By: Sara|Published: |Updated: | 92 Comments
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There have been a whirlwind of changes for WW members in recent months. Read on for the latest information about program changes for Weight Watchers members in 2024, including closing studios and more.
Table Of Contents
- How to Check on the Status of Your WW Workshops
- Weight Watchers Program Updates – 2024
- WW Lifetime Membership Changes
- WW Medical Weight Loss Program Announced
- WeightWatchers Points Plan for 2023 and 2024
- Keep the Weight Loss Going
- The Holy Mess 30 Day Weight Loss Challenge {Self-Guided}
Please note, I am a fellow WW member like you and do not represent or work for Weight Watchers. This post is for general information only. Contact WW at 1(800)651-6000 or via their chat feature for any questions about your membership.
Weight Watchers Closing Studios in 2023 & 2024
WeightWatchers has made the decision to close or change the location of many in-person studios due to decreased attendance. Changes will begin March 26, 2023.
Some studios will remain open but may change meeting times.
The notification listed under the location is, “As of March 26, we’ll have a NEW schedule at this Studio. Please check times before heading to a Workshop. We can’t wait to see you!”
Other WW programs will continuing meetings but will change locations, going back to meeting in churches, hotels, and VA halls.
Other locations will close meetings all together and only virtual meetings will be offered.
The notification states, “After much consideration, we have made the difficult decision to close this WW Studio as of 3/26/23. At WW, we’re still committed to providing coaching and a community to help you reach your goals. Please join us at one of our virtual Workshops. You can browse our coaches and find a virtual Workshop time by selection Virtual here in the Workshop Finder. We can’t wait to welcome you!”
WW virtual (zoom) workshops led by local leaders will also be closing. National virtual workshops will continue and be available at my times throughout the day.
How to Check on the Status of Your WW Workshops
Here’s how to check on the status of WW in-person meetings in your area.
In the WW app, follow these steps:
- Click the menu (3 bars) on the top left side of your app.
- Click “Find a workshop”. Be sure it is under “In Person” and not “Virtual”.
- Type in your zip code.
- Review the locations in your area.
You may also use the WW chat feature in the app to ask a question, or call Weight Watchers at 1(800)651-6000.
Weight Watchers Program Updates – 2024
Read the latest official WW updates from the company here.
Unofficially, we are hearing reports of:
- Weight Watchers may be ending their branded products (diet food items, kitchen tools, etc) by the end of 2023. If there are items you like, stock up now.
- There has been talk among members that the program will have updates in Fall of 2023, but this hasn’t yet been confirmed by WW. Stay tuned and we will update this post when we have further information.
- WW has officially partnered with Sequence to offer an optional program for prescription weight loss medications.
WW Lifetime Membership Changes
How will Lifetime status work for members if there is not an in-person meeting in their area for them to weigh in?
Current WW Lifetime members who are not within a 50 mile radius of an in-person Workshop received the following email.
“Good news! Your WW account has been extended by 334 days! You’re all set – there’s nothing else you need to do. You’re still enrolled in our recur billing system, so your monthly billing date has also been extended. Your next recur billing date is set for 3/01/2024. Have a great week! Your WW team.”
If you did not receive the email and are a Lifetime member without an in-person meeting near you, contact WW through the chat feature or their 1-800 number to confirm that you received a one year extension.
WW Medical Weight Loss Program Announced
Last week, WW announced that they are acquired the program Sequence, which offers telehealth visits for prescription weight loss medications. Click here for full details on the WW Medication program.
WeightWatchers Points Plan for 2023 and 2024
Weight Watchers surprised members at the end of 2022 by introducing an updated points program for weight loss. Click here to learn about the WW Program for 2022 and 2023 and click here for a free PDF printable of the 200+ zero point foods.
Keep the Weight Loss Going
The good news is that Weight Watchers is NOT closing their program. There have been many big changes since Sima Sistani became the Company’s CEO a little over a year ago. WW continues to be the industry leader in weight loss in the United States and throughout the world.
As someone who has been a WW member for over 20 years, I know these changes are not easy for many of us. While I don’t have all the answers, rest assured that I am not going anywhere. I am committed to offering you weight loss support through The Holy Mess for a long time to come.
Here are some helpful resources for your weight loss journey as we move forward.
The Holy Mess 3 Day Diet – As featured in Woman’s World magazine, based on the WW zero point food list.
