help we can provide one another!! What are some of your favorite non-meat protein sources??? Since both dairy and beans went up a bit in SP, this is a valid issue for those following a more vegetarian-based diet. Appreciate your input 🙂
Lavon
To be honest, I don't have a favorite since I prefer meat. However, I do what I have to do to keep my DH healthy. I use a variety of options so we don't get bored. I'm afraid WW forgot that some people follow a more vegetarian-based diet. PP wasn't perfect but I can follow it the rest of my life. SP would be a short-term option for us. I also don't think they thought about the fact that many people will eat too much meat due to points. I listen to other members at my meeting & I'm shocked at how much they eat. I love meat as well but everything in moderation.
Janelle
I totally agree with you on that Lavon. PP is something I feel I can follow long term, SP feels like a "diet" and something I would do just to lose weight but then what!
Martha McKinnon
Hi Janelle,
Thanks so much for sharing your experiences!
Linda
Agree. SP much more difficult for vegetarians. It makes no sense that eating meat is rewarded by costing fewer points than plant based protein. Ridiculous from a health standpoint and I really resent it.
diana
It is very restrictive if you are not a meat eater. Protein from non-meat sources has jumped in points making SP very difficult to follow. Customer service at WW was next to useless in the changeover. That's why I quit - and I'm a lifetime member. Using an online support group now and following Points Plus. I am not a big junk food eater or sweets eater - but as a person who does not eat much meat, I find PP much easier to follow.
amy
just curious - which online support group are you participating in? I'm also fed up with WW and their non-support, but i like having the community...
Angel
All this. I'm so baffled at the comments of SP being too restrictive. No one is telling you to step eating anything. If you're looking at WW as helping you make a lifestyle change, this is what it's doing -- eat more veggies/fruits, lean proteins, limit the processed carbs and sugars. I don't feel any different using either of the points systems, but when I did PP I was trying to eat more like I am now anyway on SP. So, perhaps that weighs (pun intended) into my views.
Angel
I commented too soon and just read the comments about meat. I can appreciate that, re: points values increase for non-meat proteins. I suppose that's one of the limitations of a mass-produced commercial plan that can be individualized only so much. Perhaps in a future iteration of the program (if there's not a way to do this now), daily point value can be determined not only by current weight, but also by types of food you eat --- like if you're vegetarian.
But in the interim, perhaps the points values can be adjusted (more daily point allotments? shave 1 point off of a serving of beans? I don't know ...)
Angel
Further thought: simply filling may be the way to go? I have considered switching to SF, but THAT plan I find too restrictive, even though I do try to eat most whole, unprocessed foods.
Martha McKinnon
Thanks for your helpful thoughts, Angel!
Martha McKinnon
Hi Angel, Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences. I agree, that if you were already trying to limit your processed and carbs on PP than SP would be an easier transition. That was where I was in my healthy eating/weight loss journey too! But the truth is that weight loss and healthy eating are a journey and everyone is at different places in their journey. How I eat now and plan and think about food is way different than it was when I started 40 years ago. OMG, I've been on this journey 40 years!!! I had to learn how to deal with my spoiled inner child rebel who didn't want to be told NO, who wanted what she wanted, who snuck sweets when nobody was looking, who comforted her sad, stressed, lonely heart with pints of ice cream and boxes of cheez-its!! It's the mental/emotional aspects of eating that can really trip us up sometimes. I'm so happy SP is working for you!!
Nina
The new SmartPoints does not work for me and here is why ... I have a lot of weight to lose ... A LOT.
I had lost 50lbs on the old plan but because of some emotional upset and other issues, I have gained all and a bit more. I wanted to get the weight off so enrolled with Weight Watchers as I have always been a Weight Watchers Girl.
Since being on SmartPoints I have not lost weight but gained. Last night was the final straw as I had gained another 4lbs ... I went home and sobbed, because no matter what I do, I am not losing the weight I so desperately want to lose.
So today, I have made the decision to go back to ProPoints. Out of interest I worked out both my SmartPoints and my ProPoints ...
SmartPoints allowance total for the week would be: 455
ProPoints allowance total for the week would be: 420
That is a differnce of 35 points ... 35 extra points I am allocated on SmartPoints and this is the reason I am not losing - I am on too many points. I've never been a biscuit / sweet person so the increase in points on these items doesn't bother me.
