Weight Watchers Review

Weight Watchers is a very well known program that uses the POINTS® system, along with group support. As one of the longest running programs in the country, it has made changes in recent years in order to give dieters more options when they use Weight Watchers. The new options are intended to make it easier for dieters to follow the plan.

How It Works

When a dieter starts with the plan, they will be assigned a point amount based on their weight. That point amount is the amount of points they are allowed to consume in a day. They can eat whatever they want, as long as they stay within their points. That means they can eat cake and other foods, but they cannot go over the point value.

Points are tracked by using a Weight Watchers calculator or a weekly food journal. Each time a food is consumed, the dieter subtracts that point amount from their daily total. In addition, there are weekly Weight Watchers meetings that dieters attend. At the meetings, they weigh in and listen to words of encouragement and advice from leaders. Dieters are also allowed to share their personal stories at the meetings.

The Cons We Found

While weigh ins are good to track the progress of dieters, they can at times be discouraging as well. Things like water weight and the menstrual cycle can affect weight, which means people who stay within their points and exercise can actually end up gaining weight or not losing weight they felt they should lose.

Point values are given to food based on serving size. Those who join the program will be given a list of foods and their point values. As not every food can be listed, there is a formula in order to calculate the point value of foods that are not on the chart. In order to calculate foods that are not on the chart, the amount of fiber, fat and calories of the food is calculated.

While there is a cost for the meetings, the price is worth it to most dieters. The charge is very low, and when a dieter pays the fee, they can weigh in and get the advice and support of the group. In addition, those who pay the fee also get to use the online tools available to Weight Watchers members. Those who work with many people who are interested in joining Weight Watchers can look into having the meetings in their workplace.

The New Food Choices

Since Weight Watchers has expanded its plan, it now includes foods people enjoy such as chocolates, cereals, breads, yogurt and frozen meals. There are also foods with point values assigned to them that are not manufactured by Weight Watchers. There are many different plans available, so dieters can match up a plan with their individual needs.

While dieters can eat the foods they want and still stay within the plan, they are encouraged to read the material offered by Weight Watchers. That way, they can eat foods that will help them when they exercise. Certain foods will make exercise more effective, and exercise is a part of the Weight Watchers plan.

The Bottom Line - Does It Works?

Those who are interested in their health need to do more than just follow point values. They also must eat healthy foods. Weight can come off by just following point values, but the underlying health issues will likely not be resolved. At the same time, this can be a good plan for those who do not mind having to keep up with their food intake. Those who follow the plan are likely to lose excess weight.