jeanie
Epic Member
HI :D
Posts: 662
|
Post by jeanie on Mar 9, 2019 22:58:03 GMT
fullmahina , how good a Planet Fitness is all depends on the individual facility. I formerly went to one that was a tiny, dark, pit -- old machines, rusty old bathrooms and always smelled bad. A new one opened down the street and it's absolutely beautiful. Three times the size, spotlessly clean, ventilated and all new equipment. The staff is constantly going around cleaning. I love going to it. I don't care about the pizza and bagels, I'm never there when it's being offered. There are Tootsie Rolls at the desk but fortunately I'm not a TR fan. Planet Fitness is a franchise as well. The one close to where I live was owned by a couple from the area. They sold it off to someone that had a few other Planet Fitness' in various areas, and it is horrible now.
|
|
|
Post by cj59 on Mar 9, 2019 23:59:30 GMT
I'm finding the conversation about WW offering several different programs/plans at once interesting.
For those with knowledge of the ITrackBites app, doesn't it work this way by offering several different point plans to choose from? If so, maybe this is something that WW needs to get their app to do.
|
|
|
Post by borntexan on Mar 10, 2019 0:51:06 GMT
I'm finding the conversation about WW offering several different programs/plans at once interesting. For those with knowledge of the ITrackBites app, doesn't it work this way by offering several different point plans to choose from? If so, maybe this is something that WW needs to get their app to do. That's exactly what Itrackbites does.You can do classic,points plus,smart points,freestyle(only with a pro account)or track or double track with calories.I have not found their calorie counts to be consistent and aren't always available.Also with a Pro account you get the online search,recipe builder and restaurant lookup plus Fitbit syncing.You can also change up your plans any time you want to.If you see one's not working for you just switch to another plan.Freestyle is called flex and everything is considered bites and not points which I guess is the way they can stay in business without WW trying to shut them down.
|
|
|
Post by alias123 on Mar 10, 2019 1:20:42 GMT
Anyone here have any experience with Planet Fitness? I've been a guest to a PF and thought it was fine if all you want to do is machines. For me, however, the YMCA is better as they offer classes in addition to an Olympic pool and exercise equipment. My Y has a ton of classes. My dance teacher is fantastic. I take his jazz, ballet, retro dance & salsa dance. I've also made some nice friends in the classes. The Y has classes for all ages and abilities. So it really is a no judgement zone.
|
|
|
Post by zazzles on Mar 10, 2019 2:11:41 GMT
For those with knowledge of the ITrackBites app, doesn't it work this way by offering several different point plans to choose from? If so, maybe this is something that WW needs to get their app to do. While offering a choice of three or four plans (if you count Freestyle as a separate plan from SmartPoints) would be something that could be done technically, I can’t see them doing that. The multiple plans would make many, if not most, former members happy, but it wouldn’t make sense to new members. Further, it would almost be an admission that SmartPoints/FreeStyle were failures and appear a stepping backwards in time when WW always sells the programs as based on the latest and greatest science. I think it more likely that a new plan with more customization, flexibility, and guidance tailored to individuals is what we might see.
|
|
Kitty
Transcendent Member
Posts: 1,450
|
Post by Kitty on Mar 10, 2019 8:37:03 GMT
I agree with zazzles, and don't really see them offering multiple different plans. I think it could be done but I just find it hard to imagine it. What they could perhaps do is offer variations that allowed you to customize. Just throwing out somethings: You could have chicken and fish be 0 point or you could have fruit by 0 point. You could choose to get 23 daily points and 28 weekly points or you could choose to get more daily points and fewer weekly points (or vice versa). Back in the day when WW was an exchange program you got one floating exchange a day. You could use it on protein, for example, or on bread or something else. (I always used mine for an extra bread exchange). You could also count beans as either fruits/veggies (which did have exchanges) or as protein as I recall. So, it is possible to offer some variation that personalizes things. Other things they could do: Limit the number of 0 point servings of some foods that you can have before you have to count. They have done that sort of things before. I have often thought that if they really want to improve what people yet, then make some foods only able to be eaten from weekly points. Back when we had the exchange program you could eat cake or candy or cookies. However, that had to come out of optional calories (which were very limited) you couldn't use exchanges for them. You could make it where those types of foods could only be eaten out of weekly SP. There are a lot of changes that they could make although I am not confident they will do so.