I think it's great that the plan is working for you, but sadly it doesn't work for me.
I do not understand why they tried to "fix" something, which in my humble opinion didn't require fixing.
Perhaps Weight Watchers needs to realise that what works for some people may not work for someone else ... it's a shame they cannot run both plans to allow people to do what suits them.
Good luck with your weight loss 🙂
Martha McKinnon
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences Nina. I agree that each of us needs to craft our own recipe for losing weight if it's to stick for the long run. I wish you all the best with your weight loss 🙂
Nancie
I agree! i have been on WW Smart Points for 4 weeks now and lost 7 pounds, i feel great, my target is 30....i never go over 30...and im under often, cause i eat veggie and fruit more, its kept me away from unneccesary carbs and bad bad foods. I love this! so easy to stick to!
Mary
I have had the opposite of success with the new smart points. While I understand what they are trying to do, I am feeling VERY restricted... Which leads me to many of the binge type behaviors I thought were behind me. I've gained 11 lbs. since the new system. (I've managed to keep off 30lbs for 2 years until this point, while I'm not at goal I still consider not gaining during a time of drastic transition to be very good) My mentality on the new plan has been very awful and I can't seem to find my way back to positivity. I find myself out of points on Tuesday and thinking forget it. Or I'll keep tracking and get to my weekly meeting with negative 100 weeklies. This is awful for my moral and feeds the thoughts that maybe I can't do this. I've done weight watchers programs on and off since I was 13. (I'm now 30) None of the other plan changes have had such a negative impact on me. This feels different. This feels like a crash diet. This feels wrong. While I do hate the new program, I like where they are trying to go, maybe it just needs to get a bit less strict. I really do love connect too.
Martha McKinnon
Hi Mary,
I'm sorry for your struggle. Losing weight is as much a mental game as a physical one. Like you, I've struggled with my weight for most of my life. I'm now at lifetime after decades of figuring out what works for me. It can be a challenge to find your balance when you are caught in a negative spiral, which it sounds like you are at the moment. Losing 30 pounds and keeping it off is a HUGE accomplishment!! Do you remember what you were doing when you lost the 30 pounds that helped you be so successful??? You CAN DO THIS!! Let me know if there's anything I can do to help!
Jean
Cons for smartpoints - The website is difficult to navigate. I cannot use the nutritional information on the recipe to calculate points. The recipe builder is flawed. The measurement I need to calculate for my ingredient is not available. I have to calculate how many teaspoons are in 2 cups or try to guess ounces for 2/3 cups. I cannot look a nutritional label and guesstimate points. I have to scan and then calculate because the scanner can be wrong. GRRR. I miss the healthy guidelines. I wish smartpoints would have found a way to reward the power foods with less points. Smartpoint is rewarding lean protein. I do wish weight watchers would have treated vegetarian protein the same way. My staples went up in points but my protein didn't go down in points. I spend my points on power foods, dried fruit, nuts, seeds, coconut, and the occasional dark chocolate. Sugar is high in points - too high?? I try to look for items with 6 gram or less of sugar but those items are pointy. I prefer to use natural sweeteners but those points skyrocketed. I find myself going off plan more and more which has to stop or I'll be back where I started.
Nancie
If you purchase the calculator ( smart points) and booklet its very eas to calculate all your points! You can do this !!
Jean
I find the website difficult to navigate. The recipe builder which you must use to calculate recipes is flawed. The measurement I need is not available. I have to calculate tsp for a cup or guess ounces for 2/3 cup. I hate that you cannot guess points by reading the label. You have to scan it then calculate points because the scanner may be wrong. GRRR. I miss the healthy guidelines. I wish smartpoints would have found a way to reward power foods with less points. They did reward lean protein but did not do the same with vegan protein. My staples went up in points but my protein did not go down in points. I spend my points on power foods, nuts, dried fruit, seeds, cheese, coconut, etc. Which leaves little room for treats. Sugar is high in points - too high? I try to stick to 6 grams or less but those items seem pointy. I try to use natural sugars for baking but those point skyrocketed. I find my self going off plan which leads to a binge. I am currently up 10 pounds since starting smartpoints. TMI-constipated to boot. Something has to change before I am back where I started.
