Weight Watchers Online

Since the presence of a computer in a home or office is as common as having a calculator within reach, Weight Watchers offers its entire program online to make the most of the high technological society we live in. While Weight Watchers Online may seem to be the answer to inflexible schedules, which abolish any chance of getting to an actual Weight Watchers meeting, it is important to be aware of the pros and cons of this approach to weight loss.

What is Weight Watchers Online?

The conventional plan expects its members to show up at one of its thousands of meetings located around the globe. The web version does not require you to leave the comfort of your own home to obtain its entire program. You sign up, follow and, hopefully, lose weight by using the same diet model with the added capability of your keyboard.

With a secure website, you register and pay for one of the two plans you would like to follow, Core or Flex. You are then sent program materials electronically, and can login at any time and at any place to access the program.

The Advantages

The benefits of this set-up include convenience, privacy and accessibility. With the touch of a few keys, you are logged into pages and pages of Weight Watchers literature, including nutrition information, Points values,recipes, meal ideas and exercise tips. There is a restaurant guide to help with dining out, as well as interactive tools to help assess goals and chart progress.

The site is relatively simple to navigate. For example, to search for Points values of a food item, you type in the food, and Points are immediately displayed. A news flash is sent to your computer every morning to help spark your motivation for day. There is also an online community to tap into whenever you need a lift or simply wish to share an experience.

The Disadvantages

The negative aspects of online dieting revolve around lack of accountability and its repercussions, such as inconsistency and chances of not succeeding with weight loss. Unlike Weight Watchers meetings, the online approach does not offer one-on-one assistance or a group setting for support. Only you observe weight changes, so if being accountable to another person, such as a Weight Watchers leader, encourages you to stick with the program, online “attendance” may disappoint you.

Cost

At this time, the registration fee is $29.95, and the standard monthly fee is $16.95. A savings of $15.90 is offered for a 3-month membership at the price of $65.00. Your credit card will automatically be billed each month until you provide proper notice of cancellation.

eTools

The online program described here is not related to the company’s eTools product. Weight Watcher members attending traditional meetings are offered eTools as a companion resource for weight loss when not in the meeting room. This component of the program offers similar benefits as the full online plan, but you are not purchasing program material. The average weekly fee for eTools is $2.50, and members must prove they are current attendees at meetings.