Weight watchers or Unislim?

RH149

Lost weight years ago on Weight watchers and now 2 kids later badly need to start again. Have been digging out my old WW books with the basic points and figured I'd just watch what I eat and count the points but was reading the free Unislim supplement in the weekend Independent and noticed it looks similar to WW, they just seem to count units instead of points. I'm sure theres more to it than that but they give no specifics until you sign up.

Was wondering if anybody has done both and if so which one worked best for you? Is there any major difference between the two?

tHE vAGGABOND

Neither - Weight Loss Challenge - www.wlcdublin.com

You have guidelines and recommendations to follow and are educated about what is good and what is bad, not counting points or trying to work out what amount of points is this branded product. I've lost 3 1/2 stone with them, and counting

shelly_g

I prefer Weightwatchers ...
I lost 5.5 stone in the space of a year and a half ...
I am maintaining for a few months now and enjoying been slim and healthy

Weightwatchers will provide you with the support and the knowledge to make better decisions on what you are eating .. it also encourages members to get active ...

Yes it involves some calculation of points etc ... but after a few days you will be in the swing of it and it will seem normal to have you points calculator at hand in the shops

Good luck with whatever you choose ....

rubadub

The WW points system is strongly biased against saturated fat which I think is a bad thing. Also both WW and unislim have points/units which must be calculated, WW is based on calories & sat fat, not sure how unislim is.

These point/unit systems try and simplify everything, but from what I have seen it can cause confusion and errors. There is a very long thread on WW points in foods and people do seem to have trouble trying to calculate them. I would prefer calorie counting myself, the numbers are readily available on packets of food, it is often on fruit & veg packs now too, and meat.

With WW points people are often having to look up calories & fat, then put both units in the calculator and get the "simple" number, I think it is simpler to see the calories and just use that.

There was discussion before about them both http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055154101

Muirgheal

Been going to ww meetings for 3 months.

Now have progressed from having no concept of portion size/control to having a fairly good idea of the amount of food and the type of food I should be eating.

I know that the sat fat bias with ww is an issue, but for me it has been a good starting point. My food choices and portions are so much healthier than 4 months ago, and thatt would not have happened without the ww plan. I will stick with ww as I have found it easy- so far!

From what I've been reading, not just here but elsewhere online, there is very little difference overall between the two. So I would say pick the meeting that is most convenient for you.

littlebitdull

I am another WW member. But about 7 years I did actually train as a Unislim leader. So have a bit of knowledge of their system (well the one they had at the time...!)

Unislim were using 'Units' - apointing a unit value to each food, so in that way its pretty much the same as WW. You get a daily unit allowance and away you go.

The class was run the same way - you queue up, pay your money, get weighed, sit down for a talk/group discussion.

The class was pretty much the same set up as WW, with some minor differences at the time. For example they suggested hanging on to your card and telling you in the class - in front of everyone - how you did. ie "Mary has lost 3lb this week (cue clapping) and Susan has lost 1lb - Bob has lost 2lb" etc. So you knew if you got your card handed straight back you had gained!! Another difference between the two at the time was that WW would let you see the scales yourself, but Unislim were suggesting to us that only we (the leader) could see the reading.

It was these niggly little points which made me not want to continue from the training onto becoming a leader, but it was nothing against the actual system/diet structure that was putting me off.

I would say that - for me anyway - either system once used according to the instuctions - would work pretty much the same. For me the group therpy part of the whole class is what really helps me - the support from the room, and the tips/idea you may pick up. That and knowing someone is keeping some record of my weight loss.

shelly_g

littlebitdull wrote: »

I am another WW member. But about 7 years I did actually train as a Unislim leader. So have a bit of knowledge of their system (well the one they had at the time...!)

Unislim were using 'Units' - apointing a unit value to each food, so in that way its pretty much the same as WW. You get a daily unit allowance and away you go.

The class was run the same way - you queue up, pay your money, get weighed, sit down for a talk/group discussion.

The class was pretty much the same set up as WW, with some minor differences at the time. For example they suggested hanging on to your card and telling you in the class - in front of everyone - how you did. ie "Mary has lost 3lb this week (cue clapping) and Susan has lost 1lb - Bob has lost 2lb" etc. So you knew if you got your card handed straight back you had gained!! Another difference between the two at the time was that WW would let you see the scales yourself, but Unislim were suggesting to us that only we (the leader) could see the reading.