WW 7 Day Basic Meal Plan – Free weekly meal plan for WW with free printable
Is your Weight Watchers Meeting closing? 4 Steps to Take to Keep the Weight Loss Going – Video where I give you four tips for managing the change.
How do you feel about these WW program changes and studio closings? Share about it in the comments below.
The Holy Mess 30 Day Weight Loss Challenge {Self-Guided}
Check out the new The Holy Mess 30 Day Weight Loss Challenge.
Join me for this self-guided, step-by-step Challenge. Learn exactly what to do to lose weight for 30 days. (Many challenge participants lose 6-10 pounds in just a few short weeks!)
- No social media required.
- No monthly fee.
- Life-long access – use as many times as you’d like.
- You choose the start day. Start now or save for later.
- Works for any type of special diet including gluten-free, plant-based, diabetic, anti-inflammatory, Weight Watchers, low carb, and others.
Click here to learn more about the Weight Loss Challenge that will help you lose 6-10 pounds in one month.
About Sara
Sara is a writer, speaker, and 100+ pound weight loss success story. Her website, The Holy Mess, reaches millions of readers every year. She guides women to healthy weight loss, with an impressive 40,000+ people having completed her group weight loss challenges to date. Click here to read Sara's amazing 100 pound weight loss story. Send Sara a message at [email protected].
Reader Interactions
Comments
Kathryn Stolz saysI am on another plan. Faithful Finnish Lines. But it is the society now. I miss the mentors encouragement. I will say that I gave up on WW bc they kept changing. I was doing well and the switched everything and removed all my data I had built up. It was to hard to overcome mentally for me. I joined again during the closure but could do it. I need God in my weight loss and I need to be able to have consistency. If it is working done break it.
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- Gabrielle says
Hi Karen, Gabrielle from The Holy Mess here. I’m so thrilled to hear you are a Faithful Finish Lines member. You are in our best possible program for weight loss, and keeping God at the center of it, regardless of what food plan you are using. I understand your feelings about WW changing often, but as you know, you CAN do this. You already have. Some folks who were formerly WW members now use an app called, “Healthi”. They have some meal plans that sort of mirror what you might have been used to as a WW member. I hope this helps.
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- Unlimited Proxies says
This site was… how do I say it? Relevant!! Finally I’ve found something that helped me. Many thanks!
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- Darla R Knight says
This is really a dumb decision on their part! Weight watchers is about community meetings and support not over a phone or on a computer!
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- Kathryn Stolz says
I agree. I miss in person meetings a lot .
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- Connie Garner says
I realized something was up when I returned from a month in Florida to find that my WW workshop location had closed while I was gone. The new meeting location is farther and in an old conference center that has seen better days. But I still went monthly as I didn’t want to regain the weight I had lost. No products sold at the new location either, so I started ordering online, but then I saw my favorite products being discontinued. Now there is nothing I would like to order from WW online. I did some research and saw the above article and I am so disappointed. My weight loss journey helped me during Covid as I feel it gave me some control over my life. Now I feel I am on my own. Nobody has informed me of the 365 days extension either.
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- Candice Macbeth says
I have read all the comments below and I am agreement with all of them. Weight Watchers was a successful program and the most important and successful part was the weekly meeting with peers and a dedicated leader. I live in the State of Maine where WW abandoned the entire state. There are 3 or 4 workshops in the whole state only in the three major cities. Maine is a very large state. This is an impossible situation for most former members. I have remained an on-line member because I have been a WW member for over 20 years and I was very loyal to the program. I do not find the on-line meeting the least bit helpful. I have no desire to text with an on-line coach. I mostly use the recipes and check points on the app. I think cancelling the local meetings was a major mistake and I guess there is little hope they will return. I believe WW is doomed to failure. I am very sad and discouraged about it.
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- Mils says
I agree with Anne’s comments from 5/4. Ever since Oprah stepped in a few years ago, WW has been changing. I am in my 50s and I always enjoyed going to the in person workshops. I know there are many people who are 10 that are older, and now with all these apps, technology, and everything just makes it more complicated and not as user-friendly for others. I also strongly agree that this new plan by Sarah with the word “holy” is offensive. Complete oxymoron. When you had in person workshops, you felt like there was a support group and people cared about you. Obviously this has also changed.
