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 agree with the original person who posted their story. I joined WW over 20 years ago when the probram was by food groups, I was always satisfied and found it hard at times to eat all my food each day. I became a lifetime member and also worked for WW as a receptionist. When the program changed to the point system I found it hard to manage my points. Since I am a small person I did not get enough points even with the extras for the week, my points ran out by lunchtime. I still follow the old program, it is easier and I am able to eat more food each day. Weight Watchers, please go back to
the old program!! Working at WW, I saw much more success with the members back then. I think that the point system leaves too much room for cheating and failure, but, WW is making more money this way.
I joined WW in Dec. 2006. I have Crohns Disease (which makes your weight yo-yo) + I have an artificial hip (which really limits excercise). I was also 52 yrs. old. The most important thing I was… was determined! I might also add that I am an extremely picky eater. I don’t eat vegetables (other than potatoes), I don’t eat salads & I only like seasonal fruit & not many of those. But I joined WW & made it work for me. We had an @ work meeting so it was convenient. At the end of our first 13-week session I had reached my 10% (20 lb. loss). We joined again & @ the end of the next 13-
wk. session (Oct. 2006) I had reached my goal (-50 lbs.). When the next session started I was on maintenance. In January I became lifetime. The only catch was I didn’t realize that I hadn’t measured my height in many years. When I did I found out that I was 2″ shorter than I thought I was. I went into weight loss mode again to take off the extra 10 lbs. which I did. I was now down 60 lbs. I had gone from 207.6 lbs. down to 147.6.
I eat pretty normally now (& always did really, now in moderation). I still eat my favorites (chicken-fried steak & pizza), I just realize that those are for special occassions & I can’t do that on a daily basis. I also realized that @ almost 147 lbs. I was on the high end of the weight chart so I wanted to lose a little more. I just had my monthly weigh in & I weighed 137.6. I am very pleased & happy in my new lifestyle. I am a 54 yr. old woman who is 5′6″ & weigh 137. I’m done! I did it. I recommend WI to everyone I know. If I can do it, anyone can!
hi, to eveyone out there.
I am visting this website and come across these
reviews,they are all great and yes each has his/her own opinions, will i’d like to add mine here, i joined weight watchers in may of this year, and from the start they were great , no one tried to push , or make me buy nothing , they even let me use my old program right alone with theis, same foods , ect , yes we talk about exercises, its true they dont force you to do them , you’ve got to want to lose weight on your own. my other program was the same ,they are there for encouragement and
support, it’s working for me, i keep points.