topic Re: Weight Watcher Changes in Wellness

Weight Watcher Changes

chessylady — Sun, 12 Mar 2023 18:44:15 GMT

I am a lifetime weightwatcher who is 3 pounds over goal. Two years ago, WW instituted a new plan called personal points. Each member would have different numbers of points based on various factor. It did not work for me as well as many other people. WW lost members. Last fall, they instituted an older program that worked well. They have gradually closed in person studios and relied on virtual meetings. Now they are closing more studios. They will also be adding a program based on medication obtained from your doctor. This medication is very popular (ozempic) but was developed for diabetics now being used for weight loss. Weightwatchers never encouraged the use of medications but I guess they think they must to be competitive. I have mixed feelings about it.

Re: Weight Watcher Changes

MaverDaver — Sun, 12 Mar 2023 18:52:44 GMT

I saw a piece on Ozempic last week on CBS Mornings. Doctor on TV stated people being mislead, that is, yes you will lose weight HOWEVER in order to continue to lose or maintain goal weight you would need to stay on med for rest of your life!! TO NOT DO SO, YOU WILL REGAIN LOST WEIGHT VERY QUICKLY AND ADD SOME ADDITIONAL POUNDS.

Re: Weight Watcher Changes

4kitties — Sun, 12 Mar 2023 18:53:07 GMT

I am a life time member from many years ago. I lost my weight based on the old exchange program. Life being what it is, I regained some and rejoined just as the points system was being implemented. It did not work at all for me.

I eventually went back to the exchange program and decided to eliminate some foods from my diet. I am maintaining my weight loss for about 6 - 7 years now. I did it all on my own, using my old WW books and pamphlets.

I loved the weekly meetings and was blessed with a wonderful leader, Karen, when I reached my goal the first time. We had a great group of ladies and we always had good meetings. Sad to hear they no longer do that.

As for the weight loss drugs, I am really very sorry to hear that.

Personally, I would no longer have anything to do with WW. They have jumped the shark as far as I am concerned.

Re: Weight Watcher Changes

HisElk1 — Sun, 12 Mar 2023 19:02:29 GMT

I did WW many years ago, like @4kitties did. I was successful for the most part, but of course, life happens and some of the weight came back; not all of it, but some.

As far as using the drugs, I've read it's both Ozempic AND Trulicity being used; (and I've read on this forum a poster is using the latter).

I've also heard where this is making these drugs more difficult for those who really need them more difficult to get which is just not right IMO.

Speaking for myself, I wouldn't want to go on any of them, unless it was for the original intended use. IMO, WW is out of line in doing this.

OP, ultimately, it's your decision; just wanted to post my feelings. Good luck.

Re: Weight Watcher Changes

We rescue cats — Sun, 12 Mar 2023 19:08:43 GMT

Shame on WW, this was the attraction for me when I joined years ago, NO DRUGS, teaching good eating habits. And I have to say, the Ozempic thing is a HUGE red flag to me. I am diabetic and I take Ozempic once each week. Due to the over prescribing of it for weight loss I missed nearly 3 weeks of dosage, and then after a few months it happened again. My blood sugars are up, not critical but higher than they I want to see them. I'm very disappointed in WW.

Re: Weight Watcher Changes

chessylady — Sun, 12 Mar 2023 19:10:36 GMT

Just to be clear, I have no intention to go on these drugs. I will lose the three pounds the old fashioned way. I just hope weightwatchers does not focus on that part of the program to the detriment of the rest.

Re: Weight Watcher Changes

Trinity11 — Sun, 12 Mar 2023 19:19:56 GMT

Has WW ever published the stats on how long people that lose the weight actually keep the weight off? What is the rate of recidivism?

