Weight Watchers® Explained

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The first diet plan I’m going to highlight is a diet that I’m a big fan of.  I know many people who have had great success with it.

Weight Watchers® is the first weight loss program I ever remember hearing about.  My mom went on their program in the 80s and lost quite a bit of weight. (Since I was just a girl, I have no idea how much she actually lost….maybe 20 pounds)  All I know is that she was the same size after the program that I was in 7th grade!

Weight Watchers® is also the program that I used when I wanted to lose weight before my wedding.

Unlike many other diets, I’ve never heard a medical professional say anything negative about Weight Watchers®.  It does not involve any drastic shift in eating patterns or bodily processing and no food is off limits.

The Weight Watchers program has a few basic components:

First of all, for most people, you will cut down on your total food consumption. While you’re not supposed to feel as if you are starving, you’re also not supposed to feel stuffed after you eat.  It’s a great plan to teach you moderation, portion control, and choosing the right foods to fuel your body.

Secondly, there is a somewhat complex points system which is used to calculate what you can eat and how much.  The upside of this is that there is a point value for every food you eat, even Krispy Kreme donuts.  The downside is that the points for Krispy Kreme donuts are much higher than the points for veggies.  (This might be why I struggle with my weight).

Thirdly, you will need to start adding activity to your lifestyle. Weight Watchers® is great for offering practical tips and easy step-by-step plans for incorporating activity.

From a medical point of view this program makes logical sense – choose foods that are high in nutrients and then simply work off the excess energy by getting active and burning stored-up calories in the process.

For many people, the mere idea of cutting down on your food seems like borderline starvation.  Most people start a diet expecting to cut down on sweet stuff and junk food, but the idea of eating less of everything seems a little overwhelming. This program hinges on self-control and self-discipline.

In my opinion, one of the best parts about Weight Watchers® is support, whether online or through in-person weekly meetings.  Having a scheduled check-in time to ask questions, weigh in, and meet with others who are dealing with similar issues is a huge motivator.

Some of my best weight loss successes have been when I’ve weighed in regularly.  If you’re in the Fort Wayne area, I highly recommend any meeting that Kelly leads.  She is awesome!

If you have a packed schedule or aren’t a big fan of group meetings, you may want to try Weight Watchers Online. It allows you to follow the plan at home and gives you access to great online tools and online support.

I’m a huge fan of Weight Watchers®. I think it’s a sensible program with lots of great support.

Have you ever tried Weight Watchers?  Please leave a comment! I’d love to hear about your experience!

Not sure this is the diet plan for you?  Check out other diet plans in my Explanations of Popular Diet Plans series.