It was these niggly little points which made me not want to continue from the training onto becoming a leader, but it was nothing against the actual system/diet structure that was putting me off.

I would say that - for me anyway - either system once used according to the instuctions - would work pretty much the same. For me the group therpy part of the whole class is what really helps me - the support from the room, and the tips/idea you may pick up. That and knowing someone is keeping some record of my weight loss.

Gosh i wouldnt like the idea of my leader taking my card and announcing like that .... in our class there is a mention for reaching goals like the "Silver 7" and "Stone off"

For the "Silver 7" you get a sticker and we get a stone when we reach a stone off .... i treasure my 5 stones and my stickers...

When handed your sticker or stone you get a clap and are asked to share your top tips .... so members can give their tips or share more info if they want to...

Our leader and members are very chatty and the class is normally a great laugh and most share the good and bad with the group .... not all weeks are good and our leader encourages us to get it off our chest in the class and start fresh leaving the room.....

I feel the group therepy is the most important element of the WW experience ...

I was very shy when I joined and would only speak a little ... But in time as i lost weight I got more involved and felt that I could help others in sharing my experience of WW...

Though sharing of tips and info in the class i have gained so much and we all share any new recepies that we come across ....

Also in relation the seeing your progress at the Scales - at WW you can view
(New machines were introduced this year)

1) Goal Weight
2) Weight Loss/Gain
3) Total lost since Joining
4) If you have a "Silver7" reached

Prob alot more but I just cant think at the moment ...

There is no hidding of info you can view it all and our leader is always happy to run through the screen with you .....

Leader can also tell the group the total loss/Gain at the end of the class

Tevez101

RH149 wrote: »

Lost weight years ago on Weight watchers and now 2 kids later badly need to start again. Have been digging out my old WW books with the basic points and figured I'd just watch what I eat and count the points but was reading the free Unislim supplement in the weekend Independent and noticed it looks similar to WW, they just seem to count units instead of points. I'm sure theres more to it than that but they give no specifics until you sign up.

Was wondering if anybody has done both and if so which one worked best for you? Is there any major difference between the two?

I'd love to know the stats of WW and Unislim.

I guess that at least 70% of people who have had successfull weight loss with these organisations, have failed long term and put the weight back on.

shelly_g

Tevez101 wrote: »

I'd love to know the stats of WW and Unislim.

I guess that at least 70% of people who have had successfull weight loss with these organisations, have failed long term and put the weight back on.

I reached my goal weight and was thrilled ... but I also know that in order to maintain my healthy weight i have to watch what I eat, atttend a class occassionally and weigh in regularly ...

if weight goes back on its down to the fact that old habbits and lack of excercise are causing it and not that WW or Unislim has failed them ....

michellie

I just joined Unislim yesterday. They dont announce your weight loss anymore! And you can see your weight when you are getting weighed. Ive done WW before but needed something new to keep me going so joined up:D

closifer

I didnt have huge amounts of weight to lose but I have lost over a stone and kept it off with Weight Watchers. I have never gone to the meetings. Im sure they are helpful but personally i would find them a little embarrassing and as I was just trying to get from a size 12 back to a size 10 i just didnt feel they were for me. Instead I joined WW online. You are techically not supposed to unless you have an address in the UK bit you easily can provided you give your address as is but instead of cork, galway etc under county, just put in a UK county. I found this online option great. It was 10£ per month and you can track your weight. Their database contains most foods I would ever buy in a weekly shop and they have handy recipes and ideas up there too.

shelly_g

closifer wrote: »

I didnt have huge amounts of weight to lose but I have lost over a stone and kept it off with Weight Watchers. I have never gone to the meetings. Im sure they are helpful but personally i would find them a little embarrassing and as I was just trying to get from a size 12 back to a size 10 i just didnt feel they were for me. Instead I joined WW online. You are techically not supposed to unless you have an address in the UK bit you easily can provided you give your address as is but instead of cork, galway etc under county, just put in a UK county. I found this online option great. It was 10£ per month and you can track your weight. Their database contains most foods I would ever buy in a weekly shop and they have handy recipes and ideas up there too.

glad to read the online WW worked for you ... i needed the meetings and the Leader support at the scales especially nearing the end when it came off so slowly and I was starting to think id never see goal ...

and in fairness i got from an 20 to a size 16 quicker than the 12 to 10 ....... the last stone took me ages to get rid off

Blatter

shelly_g wrote: »

I reached my goal weight and was thrilled ... but I also know that in order to maintain my healthy weight i have to watch what I eat, atttend a class occassionally and weigh in regularly ...

if weight goes back on its down to the fact that old habbits and lack of excercise are causing it and not that WW or Unislim has failed them ....

