Weight Watchers is a commercial weight loss program that focuses on balanced low fat nutrition, exercise and group counseling. Its latest diet creation is called “TurnAround” and is based on its successful “Flexpoints Plan” and “Winning Points Plan.” Every item of food from pizza to ice cream to carrots to bread has a points value based on its nutritional content. You may eat as you like as long as you stay within your allotment of points.
This new program is basically the same as the old, but uses the points in a slightly different manner. You are encouraged to use an online resource called “eTools,” along with a points “calculator” and recipes provided by Weight Watchers. To assist the dieter in their lifestyle changes all members are encouraged to attend group discussion and counseling sessions, mostly in person, at local Weight Watchers centers.
Weight Watchers programs have historically been good programs, but they are increasingly relying on gimmicks and slick marketing. The new “TurnAround” plan is basically the “Winning Points Plan” with re-freshed marketing. They advertise aggressively, trying to convince overweight people that they can lose weight without sacrificing the foods they love.
The points-based plans control portion size by allowing calories that should be consumed on healthy food with very small portions of potentially unhealthy food. This strategy gives the dieter a false sense of the real nutritional changes they need to make in their lives for long-term success. If one seriously wants to lose weight and keep it off in the long-term, they need to think more comprehensively about the foods they eat.
The program does not put a priority on exercise, which is essential. Long-term group therapy impedes the development of self-reliance and self-discipline, which is clearly the most important trait in those 5% of dieters who succeed in the long-term.
Bottom Line:
Realize that Weight Watchers is not a diet. If you need to lose more than 10 pounds initially, Weight Watchers is not the answer. It’s more of a way-of-life and maintenance program after you’ve reached your goal weight.
To lose 10 pounds or more, I recommend “bootcamp” diets like Nutrisystem or Medifast, where you are forced to eat smaller portions. Yes, the food isn’t 5 star gourmet. Yes, the portions are small. That’s exactly the point and it will force you down to your goal weight. It’s tough, but it’s only temporary. Is 1 or 2 months of strict portion control worth being skinny again? If not, how bad do you really want this?
After you’re down to goal weight, control your lifestyle with a program like Weight Watchers. It will provide you with the tools you need to succeed longterm.
Hi, I'm a dietitian with experience in hundreds of weight loss programs and fad diets. When forming my list of the
I have went to weight watchers and lost about 20 pounds and then went off it when I became a girl scout leader due to lack of time. Now that summer is here, I am back on it. I am losing weight again. Weight watchers works as long as you stay focused. I have hypothyroidism and am still able to lose weight. It might be slower than most of the other people, but for weight to stay off, it is best to take it off slow. Exercise is promoted at weight watchers as it is very necessary to be successful. Weight watchers is not a diet, but a lifelong change. They promote changing small habits, one at a time until they become a habit. They do offer 2 programs for different personalities. The one you count your points throughout the day and the other you eat the foods that are allowed on the “core” program which are your healthier non processed foods, but you don’t need to count points as you go by your degree of hunger. Personally, I am doing the flex, but am eating mostly core foods as I don’t trust myself enough to just go by my degree of hunger. I want to know exactly how many points I am eating. In three weeks, I have lost over 6 pounds. The program does work, but it is hard work. The recommend not losing more than 3 pounds a week. They also recommend taking a multi vitamin and allowing for 2 oils such as olive oil or canola, etc. Drinking 6-8 ounces of water is key as is exercize. It is recommended for those of us that have a lot of weight to lose. I have about 50 pounds to lose and I am going to do it!
I am about to join WW after I see a nutritionist first for my thyroid disease to see if it a wise wise choice. Does anyone else out there have a thyroid issue? And if so, what has your endo dr suggested? I went from hyperthyroidism to hypothyroidism after 2 treatments & can not get the weight off no matter how less I eat or how much I exercise.
I probably am not the best spokesperson for Weight Watchers, as I only did it for a couple of months, but I will say that I believe that it absolutely works.
Here’s my story:
Prior to the last few years, I had NEVER been overweight. In fact, I maintained a very lean athletic physique. However, when I got into the swing of teaching and working on my Masters Degree in a place where I spent most of my time sitting in traffic, the weight began to pile on. My youthful quick metabolism rapidly became slow. Going to the gym was proving to be absolutely impossible for me. Before I knew it, I was 40 pounds overweight.
Confident that I could lose weight just as easily as I had all along, I didn’t really see it as a big deal. I didn’t stop eating fast food at late hours of the night and I certainly had no concerns about the foods that I ate anyhow.
Recently, I decided to be proactive about my weight loss - joining a Women’s Basketball team. I quickly realized that I needed to get back into optimal conditioning quickly and in a manner that was healthy for me. Keeping up with 18, 19, and 20 year old girls was proving to be daunting for my young 27 year old body.
So, I got serious - joined WW and began working out at 5 in the morning. The reality is that the program can work if you are willing to do the work. Before Weight Watchers, I’d already been calorie counting so doing this was easy for me. Despite the fact that they do not require their members to work out, it is strongly encouraged.
I have such a strong base of individuals that are working out with me so going to WW meetings didn’t quite benefit me. However, I do follow the guidelines for living that it has offered me. Though one person may have a horrible experience with something, someone else may not.
I would, however, recommend WW to someone looking for an excellent alternative to dieting and a positive plan for a lifestyle change.