December 08, 2015

Weight Watchers Beyond the Scale - SmartPoints

(ETA: Here is an updated post I've written about my thoughts on Weight Watchers Beyond the Scale SmartPoints, as well as a comparison of calories vs. SmartPoints. It's pretty shocking.)

After my run this morning, I went to Weight Watchers to weigh in. The new WW program (called Beyond the Scale) started this week, and I was very curious to learn about it. I don't plan on doing it, but I wanted to at least get the info. And since I'm a free lifetime member, I like to continue to weigh in to keep my membership. The meetings are motivating sometimes, too.


I weighed in, got the new materials, and then went and sat down for the meeting. Some of the women around me were flipping through their books, and one woman said, "A quarter cup of dried cherries is 8 Points!" I actually gasped out loud when I heard that. Dried cherries are pretty much my favorite food ever, and they were 4 PointsPlus. Not anymore--with the new plan, they are now 8 SmartPoints (that's what they're calling the Points on the new system).

The new program uses calories, saturated fat, sugar, and protein to determine the amount of SmartPoints in a food. If you're a healthy eater already, or your ultimate goal is to make healthy choices, the new plan is a great tool--foods that are high in sugar and saturated fat are very high in SmartPoints, while foods that are high in protein are lower in SmartPoints. Fruits and veggies are still 0 Points. Interestingly, alcohol has gone down in Points (just a little). One shot (1.5 fl. oz.) of liquor is now 3 SmartPoints, whereas it was 4 PointsPlus.

Weight Watchers also did away with the Good Health Guidelines. I guess that if you're following the new plan, you will tend to make healthier choices anyway, so there is no need to specifically track them.

As a lifetime member at goal, my daily SmartPoints target would be 36 to maintain my weight. I'm not sure how many weekly SmartPoints I would get (it's different for everyone, but I think Glenda, my leader, said that Lifetimers still get 49).

Also different is that members are discouraged from using "FitPoints" (previously "Activity Points") on food. The purpose of earning them is so that WW can set an exercise goal for you to reach each day.

I can't get the WW app to work (apparently, it's a problem for everyone--even my leader said she doesn't have a working app yet). The website is glitchy, and still showing all the old PointsPlus stuff, too. Once everything is working, I may calculate the SmartPoints in a week's worth of my current diet just to see how it compares to my calories eaten.

I really like counting calories, though, so I don't plan to switch! If any of you are trying out the new Weight Watchers plan, I'd be very curious to hear your thoughts on it. My friend Andrea has been doing it for three days and she loves it!

Personally, there is no way I would be able to stick to this plan. Weight Watchers just keeps making it more and more difficult for people to change their habits gradually, and I'm disappointed.

(ETA: Here is an updated post about Weight Watchers Beyond the Scale SmartPoints thoughts, as well as a comparison of calories vs. SmartPoints. It's pretty shocking.)




This morning, I had intervals on the schedule. Usually, I like to do them on the treadmill, but for some reason I wanted to do them outside today. The weather was great (36 degrees and very little wind). I was curious to see how my current outdoor interval pace compares to December 2012, when I was working on getting faster. Also, it will be nice to see in a couple of months if today's pace will have improved.

On the schedule: 0.5 mile warm-up, 5 x 0.25 miles with 60 seconds recovery between intervals. On the treadmill, I just stand still and catch my breath for 60 seconds, but outside, I would just walk very slowly between intervals. The bonus of doing just 5 intervals is that the distance is so short!

I jogged very slowly for the first half mile. I was nervous for the intervals, per usual (which is so dumb to get nervous over! Who really cares but me?). When my Garmin hit 0.5 miles, I started running hard. I wasn't sure how hard to run. I didn't want to sprint all-out, because I needed enough energy to finish four more intervals; but I wanted to make sure I was using my full potential.

I didn't even look at my Garmin the entire time. I didn't want to get discouraged or let it mess with my head, so I just kept my Garmin covered with my shirt sleeve, and then whenever it beeped, I knew to start or stop the intervals. I turned around after the second interval, and then stopped my watch after the recovery of the fifth interval.

I'm not sure how I feel about the pace for my intervals. I guess the pace is probably about what I expected. Again, it's just hard to imagine running a 10K near that pace in about four months!


