Interesting Quote

I am in NO way criticizing Jenny Craig, weight watchers, South Beach, Atkins---or any other plan out there but I read this and it made me think:

"The best way to become permanently overweight, proven in study after study – is to become “a serial dieter.” This fundamental truth is not in dispute among real experts - and yet isn’t this exactly what the diet industry seeks to create? To my mind the diet-industry giants should be sued in a classic action lawsuit – for “causing” weight gain and body-image issues while diliberately mis-adverstising the opposite. THESE INDUSTRY GIANTS DON'T WANT YOU TO PERMANENTLY LOSE WEIGHT - THEY WANT YOU TO PERMANENTLY KEEP DIETING, as one of their ongoing customers – even if that means hopping from Jenny to Weight Watchers and back again. If I had a dime for everytime I heard, “Oh I tried Weight Watchers” and it’s worked for me 3-4 times now. I just need to get back on it, starting Monday. “Hello – is anybody home in there?” - Coach Scott Abel

Just curious what you all thought?

Re: Interesting Quote

I think the problem with some diet plans, like weight watchers, is that mantra that you can eat anything you want as long as you're within your point range per day. It's bs, and it causes many people to pig out as soon as they hit goal and put on weight again. It has to be a full lifestyle change. For example, I have been dieting since June, but I totally changed everything I cook, and what I stock in the house. I cant even fathom eating the way I used to. So I know when I hit goal, it will be very easy to keep the weight off.

Re: Interesting Quote

Weight Watchers does not claim to be a diet, a diet plan or a short term solution. In fact, part of their philosophy (copied from their website) is:

Re: Interesting Quote

Re: Interesting Quote

Again, I was in no way bashing weight watchers.

I will say that I DID weight watchers and at least when I did it (and I attended meetings, was a lifetime member etc)it did not completely teach me about proper nutrition as I was still able to just chose low point "diet" foods (and yes, weight watchers puts out its own brand of these.) to fit in my point range. I like that it takes into account activity and it seems to have changed in recent years to focus more on protein than it had in the past so that is good! My main beef with it though is it's 0 point foods. I just don't get it lol. But glad it'ss worked for you and so many others!

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Interesting Quote

Commercial Diet plan or "changing the way you eat" are all diets. Either can be great or horrible. It depends on the person and if they will stick to it and make it a life change or go back to their old habits or even the complete opposite and take the "diet" too far.

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Re: WW

My mom is on this plan. She has been overweight since childhood.

She continues to eat an egg mcmuffin or something similar from a fast food joint every.single.day because "it's within her points".

This leaves DH and I

I have struggled with my weight going up and down for the past couple years, after giving birth to DS.

I know if I give up carbs, fast food and snacks the weight will drop tremendously.

She doesn't do this at all using the "points" excuse.

ETA: to be clear it doesn't appear she is losing weight at.all

Message edited 8/6/2012 7:33:08 AM.

Re: Interesting Quote

Posted by mzsocialworker1

Re: WW

My mom is on this plan. She has been overweight since childhood.

She continues to eat an egg mcmuffin or something similar from a fast food joint every.single.day because "it's within her points".

This leaves DH and I

I have struggled with my weight going up and down for the past couple years, after giving birth to DS.

I know if I give up carbs, fast food and snacks the weight will drop tremendously.

She doesn't do this at all using the "points" excuse.

ETA: to be clear it doesn't appear she is losing weight at.all

Re: Interesting Quote

Honestly, I think it's the old calories in/calories out (or "eat less, move more"). If you do that, you will lose, regardless of what you eat. Every weight loss plan just has a different way of approaching that, and different things work for different people.

I think people generally like WWs because you don't need to eat prepackaged food -- you can cook your own food, make your own food choices, and incorporate "treats." While it would be ideal to always eat a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and low-fat dairy, it's not always realistic. Life happens and people have birthday parties, dinners out, vacations. Also, some people are pressed for time and don't always have the best foods at the ready. And it takes time to change habits that may be life-long (such as eating a lot of fast food, snack foods, eating large portions, etc.). Setting more modest goals for smaller changes at first will probably increase their chance of succeeding with weight loss. If people set unattainable goals from the start (I'll never eat fast food again), they may be setting themselves up for failure.

Yes, some people choose to spend their WW points on things that are what I would consider "empty calories" or things like fast food -- and it would be more nutritionally sound to eat healthier foods -- but that doesn't mean they won't lose weight if they stay within their points (or calorie limits, because WW is very similar to calorie counting, with a few twists). I think it's HARDER to lose weight that way, though, because more nutritionally dense foods tend to be more filling and satisfying. But I see nothing wrong with having an egg mcmuffin for breakfast (only 350 calories : )) if you incorporate other healthy foods throughout the day and don't eat a steady diet of fast food.

For long-term success, I think you need to follow a "flexible restraint" approach of being mindful of what you eat, but flexible enough to incorporate things like pizza, ice cream, alcohol and other foods that aren't typically considered "healthy." I do indulge in those things, but try to have an 80/20 balance (20 percent treats, 80 percent of the "good" food). But this is what works for me, and I like to cook, and I am knowledgeable about nutrition. (I am not on WWS now - just calorie counting on My Fitness Pal). It wouldn't work for everyone!

I've hard people complain that WWs gives them much freedom and do better with a more structured program where they have less choice. Some people need a system with premade foods (like Jenny Craig or Nutrisystem) to jump start their weight loss. I also have friends that have paid a lot of money to see a nutritionist and have them develop an eating plan for them. I don't think weight loss is "one size fits all" (no pun intended). And when you plan to make a lifestyle change, you have to make adjustments along the way to stick with something in the long-term, so what works for the first phase of weight loss may not be ideal for the second phase or for maintenance.