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- Richard Coffina says
Weight Watches Senior Management is stupid. Really stupid. Ruined a terrific program. Well, what can you expect from European Venture Capitalists who buy businesses, drastically cut fixed costs thereby increasing profits and then sell the stripped down business. Are those the things that happen next? What do you think? Loyal long term employees are let go and the program participants are effectively deserted. Shame on you owners. Sad very sad. We are angry.
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- Ethel Guayasamin says
I agree. Totally unacceptable 😡
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- Linda says
I have been a weight watchers lifetime member for 40 years. I’m so disgusted that my in person shops closed down, I never received any information about it, but guess what? They still took my money every month. Dies being a member for 40 years not mean anything?
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- Jai Mills says
I agree. I found out my local studio closed when I went to weight in. I have been a lifetime member for 23 years. I cannot drive due to low vision. The location, now in a church is quite far and not accessible via public transport. Apparently y lifetime members cannot use the virtual weigh in. Weight watchers obviously does not care about loyal members. Shame on you WW
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- Rooting 4 hometeam says
In Mental Health Counseling this would be considered abandoning clients and highly UNETHICAL.
Just saying.Reply
- Lenora R. Fuller-McCall says
I still miss my small group meetings. I tried attending the larger consolidated group meetings at a different location but it’s not the same. I am not comfortable with the larger group and I have to drive a lot further out to attend meetings. This is heartbreaking. I feel like I have to start all over again and I honestly feel betrayed.
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- Anne Hughes says
Terrific LOSS. Began when Oprah stepped in …..that started the meltdown. I am a 53 year member, started at 17 and never ever found another program to improve upon its Principles. I stopped for 3 years after Oprah stepped in…then went back because of a wonderful Leader. But Now…All of the very Best have left and watching the Virtual classes with the very overweight Coaches is so discouraging. Weight Watchers unfortunately….is Imploding. Just Heartbreaking!!!
My family and friends are also beginning new Programs and I have just found The Holy Mess. I love Sara….but have a hard time placing HOLY….in front of the word Mess. I admire Sara and every thing she has done with this Program…just Amazing!!Reply
- Jill says
WW is making it so hard for some people (me) to succeed. I lost 75 pounds in 2017, but gained some back during the lockdown. They cut down to 5 workshops (from 12) after the lockdown and none of the times worked for me. I started doing virtual meetings with the coach and some people I originally lost the weight with. That worked out fine, but now that’s gone. They cut our workshops down to 3, all at times that still don’t work for me. I had success going to a local, in person workshop every week where we could share our successes and struggles. These virtual meetings where I don’t know anyone are awful. I’ve seen some suggestions about TOPS but we don’t have one here. And it doesn’t help that they keep changing their program all the time. Honestly, for the money I’m paying, they have let me down big time. Maybe it’s time to try that Healthi app (previously iTrackbites), since it looks like I’ll be doing it on my own anyway.
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- Beth says
I have been a member of TOPS, Inc. since 2006. I love the weekly weigh-ins and encouragement that I get from my chapter. TOPS is a non-profit organization. It stands for “Take off pounds Sensibly.” You can go to the website TOPS.org and find a location near you. If there isn’t any near you, you can get a group of four friends together and start a chapter. TOPS has field staff that will help you and get you the materials you need. You may visit any chapter for free for one meeting. Try out several different chapters as each one is different. I am so grateful to TOPS. I have lost 70 lbs.
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- tommy says
Rejoined last night, then discovered that there’s no meetings in my city (pop 150k) or my neighboring city (350k), so we immediately canceled Virtual meetings are not the same.
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- Beth says
Find a local TOPS meeting. They are still holding weekly meetings throughout the USA
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- Judy says
So disappointed with WW’s changes. Why change what works and has made it the most highly rated weight loss program.
The in person meeting with trusted Leaders and staff was critical to accountability and built trust and support with fellow Members. Moving to weight loss drugs may be seem to improve revenue and necessary for some people under medical supervision and should remain there. The older plan reminds Members that healthy eating is a Lifestyle Style change..
Your changes will not encourage new members to join long term Members to stay.Reply
- Sandra says
You said it ll…I AGREE…WW has been highly successful….why change what works….so well.?
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- Beth says
Join TOPS. They are still holding weekly meetings.