My splits were 1:56, 2:00, 1:51, 1:55, 1:54; which translates in minutes per mile to: 7:44, 8:01, 7:22, 7:39, 7:36. That's an average interval split of 7:40. Last week, on the treadmill, I ran them at 8.2 mph, which is a 7:19/mile pace. The treadmill always feels easier to me, so that sounds about right. (For comparison, in 2012, I averaged 7:10/mi pace for outdoor intervals).

58 comments:

  1. I've been doing Smart Points since 11/29. Basically on the computer if you advance your weigh in date to the day you would first weight in after 12/5 you can get the new program. I started doing that back then. I am a fairly healthy eater (am lifetime at goal but want to lose a few pounds). I love this new program and have posted about it quite a bit. I don't eat a lot of high sugar and don't eat beef. I get 30 daily points (36 if maintaining) and 28 weekly points. My husband (also lifetime at goal) gets 30 daily points if losing (36 if maintaining) and 42 weekly points. Your weekly points don't vary with being lifetime. They are based upon weight, gender, age and height. You get 6 extra daily points for being on maintenance.

    Anyway, the net for me is that I get 7 points a week more with SmartPoints than I did with PointsPlus (I get less Weekly, but more Daily). I double tracked both Points Plus and SmartPoints last week. The same foods was 14 points more on SmartPoints over the week than it was PointsPlus. But, I get 7 more so it was only a net of 7 a week more (so 1 extra SmartPoint a day). I still had 8 Weekly SmartPoints left over, though, so it was all good.

    Some foods didn't change at all (WW said about 40% don't change). Some foods went down. I just had some chicken breast for dinner and it was 1 SmartPoint less than it would be under PointsPlus. Lean protein is usually a little less. A Chocolate Brownie Quest Bar was 1 point less. Lots of foods are just a little more. I had a Bean Burrito from Taco Bell for lunch today. It was 10 PointsPlus, now it is 11 PointsPlus.

    You can still have some of the, um, junk food but have to be judicious about it. Last week I still had SmartPoints left over but had dark chocolate 3 times. It had gone up 1 point. These were small servings though, but it was enough to satisfy me.

    Some foods really do go up. Nonfat chocolate frozen yogurt went up from 3 PointsPlus to 6 PointsPlus, but that has a lot of sugar in it. By and large the foods with dramatic increases are the foods that are really high in sugar. I think this is a far, far healthier program than PointsPlus.

    On the Saturday after Thanksgiving I weighed in at home (had already weighed in at WW for the month) and started the SmartPoints that day. A week later (on last Saturday) I was down 2 pounds. Today I hit my lowest weight since getting to goal in July. I've been on a plateau for a few months since getting to goal, so I'm thrilled to finally be breaking through it.

    Sorry to go on so much about this plan, but I am really liking it a lot. It is an adjustment. But, I think it is a much healthier plan and I think it will help many with weight loss. I can still have the higher sugar treats, but I need to spend most of my points on healthy foods which is really how it should be.

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    1. Thanks for such a detailed response! I agree that it seems much healthier, because you have more incentive to choose healthier foods. That's great you're having success with it!

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    2. I appreciate this response! I'll switch to BTS on Saturday, and I'm actually kind of nervous about it, but excited too. My HUGE problem area is sugar... I tend to have at least 1 fairly sugary treat each day, and I'm nervous about how much the points will increase. However, I'm hoping that it gives me the push I need to make better choices overall.

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    3. It is an adjustment, but it's been going pretty well. For some snacks, what has worked is to eat smaller portion sizes. I find I can still eat anything, but I just have to be more careful about it and pick and choose carefully.

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  2. I actually decided to count calories once the new program was released. I am a single girl who doesn't do a lot of cooking at home. The program worked for me before because I could still eat out as long as I made healthy choices. My Smart Point target per day went down, but most of my foods that I normally eat went up. I feel really deprived at this point. When I calorie counted the same foods, I'm way under the allotment for me to lose weight. I have a lot of thinking to do to decide if I want to continue on since it doesn't seem like the program works for those of us on the go.

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    1. Katie, I totally understand! The app was working for me today, so out of curiosity, I filled out my food log identically on MFP and WW... on MFP, the calories came out to 1,530 (very typical for me), but the SmartPoints were 58!!! I would be "allowed" just 36 SmartPoints per day. Crazy! I hope you like counting calories--it was a big adjustment for me, but I love it.

