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 read some good and bad reviews on this site and I wanted to share my own experience. I joined Weight Watchers in 2003 and was able to lose the weight in the first year and keep it off for two years after that. During the time I stayed on the program, my cholesterol and blood sugar went to normal levels and I did not have to take medication.
Those who say that you can eat what you want as long as you stick to your points must not pay attention in the meetings. Our meeting coordinator always kept on our backs about making sure we got 3 to 5 vegetable/fruit servings per day. I had a hard time with this and she challenged me to eat a new veg/fruit every week to widen my palate.
The only reason I put the weight back on was because I stopped paying attention to what I ate and I stopped exercising. This week I started back on weight watchers with the knowledge this is a lifetime decision, not a quick diet. WW is beneficial as it is set up to be a lifetime commitment. Anyone who wants to stay healthy must make some kind of commitment to themselves to do so.
As a lifetime member of Weight Watchers, I struggle daily with food. Compare WW to AA, we meet, we share, we go on with a better attitude knowing we are not alone in the fight to keep weigh off. The whole concept here folks is a life style change, better food choices, eating healthy and staying active. If you failed, its your own fault, WW leaders are there to help, make friends with others in your meeting, you will get alot more out of it than being so negative.
After reading several good and bad WW reviews, I felt compelled to write of my own experience.
I agree that letting everyone eat what they want as long as they’re in their point zone is a little risky for some who lack discipline. The truth is, we can’t eat everything we want. I had a coworker who figured out she could keep eating her Jack-n-Box meal as long as she didn’t eat more than the one meal a day (not exaggerating). Obviously, this is not a healthy lifestyle choice, but it proves a point.
However, for the majority of us over-eaters/non-exercisers, WW make us think about what we put in our mouths and what being a couch potato does to our bodies and THAT is what starts a life change.
I was successful on WW but I think it’s a good idea to speak with a dietician about food facts/menu plans. There is also a myriad of resources on-line too for those who cannot afford to see a dietician or who just want more info.
Most of us became overweight because of unconscious eating. To lose weight, we have to do the exact opposite! That’s why it’s called a lifestyle change.