Go to TOPS.orgReply
- Mandy Kerr says
As a coach in the uk for the last 9 years I’m glad I took the decision to leave in February as you could see the writing on the wall! Coaches are not allowed any helpers / west of Scotland have busy workshops due to healthcare contract without it they have nothing …WHY?
So much for focusing on workshops we’ve been asking for help for the last 2 years, totally bad management , WW have wasted so much money on products that are too expensive and . You can’t do this program without the app they tell you different especially healthcare members from NHS they’re given a booklet that isn’t worth the paper it’s written on, you don’t know how many points you should be on and have no way of even knowing how many points are in your daily foods, as a coach it’s embarrassing.
I feel for my Colleagues who are still awaiting their fate this is the 3rd time in 4 years their jobs have been threatened.
Yet they are constantly advertising for new recruits !
It’s all hush hush no1 dare speak about it!
No WW should be called out for this , online chat stopping redundancy not being offered just less hours …..
Don’t see the uk survive this …..Reply
- Darlene S Adkins says
WW closing its studios has been devastating to me. The only thing that has ever worked for me was the accountability of attending WW meetings in person. I feel like someone has pulled the rug out underneath me. Never imagined that WW would lose its way and jump on the diet drug bandwagon. It is a betrayal.
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- Beth says
Join TOPS. Go to TOPS.ORG
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- Jill says
Not everyone has a TOPS chapter where they live, or the ability to start one.
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- Sharon Kellogg says
My closed studio was my 3rd closed studio since Covid. I understand fiscal stability. But I agree with the comments, maybe cutting from the top might be more helpful. For me the accountability of going to meetings and seeing my neighbors and friends and hearing from them what works and what doesn’t is very beneficial. It is what works for me. I have tried just the online version, but I don’t like it. So, I made the difficult decision to quit WW. I cannot support an organization who always promoted healthy living and accountability that now promotes drugs. As a nurse I know there is a definite need for drugs and surgery for folks who cannot lose weight and have many co-morbidities. But, to charge someone to connect to a physician who will supply those drugs is criminal. Jean Nidetch must be turning over in her grave. So after many years goodbye WW.
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- Beth says
Join TOP. Go to TOPS.org
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- Barbara J Bertschy says
Because the program and the research that goes into it works, I will stay a member for the time being, but I cannot help but feel that WW has been on the brink of killing the goose that lays the golden eggs for quite some time. The key thing for many people has been the real life connections of studio meetings and the mantra WW once supported as the power of the group studio experience. Can you image AA Zoom meetings? LOL Zoom meetings are not spontaneous, not your local peeps, and have they have a coldness to them as do many Webnars. The time I wanted to use for myself was time away from a computer since so much of my life outside of WW involves it. Well, that may be dead as is going out for tea after one of the meetings with fellow members. But what is worse, in my opinion, is the way members and employees were handled and told: Imagine dedicating 13 or more years to the organization to be told you were now fired but you have to go the last Saturday meeting in the studio and close it up. The general feeling among coaches and employees I have talke to and all of the members I have talked to is that an incredible disrespect has been shown to them and we all feel it. I suspect there will be a loss of memberships due solely to the reason of “big” corporate decision making that has nothing to do with weight loss, but has everything to do with undermining the support for it. Once WW became “retail” oriented with processed food products and other branded products, the writing was on the wall. WW has lost or is losing the thing that differentiated it from any other online “diet.” It is shameful and if I owned any stock in WW I would have sold it by now.
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- Lorna Bognanno says
Yes, I feel it is very disrespectful to the wonderful coaches who have helped so many people. Our coach was fired after 31 years working for Weight Watchers as a leader. I can’t even imagine how many people she has helped all these years and a phone call to say, “you are fired” is so disrespectful. I understand change but this really is so upsetting. I have been with Weight Watchers for many many years and I see it spiraling downward. What a shame and such a loss for so many people.
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- Annie says
My local WW studio closed after today’s workshop. I found out about it by accident; they didn’t even notify me in advance, although supposedly an email went out to members at that location. I’m a lifetime member, so when I got the email telling me I didn’t need to weigh in until after 2/24/23 “to reward you for your loyalty” I knew something was up. WW can’t tell me what happens after that date. I will not drove 64 miles round trip to weigh in once a month (aid that location even stays open for another year). I suspect that they will do away with lifetime membership at that time. The well worn quote “It’s all about the Benjamin’s, baby” seems fitting here.