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    2. I did what you've done, Katie. Switched to LoseIt.com because I don't want a penalty for eating like a normal person. I'm Lifetime since last April and really liked the flexibility of PointsPlus, but not feeling the SmartPoints. Too much of a "diet" feeling where you are punished for anything that is slightly indulgent. By the way, love your blog too. Keep doing it. :)

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  3. The WW changes have been frustrated. As a lifetime member I was amazed how they rolled it out without it actually working well. I am going to a meeting tomorrow night to learn about it. I also was super disappointed with them discontinuing the Activelink. I used my every day for 2 years. Now I have to get a fitbit.

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  4. I'm really interested in this new program. I joined WW in 1997 using the old Points program. It worked for me, I lost 30 pounds (twice, oops!) but maintained it the second time for 8 years. I really struggled with PointsPlus, I felt like they treated all carbs the same (for example 1 cup of brown rice was 4 PP and a chocolate eclair was 3!) I'm glad to see them isolating sugar from total carbs. Guess I need to go to a meeting to get the info!

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  5. Honestly one of the biggest reasons I chose to count calories over points was because of wine. I KNOW THAT MAKES ME SOUND LIKE BOOZE HOUND!! haha but a glass of wine a night ~6 oz was 7PP I believe? I had a 30PP daily allotment, so that was almost a fourth of my total points, whereas when calorie counting wine has 144 calories. If I'm eating 1500 cal/day, it's not nearly a big a dent. I remember I would it would just mess with my brain mentally. Like, I love a glass of wine, but I didn't want to waste the points. I had great success with WW back in 2013, but I knew I wanted to try something new. Especially because just like Katie, I found all those little 'cheats.'

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    1. I totally get that! I love my wine as well, and it was ridiculous to spend so many Points on it when it really doesn't have that many calories. You explained it well, and I whole-heartedly agree! ;)

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  6. I just had to comment to say that I always get nervous before I run, too! It makes no sense because I'm not in a race or being timed or watched by anyone else, but I guess I just really care about doing well for my own sake. I'm glad it's not just me! :)

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  7. Hello Katie! I started WW (Again!) in July and since then I've dropped 44 lbs. LOVED PointsPlus! PP allowed me to "live" and not feel restricted, while still encouraging healthy eating with zero point fruits and veggies. Having said that...as a person who LOVES change...I ABSOLUTELY HATE SMARTPOINTS! Did I stress that enough??? ;) So many of the foods I was eating to successfully lose weight have doubled in points.

    For example, Fiber One Lemon Brownies, Dannon Light & Fit 80 Cal Yogurts, Progresso Light Soups....are now all double points or more. I realize these are processed foods, however they were all working for me as part of the PP plan. I feel so restricted now! I feel like I have to eat healthy 100% of the time or I'll be "penalized".

    I still have 70 lbs to lose, so having my successful weight loss plan eliminated is very disappointing to me. I believe I'm going to jump ship back to the old PP plan...or MyFitnessPal. :)

    Anyway, just my two cents!

    Kim - Minnesota

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    1. I feel the same way. I joined four months ago and have lost 20 lbs. The PP system was working and I was never left hungry and still got to have a treat every once in a while. On the new system, I feel like I'm heavily restricted, and with a baby, this isn't easy to manage. A lot of the foods I was eating went up or doubled, as you mentioned. I thought weight watchers was going to work for me long-term (I still have about 40 lbs to lose (some of it baby fat), but now I'm not sure I'm interested.

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    2. I'm in the same place right now. I have lost 50 lbs. With points plus and was going strong until they revamped everything. Losing half my daily smart points for some caramel corn was the last straw. Calorie wise, it would have amounted to 1/4 or less of daily calorie intake. I realize caramel corn is not a healthy choice, but being punished for it doesn't help either. I loved the flexibility of points plus and it was working for me. I found an app that's still doing them and will continue with that points system as long as I can. Who knows what weight watchers might change a year from now? Maybe I will find the 2017 plan more doable than 2016's.

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    3. What app did you find that still allows you to track points plus?

