Does Weight Watchers Really Work?

Admin | March 25, 2011 - 11:57 pm

does weight watchers really workI get asked all the time by my newsletter subscribers and visitors to my site, “Does Weight Watchers really work?”  For the short answer, I have to say yes.  It’s a really well structured program that offers an incredible array of support options for those people who join.  And it’s understandable that many people would wonder if it worked based on the popularity of the diet (especially after Jennifer Hudson’s miraculous weight loss).  So in this article I will go over some of the finer details of the system so you know whether or not this system will work for you.

The Weight Watchers program uses a point program that is tailored to your specific nutritional needs.  It focuses on helping you eat a healthy and balanced diet that not only helps you lose weight but also helps you be healthier overall.  The Point System does not restrict you from eating any certain foods or groups of foods.  The main goal of the system is to help you eat without depriving yourself or starving yourself.

What most people don’t know is that Weight Watchers also heavily favors exercise.  It also recommends taking full advantage of it’s online or offline support (the offline support comes in the form of weekly meetings at a local Weight Watchers center.

Learn More:
How Much Does Weight Watchers Cost & Other Facts
How Does Weight Watchers Work?

How Do Weight Watchers Points Work?

For the Weight Watchers Points System foods are assigned points based on the size of the serving, the calories contained, the total number of grams of fiber, and the total amount of fat.  Fruits and vegetables are usually very low in points because they contain a low amount of calories and fat and because they are high in fiber.

How do you know how many points you are supposed to have each day?   When you join you will speak to a counselor who will give you your points based on certain factors such as your body weight, age, height, and weight loss goals.  You can learn yourself by going here:  How Many Weight Watchers Points Can I Have?

You will be given a book that will give you the total number of points for thousands of popular foods including those at restaurants and frozen foods at your local grocery store.  You can download a Free Weight Watchers Points Guide here

When people ask me is weight watchers effective I have to say yes and this Point System is why it works so well.  It works because it forces dieters to be conscience of the foods they eat.

Online And Offline Meetings

A lot of people also ask me, “Does weight watchers online work?” and to them I usually give the same answer… Yes it does!  The online program is really not that much different from the offline program.  Both programs give you the same tools and support materials.  The only real difference is that with the offline program you can get real, live interaction with counselors and other members.  With the online program you don’t get live, physical interaction but you do have access to counselors and others through support forums and phone lines.   The offline meetings allow you to do weekly weigh-ins and allow you to interact and participate in meetings headed by professional Weight Watchers counselors who have gone through the program and kept off the weight.

Other Factors:

With this program you are encouraged to exercise and keep a weight loss journal.  Weight Watchers provides its members with a general exercise program that will be tailored to your fitness level.  The types of exercises that they recommend are cardiovascular in nature such as walking, jogging, bicycling, water aerobics, etc. You can find demo videos and other exercise tools on the members website.

Weight Watchers recommends that its members keep a food diary to track what they are eating throughout the day, what types of exercises they have done and how many pounds they’ve lost. The website for the program makes it easy because you can log this information on there instead of keeping a paper journal.  If you’d like to keep a paper journal I have one you can download for free on this page: Walking And Weight Loss

The Negatives

Now that I’ve gone over most of the positive aspects of this diet, let me go over some of the negatives.  The negatives to this diet are pretty much straight-forward.

1.You have to be committed.  If you aren’t it won’t work.  Weight Watchers will hold your hand but they can’t lose weight for you.
2.The Points System takes a bit to get used to.  It does work but it takes some time to implement and you have to stick with it.
3.Once you quit or reach your goal you will have to figure out how to maintain your weight loss.

So, is Weight Watchers worth it?  I think so.  If you are ready to really lose weight but you need a structured program with lots of support then I recommend it highly.  No other weight loss program gives you what this one does.

Posted in Weight Watchers | Tagged does weight watchers online work, does weight watchers really work, how do weight watchers points work, is weight watchers effective, is weight watchers worth it | Leave a comment

How Much Does Weight Watchers Cost And Other Facts

Admin | March 11, 2011 - 6:15 pm

how much does weight watchers costWeight Watchers is synonymous with diet and weight loss.  It has been a thriving business for 40 years, helping people reach their personal goals.  Most of us have known someone who’s been to a meeting or two and all of us have seen their commercials on television or in print media.

In the most competitive market of all (weight loss) where miracle and fad diets come and go, how has this one company remained on top year after year?  Probably because of the dedication to personalizing the service.  When you become a member at Weight Watchers you get a plan tailored to your specific needs.  It’s based on your age, weight, height, and personal fitness level.

Most diets are not as in depth as this and this is why this company has been able to remain on top (or near the top) for going on 40 years.

How Much Does Weight Watchers Cost?

Weight Watchers Offline Costs

Weight Watchers essentially has two options:  Online and offline.  The traditional manner of meeting at an offline center costs approximately $39.95 per month.  This comes with a subscription to eTools which is an online interactive resource.    You also receive comprehensive manuals and personal advice and tips from professionally trained Weight Watchers counselors.

