Points Plus Calculator and More

Hallelujah!!

I lost 151 lbs on the "classic" points program and kept 100 of it off. I had varying degree of success with points plus and gained with smart points. Also found smart points mentally tougher for me to stick with... that I-need-a-cookie-or-I'm-gonna-lose-it moment really cost me in points. Thanks for showing this! I'm gonna check it out!!

Sarah

Seems like a real solution! Good luck everyone!

BarbL

I *LOVE* itrackbites. I've been using it for six months now, and it works flawlessly. I didn't even unlock all the paid features--I don't use the restaurant guide or beer guide since almost all of that can be found when you use the online lookup (which you do have to pay a couple of dollars for). It's not flawless, but it's pretty darn close, you can't beat the price, and it's working for me. I only hope that WW doesn't find a way to kill the app--they're really good at tracking down and destroying imitators who come to close to their program.

Erika

The "homework" you have done here is literally going to change some folks' lives. I've done Weight Watchers classic, Points Plus, and Smart Points. Classic is the most livable program and point plus more sensible and still livable. Smart Points was a total bust for me. I got on the scale this morning, and thought I need to get back to Weight Watchers. But I thought why pay $100s of dollars for a program I know doesn't work for me? I thought "I wish they would let me do Points Plus again." Because of this blog post, I can! What a wonderful option for many people. Thank you for doing this!

Wendy

I wish people would be less resistant to progress. Yes proress.....notice I didn't say change. We change when progress in science shows something else is scientifically better. The Smart points plan came about because it has shown to be scientifically healthier for our bodies. So do you want to be healthier, happier, and thinner, or are you at your perfect place. Are you at goal with WWPP ? If not remember the saying " if you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you always gotten" I am 63 and a former leader at Ww who used to teach the PP plan. I was able to change. I know its hard....I live in San Antonio TX.....food and culture is hard to deal with here. We have the highest percentage of adults and children with Diabetis in the country here. Many Children are morbidly obese at an early age and many families suffer the ramifications of what Diabetes does. Your kidney, eye sight , and over health are at risk.

Maybe we need to think really hard about squabbling about not getting so many points or not enough sweets and think about progress. If you haven't Had any significant progress in our weight loss journey maybe we need to try what the Smart Points has to say. I changed and at my age changed my life.....for the first time I am getting more points by swimming 4 times a week. Something I wasn't able to do before. Think progress not change first!

Edna Allotta

I was resistant to Smart Points at first but have fallen in love with the new program. And members have lost 15% more weight with Smart Points. That said, I'm happy to see this option available to those who couldn't handle the switch and also for those who can't afford WW.

Mickie

Thanks for continuing to post about WW and similar alternatives. The comments are always interesting to read.

C

I love Smart Points but don't love paying WW to keep access. I use WW when I need to lose a few (even a couple) pounds so I am on and off it, so the app would make more sense for me. (Thanks, SnackGirl!) I recently bought the book "Zero Sugar Diet", which was recommended by a commenter on another SnackGirl post. I now see why people prefer Points Plus - because they are addicted to sugar. I agree with Edna - when science progresses, we should, too. Smart Points reflects the current science on sugar - and, if you would read the book, you would see how important it is to try to break the addiction!

Nancy

Thanks for this information, Lisa! It is really helpful.

Robin

@ Edna - Yes, you are right. Our understanding of nutrition is constantly evolving, and I'm all for WW tweaking their programs to promote healthy lifestyles based on the latest science. I am a physician in primary care, so I see plenty of journal articles and also see plenty of everyday people, the majority of whom have weight and multiple health issues, in my office every day. I do not claim to be a weight loss expert. I can claim to be someone who also struggles the same with weight, making good choices, and living a healthy lifestyle.

The simple truth, also based in science, is that any diet will work as long as you stick to it. Pick any of them: Atkins, South Beach, Jenny Craig, WW, whatever -- it doesn't matter. So people should do what works for them and that moves them in a healthier direction, and "diets" should meet people where they are, not where they should be. If you tell someone weighing 300 lbs who eats fast food every day (this was me 10 years ago), that they now have to eat whole foods and structure their meals around the simply filling list, chances are it's not going to work. Instead, small - almost imperceptible changes - in one's diet combined with the reward of weight loss will motivate the person to keep going. Instead of eating a whole package of cookies, eat 5 cookies. Then 3, then 1 cookie once a week. Success breeds success.

You may be at a point in your health journey where smart points is just the challenge that you need. Someone else may be in a very different place. Everyone's story is different, and what works for one person might not work for another. So I encourage you to view a different perspective not as "squabbling" but as a sign this person's path is simply different than yours; that what works for them is not - and may not ever be - identical to what works for you.

Sarah

Sarah- We need more primary care physicians like you.

Meagan

I downloaded the Itrackbites and as all new things it takes a bit of getting used to. I had a lot of people recommend the UFVD (Ultimate Food Value Diary) also and so far I am liking it a little better. Only add-on I purchased in addition to it is the activity syncing app and it worked great so far. It also counts the PointPlus and SmartPoints plans. Another option.

Linda Wing

Yes! I downloaded it after the New Year and have been using it...lost a few lbs so far. I'm so happy I can track with the PP system again! :)

Ariana

such a great app! thanks for the heads up, snack girl.

:)

sassygirl

Is the "Classic" option on the app the same as the old Momentum program that used the cardboard sliding food points calculator?

Jody

How can I input nutrients and the app give me the points?

lor