WW Corporate has got themselves into a PR nightmare. Marketing textbooks teach that a dissatisfied customer will tell at least 10 other people about their experience. If each person who is upset about this tells 10 other people, I will be surprised if they stay in business.
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- Debbie long says
Greed and some new top dog who has stock options.I have been a member off and on for 52 years but party over for me.end of an era
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- Linda Caypless says
Maybe the need to cut back should come fro the top down. Shame on you! The meeting leaders are much more important and the meeting days and times are far more important than all the corporate leaders. Trim back on them, leave the meeting leaders alone.
Very bad decision. You move will destroy weight Watchers.Reply
- Marj says
I agree. This is a “business” move. The leaders are what differentiates WW from other programs. And the use of drugs for weight loss- WW you are heading down a slippery slope.
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- Kay Schmeling says
It is a total shame on WW that they are doing ads on tv about WW but yet they are closing studios the new CEO IS A TOTAL pathetic disgrace you don’t care about your members only the money I will not drive 150 miles round trip to go to a dam meeting
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- Bct says
Oprah just f’d her peeps
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- Susan says
We were told our studio is closing. We have a large group of wonderful people who have become family and our leader is the best. I now believe that WW is only interested in their financial gain and not in the people. Their program has changed at least yearly. If it works why keep changing? The human contact and Support we give each other is something you can’t get virtually. Now they are promoting medications. Money isn’t everything but to them maybe it is.
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- Jack Nissim says
Do you really think closing down studios is a benefit to the members or is it what you perceive as a financial benefit to you?
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- Kay Schmeling says
Now I hear that lifetime members only have to weight once a year such a dumb idea instead of closing studios find a different meeting location apparently the new leadership doesn’t care about their members only money and money going with diet pills is another hair brain how utterly stupid and disgusting
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- J says
Our leader said she thinks Lifetime will be discontinued when the year is up.
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- Kay Schmeling says
Ww sucks closing my studio now the closest one is 75 miles away which is bullsh*t I am NOT driving 150 to a dam meeting we had 4 meetings locations in northern wisconsin then Covid hit and we lost 3 and now ww is closing our only in person studio they don’t give a dam about their members they only care about the money so good bye ww I am done
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- Sharon Miller says
We had a wonderful studio and WW closed it and put us in a run-down church with dirty floors and broken sidewalks which I fell down on a couple of months ago. If WW is trying to run it in the ground, they’re doing a good job of it.
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- Louise F Odea says
I am very sad to lose the accountability aspect of weighing in monthly. AND how will WW figure out your weight in a year so you can keep your membership? I will not drive 50+ miles to weigh in.
This is an obvious ploy to make even more money. Without accountability, we may well gain the weight back and have to start paying again! I for one don’t ever play to pay WW for weight loss again. Hopefully I won’t regain my lost weight, but if I do, I will find another plan.
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- MARGARET L MARTIN says
I’m with you. Should be interesting to see what happens over this year but I do not plan to pay WW another penny.
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- Louise Wakcher says
They could of just extended the e-tools but we still need to weigh in once a month when you want within that month Accountable
The diet pills is so opposites of what they are all about ….just weirdReply
- Anne Holtackers says
I am a life time member and have been for many years. This morning I went to my monthly meeting to weigh in. The whole building was abandoned with a small sign on the door telling people to find a virtual meeting. I received no email regarding the closing of this location. It was the only studio in the area. The next closet one is over 100 miles away. I agree with many of you. Very disrespectful to members and the wonderful coaches. I’m done!!!!
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- Sara says
How frustrating and disappointing. What a way to find out.
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- MARGARET L MARTIN says
You know the saying, nothing is constant but change, and change has hit WW. Our workshops were totally closed and our group is trying to come up with ideas so we can all stick together to support each other. Anyone else doing the same?
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- Maggie says
Since it’s always about the money first, I wonder if WW will lower the monthly fee since we’ll have less access. Digital only is not a good substitute.
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- S says
Very disappointed with WW! No way am I traveling 40 plus minutes in HEAVY traffic to attend a meeting.
As far as attending a virtual meeting (of which I heard you and can do at almost any time suitable to your schedule) my first choice was for Wed. 5:00 pm. Guess what — no meetings at that time.
So what happened to all our virtual local staff. Are they now unemployed?
Not a happy camper with WW.Reply
- Patricia Konczynski says
I went for my 13th anniversary of Lifetime weigh in today. I was surprised NOT to be given a charm. Really? They don’t cost all that much and they are not that many of us. Think we deserve a little something in recognition. It is hard work to maintain, especially through the pandemic years and I personally had medical issues requiring me to take heavy steroids that made me gain weight for 3 years. I am happy to be off them and to have lost all the weight. However, it was hard going and required persistence.
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- Sara says
Way to go on 13 years of Maintenance! That’s an incredible accomplishment. xoxo
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- Lynda Morse says
Seriously??? You never answered her !!! Why no charm? Finances really that tight?
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- Sara says
Lynda, I don’t work for WW or have any affiliation with them, so I don’t know the answer about the charm. That’s why I directed her to contact the WW company to get the answer.
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- Ella Rose says
Quite honestly, I left WW about five years ago. I started following the Target 100 book, a plan written by Liz Josefsberg, ironically an ex WW Manager, and it has served me well. It was hard for me to leave, as I was a member for decades but the newer plans no longer worked. I feel so sorry for current members. This world, sorrowfully, is not what it was and neither is Weight Watchers. God bless you all.
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- Colleen says
I am happy to say that you have given me free tools for the next 365 days! However, every meeting that I have attended for many many years, the thing that I hear at every meeting is how the meetings keep you accountable. I believe by shutting down so many workshops will make it even harder for a person to stick with the program and to reach their goal.
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- Janice says
My thoughts exactly! For me it’s all about the accountability.
Love my leader, & group and hope they keep it together at the new location.Reply
- Carol Phillips says
So disappointed to hear this change. I can’t believe WW has gone this direction. It’s a fact that in person meetings make a difference in successful weight loss. Bottom line is that it is ALL ABOUT THE MONEY for WW Corporation. 😡😔
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- Evelyn Mannino says
I want to cancel the intermittent fasting program I just signed on for. Ejmann48@ gmail.com
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- Sara says
Hi Evelyn, We don’t have any IF programs currently at The Holy Mess. There is a free one-page printable with a prayer for fasting. If you have further questions, you can contact us anytime at [email protected].
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- p says
l agree with every word…when l called to speak to a rep yesterday at corporate, she offered up the no weighing for a year…no thanks…and when l did an online chat, they offered up $5 snack coupons…REALLY??!! l’d rather as Lifetime go back to paying every month if we could keep our live meetings!!!!
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- Ange says
for all of you struggling with weight…….WW doesn’t work…….join the Livy Method……it works!
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- Sandra Lampman says
The livy method is amazing. She KNOWS what she is talking about. And the science behind it is amazing.
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- Louann Compton says
I am very disappointed in WW. I hate the fact I am not being held accountable with my weight loss. We have friends we have made at our meetings. And our leader is a friend too. Now they have all lost their job. Seems like Ww don’t care about us anymore,
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- Tammy says
This is absolutely ridiculous!!! I have taken weight loss meds in the past and guess what I joined Weight Watchers to learn how to lose weight and keep it off not take meds to do it. Yes the meds work for a quick fix but if you don’t change your eating habits and mind set the weight will come back when you stop taking the meds!!! Closing the workshops in my opinion is a huge mistake. The meetings help give me a sort of accountability. Now if I want to go to an in person workshop I have to drive over an hour one way. Thanks weight watchers, I really hope you rethink this!
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- Abby says
Amen, Tammy!
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- Pat Zvacek says
Amen
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- Christie Sherwood says
I am just a little in shock. I understand some people might need a boost, but over weight people first have to figure out the emotional issue causing over eating. Medication is just a bandaid. I saw a commercial stating “ if you have a obese child ages 8-12ish get them in physical activity etc” my first thought well, just get them outside and play with them🥴 my kids grew up outside and with a WW mom😂 The next age group was 13-18 you might consider surgery!!! What!!!! Surgery for weight loss in someone so young!! We have got to get back to basics!!! So, I am very disappointed WW has jumped on the medication weight loss band wagon. The program works, it’s just HARD work, but the best lessons in life are hard work😊
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- Karen Frakes says
I am extremely disappointed with WW decreasing studio meetings and going with weight loss drugs. I was hoping as we suffered through meetings being on line through Covid lock downs that more studio’s would be opening, not closing. In person studio meetings have been proven to be more successful. I have been a WW for over 40 years now and I have never been more afraid of a great program coming to an end. I have maintained an 80# weight loss and have many more pounds to go to goal. We have a wonderful coach and in person studio meetings with a great community. Changes are being made to our studio location, not closed yet, but seems like maybe that is weight watchers’s goal? I took a weight loss drug many years ago, phen phen, it worked great until it didn’t. I ended up with a heart murmur from the medication and it stopped controlling my hunger.I think greed has taken over with weight watchers instead of the love and care of the past.