If they are now interested in these drugs, it hints that the diet plan has no better results than some of the stats I have read about how 98% of "diets" don't work long term thus the use of meds😳

Re: Weight Watcher Changes

chessylady — Sun, 12 Mar 2023 19:37:18 GMT

@Trinity11 it is tough to lose weight on any plan. I have never been obese but heart disease runs in my family and I have controlled high blood pressure. I go to weightwatchers to keep track of my weight and use the electronic tools to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Weighing in provided accountability. I hope the workshop near me will continue to exist.

Re: Weight Watcher Changes

Trinity11 — Sun, 12 Mar 2023 19:47:31 GMT

@chessylady wrote:
@Trinity11 it is tough to lose weight on any plan. I have never been obese but heart disease runs in my family and I have controlled high blood pressure. I go to weightwatchers to keep track of my weight and use the electronic tools to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Weighing in provided accountability. I hope the workshop near me will continue to exist.

I have been surrounded by loved ones in my life who have struggled with their weight. I lived on keto to stay at a very low weight only to have at 63 and 64 a stroke and 2 heart attacks. The dieting has left all of us with disturbed metabolic rates. With every diet, our caloric deprivation in the end ruined our metabolisms. I don't know what the answer is but I don't think "diets" really work. I know more research is being done and I hope it helps.

Re: Weight Watcher Changes

meem120 — Sun, 12 Mar 2023 19:49:55 GMT

From what Ive read. WW bought a medical company called Sequence. Thru this company you can have virtual meetings with a Doc and get prescribed weight loss medication. They gave a list of the medications you can get, which goes from oral to the shot everyone is talking about. I think they said the cost is $99 a month and whatever the medication costs. This is above and beyond regular fees for online and meetings.

I think they have jumped the shark.

Re: Weight Watcher Changes

We rescue cats — Sun, 12 Mar 2023 20:01:35 GMT

Ozempic costs nearly $1000-$1500 a month without insurance.

Re: Weight Watcher Changes

kaydee50 — Sun, 12 Mar 2023 21:45:33 GMT

I would never take a drug to lose weight. I also did WW in the mid 1990s and was successful becoming a "life member." Several years ago I went back but the program had changed to the points system and it did not work for me.

I could lose 20 pounds but honestly I'm not motivated enough at this point in life. Happy I'm healthy and drug free at 73!!!!

Re: Weight Watcher Changes

cindyNC — Sun, 12 Mar 2023 22:26:32 GMT

I had joined pre-covid and then (not covid) my BF became seriously ill and was hospitalized for the entire summer. My exercise routine and eating habits completely reverted.

My mother was a life-time Diet Workshop member. I guess what disturbs me the most about these programs is how some of the attendees got thru "food contortions" to meet their points. The foods with all the additives that have "lowest points" ....WW is a business. What do people who can't afford it do to motivate and address their issues surrounding food?........rhetorical question

There wwere some great online meeting hosts when that first happened. Now they don't seem like real people to me.....glamor headshots etc....

Re: Weight Watcher Changes

chrystaltree — Sun, 12 Mar 2023 22:49:47 GMT

I've been taking Trulicity the same class if drug as Ozempic and Wegovy for weightloss since August and I'm down 45lbs. Something I couId not do by diet and exersize alone. My doctor prescribed it and my insurer pays for it. My goal is to lose another 20lbs. I have mixed feelings about WW entering the market because the medication will NOT be prescribed by your own doctor or probably any doctor. People will just be paying for the prescription with no medical oversight. But on the other hand, there are already companies out there doing the same thing. When I started I didn't know I'd have to take it for life to my weightloss. Legitimate doctors are following the rules and prescribing it for OBESE patients because obesity is a disease with many complications. A disease that gets worse over time.

Re: Weight Watcher Changes

chrystaltree — Sun, 12 Mar 2023 22:54:55 GMT

@MaverDaver wrote:
I saw a piece on Ozempic last week on CBS Mornings. Doctor on TV stated people being mislead, that is, yes you will lose weight HOWEVER in order to continue to lose or maintain goal weight you would need to stay on med for rest of your life!! TO NOT DO SO, YOU WILL REGAIN LOST WEIGHT VERY QUICKLY AND ADD SOME ADDITIONAL POUNDS.

