If you are trying to lose weight and are sick of the fad diets and the yo-yo effect you may want to consider the Weight Watchers weight loss program. Weight Watchers may be the answer if you are looking for a low cost, long term solution to your weight problem. The Weight Watchers program encorporates weekly weigh-ins and meetings for the support and accountability most dieters need. Most people who attend the meetings lose more weight than those who do not. The Weight Watchers eTools are also very helpful and can be combined with a monthly pass which includes the cost of the weekly meetings.
The Weight Watchers eating plan is is based on their “points” system. Dieters use nutrition labels to calculate the points using the Fat grams, calories and dietary fiber content. Most prepackaged foods have a nutritional guide/label which details the necessary information needed to calculate points and serving sizes. The allowable daily points range is based on individual weight. For example: members weighing 150 pounds or less have a daily points allowance of 20. The points range goes up from at a rate of two extra points per 10 lbs of weight up to a maximum of 30 points per day (for those weighing over 200lbs.) The current plan also allows each dieter 35 “flex points” per week. These “flex points” can be used at any time during each week between meetings or weigh-ins. Theextra points are for you to use at your discression. You may choose to add an aditional 5 points per day to your daily points allowance if you are still hungry after you’ve used all of your points each day. You may also use these points for a special reware or treat. However, these points do not have to be used.
Weight Watchers does recommend that you eat 3 meals and at least two snacks a day to keep up your metabolism. It is also recommended that you drink 6 to 8-8ounce glasses of a no calorie beverage and eat at least 2 servings of a milk or dairy product a day. The milk products must be included in your total daily points.
Weight Watchers offers many tools at the meetings for support and ease of measuring. The complete food guide and the dining out guide are highly recommended. These books list in full detai the points value for name brand foods and fast food as well as many restaurants. They also provide a basic guide for calculating all other foods which are not pre packaged, like meats and vegetables. Applebees is one chain of restaurants which offers Weight Watchers points on a selection of their menu. There are many other tools offered for purchase such as measuring spoons and food scales. These items help tremendously to make the point calculating a little easier. The WW cookbooks offer so many recipes which take dieting and cooking to a whole new level.
Many dieters find that Weight Watchers offers a wider variety of food choices than most other diet plans. Dieters can eat any type of food group they like. They can even splurge when they feel the urge. This plan incorporates portion control as well as good healthy eating habits. The weight may not come off quite as fast as some other plans, but learning a new lifestyle is a lifelong lesson and most WW members keep their weight off long term.
Related posts: