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Points vs. Calories
I have been counting WW points for the past 47 days (nearly 7 weeks). During that time I have lost 12.2 lbs. I am pleased with this weight loss.
However, I'm seriously considering switching to calorie counting instead. "Why," you might ask, "when things have been going so well?"
There's a few reasons why I think WW just might not be the program for me.
First of all, I can't possibly imagine counting points for the rest of my life. How realistic is that? I'd always need to grab my calculator. Calories, however, are quick and simple. You read the label and there you have it.
Second of all, the points system allows me to eat too much junk food. I've been going over my logs, and I'm usually full at about 18-20 points. I've figured out the calories, and this is about 1200-1300 calories for me. So I usually use the remainder of my points for snacks like chips, cookies, chocolate, etc. On average, I'm eating about 300 calories a day in junk food. I realize that I can just choose not to eat the junk. But I have the extra points so I feel the need to use them. I know that this is part of the point (no pun intended...) with the whole WW program - you can eat what you want to eat. But, if I add up this snacking over a 7 day period - that is about 0.6 lbs of weight loss that I am not experiencing. And in the long-term, I need to break my snacking habits.
Third of all, I have issues with the 35 weekly points. Again, I recognize that I don't have to use them. But I don't even like the temptation of having them there. From what I can figure calculation-wise (assuming 1 pt=roughly 50 cals), this is an additional 0.5 lb per week that I am not losing (if I consume these extra points).
Fourth, I'm really ticked about the WW snack foods. The WW chocolate cakes are a spectacular 1 pt each. Isn't that great? Well, I checked the calorie content and they are 90 calories each. WW manipulated the recipe by adding fiber, which reduces the point value according to the formula. So, theoretically, I could eat 4 WW chocolate cakes (which would equal about a normal size piece of cake). That's only 4 points. But translate this into calories - it's a whopping 360 calories on chocolate cake! If I've already had my 1200 calories for the day, then I'm adding another 360 on top of that - I just don't need it!
Fifth, I'm struggling with not feeling in control. I've always counted calories in the past and been successful when I have done so. I know the not-so-magic formula. 3000-3500 calories = 1 pound. In the past, I've always been able to look at my log and figure out how much I lost before even stepping on the scale. However, with the points, I just don't know. For example, even when my exercise is consistent and I stay within my points everyday, I lose varying amounts. I can't look back and say, "Ok, here is why." Part of this is because I just don't understand the points system rational. I understand the formula, but I still have it in my head that weight loss = caloric deficit. Why are WW chocolate cakes at 90 calories worth 1 pt, but other 100 calorie snacks are 2 points? In the grand scheme of things, they should equal out shouldn't they?
This are some of the things I have going through my head. I would expect to lose about 2 lbs / week. I have exercised 20/25 days so far in February. And this has been pretty intense exercise. Using calories, I can translate this and my food log into what my weight loss should be. I just feel lost on the WW system, even though it is working for me.
I'm not going to do anything until Saturday at least (which is when I weigh-in).
There are aspects I do like about the points system. For instance, I do like how I can eat my snacks (LOL). I also like the simplicity of the program in terms of I can easily look up points values. And, of course, the program has been working for me so far. I do like how fiber and fat is taken into account.
Part of me asks myself the same question you might be asking - if it's working then why change it? Well, I've outlined a few of my thoughts above.
I've considered doing both - points and calories. But then it runs the risk of becomming too cumbersome and complicated. If I'm going to count calories anyway, then why bother with points?
I'd be interested to hear some of your perspectives on my thoughts - from both points people and calorie counters! :) I realize that anything I do will work. I'm just trying to find what will be best for my long-term success.
Also, if any of the WW people have any comments about my comments above (e.g., the 90 calorie=1 pt vs. the 100 calorie=2 points), then I would be really interested to read them.
However, I'm seriously considering switching to calorie counting instead. "Why," you might ask, "when things have been going so well?"
There's a few reasons why I think WW just might not be the program for me.