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  8. I started it Sunday (I am also lifetime at goal). I got 36 (would have 30 to lose) and 21 weeklies. So far, so good. The jump in points is a bit shocking for sweets, but I figure it will make it harder to justify and easier to treats "occasional". I love the drop in points for things like turkey and chicken! I've been double tracking the past few days for points plus vs smart points, and it's been about the same (+/- 3 points) so far. But then again, I mostly eat the good stuff. I don't handle myself so well when I start eating junk, and I do not want that 100 lbs back.

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  9. I hate the new program so far. I get fewer daily points, fewer weekly points and am discouraged from using my fitpoints! I am a lifetime member and I run so I can eat. The PP program worked extremely well for me and I am quite surprised that WW would come out with a program that feels far more restrictive. For the first time since I began my weight loss journey, I feel like this is a diet. (and the pushing of the horribly unhealthy artificial sweeteners continues)

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    1. I agree! It does seem more like a "diet" now. I've been tracking calories AND SmartPoints this week, just out of curiosity. I'm five days in and already 86 points in the hole... Haha! But my calories have been very average, about 1500/day.

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    2. You may want to give calorie counting a try... I love it!!

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    3. Amen! I hate the pushing of the artificial sweeteners, and processed low fat foods. I feel the more natural you eat on WW, the more points, and no one should ever feel like they need to eat processed foods > unprocessed.

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    4. Points Plus works for me and I plan to continue on with that. I decided to give the new system a try for a week so I can speak intelligently about it at the meeting next week. I think it is funny that beer is now fewer points than milk (which is actually good for me because I prefer beer to milk, it just doesn't make sense). They keep pegging the new program as promoting healthy eating, but I don't see it. Seriously... less processed foods, lower calories, more activity = healthier lifestyle. I am so pleased with the assistance that WW has given me over the last year +, but I don't see the new program as being something I could maintain. The more restricted I feel, the more I want the sweet stuff and the more likely I am to have what I call F%#@ it moments. Very unfortunate.

      Also, WW leaders are not counselors. This whole happy people make good decisions is great and all, but I go for tips and encouragement to help me keep on track, not for tips on how to live a "happy life". The program has become to Oprah-ie in my opinion.

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    5. I completely agree. Very disappointed in WW's decision to switch from PP to SP. With less weekly points to use, I'm definitely not eating enough and feeling famished. On PP I never felt that way. I like MFP and I was losing weight with it before I switched back to WW. Now I think I'm just going to ditch WW and do MFP.

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    6. I'm still liking SmartPoints although it is an adjustment. For those who are heavy exercisers, though, I think it is entirely reasonable to trade some of your FitPoints (probably not all of them since they are easy to earn, but some of them) for SmartPoints. For those exercising a lot, there may be a real need for some extra energy from food.

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    7. I HATE THE NEW PROGRAM! Butter going from 3 points to 5 is ridiculous! And, taking away the exercise points is also terrible. I am going to count calories using my fitbit and find an over-eaters anonymous meeting. It was save me a lot of money every month. I hate that WW uses and encourages (through the point system) using artificial sweeteners and fat free products. It's just not good for anyone.

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  11. Any idea of the weekly flex points on the new plan for a 45 year old female within goal weight range (5ft7, 150lbs) but trying to loose 5lbs? I assume my daily points would be the minimum of 30, but have no idea on the weekly. I have been trying to follow for a few days using my mom's materials and as a vegetarian I am struggling. I used to turn to bargain points foods with high fiber. Without meat I'm not finding many bargain points foods that are filling. The increase in points on greek yogurt is killing me. I agree that if you try to save room for a glass of wine or a beer, you are going to be hungry.

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    1. Beans are really the way to go for vegetarian foods that are filling. 6oz of firm regular tofu is 3 SP, 1 cup of cooked black beans is 5 points. Chick Peas are 3 points for 1/2 cup (7 points for 1 cup).

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    2. I'm 49, 5'5", 165 and have 35 weekly points but I have 25 lbs to lose. Weekly points are in increments of 7.

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  12. I joined ww in September and I am down 25 lbs. Now with BTS it is definitely a diet for me and I don't feel like this is conducive to my lifestyle of being on the go. I would grab a yogurt, banana and granola bar for a total of 5 points and now that is over 10 points. My main question is I have never done another app besides ww. I am nervous about the calorie counting. Can someone suggest a good application to use? Is it difficult? Thanks!

