Weight Watchers - Bankruptcy - Page 4

Estellee · ‎07-12-2011

I think the WW plan from the early days was a common sense way to eat and lose weight.

conlt · ‎03-16-2010

Well, I just took my "jab" as I am typing this response. I went on WW in 2015 and loved the meetings. We had a great meeting leader. When she was off, the meetings were not as good. I remember one leader told us that bananas will make you gain weight.

I lost 58 pounds. Then my mom got sick and I could not shop and prep like I used too. I ended up missing meetings too. I evantually gained the weight back. I attended WW for 2 years, I was there when Oprah bought it. At that time, it seemed like everything changed to things that I don't like. They pushed beans and hummas. I could definetly tell the difference. I learned to work my plan around Oprah. Fast forward to 3 years ago.

I was put on Mounjaro September 2022 for Diabetes. Mounjaro has changed my life and health for the better. My A1C and all my labs are normal. I lost 85 pounds and have kept it off.

I sometimes get "burping gas" from the Mounjaro, but that is about the only side effect except for the great weight loss. While on Mounjaro, I don't worry about what I eat, because I will not eat enough to make a difference. In fact, sometimes I have to consciously eat so that I eat enough.

I do not need to count points anymore. I eat anything I want but my body shuts off the appetite quickly.

I think that the ease of losing weight on the GLP-1's will drive the weight loss companies out of business. I have no need to watch what I eat. I will be on the medication for life, because I am diabetic. My A1C is now at the level of a non-diabetic. I don't have to check my blood sugar, I was taken off of high blood pressure medications. I feel much better.

My diabetic sister was started on Mounjaro 8 months ago. Her A1C was >9 and it is now in the non-diabetic range. She has lost some weight, but not the amount of weight that I have lost. I am on a 12.5 mg and she is on 5 mg. My Endocrinologist specializes in Metabolism and I am not sure if my sister's doctor is a specialist.

Anyway, weight loss has changed so much. The AMA has named obesity a chronic disease. To all of you who successfully lost weight and kept it off, congratulations. I cannot achieve that. My "jab" has greatly improved my overall health and happiness. I never want to give it up. Please be kind to those of us who struggle. The weight loss industry would have never grown like it did if everyone could lose weight and keep it off.

Tinkrbl44 · ‎08-23-2010

@JeanLouiseFinch wrote:
It's being reported in the Wall Street Journal that WW International is preparing to file for bankruptcy. Their revenue has seen significant decline due the rise in the use of Ozempic and similar weight loss medications.

@JeanLouiseFinch

Surprising .... Obesity is up, and people still want to lose weight, right?

Then Oprah got involved and promoting it. I wonder if she is a serious shareholder in the company.

I don't mean to sound snarky when I say this, but they obviously couldn't provide what people need ... or want.

Will they try to stay in business or are they shutting their doors?

JeanLouiseFinch · ‎10-03-2011

@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
@JeanLouiseFinch wrote:
It's being reported in the Wall Street Journal that WW International is preparing to file for bankruptcy. Their revenue has seen significant decline due the rise in the use of Ozempic and similar weight loss medications.

@JeanLouiseFinch

Surprising .... Obesity is up, and people still want to lose weight, right?

Then Oprah got involved and promoting it. I wonder if she is a serious shareholder in the company.

I don't mean to sound snarky when I say this, but they obviously couldn't provide what people need ... or want.

Will they try to stay in business or are they shutting their doors?

@Tinkrbl44 - I'm pretty sure Oprah stepped down from the board and any shares she owned were donated somewhere. Maybe someone else knows more about that.

IMO, WW held their place as a weight loss strategy for many years. Getting OW's endorsement and involvement with the brand helped even more initially. I don't know much about how they changed the original plan to new point values, free foods, etc. but when it came out that OW lost her weight with Ozempic (or similar), she lost credibility and the company has suffered the consequences. Diabetics who really need it and others who have really tried to lose weight by lifestyle adjustments but were unsuccessful notwithstanding, there are many people out there who lack the commitment, discipline, or patience to let a lifestyle change actually work. They want the quick fix and fast results. WW, IMO, took on the "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" mindset and now allow/endorse/recommend the use of the drugs. With that, IMO, they've lost credibility too because it looks like they're inferring their diet alone doesn't work, if they're endorsing the drug. And it wouldn't surprise me if there's a financial incentive for them in helping people secure a prescription. It seems to me that WW abandoned their methods when they got involved with the drugs. And now the drug is so popular and accessible that anyone can get it from their own PCP. As I see it, they don't need WW anymore. 🤷‍♀️ I guess time will tell, if WW will remain or go for good.

Trinity11 · ‎11-16-2014

Years ago I went to Weight Watchers after my son was born. I probably was the only person in history to gain weight on the program. Far too much starch for my metabolically challenged body.

conlt · ‎03-16-2010

I forgot to mention that, although I loved the WW meetings, what I did not love is that they changed to program every year. Always at holiday time. I did say that when Oprah bought-in to WW the foods that they sold changed. I used to like my little WW chocolate treats and they disappeared. Everything was chickpeas and humus. Chickpeas are Ok, but I needed some snacks that had chocolate in them.

I really think the real beginning of the downfall though is when Covid hit, they closed the meetings, put them online. At that point, I was using the App only. My mother had just died and I was trying to keep-up with points and support on the App. That approach did not work for me. When I went on Mounjaro, I found I did not need to watch what I ate anymore because my body does that for me. The medication shuts off my appetite.

Tinkrbl44 · ‎08-23-2010

@Trinity11 wrote:
Years ago I went to Weight Watchers after my son was born. I probably was the only person in history to gain weight on the program. Far too much starch for my metabolically challenged body.

@Trinity11

Nutrisystem also has WAY too much starch in their meals. I'm shocked anyone loses weight on those plans!

I am still oxox · ‎03-09-2010

@Kachina624 wrote:
@We rescue cats. The 1970s WW plan included fish 5X a week. I don't like fish but choked down tuna for one year. I can't even look at the stuff now.

@Kachina624 I remember that plan I was on it the Summer between HS and college. The plan has changed significantly since then

Stop being afraid of what could go wrong and start being positive what could go right.

cindyNC · ‎08-01-2019

The bottom line is that if everyone loses weight and becomes healthy.......they go out of business.

I had a dentist tell me once that when everyone takes care of their teeth, he loses money. Then he tried to sell me services when I should have gone to a specialist........found a new dentist.

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

I tried it 20 years ago and didn't work for me and I was constantly hungry. What did work for me was on on line app that tracked everything, was easy to use, set goals, and showed you the nutritional content in detail

I concentrated on a mediterranean-type diet, focused on lean protein, whole grains, little sweets and am where I want to be and have been for years. I still track. When I get all the fiber, protein and calcium my body needs daily it is a whole new world. Not hungry either!

I'm thinking "trimming the fat", a phrase you hear so often now, didn't work for WW. . . I believe seriously that their downfall was allowing too many processed and junk foods.