Here’s what to expect at the meetings if you decide to join:

The first meeting you will get a confidential and private weight-in to know where your journey begins.  The weight loss counselor will help you set your first goal (which is usually around 5% of your weight).

At each meeting you will be exchanging strategies that will help you along.  Each meeting is led by your Leader who will discuss different topics each week.  You have the option of joining in the conversation or merely listening.  Most of the topics covered in meetings have to do with dieting and can cover everything from how to prevent stress-eating to family meal suggestions.

The Leader of your group is someone who reached his or her goals.  They are people who have lost weight with Weight Watchers and has maintained that weight loss. They are trained in the program and help by passing on their own experiences and expertise with you.


How Much Does It Cost To Join Weight Watchers Online?

Weight Watchers Online is just as comprehensive as the offline program and costs $47 for the first month and $17 for each month after that.  The online program includes comprehensive guides that will show you how to follow the Weight Watchers approach and your personal food plan.   You’ll have access to interactive tools (such as the Food Tracker and the Activity Tracker)  which help you track your weight, food, and exercise routines.

You’ll also receive:

  • Tips, recommendations, and advice on what to choose when you have to eat out
  • Websites that are customized for women and men
  • Access to the PointsPlus program (you get access to this with the offline system also)
  • Access to over 40,000 options for food and over 3,000 ideas and recipes for meals
  • Workout routines and tips no matter what fitness level you’re at
  • A large library of resources and strategies to help keep you focused on your goals
  • Access to the online Weight Watchers store

You can sign up at your local Weight Watchers Center (find your local center by clicking here) or you can sign up online by clicking here.


Posted in Weight Watchers | Tagged how much does it cost to join weight watchers, How much does weight watchers cost, weight watchers offline costs, weight watchers online costs | 2 Comments

How Does Weight Watchers Work?

Admin | March 10, 2011 - 11:40 pm

how does weight watchers workI get emails a lot asking me  “how does Weight Watchers work? “ so I decided to write an article explaining exactly how this insanely popular diet plan works.

The Weight Watchers diet uses a simple points system and has quite a large support network that you can use.  The only real difficulty, just like any diet, is sticking with it.  But how to stick with Weight Watchers (or any diet for that matter) is for another completely separate article.  Now, I’ll go over the finer points of this program so you are familiar with how it works.

How Do Weight Watchers Points Works

The PointsPlus Program

This program is based on the latest in nutritional science.  The program works by factoring how your body processes food.  This science combined with a robust  support system accounts for the successes of those that stick with the program.

The PointsPlus program shows its users how to choose better foods, the correct portion sizes, how to maintain an energy deficit, and how to keep track of the foods you consume throught the day.

Here are the basic pillars of this program:

  • Making the right, healthy choices.  You will learn how to make the right choices when it comes to what foods to eat so that you can develop a healthy lifestyle.
  • There are no required foods.  This program does NOT tell you what foods you can and what foods you cannot eat.  You are given a simple, easy to follow plan that will allow you to be satisfied with your daily food choices.
  • You are given a list of Power Foods.  These are foods that are healthy yet filling and will help you reach your weight loss goals.
  • The best fruits and vegetables.  You will be able to eat fruits and vegetables to your hearts delight.  It’s not like other diets that try and regulate (or prevent you from having) certain fruits and vegetables.


The Weight Watchers Meetings

You can go to your nearest Weight Watchers center or you can follow along online.  Either choice is beneficial.

If you are going to do Weight Watchers it’s advised that you do attend meetings.  It’s been proven that those people who attend meetings will lose three times more than those who do not.

The Offline Meetings include:

  • Weekly meetings that will focus on showing you practical strategies that you can use to help you reach your weight loss goals. You’ll be supplied with materials that show you a comprehensive, step-by-step weight loss plan.
  • One of the great things about meetings is that you will be able to have interaction with trained Weight Watcher’s leaders who have lost weight with this program themselves.
  • You will be able to monitor your progress with weigh-ins that are strictly confidential.
  • You will also be given access to cookbooks and other tools that will help you achieve your goals.

The Online System:

  • With the online system you will be given the same comprehensive wiehg loss guides that you would have attending the offline meetings.
  • You will have access to interactive tools (such as the food and activity trackers) that will allow you to track your weight, analyze the food you eat, and monitor your exercise routines.
  • You will have access to recommendations for what you should and shouldn’t eat when you go out to restaurants.
  • You will have access to over 3,000 recipes and over 40,000 Weight Watchers approved food options.
  • You’ll receive advice and tips for workouts that are geared to your level of fitness.
  • You’ll also have access to the Weight Watchers library of strategies and access to the online store.

All in all you will have access to ALL of these things whether you do the program offline or online.  It will be in your best interest to attend the meetings offline at your local Weight Watchers center because of the extra support you will receive (you will always do better when you have direct contact with other, real members and expert counselors).

You can sign up for Weight Watcher’s online or at your local center.  To sign up online click here.

You can also sign up online or offline by clicking here.

You can find a local Weight Watchers Meeting place by clicking here.


