I don't understand the point system. Any suggestions?

Question

Anyone on here done WW back in the 70’s that’s when I became a lifetimer diet was so SIMPLE now so confusing. Im 71 yrs. and need to start being healthy again because of heart disease just can’t seem to understand all the point stuff and the price is not for retired people . any suggestions?

Answer 1

I remember the original plan from the 70s. 3 fruits 2 breads 1 fat 2 milks Vegetables 1 egg 3 ounces protein for lunch 4 ounces protein for dinner

Comments

@walczak oh that sounds so confusing!  

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@walczak and you had to eat liver once a week. And fish

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@cleotildeclepe259 I forgot about that!  

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@walczak lol, not me yuck liver gross

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Yes, me too and I sort of use the three fruits as a guideline. But I do love bread and eat more than the two slices on the old plans. I just count it and the plan works. I do try to eat a varied diet but sometimes I just want more bread and now I can do that and not feel guilty. Oh, and that liver from the old days . . what were they thinking, lol! Awful :-)

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The app makes it so easy to keep track. It does the work for you. Just put in what you eat and voila you know where you are for the day!  

Answer 2

It’s simple, really. More fruits and veggies, lean meats, fewer breads, pastas, etc.  

Answer 3

Green is more like the old plan. I know fruit is ‘free’ but I also know it’s carbs and calories so don’t go crazy. Wait for a good deal. My plan was 6. 50 a week which I can handle.  

Answer 4

I use an app called i track bites that is free and has older programs

Answer 5

I stick with the blue plan, and get so much more than I did way back when. I save enough in junk food to pay. There are generic sites for points. I’ll let others address that. I need the accountability and support of the group.  

Answer 6

I lost 20 lbs on what is now green, changed to core/simply filling (purple) and lost 37 more to goal in 2008. Am now 68, maintained during the Freestyle (blue) years, changed to purple when available, lost 10 lbs, am now 12 under goal and feeling great!  

Answer 7

The money I spend on WW I save doctors prescriptions and procedures. Join weight watchers and the coaches will show you how you can also call and someone will help you. It’s really not that confusing. I’m the same age as you and I’ve turn my health around I recommend it highly

Answer 8

I am also retired and older. I don’t know much about the past because I didn’t have a weight problem until my stroke. I justify the expense as a prescription. I need to track what I eat and I need the support. Please feel free to talk with me if you need a friend ♥️

Answer 9

Me too 72. I do Purple. I love it and it likes me. It's very much like core if you remember that. Clean, simple eating, a nice mixture of carbs and protein, veggies and fruit. Welcome. I just got back from a physical and my blood pressure has never been ower and good blood work.  

Answer 10

I’m 82 and made lifetime in the 80’s. I agree about the cost. When you are on a fixed income retired you can’t afford to attend meetings. I do online and still 20. A month is a lot if your retired, but I need the help WW gives me. I’ve gained and lost and each time gained more then I lost. It is hard.  

Answer 11

Do you remember enough to follow the plan you liked? Just do that.  

Answer 12

Wow, I think it’s SO much easier now. I was a member in the early 80’s

Answer 13

I like the old plan too. Green seems to be the closest to that

Answer 14

I'm 73 and have been a lifetime member for 45 years. I love purple because there are so many zero point foods. I've learned over the years to focus on real food I prepare myself and avoid sweeteners (both natural and artificial). This may not work for everyone but it does for me.  

Answer 15

Go to a dietician. Should be no cost with medicare check it out

Answer 16

I shop at Aldi

Answer 17

Truly it’s not all that difficult once you get started. Do you have a meeting near you? You can go for free before you join and they will explain things. Really much simpler and easy to stick with than the old 1970s program. Give it a try!  

Answer 18

Concept still the same measuring, portion control, tracking. Water, change how you cook and season

Answer 19

I joined in 1985. No rice or potatoes until week 3 and we had to eat liver.  

Comments

@utah3624 ugh. Liver. I know it’s good for you. But. Ugh

Answer 20

I’m your age. I love the points. Just keep trying

Answer 21

I was there in the 70’s just give it a little thought. I became a lifer 3 yrs ago it was so easy. I’m 72 1/2 yrs.  

