The Weight Watchers program has been helping members lose weight for many years. After a modest start, the company quickly expanded and is now one of the most recognizable brands in the weight loss industry with a full line of food products and celebrity endorsements. Weight Watchers offers followers several options to develop healthy habits and meet their weight-loss goals.
History
Weight Watchers was founded in 1963 by Jean Nidetch, who started by inviting friends to her Queens, New York, home once a week to talk about weight loss. The group quickly expanded and now millions of people around the world use the system to reach their desired weight.
Features
Weight Watchers offers several plans. Under the Momentum plan, foods are assigned points, with foods such as fruits and vegetables having low point values and foods like chips and cookies having high ones. Each participant has a daily points target that is based on age, gender, weight and daily activity level. The plan also lets users earn extra points through activity. An additional 35 flex points a week gives followers some flexibility within the plan. The Filling Foods plan encourages dieters to focus on healthy, filling foods such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean meats. There's no daily tally of points. Instead, users choose from a list of foods that may be eaten until they feel full. Foods that are not on the list count against the weekly point allowance.
Considerations
Weight Watchers not only offers flexibility in the plans, but in how you follow them. Members can choose to attend weekly meetings, where they weigh in and talk about weight loss challenges, strategies and goals. Other followers use the online program, weighing in weekly at home and using online calculator to tally points, keep a food journal, track weight loss and receive advice and support. Using a combination of the two methods also is possible.
Cost
Weight Watchers charges an enrollment fee and weekly meeting fees. Fees vary by location and specials are occasionally offered. Typically, the registration fee is $40 and weekly meeting fees are $9 to $14. Online users pay about $18 a week.
Benefits
According to the Weight Watchers website, those who stick to the plan can expect to lose up to 2 pounds per week. The plan also encourages followers to regularly exercise, drink plenty of water and take a multivitamin daily, all healthy habits for anyone, regardless of their weight goals.
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