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    1. I plan to continue using WW Points+. I will either manually add Points+ food to the WW app or I will track manually on paper. If the old system is working for you, there is no need to change.

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    2. FYI ... There's a $3.99 app called ProTracker that tracks points plus. It has the database, calculator, pretty much everything the WW app has. It even calculates your daily points. I've been using it to track PP alongside SP the past couple of weeks, but I'm pretty sure I'm just going to keep doing PP. It works well for me and I think it's a much better long term, realistic plan.

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    3. Ultimate Food Value Diary is also 3.99 and basically PP

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  13. I'm switching to MFP...I'm tired of points counting and sick of WE changing things up when there's nothing "broken"...the new app sucks. It works half the time and not worth the new increase in membership. Counting calories will be super strange but I think it's more reliable for a little lifetime change...I don't think Calories are going to change...Ever. Thanks Katie!!!!!!!!

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  14. Weight Watchers stills gives you too much food. If I trusted the Smart Points system I would be eating 1500 calories a day (not even counting weekly extra points) and I cannot lose weight on that. Counting calories is the only way.

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  15. I joined WW 3 months ago. I struggled with PP. Had to go to many different stores to get processed foods. SP suits me so much better. I gave up on PP and began gaining weight again. On SP I am never hungry and am losing more weight. Then again, it suits my tastes! I love fruits, most veggies, lean meats, and milk. I don't like processed foods or fried foods. Feel lucky on the SP plan!

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  16. I am not a fan of the new points system AT ALL - at least so far. I lost 65 lbs 4.5 years ago ( I believe it was still flex points then) and have kept almost all of it off save for 10 lbs in the last 6 months. Now that the holidays are over I'm ready to re-shed that 10 so I signed back into Weight Watchers where I discovered the new plan. First of all, I'm a vegetarian so that in and of its self poses a different type of challenge. Protein is one of the biggest challenges for vegetarians and this plan is based in protein and sugars. We tend to get our protein from soy (but you can't over do it!) legumes, quinoa etc as well as fresh veggies. Today I am typing this over my lunch... a pouch of organic quinoa and brown rice with garlic..... that is 7 points....for HALf of a 8.5 oz bag!!!!! I COULD eat a Taco Bell beef taco supreme for the same amount of points...is taco bell better for you than quinoa and brown rice? It seems like any time you add meat the points are going to go down .... but that is never going to be an option for vegetarians. I like that there is encouragement for whole food choices but if I followed this new plan I may starve to death as vegetarian. Another example is based on the new plan I could eat a whole boneless, skinless chicken breast for 2 points but a 1/2 cup of edamame is 3? How will I get the protein that I need as a veggie while being able to eat enough food to satiate hunger without munching on spinach all day? I'm thinking that this may not be a plan that will work for me as a vegetarian. If anyone has suggestions though- I am all ears!

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  17. I totally agree with everything you said. Am I crazy or did whole grains go up, too? People are saying that those of us who are complaining must be hooked on sugar and fats, but that's not necessarily true. I eat very little packaged food, but I'm finding that grains and healthy breads are also being villified. The same goes for dairy. I had a tall soy milk cappuccino today and it was 4 points! Spending 4 points for a cup of foam just made me sad.

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    1. Since all legumes seem to have gone up by a point, while meats have gone down, I have to wonder about the emphasis on meat-based protein over plant-based. What is the science behind this??

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    2. This is exactly my issue, as a vegetarian it is not working for me. That's why I'm having trouble with the "science." I'm not a huge sweet eater; I rarely eat out but I'm eating way more than my alloted 30 points. I was losing on the old program but this has me frustrated and throwing my hands up.

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    3. Why not go back to points plus program if it worked? I too am mostly vegetarian (eat fish and dairy) not too many sweets. It worked really well and I didn't feel deprived.
      Liked having 49 bonus points!

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  18. Sharronda WaldropJanuary 24, 2016

    I started back to weight watchers Thursday. I am a diabetic and since carbs aren't counted anymore, I just wondering...is the BTS plan goods for diabetics?

