Weight Watchers Basics:
The Weight Watchers diet program is rated as one of the most successful by researchers. It is based on matching the food calories consumed with those expended through both exercise and your basal body metabolism. No secret method, just eating fewer calories than you burn each day. No food is off limits, but the credo is "if you bite it, write it," logging everything you eat and adding it to your daily total. Weight Watchers is always changing and improving its program.Weight Watchers
Weight Watchers Costs:
Weight Watchers traditional meetings cost between $10-12 per week depending on local variation. The Weight Watchers at Work program charges a similar package price for 12-13 weeks. Weight Watchers online program costs $29.95 to sign up, then a monthly fee of $16.95 per month, with a discount for signing up for a 3-month package. Once you achieve your weight goal and maintain it for six weeks, you become a Life Member. All fees subject to change.Weight Watchers Meetings:
Weight Watchers weekly meetings are under an hour long and led by a group leader. There is first a confidential weigh-in to track your progress. The leader and group share tips, recipes, and help guide you through the program. The Weight Watchers at Work meetings are generally only a half-hour long to fit into a lunch schedule. Those uncomfortable with meetings may prefer to weigh-in and leave, or to use the Weight Watchers Online program instead.Weight Watchers Flex Points Plan:
The Flex Points Plan is based on portion control. You track everything 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 less 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 from the food Points you eat.Weight Watchers Core Foods Plan:
The Core Foods Plan works well for those tired of counting Points and measuring everything. You have a list of Core Foods and some portion limits per day. When eating outside of the core foods, you must track the Points against a weekly total. This is a good plan to train yourself to eating more healthy foods and being conscious of what are truly treats and should be eaten sparingly.Weight Watchers Online eTools:
The eTools on the Weight Watchers website are available to Weight Watchers Online subscribers, or as an extra fee for other Weight Watchers members. The online food and exercise diary is a full-featured tool that includes calculators, food search, and recipe builder and analyzer and more to make tracking what you eat easy. For food and meal suggestions they have meal ideas and recipes, including full day plans and shopping lists. There are also message boards for mutual support.Weight Watchers
Weight Watchers and Exercise:
It is a welcome change that the Points system now recognizes all of the Points you earn through exercise, rather than limiting you to deducting 4 Points a day for exercise. This new system should be of more use to active people who are trying to lose weight, yet need to avoid bonking. Weight Watchers encourages exercise and the eTools have several workouts illustrated.Pluses:
Weight Watchers should lose 1/2 - 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. It is based on sound nutritional advice, allows choice and flexibility. It is popular and available almost anywhere. Many restaurants and packaged foods list Weight Watchers Points. Weigh-ins make the dieter accountable and motivate for success.Minuses:
While the program says that weigh-ins are confidential, often they are semi-public due to the meeting space, and that is a drawback for many. Using the Weight Watchers Online program eliminates the need for public meetings for those who desire more privacy and do not feel they need a support group. Counting Points can become tedious or lead to even greater food fixations for some. The Core Foods Plan may help eliminate that drawback.Add Exercise No Matter What the Diet Plan:
If you are beginning a diet plan, you should also begin or expand your exercise plan. We have several free email newsletter programs that can support you increasing your walking and exercise.Walk of Life 10-Week Program: A daily program that includes a walking assignment, walking lesson, healthy eating tip, motivation tip, and links to our friendly Discussion Forum.
Let's Get Walking: A daily 28-day course for those new to walking. Build your walking time from zero to walking comfortably for over half an hour. Includes daily walking assignments and walking lessons.
Step Counters: A daily 28-day course for pedometer walkers, with tips on using a pedometer and working more steps into your day.
