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Weight Watchers Online -- Why the emphasis on self-management?

smacfar posted on: 2/11/10
I've been doing some research on Weight Watchers and have been surprised by how they have positioned the Weight Watchers Online Program.

Rather than extending the idea of Weight Watchers meetings to the online environment, which are unbelievably successful as a business, they have used Weight Watchers online as a program to attract a different segment of people -- those that want to "go it alone".

I'm not criticizing Weight Watchers Online because it seems to be a very successful business. But I would expect that they would do more to extend the scientifically-proven group/accountability model to the online world.

Are they like the record companies? Old dinosaur businesses that don't want online versions to steal from their traditional cash cow businesses? Or are they really smart because online, as a medium, just can't create the same kind of accountability as the physical group settings?

I would love to hear those of you that have been through Weight Watchers think.

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justify1 replied on: 2/11/10
I've never been on Weight Watchers, so maybe I'm not allowed to comment. Do you think there are people who would really rather do this alone? Too embarrassed? Too proud? Too private? Whatever. Could this be for the people who just won't go in to a group setting?
lisamiller replied on: 2/12/10
I always found the weight watchers online experience confusing. There is so much stuff on their site I never knew where to click.
jillith71 replied on: 2/12/10
Some people just aren't "joiners" - they WOULD rather go at it alone, but I think they also don't know how beneficial a group can be. I used to be one of those people, if you can believe it!!
wikkidharma replied on: 2/12/10
mmm... as matter of fact, from a business point of view, this is not such a bad thing. As long as there are lots of people joining and not being able to lose weight, they'll be glued to the website and keep pouring money.

From my point of view this is the biggest trick for losing weight - having someone to encourage you along the way.
MissFyt replied on: 2/12/10
An interesting discussion! Many moons ago, I used to work for WW, long before the current Point system was created and, in fact, before they were bought out by Heinz!!!

In the olden days, ie before Heinz, they promoted healthy, balanced eating, no ready prepared products etc, so on the strength of today's impact in the weight loss industry, I'd say they've been pretty smart business people!

But since many dieters are lonely - and food is often their friend! - the online system provides a comfortable alternative to attending a large, busy meeting which can be quite daunting. However, I wholeheartedly agree with you, Carmen, that having someone to encourage and support you along the way is the best way to succeed!
TiffanyT74 replied on: 2/12/10
Not a reflection on WW themselves, but I was in the online community there and there were a group of bullies that seemed to make it their goal to make fun of and point out the weaknesses of others. They would get kicked off but then make a new user profile and be right back on again. I don't know if that's still happening but it was a major reason why it didn't work for me to do the online program with them.

Community is definitely important. Encouraging folks to lean on each other and form support groups is crucial-especially because some of us are in situations where we have saboteurs in our home environments. I think in that way online communities can be great-you're a click away from a ton of people who can suport you.
smacfar replied on: 2/12/10
Thanks for all the comments. A follow up question:

Do you think Weight Watchers Online does a good job providing a supportive community? Tiffany, I saw your point about saboteurs, which is interesting. But to they create the same sort of group support experience that you can get at meetings, or is it really more about doing it yourself? I've joined Weight Watchers Online, but haven't been very active, so I don't have a good sense for it.
jillith71 replied on: 2/12/10
Oooh, Tiffany I remember the bullies!! Yeah they were brutal!! I just stayed away from whatever threads they were in.

I don't think WW online has the same group support. There isn't a "group leader" at WW online - just a bunch of people who comment in different threads, it's kind of like a neighborhood - some threads are very lovely and some threads are to be avoided at all costs!!
krystensullivan replied on: 2/12/10
Like Amy, I haven't been on WW online or ever participated, so I may not have the right to comment. But in my opinion, it seems like they are missing a key element in the whole "community of weight loss" concept: it doesn't have to be all-or-nothing. You don't have to "go it alone" on the website, and you also don't have to be all involved in the group mentality 100% and go to every meeting every week for 7 years in a row...

That's the nice thing about iChange-- the users make it and get from it what they want it to be and need it to be for their personal weight loss journey. You can be as involved or distant as you want, and those who need maximum amount of support can have it, and those who are better at going it alone can simply do that, too-- or encourage others. But on that note, I don't think it's the exact same for every person every day-- I know there are some days (and weeks!) I'd rather just be left alone to handle my weight-loss struggles myself, and other times I need my support group to the max. But either way, I don't want to be badgered about my choice that day.