OK, that makes sense, Matt.

Wow, you guys are right, the WW website sucks. I can't find any information beyond the basic "Need to lose weight? Here's how!" Everything I click leads me to a sign-up page. I want more info before I give you money!

Yes, it does. I can give you basic information, but if you want more info before buying, you can go to a meeting for free and learn more about it before you sign up. Which is helpful if there is a meeting close by.

The formula apparently better incorporates how carbs and protein affect you. Used to be calories/fat/fiber. Now you don't use calories -- you calculate points with carbs/protein/fat/fiber.

This pretty much sums it up. You get a Daily Points Allowance that is based on your age, gender, and weight. You are supposed to eat those points every day. You also get a Weekly Points Allowance of 49 points (was 35 under the old system) that you can use as you wish, or not. Frankly, I usually use most of mine. You can also earn points by exercising which you can eat or not.

As many following along at home know, I did WW several years ago and did pretty well on it losing over 75 lbs. I then had a mental breakdown about counting points and gained all of it (plus 10 bonus lbs!) back.

I started WW again this summer and have lost almost 50 lbs. (48.8 to be exact). I know the program works for me and hope the new version will work, too.

I want more info before I give you money!

Their point system definitely works, but it took me three months and six phone calls to WW to cancel my online membership when I did the online-only option last year.

Wow, 50 lbs! Go you! My fabulous SiL swears by WW. I did strict Atkins for a month and have since just been trying to eat all kinds of healthy whole foods (no potatoes, fast food or candy but whole grain bread! Wine! Peas! Butter! Fruit!) and keeping an eye on calories. I have lost 20lbs altogether and have another 10 to go.

For the record, I do not have enough pink gingham panties. Unfortunately I was not able to address this at lunch.

Also, but unrelatedly, I should not have had the BBQ chicken on an upset stomach. Ah, well.

eta: CNN on geek vs. nerd. It's pretty clear there will never be clarity.

I can give you basic information, but if you want more info before buying, you can go to a meeting for free and learn more about it before you sign up. Which is helpful if there is a meeting close by.

There is a location near me, right beside the library in fact. Hm. I'm not much of a "joiner"; that's the other reason I never did WW. All this "camaraderie" and "companionship" and "support", ick.

Maybe I will.

I'm curious if anyone has taken off a significant amount of weight and kept it off for five years or more.

Zen, when my sister and I did the meetings we frequently came in, did the weigh in, and booked it out of there. (To the bar, as often as not. But we counted the points!) Also, some meetings are more rah rah than others.

There seem to be multiple leaders at this location' perhaps I can hunt down one who's fairly laid-back.

Zen, when my sister and I did the meetings we frequently came in, did the weigh in, and booked it out of there

I do WW with a friend and that's what she usually does. For me, I need the meeting. I need that kind of support.

Also, some meetings are more rah rah than others.

Absolutely. I like my leader a lot. She's got energy and sass, but she doesn't and won't blow sunshine up your ass.