|
|
|
Post by fullmahina on Mar 10, 2019 13:42:50 GMT
The multiple plans would make many, if not most, former members happy, but it wouldn’t make sense to new members. Further, it would almost be an admission that SmartPoints/FreeStyle were failures and appear a stepping backwards in time when WW always sells the programs as based on the latest and greatest science. I'm not too sure about that. WW could put a spin on it that might make it work. Sort of a "We know we're all different but we also know that we're here for the same thing---to lose weight and feel better! That's why WW is celebrating our differences by offering different options for different needs." Blah blah blah blah blah and take it from there. Tell people to come in or take an online questionnaire to find out what plan would work best for them---emphasize the personalized aspect of WW. Right now they are going with the "this works for everyone!" pitch and we all know that's not true. C'mon Mindy, you sold billions of spinning mop heads on TV to people who didn't even want them. Surely you can think of something better than "Wellness Wins!" to save WEIGHT WATCHERS!
|
|
|
Post by zazzles on Mar 10, 2019 14:40:52 GMT
Limit the number of 0 point servings of some foods that you can have before you have to count. They have done that sort of things before. I remember in the core/SFT days the first two teaspoons of healthy oil didn’t get tracked and counted…apparently their computers couldn’t deal with figuring out how to apply zero points to two teaspoons and points for teaspoons beyond that. It was quirky, but it worked because it was only oil. But if they couldn’t figure out how to have the computers keep track of all that, I can’t imagine how members could keep it all straight in their heads: “Lets see…I had two servings of chicken breast totaling 14 oz. That was over two meals. So 3 oz. at lunch and dinner were zero points and I need to track points for 4 oz. at lunch and 4 oz. at dinner. Then there were the beans…" I'm not too sure about that. WW could put a spin on it that might make it work. True. We know lots of people weren’t successful on or happy with SmartPoints and/or Freestyle. However, we don’t know the split: how many were old members who did older plans and how many were new members in Mindy’s target demographic. I don’t see Mindy giving up on her target demographic simply because, while she needs to bring older members back into the fold somehow, they will die off sooner than later and she needs those young members to perpetuate the company. This should all be fascinating to watch—it always is…we usually just get to anticipate changes and watch for them late every year and we didn’t get that last year (I feel cheated 8>).
|
|
squid
Transcendent Member
Posts: 976
|
Post by squid on Mar 10, 2019 15:48:50 GMT
I don't know if this necessarily applies to WW, but a lot of companies are focused on Millennials, when in fact that age cohort is broke. Baby Boomers, still a large cohort, are the ones holding the cash, but we seem to be ignored. I see this in the travel/cruise industry. Retired Boomers have both the time and money to vacation, but instead tour companies and cruise lines are offering zip lines, bungee jumps, wave simulators, etc. hoping to attract young travelers burdened with student loan debt and crushing mortgages.
Roz
|
|
squid
Transcendent Member
Posts: 976
|
Post by squid on Mar 10, 2019 16:42:14 GMT
fullmahina, "C'mon Mindy, you sold billions of spinning mop heads on TV to people who didn't even want them. Surely you can think of something better than "Wellness Wins!" to save WEIGHT WATCHERS!" This cracks me up! Roz
|
|
Kitty
Transcendent Member
Posts: 1,450
|
Post by Kitty on Mar 10, 2019 17:56:03 GMT
Limit the number of 0 point servings of some foods that you can have before you have to count. They have done that sort of things before. I remember in the core/SFT days the first two teaspoons of healthy oil didn’t get tracked and counted…apparently their computers couldn’t deal with figuring out how to apply zero points to two teaspoons and points for teaspoons beyond that. It was quirky, but it worked because it was only oil. But if they couldn’t figure out how to have the computers keep track of all that, I can’t imagine how members could keep it all straight in their heads: “Lets see…I had two servings of chicken breast totaling 14 oz. That was over two meals. So 3 oz. at lunch and dinner were zero points and I need to track points for 4 oz. at lunch and 4 oz. at dinner. Then there were the beans…" I agree that they might use those kinds of things as an excuse, but I don't think they are unsurmountable if they wanted to surmount them. For example, if they decided you had to count more than X amount of a food as points. When you entered it they would give you a check box if it was to be a zero pointed food. So, when entering X amount or below you would check off zero, otherwise the default was that points were counted. As far as figuring out in the heads how much was zero point and how much was counted, it isn't much different from how it was when there was exchanges. I would have to figure out with mixed dishes that it 3 proteins and 1 Bread and 1/2 Fat and 2 Veggies for example. You just did your best, but you had to do that kind of calculation. And, somehow we managed... That said, I do agree that they probably want something simple. After all that was part of the reasons for points in the first place...giving people easier numbers to remember than calories. A one or two digit number is easier to work with and remember then a 3 or 4 digit number...