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- Sooz says
Lots in the Chicago area closed too. I am certainly not going to drive miles to the suburbs for an in person meeting! I actually found a virtual group I really like that isn’t even in Illinois–maybe 20 people and a great coach. I understand these are ending. You can still attend a virtual meeting but it is huge and impersonal.
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- Karen Barnett says
I am disappointed, angry, and abhorred! As a Lifetime Member, I resent the new concept of only weighing in once a year – in doing this, WW has set us up for failure, in not needing to be accountable (but it’s all about the MONEY, isn’t it?!). WW has always stood for slow and steady weight loss, based upon eating healthy foods (but not exclusively) and maintaining portion control. Without a framework, guide, and accountability, especially through attending meetings, WW is ensuring that its members will certainly “go down,” hence making us pay more in the end.
And medication – WHAT THE HECK??? Why not think about those of us who already take medications which might interact with those pushed by WW? Again, this puts us at a disadvantage.Is this Lindora? What makes WW any different (minus weighing in daily)?
And let me guess, the prices will also increase…again, WW wins (and we lose)!
Thanks for no longer caring about our well-being, WW!
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- Nancy Rabalais says
So disappointed that this is happening. Virtual meetings do not do it for me. I have to be accountable in person. We are also losing two of our great leaders is not sitting right with me. Another example of business dismantling a great organization. So so sad.
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- Debra says
I’m really sad about the closing of the studios. I will miss all my friends that I made along the way. I just hope they don’t do away with the program.
I’m happy that you will be here to help us and motivate us and keep us plugging along. 🙂Reply
- RITA MIZENER says
It doesn’t say they are closing all studios just the ones with decreased membership
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- Carol Suppa says
Our meeting is being closed and our membership numbers are up. What’s the rationale behind that?
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- Lisa O’Brien says
My studio just north of San Francisco is packed! We have a huge group. It’s not about attendance. They closed all in person workshops in San Francisco and Marin County. The closest workshop is now almost 40 miles away. I feel abandoned and betrayed by corporate greed.
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- Kathryn Sky says
Yes – I’ve been Lifetime in San Francisco since 2008. Really valued the meetings in person…. Glad it appears we’ll have use of the online tools for now… We shall see. I doubt I could maintain my weight without the online tools and weigh-ins. Never did in my life until Weight Watchers. Sad to see this happen.
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- Irene says
Thank you so much Sara for continued support! I wonder what else they have up their selves?
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- Mimi says
My local WW workshop closed during Covid and never reopened. Now the only next option is I have is a small 90 minute window on Saturday mornings. Prior to all these closures, if I couldn’t make the meeting time I could go in during business hours, no biggie. Well without any other options, I am at goal but can’t physically make it to weigh in. I tried the “personal points” program and for the first time got over goal and couldn’t get back. Then they updated it and did a “Blue 2.0” version (I had been successful on Purple for getting back if I went slightly over). Tried that for a few months, nope. They need to at least offer a version for members to track everything except fruits/veggies if they want to. So I cancelled and am using Healthi along wtih the info my apple watch app provides to make sure calories consumed is always under calories burned and finally started seeing the scale go down.
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- Rhonda Wilson says
What version are you using on Healthi? I was on the purple plan as well and have been unsuccessful on the new ones. I actually liked an older version of weight watchers which was before free foods. I was most successful on it.
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- Jill says
I read a tutorial awhile back when it was still iTrackbites that told you how to tweak it to do Purple. I loved Purple. If you do a search for iTrackbites purple you can find it. I don’t know if there’s a policy about putting external links on this page.
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- Maribeth says
I thought something was fishy when I got that lifetime member email. My location is remaining open with day and time changes. Says to check back on March 26.
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- Monica Warren says
The world is changing and I get that. Weight Watchers has made the approach to weight loss realistic for many over the years.