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  19. My general wellbeing has gone downhill since being on sp ... I was a cheerful happy soul even when overweight which I still am lol BUT I am the GRUMPIEST and most miserable I have ever been since joining this sp plan , there is NOT enough flexibility for the 'happiness factor' they talk about as the DIET yes it FEELS like a diet to me it certainly does now and I CANNOT MAINTAIN IT and that is after giving it my BEST shot for 2 weeks and embracing a life change but not a inflexible regime which I CANNOT and do not even WANT to stick to long term ie everythng they are making sure you cut out some of it is actually GOOD for me and I need more of it to have enough ENERGY to get through my day without being grumpy , exhausted and HUNGRY and NO I don't want to fill up on yet more PROTEIN it is meant to be a BALANCED diet and there is no balance and it is WAY to extreme for me and the extremeists LOVE it and they might as well give themselves 20 lashings a day to top it off and feel so good about themselves and their achievement of sticking to such a restrictive plan but I don't care all I know is it was making me miserable and CHANGING ME , NOT in the way I wanted and after all my miserable efforts I only lost 2lbs in the first 2 weeks anyway and am ready to give up but will try the pro points as it sounds MUCH more up my street as I can still LIVE and have some FUN and have some TREATS and have a ruddy NORMAL LIFE!!!

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  20. @unknown i am in the same boat as you...i have been miserable on SP and feel like this is a complete diet. i know i cannot withstand eating like this in the long run. I am also always on the go and while i have all different ideas for snacks such as carrots and ff bean dip, jicama sticks, an extra apple or banana, hummus, roasted chicken in a little container to go, etc. those snacks just do not do it for me...and forget the WW 2 point bars or hummus chips, about as filling as a few altoids (now 1 point per like 4)-correct me if i am wrong...but anyway it was just not working. i started to work and i felt so light headed and dizzy i would end up eating more because i was constantly hungry...so i finally went on my apps and looked diligently and found an app called Ultimate Food Value Diary....it is just like PP i think basically identical, without the WW trademark, and a few changes,but in regards to points and everything exactly the same. They list restaurants and everything and i am gonna start to follow that....I should have prefaced this by the fact i originally lost 26 lbs but ultimately gained 8-10 lbs back due to my inability to eat super clean and stick to SP. So i am hoping this new app will help and i will lose weight again. i am sure there will be critics saying oh well you are not doing it right and you don't eat clean not doing SP but you know what the choices I am making are a lot better than my 247 lbs self was making previously. I may like my ww cookie dough sunday or my fiber one chocolate chip cookie but you know what that keeps me going. So good luck and if you need an accountability buddy let me know!

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  21. I lost 85 pounds on Points and then PointsPlus, and everyone I know was doing well, so the only reason for WW to change is $$$. We now have to buy new calculators, new cookbooks, and get rid of the ActiveLink. I will never buy anything of theirs again.

    As to the program itself, I'm finding it almost impossible to stick to. I have a terrible sweet tooth, but on PP I could build in a real indulgence once in a while. Now that's impossible--a half-cup of ice cream is now 13 points, nearly half my day's allowance. When I want something sweet, I want something SWEET--not one of WW's chemically-enhanced, overpriced, tiny little bars of junk, but a brownie, a piece of pie, cake, ice cream--you know, real food--good stuff full of fat and real sugar. Of course, if I eat an entire slice of pie now, it will cost me all of my daily point allowance and then some. My leader and a lot of people at my meeting have definitely drunk the Kool-Aid on this one, because they're all claiming they're having no problems. I'm light-headed most of the time now because I'm hungry.

    I have to admit that I have lost almost two pounds in about three days (I went haywire for a few weeks) but I'm having an awful battle trying to "eat healthy." I can't survive on tons of protein, fruits, veggies, no carbs and no sugar. I loved WW because it was balanced and I could tailor it to my needs. Now it's Atkins with fruit-no longer a lifestyle, now it's a diet. Phooey!

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  22. I agree with everyone on here. I hate the new program. Points plus was great. I felt satisfied after eating. I didn't feel guilty after eating either especially if I wanted a piece of chocolate. I have tried all the low carb diets they make me sick. I found out I am hypoglycemia. I need carbs. I had one scoop of ice cream and it cost me 15 points. The reason I joined weight watchers was for the flexible eating plan. It's the only plan that doesn't make me feel sick. My mocha coffee drink I love went from 5 points to 13 points! For the people who love the new smart plan why don't you just do the paleo diet or even the zone diet and leave weight watchers alone.