|
|
|
Post by DebDoesWW on Mar 10, 2019 18:18:10 GMT
C'mon Mindy, you sold billions of spinning mop heads on TV to people who didn't even want them. Surely you can think of something better than "Wellness Wins!" to save WEIGHT WATCHERS! You can bet money this exact thought is going through everyone’s head even remotely associated with WW. “This is it, seriously?!”
|
|
|
Post by zazzles on Mar 10, 2019 20:44:37 GMT
I don't know if this necessarily applies to WW, but a lot of companies are focused on Millennials, when in fact that age cohort is broke. Baby Boomers, still a large cohort, are the ones holding the cash, but we seem to be ignored. I see this in the travel/cruise industry. Retired Boomers have both the time and money to vacation, but instead tour companies and cruise lines are offering zip lines, bungee jumps, wave simulators, etc. hoping to attract young travelers burdened with student loan debt and crushing mortgages. Roz Oh, you’re so right. I see this all the time. There’s plenty of cash to spend but there’s seldom anything age-appropriate for boomers to spend it on.
|
|
|
Post by zazzles on Mar 10, 2019 20:50:41 GMT
I agree that they might use those kinds of things as an excuse, but I don't think they are unsurmountable if they wanted to surmount them. For example, if they decided you had to count more than X amount of a food as points. When you entered it they would give you a check box if it was to be a zero pointed food. So, when entering X amount or below you would check off zero, otherwise the default was that points were counted. As far as figuring out in the heads how much was zero point and how much was counted, it isn't much different from how it was when there was exchanges. I would have to figure out with mixed dishes that it 3 proteins and 1 Bread and 1/2 Fat and 2 Veggies for example. You just did your best, but you had to do that kind of calculation. And, somehow we managed... That said, I do agree that they probably want something simple. After all that was part of the reasons for points in the first place...giving people easier numbers to remember than calories. A one or two digit number is easier to work with and remember then a 3 or 4 digit number… I agree that people managed on the exchange programs. But when POINTS came along, those who weren’t mourning the loss of the exchange plans gave a big sigh of relief at how much easier it was to count POINTS. And, likewise, when Freestyle came along, it is/was marketed as allowing members to skip tracking the zero-point foods altogether. Whether our generation believes in that or not, the generations Mindy is targeting—WW said—want the simplicity of tracking as little as possible. That implies that the type of modification of counting various things after surpassing a limit would negate the simplicity that has been reached through the progression of plans. I remember my head being filled with the rules, food lists and minimum/maximum quantities of foods on the original plan. I mastered it—better than some of the area directors of the franchise. But that doesn’t mean that I’d want to step backwards in time and have to memorize a whole bunch of stuff in this day and age.
|
|
squid
Transcendent Member
Posts: 976
|
Post by squid on Mar 10, 2019 23:39:54 GMT
I don't know if this necessarily applies to WW, but a lot of companies are focused on Millennials, when in fact that age cohort is broke. Baby Boomers, still a large cohort, are the ones holding the cash, but we seem to be ignored. I see this in the travel/cruise industry. Retired Boomers have both the time and money to vacation, but instead tour companies and cruise lines are offering zip lines, bungee jumps, wave simulators, etc. hoping to attract young travelers burdened with student loan debt and crushing mortgages. Roz Oh, you’re so right. I see this all the time. There’s plenty of cash to spend but there’s seldom anything age-appropriate for boomers to spend it on. I see this all the time in clothing stores. I go in prepared to spend a couple of hundred dollars, and walk out with nothing. I have the money, they don't carry the merchandise older shoppers are interested in. Roz P.S. I'm not allowed to expose my navel at work.
|
|