This change, especially after the acquisition of Sequence, is NOT conducive to healthy weight practices.
People losing jobs, becoming part-time employees and clients losing out, at the last minute, is not great business practices.I’m extremely disappointed in what Weight Watchers stood for and the now perception of weight loss in the future.
A pill for quick weight loss, even with a Dr.’s prescription is unrealistic.
You’ve now tarnished a name along with losing to gaining profitability.Reply
- Cherie says
I am so disappointed with Weight Watchers closing in person workshops. This is a sucker punch to those of us that have been long time loyal members. I refuse to do virtual as it is of no help to me. Paying the same monthly fee for that with no benefit is just a waste of time. They say they are closing workshops with low attendance but that is not true. The three in my area were all showing great attendance. We meet in a hotel. If the rent is too high for that then go back to churches. I don’t care where they are held as long as our group can get together face to face. Weight Watchers has lost their collective minds and I am sure Jean Nieditch is rolling over in her grave.
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- Nancy says
The ONLY way to lose and keep off the weight are in person meetings.
As a member on and off since 1972, I know this for a fact. Whenever I’ve stopped returning to meetings I’ve put the weight back on. It’s not just will power. It’s sharing our journey.
This is so sad. Meetings are or were the backbone of Weight Watchers! When they went to virtual meetings I knew the end was near. Virtual meetings may be cheaper but you get what you pay for. Once again corporate greed wins. 😠Reply
- Christine A Sullivan says
I disagree with the people who don’t like zoom meetings because I’ve been lucky enough to find three amazing leaders, and I really enjoy meeting and discussing things and they interact with us. And you get to see the same members over and over and they can exchange information and keep in touch. Works for me and I’ve maintained my almost 90 pound weight loss with no problem …even during Covid I lost additional few pounds within my weight range and stay at lifetime. So to each his own. I kind of like the idea of zooming because you get to see peoples faces instead of the back of their heads in the meeting room that might be infested with Covid germs. And there are no studios anywhere‘s near me anyway and my doctor said to stay out of group gatherings indoors so this works. So there are lots of different ways of dealing with this, but the basic thing is to continue to eat healthy, watch your portion, sizes, getting some activity, which, for me is walking my dogs during the day, over and over again, and getting group support from others. And actually about a half a dozen to a dozen of us meet weekly in person in our neighborhood from the meetings that were shut down and won’t be reopened and we do just fine, with masks, or outdoors. There’s lots of ways of keeping the weight watcher program going! But I will admit it took me 40 years to get it, right.
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- Debbie says
Maybe you guys could start your own WW in-home meetings. I have made quite a few friends at the WW meetings and mentioned in~home meetings to them and they sounded interested.
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- Deb Ragno says
All the local Zoom meetings have ended, you will only have your choice of the national Zooms. If that’s what you have been part of, then you won’t see a change. But if you have been used to seeing your local leaders on Zoom, they are gone.
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- J Winters says
I’m sad , mad, and very disappointed that All Brooklyn locations will close. How can the organization just drop an entire bourough…..the people that have supported this company through the years? There will be no in person locations for an entire borough. Not one! This translates to although we thought the company cared for us… it doesn’t really! I’m not talking about staff, they have been great but the upper directors, board…they just don’t care. This isn’t the weight watchers that I knew since 1963… Very disappointing. People need to to elsewhere, I guess. The cache of WW has just gone down…..
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- Alexandra Morris says
Same here in Coachella Valley California, where Palm Springs and NINE other towns are located! Not one in person meeting left, and I just joined workshops in January because I need meetings, not just online.
They signed me up for a 10 month workshop program, and must have known at that time of upcoming major changes. Sleazy!Reply
- Brenda Shelton says
I don’t think it’s fair that WW can constantly change their program because it doesn’t work for many,but we can’t cancel our membership. We have to keep paying them for a plan that is not working for us!
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- Bertha Goggin says
I’m disappointed in some of the changes. Specifically – joining the current fad of using diabetic drug for weight loss.
I do support those who have honestly tried, behavioral changes that do not work for them – these folks need to get with their personal physicians to discuss options. WW should not be dispensing medical advice.
I am Lifetime and I do appreciate the gesture of the extension- but it is a bit counter productive to their founding principles! It seems to be a peace offering as they take away so many in person meetings!
Come on weight Watchers – you can do BETTER!! 😢Reply