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  23. I have been a weight watcher for over thirty years. The program has often changed and I have changed with it. I am a foodaholic so there is NO program that isn't a diet. As a nutritionist, I know what ever you are eating is your diet. I have made some adjustment to do the smart points diet, but since I am obsessed by food I have directed it to obsessing over new ways to eat. Sorry, some of you have trouble, but the new program is healthy. I don't eat a lot or artificial sweetners or fats. I love food, so I can find good choices on the program. I have lost 75 pounds since the end of 2013 and am still going down.

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    1. If you like it great, but it's not for everyone. I need to not beat myself up and find a balance. :)

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  24. I'm a lifetime member and lost 50 pounds on PP. I just rejoined in January and made it one week, not knowing that sugar was taboo. I switched back to My Fitness Pal and I feel so much more comfortable with it.

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  25. So after three months of SmartPoints I'm quitting. I'm a vegetarian and I feel the new plan is heavily focused on meat and all my recipes (health vegetarian but yes, with rice and low fat cheese) nearly doubled. Can anyone recommend a calorie-counting program that syncs with the FitBit? MyFitnessPal?

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    1. Yes, MyFitnessPal syncs with the Fitbit--I love it!

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  26. Value Diary on Android...just like PP and syncs with fitbit...I love it!

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  28. Hi I subscribed Monday for Weight Watchers online. I didn't subscribed for the meetings because i live far in the country side and the nearest meeting place is 45min from home and i don't drive because i became handicapped due to an accident. I don't know anybody that could bring me there. When you subscribe online you don't get anything, no booklet, no list of food with their valued points. So i am looking for a way to get the list of food with their valued points. Can anyone help me with that? Do you know any website that i could download it from or if someone can send it by email? Your help would be so appreciated. Thanks!

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  29. I have decided to quit WW as well and go with Myfitnesspal. I wrote WW and told them this new plan is way to restrictive. I lost 90 pounds on Points Plus and as someone else said it was nice because it was so flexible and you could find good choices any place you went to eat. The new plan anything outside of lean meats, fruit or veggies makes such a dent you can't eat the rest of the day. I am really disappointed in the new program. I think they lost what was so great about their plan.

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  30. I just rejoined weight watchers after taking a break for a few months and agree with many people that I am very disappointed in the new plan. The reason I have chosen weight watchers many times is because it allowed so much flexibility in food choice. I feel like this has been completely taken away now that carbs are really high in points and sweet treats are completely out of the question unless I want to be hungry for days AND go over in point values. I have been trying to move towards a vegetarian diet for ethical reasons as well, and vegetarian sources of protein are much higher in points than lean meats. I feel that weight watchers has ruined the thing that set them apart from other diets - the flexibility. I just purchased a 3 month plan a few days ago and am wondering if I can return the product for a refund due to the fact that I can't see myself succeeding at sticking to such a restrictive plan.

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  31. Hi, I recently rejoined WW after a 25 year (!) hiatus...the last time I lost 15 pounds in about 10 weeks, but this time I am off to a really slow start, have lost less than 1 pound after 2 weeks, and am trying to figure out why. I stick to my 30 points daily and have been using only 5 of my 35 weekly points. And I am very active, do 3 hours of Zumba weekly plus quite a bit of walking. Has anyone else experienced this with Smart Points, and if so any advice? Thank you. Carol

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  32. I've been on WW since early February - and I'd previously done WW a couple of years ago on PP. I LOVE the SP. I feel like it rewards me for eating clean and keeping sugar intake down. Now, I'm a meat eater, and I can see how for vegetarians it would be a harder fit. If I want sweets, I turn to fruit, and if I want "real" sweets, like a brownie, I blow out my weekly points for that treat, but I don't do it daily, obviously. So far down about 10.5 pounds in a little under 2 months, so I'm liking it. Oh, and I don't drink, so it does sound like that helps....Also I would say that my most successful weight loss weeks seem to be after a week when I DO max out or close to it my weekly points....I think just sticking to the daily points throws the body into a starvation mode, and then it holds onto those calories like crazy!

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