Posted in Weight Watchers | Tagged how do weight watchers points work, How Does Weight Watchers Work?, how weight watchers works, local weight watchers center, the weight watchers diet, weight watchers meetings | Leave a comment

Weight Watchers Points Guide

Admin | March 9, 2011 - 2:33 am

weight watchers points guideBelow for you to download, is a fairly comprehensive Weight Watchers Points Guide.   If you aren’t a member of Weight Watchers then you can use this to determine how many points you are eating per day.  You can find out how many points you are supposed to eat based on your age, height, weight, and fitness level by clicking here.

Once you determine how many points you are allowed per day you can use the guide below to figure out just what you should and shouldn’t eat to optimize your weight loss.

You can also count the point value yourself.  Here’s how:

1.Find out the calories for the food you are about to eat.  Most of the packaging that foods come in have the calories listed.  Take that number and divide it by 50.

2.Now take the number of fat grams (should also be on the package) and divide that number by 12.

3.Take the number from step one and the number from step two and add them together.  This will give you the value for “X”

4.Now find the dietary fiber grams (which should also be on the package) and divide that number by 5, this will give you the value for “Y”

5.Now subtract X minus Y to find what the food item’s point value is.  Any numbers that are .5 and higher should be rounded up.  Any numbers below .5 should be rounded down.

Now if you want you can also use a Weight Watchers calculator to determine the points for a particular food.  You can find Weight Watchers calculators on eBay.com, Amazon.com, or the Weight Watchers official website.


The Calculations

Here’s how you calculate your points with the Weight Watchers calculator:

1.Start by pushing the “Compute Food” button.

2.Enter the number of calories, the number of fat grams, and the dietery fiber grams.  You will need to push the “Enter” button after you enter each number.

3.The machine will then give you the points of the particular food and if you want to you can subtract the points from your daily alloted number by pushing the “Enter” button again.

The Points Guide

Here is the Weight Watchers Points Guide in .pdf form (this is a generic guide and does not contain all possible foods).  You can right click on the link and pick ‘Save As’ or ‘Save Link As’ to save it to your computer.

Click Here For The Points Guide


Posted in Weight Watchers | Tagged guide for weight watchers points, weight watchers points, Weight Watchers Points Guide | Leave a comment

How Many Weight Watchers Points Can I Have?

Admin | March 8, 2011 - 8:35 pm

How Many Weight Watchers Points Can I HaveWeight Watchers is an excellent program that has proven to provide weight loss results for those who sign up.  But in today’s economic climate it can be a little tough to afford.  The pricing can differ depending on what plan you buy but most of the packages are over $150.  You do have the option of paying $13 weekly with a $40 registration fee if you don’t want to pay up front.

If you simply can’t afford to join right now you can learn how to calculate the points that you would get if you did sign up.  Here’s how you find out:

I get a lot of emails asking me, “how many points should I eat on weight watchers?” So I thought I should go ahead and create a page explaining it so all of you who want to know how many points do I get on weight watchers can know for sure without shelling out the hundreds of dollars it costs for the membership.   Before I start I will say one thing, if you can afford the Weight Watchers plan I recommend that you do so.  The tools and support that you get are really worth it and the program itself is very effective.

Now, the first thing you want to do is set a baseline for points.  This is going to depend on whether you are a man or a woman and whether or not you are nursing.  If you are female then you want to start out with 2 points.  If you are a man you want to start out with 8 points.  If you are nursing a child you want to start with 12 points.  This is the very first step to knowing the answer to your question of “how many weight watchers points can I have.”


The next step is to calculate your number based on your age.  You begin by taking the number you originally started with (2 for women, 8 for men, 12 for nursing) and if you are between the ages of 17-26 you want to add 4 points.   If you are between the ages of 27-37 you want to add 3 points to your points total.  Ages 38-47 you want to add 2 points, ages 48-57 add 1 point.  If you are over the age of 58 you add 0 points.  The reason you don’t add any additional points to your total when you are over the age of 58 is because as you age your metabolism slows down.  If I was calculating my points I would have 5 points (I’m a female and I’m 36 years old).

Now you want to take the new number and adjust it for how much you weight and how tall you are. Take the first two numbers of your total weight (if you weigh 160 pounds it would be 16)  and then calculate your number based on your height.  The number based on your height goes like this:  If you are under 5′ then you don’t add any points – if you are between 5’0 and 5’9 then you add 1 point – if you are over 5’10 then you want to add 2 points.

So, for example, if you were a male who was 35, weighed 175 pounds, and was 5’10 then the total number would be:  30 (I think I did the math right:).

The calculation so far looks like this:

Male=8 points
+
Age 35=3 points
+
Weight 175 pounds=17 points
+
Height=2 points

8+3+17+2=30 total points so far.

Finally you want to adjust your number based on your activity level.  If you spend most of the day sitting in a chair in your office you want to add zero points.  If you sit occasionally but spend most of your time standing you want to add two points.  If you walk most of the time add 4 points.  If you are very physically active during the day then you want to add 6 points.

Now add that to your overall total!


Posted in Weight Watchers | Tagged how many points do I get on weight watchers, how many points should i eat on weight watchers, How Many Weight Watchers Points Can I Have, weight watchers points, weight watchers points calculator | 9 Comments