First of all, I can't possibly imagine counting points for the rest of my life. How realistic is that? I'd always need to grab my calculator. Calories, however, are quick and simple. You read the label and there you have it.
Second of all, the points system allows me to eat too much junk food. I've been going over my logs, and I'm usually full at about 18-20 points. I've figured out the calories, and this is about 1200-1300 calories for me. So I usually use the remainder of my points for snacks like chips, cookies, chocolate, etc. On average, I'm eating about 300 calories a day in junk food. I realize that I can just choose not to eat the junk. But I have the extra points so I feel the need to use them. I know that this is part of the point (no pun intended...) with the whole WW program - you can eat what you want to eat. But, if I add up this snacking over a 7 day period - that is about 0.6 lbs of weight loss that I am not experiencing. And in the long-term, I need to break my snacking habits.
Third of all, I have issues with the 35 weekly points. Again, I recognize that I don't have to use them. But I don't even like the temptation of having them there. From what I can figure calculation-wise (assuming 1 pt=roughly 50 cals), this is an additional 0.5 lb per week that I am not losing (if I consume these extra points).
Fourth, I'm really ticked about the WW snack foods. The WW chocolate cakes are a spectacular 1 pt each. Isn't that great? Well, I checked the calorie content and they are 90 calories each. WW manipulated the recipe by adding fiber, which reduces the point value according to the formula. So, theoretically, I could eat 4 WW chocolate cakes (which would equal about a normal size piece of cake). That's only 4 points. But translate this into calories - it's a whopping 360 calories on chocolate cake! If I've already had my 1200 calories for the day, then I'm adding another 360 on top of that - I just don't need it!
Fifth, I'm struggling with not feeling in control. I've always counted calories in the past and been successful when I have done so. I know the not-so-magic formula. 3000-3500 calories = 1 pound. In the past, I've always been able to look at my log and figure out how much I lost before even stepping on the scale. However, with the points, I just don't know. For example, even when my exercise is consistent and I stay within my points everyday, I lose varying amounts. I can't look back and say, "Ok, here is why." Part of this is because I just don't understand the points system rational. I understand the formula, but I still have it in my head that weight loss = caloric deficit. Why are WW chocolate cakes at 90 calories worth 1 pt, but other 100 calorie snacks are 2 points? In the grand scheme of things, they should equal out shouldn't they?
This are some of the things I have going through my head. I would expect to lose about 2 lbs / week. I have exercised 20/25 days so far in February. And this has been pretty intense exercise. Using calories, I can translate this and my food log into what my weight loss should be. I just feel lost on the WW system, even though it is working for me.
I'm not going to do anything until Saturday at least (which is when I weigh-in).
There are aspects I do like about the points system. For instance, I do like how I can eat my snacks (LOL). I also like the simplicity of the program in terms of I can easily look up points values. And, of course, the program has been working for me so far. I do like how fiber and fat is taken into account.
Part of me asks myself the same question you might be asking - if it's working then why change it? Well, I've outlined a few of my thoughts above.
I've considered doing both - points and calories. But then it runs the risk of becomming too cumbersome and complicated. If I'm going to count calories anyway, then why bother with points?
I'd be interested to hear some of your perspectives on my thoughts - from both points people and calorie counters! :) I realize that anything I do will work. I'm just trying to find what will be best for my long-term success.
Also, if any of the WW people have any comments about my comments above (e.g., the 90 calorie=1 pt vs. the 100 calorie=2 points), then I would be really interested to read them.
Comment
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Comment by Elaine on March 20, 2009 at 10:46pm - I used WW for the first 30ish pounds that I lost and I loved it. But, once I started running intensely, WW no longer worked for me...for some of the reasons listed above (I needed more healthy fats, was encouraged to eat junky food for low points value, etc). Now I count calories. I got 21 WW pts a day. Interestingly, I use the BodyBugg and now I eat 1900 to 2500 calories a day (which would be 40ish to 50ish WW pts a day). That's not the "diet" for everyone, but I'm a pretty intense runner. In any case, I would recommend WW to anyone that needed to lose weight because the program is great....for beginners.
