Weight Watchers Diet: Overview

Philosophy

Weight Watchers promotes making healthy diet and fitness lifestyle changes. The plan offers information and motivation to help members reach their individual weight goals. Weight Watchers is unique in that every employee of the program has followed the plan and met their desired weight.

A main point made throughout the years is that no food is off-limits. Moderation is a major key to success with the plan. Hence, the program offers strategies to curb food cravings, fulfill hunger and still lose weight.

The Plans

The Flex Plan utilizes a point system in which a number is assigned to foods. A certain number of points are allotted daily based on current weight, gender and age. Members can “eat” their points in any fashion they choose. However, the program encourages nutritious and balanced eating. Weekly bonus points are given for extras like a pat of butter, a beverage or a dessert that is not normally part of a day’s meal plan.

The Core Plan eliminated the counting of points. A member chooses from a list of wholesome foods incorporating all the food groups. Since the items are purposely listed for their nutritional quality, members feel satisfied with most meal selections. The Core Plan offers the occasional treat in controlled amounts.

The Meetings

Meetings are held in community buildings or a Weight Watchers Center. Although meeting leaders do not necessarily have a background in nutrition, they have significant experience with the plan. The leader is responsible for conducting a presentation based on a meeting guideline for the week, encouraging group discussion, answering questions and providing support.

A confidential weigh-in is conducted with the leader or a receptionist. A member is not required to weigh-in each week. However, the weekly fee is still due and program material, if applicable, is given to the member.

There is a registration fee of approximately fifteen dollars. Weekly fees vary depending on the area in which you live. Meeting locations, times and fees can be found at http://www.weightwatchers.com or by calling 1-800-651-6000. There are no contracts to sign. Rather, members pay as they go. Anyone can attend one meeting free of charge and will receive a pamphlet describing the plan. The newcomer will be charged the registration fee if he or she decides to join and the start-up material will be given.

For all new members, there is an introductory session after the general meeting. During this overview, members are instructed on the basics of the program and how to begin their first week.

Why it Works

Group support, individual attention and overall inspiration are the driving forces behind Weight Watchers. Keeping track of food intake on a daily basis is strongly encouraged and proves to be a successful tool for people who have lost weight on the plan. In addition, there are many foods with low points that replace high-calorie, high-fat foods in order to maintain the allowable points or calories for weight loss.

Health Advisory and Safety

Members are urged to consult with their physician before beginning any diet. Also, the plan is designed for a two pound or less weight loss each week. If rapid weight loss occurs, members must review the guidelines and make necessary changes to achieve a safe rate of weight loss.

The program does not accept any person under the age of ten. Individuals who are seventeen or younger need written medical permission to join. Furthermore, teens and nursing mothers follow a specific plan to meet particular nutritional requirements. Participation is also prohibited to any person with bulimia, a current weight of less than five pounds above minimum weight according to Weight Watchers ranges and pregnant women.

Since real food is the mainstay of the program, along with behavior modification techniques to change eating habits, there are virtually no health risks involved.

Other Sources

There is an on-line version of the diet available. This allows members to follow the plan’s materials, track food intake, chat with other members and chart progress. The member conducts the monitoring of weight changes at home. Therefore, if accountability is a factor for success, joining on-line is not the best way to utilize the full benefits of the program.

Food products to help with meal planning, portions and balanced eating are sold in supermarkets. Other products offered include cookbooks, motivational books, measuring utensils, food scales, pedometers, journals and the Weight Watchers magazine.