Martha McKinnon
Hi Jean, Thanks for your comment. Everyone's experiences are unique. I agree that the WW Recipe Builder can take some creativity in coming up with the portion you want to add! Your point about vegan protein is interesting! Do you eat tofu? Did it stay the same or go up with SP? I don't eat much of it, so I don't recall. You are right, anything with sugar, even natural, is much higher with SP, which is an adjustment. Most of my sweet treats doubled in PP to smart points! As for the constipation, my suggestion is to drink more water. I have a friend who had the same issue and her doctor told her that she need to drink more water. She didn't believe him, but it turns out when she got her daily water intake high enough, her constipation went away! Have you come up with any ideas for how to make SP work for you??? Any adjustments/changes that might help??? Please share if you do.
Jean
No, I do not eat a lot of tofu (soy products). My protein choices are lentils-beans, seeds, nuts and nut butters, and grains. I love yogurt with fresh fruit. You may be right about not drinking enough pure water. I fell off drinking water since I don't track it anymore. I do drink tea and coffee but need to add more pure clean water.
Jean O'Neill
I quit WW because after losing 30 pounds on the Points Plus program, my weight totally plateaued. It would not budge and I kept losing and gaining the same few pounds over and over.. I just joined again because most of those 30 pounds have crept back on over the last two years. The low-carb, high-protein thinking behind Smart Points is what I think I need to lose weightand I'm excited to be back. We'll see how it goes!
Martha McKinnon
Hi Jean, Thanks for taking the time to weigh-in here. This is definitely a hot topic for folks right now. The more we can share and learn from one another, the better for all of us! I wish you all the best with your WW SmartPoints journey. I just read this amazing article on how losing just 5% of your body weight can improve your health dramatically!! Even if we never reach our ultimate goal, it's worth the effort to lose what we can so we can live happier, healthier lives 🙂
christine
I like the smart points program. It definitely pushes you to eat more healthy. In the old program it was to easy to eat snacks instead of the fruits when you had to count them! I find I now will grab that apple or banana because it's free. Where before I would lean toward a snack if it had the same points as the fruit! The weight loss seems a bit slower this time but I am eating so much more healthy.
Martha McKinnon
Thanks, Christine! I'm so glad to hear that SmartPoints is helping you make healthier choices! That's wonderful 🙂
Nancie
It totally makes you make better decisions on what your grabbing, i make a SUnday meal plan and make all my salads and cook my proteins salmon, chicken, turkey, steak, i precut all my veggies, bag my fruit...i am always able to stay at 30 points and under! I love the SP..having the hand calculator and booklet , has made my life easier!
Martha McKinnon
Hi Nancie, Thanks so much for taking the time to share your suggestions for making SmartPoints work. We appreciate it!!
Kim
I completely agree with you, SP has been a struggle for me also, so much so I just canceled my membership. I was doing really well, rejoined in October lost 13 lbs, then SP rolled out and I sputtered...and finally just quit. I was eating much better, veggies and fruit, but I do have a sweet tooth and on occasion I need to give in to it, but I was always till accountable. But now that my sweet treat has gone rom 4 points to 8 points puts a huge damper on my planning. The idea of SP is spot on, and I know I just need to wrap my head around it and make better choices, but I'm not there yet. Hopefully some time away to reevaluate will help me refocus. Glad to hear others are struggling though, and it's not only me!
Martha McKinnon
Hi Kim, Thanks for taking the time to share your experiences. I agree that your motivation level and having your head in the game is a big part of success with WW or any weight loss program. Maybe time away will help give you the perspective you need to try again when you're ready. Best of luck!!
Lori
I'm struggling with SP. I find it to be far more restrictive that PP. That coupled with the tedium of having to run everything through the Recipe Builder in order to calculate points has resulted in my being less involved with tracking and staying on and within points. I appreciate WW's motivation behind the evolution to SP, but so far it hasn't been as successful for me as PP.
Martha McKinnon
Hi Lori. Thanks for your thoughts. I especially share your pain around the WW Recipe Builder!! For recipes I share here, I now need to run them through both a nutritional calculator to provide the macronutrient information, a WW Points Plus calculator to determine points plus and the WW Recipe Builder to determine SP!! Talk about a pain 🙁 I too appreciate that WW is staying in line with current dietary wisdom, but this adjustment has been particularly painful for many. Have you been able to come up with any strategies for working around your struggles???
