What is Weight Watchers

Weight Watchers program has been around since the l960s and is one of the most popular and trusted programs in the world. It is a scientifically proven approach to weight loss based on eating healthy, and matching food calories consumed with those expended, being active and learning how to make the small changes that can lead to lasting weight loss.

How It Works

Weight Watchers is focused on calorie reduction, and uses a point system. Different food recipes have a certain number of points based on their number of calories, grams of fat, and grams of fiber. Counting points or calories is only a means to developing healthy eating habits. Example: 4 cookies may contain the same number of calories as a large turkey sandwich, but the latter is much healthier, and therefore, a better choice. So, as well as counting points, you must develop healthy eating habits, which will enable you to lose weight, and at the same time, develop better eating habits.

No foods are forbidden on this diet plan, although you are restricted to a certain number of points. Also, their motto is “if you bite it, write it,” logging everything you eat and adding it to your daily total is also part of this program.

Weekly meetings are required. Some individuals may find these meetings daunting, especially if the meeting organizer puts you on the spot, because you didn’t meet your weekly weight loss. This may prove intimidating to some dieters, so, if you feel sensitive about this situation, you might consider joining the Weight Watchers At-home program, instead.

It is a slow and steady approach to losing weight, and may discourage those that are obese, and looking to lose weight quickly. However, because it is flexible, easy to follow and designed to fit your lifestyle, it is more likely to be successful over time, which will enable you to lose weight and keep it off.

Enrollment Fee For Program

The fee to enroll in Weight Watchers is approximately $10-l5 per week depending on local variations, including a program sign-up fee. However, the on-line program starts at $44 for a standard monthly plan. Individuals who achieve their weight goals, and maintain it for 6 weeks, can become life members. All fees are subject to change.

In some countries, non-attendance at meetings leads to lapse of membership. In the USA, membership lapses after 4 missed meetings.

Foods You Can Eat

You can eat all your favorite foods and eat the same meals your family enjoys. Unlike other diets, you never have to buy special foods, which can be costly, and you never have to feel hungry or deprived. With this program you have a choice of 2 food plans, the flexible POINTS plan or the No Counting plan, depending on the one that best suits your needs.

Foods You Can’t Eat

There are no foods that are off limits. However, Weight Watchers will teach you how to make better choices, eat healthy, and enjoy food.

Flex Point Plan

The Flex Point Plan is based on portion control. You track everything that you eat throughout the day and calculate the points for each against your target points. Points take into account calories, fat and fiber and the calculation has changed in the past couple of years to give a discount for high fiber foods. Each week you get 35 bonus points to either use a few daily or to save up for a weekly splurge. You also receive points for exercise to deduct for the food points you eat.

No Counting Plan

This plan, The Core Foods Plan works well for those tired of counting points and measuring everything. You are given a list of core foods and some portion limits per day. When eating outside the core foods, you must track the points against a weekly total. This is a good plan to aid you in developing healthy eating habits and help enlighten you as to what are truly treats and should be eaten sparingly. I strongly suggest adding in vitamins and bodybuilding supplements to your weight watchers diet for the best results.

Exercise

Exercise is an essential part of this program and makes the journey so much easier. We all know that a good exercise program combined with healthy eating promotes weight loss and is essential in helping to keep it off. And, it is a welcome change that Weight Watchers recognizes all of the points you earn through exercise, rather than limiting you to deducting 4 points a day for exercise.

Post Diet Maintenance Plan

This plan helps individuals make some adjustments to transition into maintenance mode, after reaching their goal. Maintenance mode is focused on keeping off the weight you lost and maintaining your healthy weight.

Verdict

Weight Watchers is an excellent weight loss diet program. Its participants lose an average of ½ to 2 pounds per week. A leading consumer magazine rated Weight Watchers the best for diet success of several commercial programs in its June, 2005 edition. And the program has improved since then. It is based on sound nutritional advice, and allows choices and flexibility. It is popular and available almost all over the world.