Answer 22

Understand! Became life member long ago and it is hard to change mind set. At 72 I struggled with the new phone apps and such but I'm getting there and getting on track.  

Answer 23

I was a member in the 70s. I find it much easier now. Lots more to eat.  

Answer 24

I'm 75. I've lost 45# using the app. It really is easy. Have one of the leaders or another member sit down with you and help you learn how to use the app. Once you understand it, you'll love it.  

Answer 25

I’m 75 & yes I was on WW in the 70’s then-in the 80’s & again in the 90’s. I lost but never reached goal. I’m now lifetime & find this the easiest plan to follow I’m on  & will be for the rest of my life

Answer 26

I've been on several times in 70", 80, s and 90's. The app is a little confusing. I've been going since November. And do love my app the longer that I use it. They do have paper trackers that might be a little less confusing and are a little more like what you are used to using.  

Answer 27

I am 82 and have no trouble understanding the program. I am on blue and have tried purple. Part of the service you are paying for is access to a coach either at meetings or chat on the app. Have them help you until it becomes clear to you. It is really quite simple once you forget the old ways and concentrate on understanding the new.  

Answer 28

I did WW in the early 80's. It was so easy then. It was the exchange plan. I don't like counting points.  

Comments

@joel62 Horowitz I did the exchange system in the 70s. I still have the materials. Such a very healthy program.  

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@ginnygino Gisi I agree. Healthy and balanced

Answer 29

I too am in my 70's so far I am not having problems. Just forget what you knew.  

Answer 30

You can do Itrackbites to save money. It's like a generic WW and costs about 35 a yr

Answer 31

Rita-easy to follow and flexible (not so rigid as the 70s version! ). Instead of calories (big numbers) count ‘points’. Very easy if you use the app, moderately easy if you use manual method.  

Comments

You can always use the 70s approach, super easy counting in that case, just a bit boring.  

Answer 32

I am 71 joined in 2018 made lifetime found it very easy use my app for everything

Answer 33

I agree with you. It used to be simple. but now they have to make it complex to work with iphones, etc. So, you can actually go back and find the old, original program if that is what you prefer. But you cannot do it with the current meetings or current programs online. I still believe the old system was best!  

Answer 34

Please don’t ban me from the sight but this time around I’m using the MyFitnessPal app. I also started with the 70s version. It was easy but boring. I achieved lifetime status in the 80s. The only other version I used was one of the points systems. MyFitnessPal is similar in that you track everything you put in your mouth. You have daily limits/goals for calories/fats/protein/carbs fiber/sugar. The app tracks all of this data. I was 18 my first time with WW and now 67. I think I finally get the concept of tracking. Didn’t track back then but I do now.  

Answer 35

I did! But this is much better.  

Answer 36

I still have the free points list from the 70s

Answer 37

I still have my first WW book 1976. I think I'll follow that one . I lost and I loved it

Comments

Me too I'm 69. 70 in August. And still a WW member

Answer 38

Rita, I am 74 and got Lifetiime in 1970. It was sort of easier then but really awful too now that I look back. There are so many more choices available to us today. And WW has really studied nutrition and made it possible for this way of eating to be sustainable. I agree, meetings are expensive and a half hour, especially in a large meeting is not a lot of time. That said, I have given WW a priority in my small budget. I have lost 45 lbs. now and my incentive is that with less than 10 lbs. to go I will be at goal and no longer have to pay as long as I stay within 2 lbs. of goal. The range for goal is quite broad so you can choose the high end to make it easier to reach goal and free meetings and then, just lose to where you want to be. There's lots of help online and at meetings and sometimes we all find it confusing but in a short time it will make sense. If you are on Facebook then you certainly have the tech skills to use the app which has truly been a life saver for me. Just give it a try. I can send you a link for a free month if you want to message me your email. You must use that link to get the free month though. You can always drop out after you get the plan clear in your head but I'll bet you won't want to. Hope this helps.  

Comments

You are right. You should not have to pay to rejoin but you will have to pay the monthly meeting fee until you reach goal.