That's true but it's also true of every diet. Trust me I know. Once you go off a diet, you gain all the weight back....plus some. I do wonder if the people who are paying the $1200 themselves know that. I didn't know when I started it but it wouldn't have stopped me.

Re: Weight Watcher Changes

chrystaltree — Sun, 12 Mar 2023 22:56:47 GMT

@chessylady wrote:
Just to be clear, I have no intention to go on these drugs. I will lose the three pounds the old fashioned way. I just hope weightwatchers does not focus on that part of the program to the detriment of the rest.

3Lbs.....lol. Are you trying to be funny or do you really not know anything at all about those meducations?

Re: Weight Watcher Changes

conlt — Sun, 12 Mar 2023 23:50:24 GMT

I used WW since 2015. I initially lost 58 pounds, which was great, but the program changed about each year and I did better on some than the others. Once my mom got sick in 2018, I had to stop going to in-person meetings. I really liked those meetings but could not make it for 8 AM on Saturday AM.

Fast toward to 2022. I saw an endocrinologist for diabetes and thyroid issues and he put me on Mounjaro, it is a medication similar to Trulucity. From August 31, 2022 until February 2023, Iost 50 pounds. In February 2023, because of the demand for weight loss, I was unable to get the medication I started to feel hungry again. I was without it for about 5 weeks and my appetite started to come back.

Taking Munjaro is not easy, I get some nausea about 2 days after giving the injection. I often don't feel hungry and really don't enjoy food anymore.

The good side is my A1C dropped to 5.3 and I lost the 50 pounds.

I finally got the medication again and I am back on it. I realize I will have to take it for the rest of my life.

There is a doctor in my town who is popular because he is prescribing Trulicity for weight loss. It is these type of doctors. 1 of my coworkers, who was about a size 12 took it and lost 30 pounds. She is not a diabetic and was not overweight. She kept someone, who really needed the medication, from getting it.

I am staying on the medication. I probably will cancel my WW now because I don't use it. If you take Trulicity or Mounjaro, at least in my case, I don't have to do WW because I will eat very little portions just because of the medication.

Re: Weight Watcher Changes

conlt — Sun, 12 Mar 2023 23:56:06 GMT

@Trinity11 I just read yesterday that studies are showing high fat diets are causing cardiovascular issues. I am sorry you had a heart attack and strokes. I was on Atkins at various times in my life, and it did work but I could not go forever not eating carbs.

Re: Weight Watcher Changes

conlt — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 00:12:39 GMT

@chrystaltree I have been taking Mounjaro since August 2022 and I lost 50 pounds. I go to an Endocrinologist and my primary MD, who watch me closely. I agree, I think it is unsafe for someone to take these drugs without close medical follow-up. I get a little nauseated on day 2 after I take the injection. I am happy that I have to medication. I am diabetic and need to lose weight, so I was the perfect candidate for it.

The metabolic doctors are looking at obesity as a disease now, rather than a will power thing. This is really the first time that we have medications that actually help and can change a diabetics life significantly. There are also heart benefits to taking the drugs.

I still have more weight to lose but my labs are all perfect now. My A1C went from 6.3 to 5.3.

I have been using the $25 coupon from Lilly to get my medication, but I go on Medicare in June and once on Medicare, I cannot use my coupon. I am a little worried about that. I checked and there is a Medicare drug plan that will in part pay for my medication. I am happy about that, My Endocrinologist says that eventually Medicare will pay for it for both Diabetics and people with Obesity.

Re: Weight Watcher Changes

ECBG — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 00:36:29 GMT

The very best program ever was "Quick Success" where I lost my pregnancy weight from 2 babies.

The plans now are too "soft" IMO. Calories have increased at the expense of loss!