IMO, I think it's WW fault that you, and others fall back into your old habbits. Advocating a low-fat diet is fundamentally wrong and long term, it's unhealthy and unsustainable. Hence the amount of people who 'fall back into bad habbits' from WW. Also, from what I see, they offer alot of processed products, (WW white bread, packaged dinners, low-fat desserts). These are the reason in the first place why the weight has been put on and they shouldn't be in any way, shape or form be advocated as 'healthy' by WW. Seems to me like they are a business that wants people to keep eating the stuff that makes them fat but just in smaller amounts while your a member with WW. Then way, when you leave WW you will ahve lost the weight but BOOM, the weight goes back on when you still eat all this crap without massive portion control and they get more money because you, and others, keep going back to them.

shelly_g

I agree that weight watchers is a business and yes they make money from our failings ...

However i was never fond and my leader never pushed the WW product range...her opinion was that they are a convenience and should only be used if you find yourself not prepared and hungry ..

so you land home and you are starving ...intead of reaching for the Indian Menu you keep a WW meal in the freezer ....

WW allows you to eat what you want ... your points are for you to use as you please but to stay within your points ....I could see from week 1 that i was over eating ....

so yes it is portion control and a low fat diet but im slim and i now know what i should be eating and the amount that should be on my plate ....

for me it was a total change in lifestyle and food choice and I have no intention of going back .... so if i can enjoy a small portion of a chocolate desert from the WW range or any low fat range than im happy

as a gold member i have to stay within 5 lb of my goal weight to remain free ...once over that i will be paying again ... so yes WW are making Money off me again ... but thats the incentive for me to stay within my 5lbs .....

rubadub

Tevez101 wrote: »

I'd love to know the stats of WW and Unislim.

I guess that at least 70% of people who have had successfull weight loss with these organisations, have failed long term and put the weight back on.

Somebody posted a link a while back, it was over 90%, possibly 98% who were "not successful" -but I am not sure what criteria this failure meant.

shelly_g wrote: »

WW allows you to eat what you want ... ...

.... so if i can enjoy a small portion of a chocolate desert from the WW range or any low fat range than im happy

I hear this "eat what you want" a lot, but it steers you towards high carb foods due to its bizarre bias against saturated fat -you even mentioned low fat range which is what many people think is so bad about WW.

This rapeseed oil is 900kcal per 100ml and 5.9g sat fat.

I have coconut oil which is 800kcal per 100ml and has 87g of sat fat.

The rapeseed oil has 14.5WW points per 100ml
The coconut oil has 34.5WW points per 100ml
So over twice the points even though it is lower in calories. And I have read many articles saying coconut oil can aid fatloss.

600kcal portion of coconut is 21.5points
600kcal portion of sugar is 8.5points

I have no doubt 8.5points of sugar would make me put on more fat than 21.5 points of coconut, but if somebody set aside 5 points for a desert they are more likely to go for the much higher calorie portion of sugary crap.

shelly_g

All very interesting Rubadub - I dont have an opinion on this argument with regard to Sat Fats cos im no nutritionist ....

all i know is on a recent visit to my GP she weighed me to update my file and was thrilled at my loss ... her opinion was that the only way to loose weight sucessfully and in a heathly way is to join either WW or Unislim ....

this thread is to help OP to decide between WW and Unislim and really both are similiar and do work if you put time and effort in

and as for "not sucessful" -- this program only works if the member is willing to put the effort in --;)

tHE vAGGABOND

her opinion was that the only way to loose weight sucessfully and in a heathly way is to join either WW or Unislim

Im stunned a medical professional would say something like that.

shelly_g

im sorry but im a little confused ...