Lucia
I joined WW last April and so far I have lost 35 lbs on PP and 10 lbs on SP. My weight loss has been slower recently because I am only about 10 lbs from my goal; however, I feel that SP is allowing me to make better choices and has allowed me to understand that I was a sugar addict. Reducing the amount of sugar has helped tremendously and my cravings have decreased dramatically. Has it been easy? Of, course not...but losing weight is not easy and I was expecting challenges. I still enjoy my little sweet treat at night, but I just had to search for options that would work with the new program.
Frankly, I love the fact that WW is smacking me in the head when I am thinking about getting a 17 point Wendy's frosty. Is it worth using half of my daily allowance for a chocolate shake? Maybe not, but if I decided to splurge, I could have shrimp or chicken (lower in points now) and 0 SP vegetables for lunch and dinner and enjoy my frosty. At the end of the day, WW tries to teach us to make better choices and the program gives guidelines. It is up to us to use them wisely. I think rebelling against the new program is a way to sabotage ourselves. We just need to dig deep and understand our relationship with food and what is the trigger that makes us give in before we blame WW and the changes. Losing weight is 50% food choices and 50% mindset. Good luck to everyone and stay strong! 🙂
Lucia
Martha McKinnon
Hi Lucia, Thanks for your thoughtful comment. I think it's so helpful that we can share our ideas and experiences. What works and what hasn't. I think it's interesting that you are experiencing reduced cravings have you have cut back on sugar but still realize you can have a Wendy's frosty if you really want it!! Good for you and thanks for your words of encouragement 🙂
Lucia
Thanks. Cravings are reduced, but not gone at all...this is still a tough journey with ups and downs. I have to fight my demons every day and I hope to keep winning. 🙂
Martha McKinnon
Hi Lucia! I'm so glad you are winning. And you will keep winning. Just make the decision to never give up!!
Mary
I have said from day one, that WW should have 2 Options...Points Plus or Smart Points!!!!..... let the member decide which is better for them!!!!!
Lucy
Yes! Most definitely. Two options would be great! I am a lifetime member and was only a couple pounds to goal when the new Smart Points came in. I enjoyed the points-plus plan but Smart Points is way too restrictive. I have been unable to motivate myself to follow this plan.
Martha McKinnon
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences Lucy!
Brooke
Amen Amen Amen!!! I could not agree more!!! Options!!! That has always been the beauty of Weight Watchers...flexibility and choices!!!
H
This is an interesting discussion. I lost a significant amount of weight with Momentum (or whatever the plan was right before PointsPlus) but I never was able to lose weight with PointsPlus. I was never sure if it was the PP assigned to the foods or eating my activity points. I did not exercise at all on Momentum but I steadily gained every time I tried PP while exercising. I tried and quit PP at least 4 times but have continued to exercise. Weight has crept back on due to life changes so here I am not quite where I started with Points on Smart Points. For me, not eating back my Fit Points has been beneficial. I know many would say that I should have just not used my APs for me that just wasn't going to happen.... because it was allowed, I wanted to do it. The same with sugar/carbs. I would have a 3-4PP light ice cream treat every night because what's 3 points? But for me, sugar begets sugar. Knowing that the treats I used to have now have a significant higher costs- well that makes me pause. It's easier for me to resist when I am not in the habit of doing something. Now I am only on month one of SP so maybe I am still in the honeymoon phase but for me, the restriction is helpful.
Martha McKinnon
Hi H, It sounds like you have learned a lot about what works for you and what doesn't. Some people need more structure and discipline. Some people need less. All this conversation demonstrations that there is no one way that will work for everyone. We all need to adjust and modify the plan to work for us. Thanks for sharing!!
Susan
I started with WW (and Smart Points) in January and have lost nearly 40 lbs so far! So I am definitely happy with it. I did WW years ago and also found success. WW isn't telling us we can't have anything....but it makes us think about if it is worth it. Personally I am finding myself eating a lot more fruit and I am not missing the sugary treats much. Last night I did crave chocolate so I indulged in a 6 pt treat but still stayed within my points. You can have the treats, you just have to plan for them.
Martha McKinnon
Hi Susan! Congratulations!! 40 pounds since January is awesome success!! It sounds like you are working the program as it was intended. Good for you 🙂
Susan
After 9 months of WW PP I lost 10 lbs in the first 6 weeks and didn't lose any more in the remaining timeframe. WW SP to me is no more than the South Beach or Atkins Diet. However, I found the push to eat more protein and less carbs was putting way more protein in my daily diet than seemed healthy. When the WW leader implies a 12 oz serving of protein is a good thing because it's less points than carbs, that's when I decided enough. I want good advice on proper nutrition, not a gimmick that really didn't work.