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Comment by Sarah on February 25, 2009 at 7:57pm - Angela, I could not have said it better. Those have always been my thoughts on calories vs points. I have lost weight doing both but there is this voice inside me that says when I have 7 pts left, I think of junk food. When in reality if that was 350 calories left, I wouldn't want to use that for junk, but would rather eat food. I have battling this for a year and a half now going back and forth between the two only to put on about 18 lbs due to yo yoing. I think anything will work if you stick with it. You have lost alot so far so it's working for you, don't fight it! We need to figure out why we crave the junk and want to use our points towards the bad food. Look at Rachel, she has lost a ton of weight, it's like she's on the biggest loser or something! She's has had real success with counting points. I totally hear you though, ask Tricia! She's heard me complain and yo yo back and forth for a long long time!!
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Comment by Arlene on February 25, 2009 at 12:37pm - I like counting Points because the math is easier ... but I can see your point about the junk food. I, too, eat at least 3 Points worth of sweet snacks a day (and like to skip my healthy oils because I hate to waste Points on oil).
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Comment by Valerie on February 25, 2009 at 12:07pm -
I personally count calories, although I don't write everything down in a journal anymore. I've gotten fairly comfortable with keeping each meal within a range of calories so that I stay at or slightly under my calorie limit for the day.
I agree that it's easier to figure out. The only thing you'd need to look up would be fresh produce that doesn't often come with nutritional labels and I've found that I can easily remember approximately how many calories are in the fruits and veggies I usually eat. And from looking at labels for calories I find that I pay a lot of attention to the other nutritional facts too, and I find it easy to compare two products for their protein, fibre, fat, etc, content. I also like that I know exactly how many calories I'm eating, especially since the number of calories in a point can vary somewhat.
I think in the end, it's figuring out what works for you. I know some people swear by calorie counting or WW but whatever you find effective and easiest to track should be what you choose.
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Comment by Rachel on February 25, 2009 at 11:35am - Just a note on the weight watchers snack cakes thing... when I was going to meetings our leader told us if you eat 2 of something like that you need to re-figure the points but continue limiting the fiber to 4 grams... so 2 of them would be 180 calories but only 4 grams of fiber.. 3 would be 270 calories and 4 grams of fiber. If you do this, the points for those cakes will quickly add up. The same with those fiber one bars. That way you can't just eat one or two point treats all day long because then you could totally manipulate the system. I have shared some of your concerns about the points system (eating something just because I have the points for it, etc) but eventually I decided that's up to me to choose healthy foods, not for the plan to force me (like you said). So I stuck with points and it has worked for me, but only because I changed my mindset. If you like how fat is taken into account on the points system, maybe count fat grams as well as your calories. Also, you could use the concept of flex points but translate it to calories so that you still have flexibility. For example, if you go out to eat one day or something and need to go over your calories, you could give yourself a certain amount of "flex" calories for the week because I think flexibility is essential for any plan to work! I hope you find something that works for you!
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Comment by Jen @ KUrunner on February 25, 2009 at 11:21am -
I don't like the points system because it seems really biased against fats. Healthy fats are essential and go a long way towards making you feel fuller longer. But with the points, you could eat a 100 calories of sugar for 2 points or 100 calories of nuts or oil for 3 points. Which is healthier? And sure, WW wants you to get 2 servings of oils a day, but if I know I can have something unhealthy and yummy for fewer points, chances are that's what I'm going to eat.
Another thing I didn't like while I was on WW is that 1 point can be anywhere from 50 to 100 calories. So, if I'm supposed to be eating 22 points, that could be anywhere from 1100 to 2200 calories. That's a huge range! And, at least in my opinion, a calorie is a calorie is a calorie. Whether it's 3500 calories from fruit or 3500 calories from candy, it's still a pound. Plus, WW doesn't have any way to count protein which is important, especially for dieters.
When I track, I count calories and write down my fat, protein, and fiber. I tend to follow WW Healthy Guidelines, ie the veggies and dairy. I suppose I could do the core plan, but tracking points was just too much for me.
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