Hi there

I've used both the meetings and online weightwatchers programs. I prefer the online program because it's cheaper and takes less time than going to a meeting. Also, I think that journaling your food intake is pretty much integral to making WW work, and this way, everything gets calculated automatically.

I've had mixed success with the program- it completely seems to depend on my internal motivation. Right now, it's working really well for me- I have lost almost 29 lbs since January. Part of that is absolutely due to taking up cycling in August. I lost 13 pounds with a pretty meager exercise program in the spring, then got to a plateau for almost 7 weeks. Once I started cycling and got up to riding 50-100 miles a week, I have been losing steadily- between 1/2 and 1 lb per week. I'm past 50, so it goes slower than it did when I was younger.

If you really like encouragement and support, and having face-to-face communication to get information, the meetings are better. If you are independent, have access to a reliable scale and just want to get it done, I think the online program works fine. There is also a friendly discussion group for cyclists on the weightwatcher's forums if you are interested.

There are at least two other free online programs that are similar to weightwatchers in some ways- sparkpeople.com and the daily plate. I am just used to WW so I haven't spent the time to use either one, but they do have some advantages over WW in giving more nutritional data for you to track.

Good luck!