Martha McKinnon
Hi Susan, Thanks for taking the time to share your experiences. I think we always have to remember to trust our own instincts. WW Leaders many be suggesting things that work for themselves, but are not necessarily the views of Weight Watchers! A 12 ounce serving of protein is way more than anyone should ever eat at a time. I think we have to remember portion control! Sorry you got such questionable advice!!
Naomi
You can have WHATEVER you want on the smart points plan. The only catch is you have to be willing to use up more of your points for it. So it's up to the individual to decide if the food or snack is worth it to them. Not a bad idea and it's working for me.
Kathy Zylstra
I am struggling with SP and wish we could go back to the previous plan. I lost 55 pounds on the previous, quit WW cuz I could do it my self. I gained 20 pounds back and had to start on the new SP. I have gained 5 more pounds in the last 3 months. I am so very frustrated!!!
Martha McKinnon
Hi Kathy, I can relate to quitting because you could do it yourself. I made that mistake more than once! Now I'm a lifetime member for life!! I appreciate your frustration! What exactly is the cause of your frustration? What is causing the struggle do you think? As you can see from all the comments, while some folks are having difficulty with SP, many people are doing very well! What about SP isn't working for you?
DLinBham
I too find the recipe building a pain and think they made a mistake getting rid of the healthy guidelines. But overall, once my body got used to eating less sugar and carbs, I found in many ways it is easier to stay full. Things like fruit and yogurt help satisfy the sweet craving, and I do treat myself to some dark chocolate. In fact I have found that if I overindulge on something sweet it makes me sick to my stomach! So I am usually happy just or have a bite of something sweet.
Martha McKinnon
Hi DlinBham, Thanks for sharing your experience. I'm glad that you are finding it easier to stay full. I find the same thing to be true for me when I eat less sugar and carbs. Interesting that when you now overindulge in something sweet it makes you feel sick to your stomach!! I have found that to be true also. I had a terrible experience after eating too much cake: https://simple-nourished-living.com/2013/08/i-ate-too-much-cake-sugar-crash/ I am now usually happy with just a bite or two or three of something sweet. It's different for everyone.
Mary Beavers
I can't see why you're saying that WW is saying "NO" to anything. There isn't any food that is a no-no. If you're saying that you can't eat unlimited amounts of sugar and bread, then... okay, I see your point. It takes a while to adapt to any healthy eating plan, and eating healthy is never easy. I believe it will always be a struggle, no matter how successful you have been. I lost 50# twelve years ago, and have kept it off with three different WW plans, each an improvement over the one before. When you stop struggling, you start gaining it all back. Nobody said anything in life was going to be easy, but the Smart Points food plan is definitely good for us and very much doable.
Martha McKinnon
Hi Mary, Thanks for your comment. You are right, it takes time to adjust to a new way of healthy eating. It's like learning any new skill. It takes time and patience and lots of self compassion. Congratulation on your 50# loss and long successful maintenance through 3 different WW Plans! You are a WW Rock Star 🙂
Angela Forshaw
I an struggling with the new sp program when I joined in 2013 I totally loved the program I lost a total of 130lbs....Then I had 2 unexpected spine surgeries within 6 months of each other last year...I did well losing through the first surgery but when I had the 2nd is when they changed the program....and since then I gained back 40lbs...I have only lost 10 of those pounds since I am just not feeling what I felt back with the pp program....I'm finding there is much more to do with this program as far as calculating etc....I myself have really been contemplating leaving the program and to find something I can work with better then what WW has given these past few months....I don't have the feeling I use to when I walked into my meetings or even when I leave.....I still need to lose another 75lbs.....feeling very frustrated!
Martha McKinnon
Hi Angela, I'm so sorry for your struggle and that you are not feeling the same when you go to your meetings. Motivation does go up and down over time so it's really helpful to find ways to get the excitement/enthusiasm back. Instead of trying to focus on everything, can you get back on track by just focusing on one good thing you can do for yourself each day??? Sometimes that's all it takes to get the motivation spiraling upward again. I'm praying for you 🙂