I went from Obese to Healthy and shed over 5 stone with WW

am I now by maintaining using the tools i gained from WW missing out on some vital nutrition ...

cos i thought i was doing well and so did GP ...

Im new to Boards and not familiar with previous threads ...

tHE vAGGABOND

Well, no one is slagging you ShellyG, congrats on your success. Im just shocked a doctor would say the only way to loose weight and keep it off is with WW or Unislim.

Im down over 4 stone and counting with a different method [for where, see the second post in this very thread!] and I know many other people who have lost weight with a range of ways and means [I know the motivation centers have a lot of fans on boards, while Im not one of them. The point is that different stuff works for different people].

So for a doctor to say there are only 2 ways to loose weight and keep it off just shocks me!

metamorphosis

The thing to remember with GPs is that they have no formal education in dietetics or nutririon beyond a a few modules taken throughout college. Apart from very few, most know about as much as your average joe soap on the street. Many rely on the food period and have a heigt to weight chart and a scales in their office. Beyond that they cannot get into specifics as they themselves do not know unless they make the time to educate themselves more. Everybody can tell you how to lose weight - eat less, move more. Everyone can say things like eat more veggies, cut down on the bread, watch the butter - but what most dont know is that what they are suggesting is not always the healthier way. Butter for example - ill take it over veg. oil spreads any day. Butter is a nutririous food.

AmeliaPond

I'm doing WW. Sort of.

I'm not using points, but I'm using actual nutrition information and calories. This way, fat isn't penalized the way it is with Weight Watchers - so for example, Salmon is still a great thing to eat! (I couldn't believe my leader suggested eating Cod over Salmon... the heart health benefits of Salmon far outweigh the fact that it is a bit higher in "points"!!) I use sparkpeople to track my food and nutrition but I don't really use any of the community features on that.

After 10 years of yo-yo dieting, I actually know quite a lot about nutrition and exercise, so I'm relying on myself for that. I know how to eat healthy (not just less), I've just never been able to practise what I know for any length of time.


To be honest, I'm only using the WW meetings as incentive to keep on keeping on. I know I'll be weighed by some auld wan every Thursday evening so it keeps me honest. Honesty is clearly expensive, at 10 euro a meeting... but I failed miserably without meetings.


I will say though, my adapted WW system seems to be doing ok, I've lost 17.5 lbs so far since joining on 15 July.

shelly_g

tHE vAGGABOND wrote: »

Well, no one is slagging you ShellyG, congrats on your success. Im just shocked a doctor would say the only way to loose weight and keep it off is with WW or Unislim.

Im down over 4 stone and counting with a different method [for where, see the second post in this very thread!] and I know many other people who have lost weight with a range of ways and means [I know the motivation centers have a lot of fans on boards, while Im not one of them. The point is that different stuff works for different people].

So for a doctor to say there are only 2 ways to loose weight and keep it off just shocks me!

well i suppose she was praising it for the sucess i have had .... she spent many years begging me to loose weight

im interested in your method (well any method that works) ... prehaps you should let us know either in here or a new thread .... i had a look at website and it looks interesting

and of course diffeerent things work for different people ... but OP was looking for opinions on WW and Unislim ....

and i have seen many people at WW (incl a family member) that it just doesnt work for ... it really does require alot of will power and dedication ...and WW do make their money on thoes that yo yo in and out of the program ... it is a business but it worked for me im happy

and congrats to you on losing 4 stone

michellie

Louise83 wrote: »

What do you think of their food max plan?? tbh I love the way I can snack on it!! I wouldn't be able to go from breakfast to lunch without a snack! My family loves their FREE soups too! I still find some foods difficult to resist but so far so good!xx

I like it too, i find it way easier than WW...no counting points and I love the free food idea! Im planning on making the soup for lunch in work next week. I also like the way they encourage low carb aswell, Ive done low carb before and its brilliant, Im planning on doing one day a week low carb to boost my weight loss:D....All will tell at weigh in on Tuesday:o


The batteries on my scales at home have died -its best thing that has ever happened to me!!!

mini1972

Can anyone tell me if diet drinks are ok with Unislim?

I am waiting for my main book from US leader.

TIA

michellie

Yes, they are ok

mini1972

Thanks michellie!:)