I've tried both of these, and I feel like they each have their own pros and cons. I'm curious to see what other people think. Which do you prefer and why? If you've tried both, how did you choose one over the other?
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I like MFP because you can look at the actual nutrients in the food you are eating and adjust based on that. The points system doesn't take that into account.
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I've never tried WW but had great luck with MFP before I got pregnant a few years ago. I find it harder to keep up with now that life is crazier but I don't know that I'd be any better with anything else! I was dedicated to it and it did work, slowly but surely just like it's supposed to.
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I lost 40 lbs with WW in 2010. At the time it was what I needed. Now I prefer MFP because it's free and after using it on and off the past three years it's very easy for me.
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I started with WW a while back and it jump started everything for me, but once I felt like I could hold myself accountable, I loved MFP! Not only because it was free, but I felt like it was easier for tracking and you were paying attention to more of the nutrients.
Now that I am 6 1/2 weeks postpartum, I kind of want to start WW again for awhile and then switch to MFP when I'm happy with the progress I've made.
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I use WW for serious weight loss and MFP for a little bit of weight loss. Having to pay for affects my motivation big time.
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I would have said WW... I'm a lifetime member and have had great success on the points and PointsPlus systems. Recently though they've changed their program pretty drastically to SmartPoints and I am not a fan. I get way less points and am starving at the end of the day, the site and app are often down...I feel like it is way more restrictive than it used to be
I'm back on MFP and really enjoy it!
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I've used various calorie counting aps with some success in the past, but right now I'm really enjoying weight watchers. I find that paying for it really helps me to stick to it, and their points system helps me to stay on track.
One thing I can't stand about WW is that it seems geared towards sedentary or near it people. I'm pretty physically active, and the points it assigns me for exercising are no where near the calories that I'm actually burning. And then with this new system you're actively discouraged from using those points at all, which is annoying. I can't maintain my activity on it without eating something back.
@Charm54: Ugh, I can't stand it either! I feel like I'm eating so much less, I can just barely manage it. It's ok on a normal day, but with travel and being out of my routine during this holiday break, I haven't been able to stick to it at all.
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I love MFP. Though I've never used WW, so I can't speak to that.
I like MFP especially because I focus a lot on macros and making sure I'm getting the correct amounts of protein/carbs/fat, especially because of my fitness regime. I have a higher protein intake.
It's really easy to track stuff in MFP, including weight and measurements. I've used it on and off for about five years and keep going back to it! -
I'll be the sole WW vote. I think it's more flexible, I think the points reflect the nutritional composition of foods and ease you into healthier eating habits. Earning points for activity, for me, is motivating. Who doesn't like earning points?! Haha
The drawbacks in my opinion are cost and ease of use. It's not simple to look at the package and determine points, like you can immediately determine calories. It's a PITA when you're getting started, to figure out what's worth the points!
Also, I love the concept of 0 point fruits and most vegetables. It encourages me to reach for an apple when I need a snack, and to pair it with string cheese or a handful of almonds for a satisfying snack, rather than just grabbing string cheese and feeling hungry shortly thereafter.
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I like them both, but for major weight loss had more success with WW in the past, although I did it while BF so I had additional points for that. I like the MFP sync with fitbit and have been using that on a daily basis for a while now. I will probably do WW again after this pregnancy.
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I haven't tried WW but I've used MFP on and off and I really like it. I feel like it's really doable and you still have a lot of control over what you eat.
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I've done both. Like others have said, more weight loss, go with weight watchers. For losing like 5-10 pounds, MFP is good because it's free. I was successful with WW after I had me first but tried it again to lose like 5 lbs and I couldn't stick with it. I think I'll start back up with MFP again soon.
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@mamabolt: you can sync Fitbit with WW now! I love it!
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@Applesandbananas: Ahhhh awesome! Looking forward to that when this LO arrives and I start trying to lose the baby weight.
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I used WW in the past to lose over 40 lbs and I really liked it. I haven't used it in a while now though so I can't speak to the changes.
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I liked that WWgace you free fruits and veggies but it didn't take into account good fats when I was still BFing. I got extra points but an avocado and oatmeal were very high. Also it seemed like the app started to default to a lot of the WW brand foods and less other diet brands were listed.
However I struggled with MFP and looking up items and there are 300 optionsof the same food (user entry)
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Thanks for the responses! I'm trying to lose 10-15 pounds, and I know that I need to start tracking what I eat, since I tend to be a snacker. I'm not familiar with the new points system that WW uses, but I agree that paying for it makes me more motivated to stick with it. But MFP has a huge food database, and I found it easier to input what I was eating with it. I'm not sure which one I'll use now, but I appreciate the help
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